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{{rewrite-expand|add History section for game-specific information}}
[[File:DKC Animal Buddies.png|thumb|250px|Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong with their Animal Friends]]
[[File:DKC Animal Buddies.png|thumb|250px|Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong with their Animal Friends]]
{{Rewrite-expand}}
'''Animal Friends''', also known as '''The Good Guys''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country'' cast roll</ref> '''Animal Buddies''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' cast roll</ref> '''First Class Friends''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' cast roll</ref> '''Jungle Buddies''',<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/Wii_DK_Jungle_Beat.pdf ''New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' instruction booklet,] page 17.</ref> or '''Amicable Animals''',<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii/NEW-PLAY-CONTROL-Donkey-Kong-Jungle-Beat-282321.html#Characters Nintendo UK ''NEW PLAY CONTROL! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' official webpage]</ref> are friendly creatures that aid [[Donkey Kong]] and the other [[Kong]]s on their various adventures. Since their first appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', Animal Friends have appeared in several subsequent ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' titles, especially the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' series and ''[[Donkey Kong Land (series)|Donkey Kong Land]]'' series.
'''Animal Friends''', also known as '''The Good Guys''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country'' cast roll</ref> '''Animal Buddies''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' cast roll</ref> or '''First Class Friends''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble'' cast roll</ref> is a term relating to friendly creatures that aid [[Donkey Kong]] and his friends and [[Kong Family|family]] on their various adventures. Animal Friends help the [[Kong]]s by defeating enemies, finding items, and reaching [[Bonus Level]]s. Animal Friends first appeared in the game ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' and have appeared in most subsequent [[Donkey Kong (franchise)|''Donkey Kong'' franchise]] games. There is also a separate yet similar group of allies known as '''Jungle Buddies'''.<ref>''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' instruction booklet, page 16.</ref>


When an Animal Friend is injured by an enemy or obstacle, it runs away, just like [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]]s in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series. The Animal Friend continues in a single direction usually until hitting into a wall, where they change direction. The Kongs can continue riding the Animal Buddy when they jump back on it.
Every Animal Friend has its own abilities, which are sometimes shared between two or more Animal Friends, usually if they do not appear in the same game. Animal Friends generally help by defeating enemies, finding special items, and allowing the Kongs to reach [[bonus room|Bonus Level]]s and other high areas. In some cases, a special item, such as a couple of [[DK Coin]]s, can be obtained only through the aid of an Animal Friend. A few of the Animal Friends have the sole purpose of allowing the Kongs to navigate an environment, such as by illuminating a dark area, and are found in only a few relevant areas. None of the Animal Friends can use [[rope]]s, and most of them cannot carry objects such as [[barrel]]s.


In ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', the Kongs can jump onto an [[animal crate]] to free the pictured Animal Friend and ride it. Animal crates also appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', which also introduces [[Animal Barrel]]s, which [[Diddy Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]] can enter to transform into the depicted Animal Friend. The game also introduces the [[No Animal Sign]], a signpost that the Animal Friend cannot pass. By crossing the No Animal Sign, the Animal Friend disappears, and an item, such as an [[Extra Life Balloon]], is released. When the Kongs cross a No Animal Sign as an Animal Friend, they transform back into themselves.
In most cases, an Animal Friend is contained within an [[animal crate]], which depicts an emblem of its face on the side. The Kongs can release the Animal Friend by breaking open its animal crate. Most of the Animal Friends can be ridden, and when this occurs, the player's control switches over from the Kongs to the Animal Friend. Just like [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]]s in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series, if an Animal Friend is injured by an enemy or obstacle, it runs away, continuing in a single direction until it hits a wall, where it starts moving in the opposite direction, or falls down a [[pit]]. To continue riding the Animal Friend, the Kongs must [[jump]] back onto it. The Kongs can continue riding an Animal Friend until they exit a [[level]] or pass a [[No Animal Sign]], which is a signpost that the depicted Animal Friend is incapable of passing. Crossing a No Animal Sign causes the Animal Friend to disappear, and an item, such as an [[Red Balloon|Extra Life Balloon]], appears in its place.
 
Similar to animal crates are [[Animal Barrel]]s, which transform the Kongs into the depicted Animal Friend. Whenever two Kongs are active, a small icon of the same Animal Friend is shown at the bottom left of the screen to represent the other Kong. The Animal Friend can sustain two hits from an enemy or most obstacles, meaning that it loses a life only if hit a third time. Whenever the Animal Friend takes one hit, its bottom left icon disappears to indicate that only one of the Kongs is presently transformed into it. Touching a [[DK Barrel]] causes the second Kong, and therefore the Animal Friend's icon, to reappear. Whenever the Kongs cross a No Animal Sign, they transform back into themselves. In the ''Donkey Kong Land'' series, some levels do not have a No Animal Sign near the end, so they can be completed by an Animal Friend, who then turns back into the Kongs afterward.


==List of Animal Friends==
==List of Animal Friends==
===Animal Friends introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''===
{|class="wikitable dk sortable"
*[[Rambi]]
!class="unsortable"|Image
*[[Expresso]]
!style="width:5%"|Name
*[[Enguarde]]
!class="unsortable" style="width:65%"|Description
*[[Winky]]
!class="unsortable" style="width:25%"|{{hover|Game appearance(s)|This does not include minor or cameo appearances}}
*[[Squawks]]
|-
 
|[[File:Rambi DKCR.png|150x150px]]
===Animal Friends introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest|Donkey Kong Country 2]]''===
|style="text-align:center"|[[Rambi]]
*[[Rattly]]
|Rambi is a rhinoceros who has the most appearances out of all the Animal Friends. It uses its horn to attack enemies and break open walls.
*[[Squitter]]
|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1994)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' (1995)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' (1995)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' (1996)<br>''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' (1999)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'' (2007)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' (2010)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' (2014)
*[[Glimmer]]
|-
*[[Clapper]]
|[[File:Expresso.png|150x150px]]
*[[Quawks]] (unconfirmed as an Animal Friend)
|style="text-align:center"|[[Expresso]]
 
|An ostrich who can glide across wide gaps. It has tall legs that short enemies, such as [[Klaptrap]]s, walk right through.
===Animal Friends introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!|Donkey Kong Country 3]]''===
|''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994)<br>''Donkey Kong Land'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 2'' (Game Boy Advance) (2004)
*[[Ellie]]
*[[Parry the Parallel Bird]]
 
===Animal Friends introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''===
*[[Lightfish]]
 
===Jungle Buddies introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''===
*[[Hoofer]]
*[[Flurl]]
*[[Orco]]
*[[Helibird]]
 
===Animal Friend introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''===
*[[Tawks]]
 
==Table of Animal Friends by game==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
!width="20%"| Animal
|[[File:Enguarde DK Barrel Blast artwork.jpg|150x150px]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Country|DKC]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Enguarde]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest|DKC2]]
|Enguarde is a blue swordfish who often appears in aquatic levels to assist the [[Kong]]s.
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!|DKC3]]
|''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'' (1996)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'' (1997)<br>''Donkey Kong 64'' (1999)<br>''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast'' (2007)
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong 64|DK64]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast|DKBB]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Country Returns|DKCR]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze|DKCTF]]
!width="10%"| [[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat|DKJB]]
|-
|-
|| [[Rambi the Rhino]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:WinkyDKC.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Winky]]
|Winky is a frog who is capable of bouncing high, allowing [[Donkey Kong]] and [[Diddy Kong]] to reach higher areas.
|''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994)
|-
|-
|| [[Expresso the Ostrich]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]][[#ch2|<sup>2</sup>]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Squawks - Donkey Kong Country Returns.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Squawks]]
|Squawks is a green parrot whose role has varied throughout the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' series. In ''Donkey Kong Country'', it carries a flashlight to light the path forward in the level [[Torchlight Trouble]]. In ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (as well as their respective counterparts, ''Donkey Kong Land 2'' and ''Donkey Kong Land III''), Squawks can fly the Kongs through the level, usually only segments. In ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' and ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'', Squawks helps the Kongs find [[Puzzle Piece (Donkey Kong Country series)|Puzzle Piece]]s.
|''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Land III'' (1997)<br>''Donkey Kong 64'' (1999)<br>''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast'' (2007)<br>''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' (2010)<br>''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' (2014)
|-
|-
|| [[Enguarde the Swordfish]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Rattly.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Rattly]]
|Rattly is a green rattlesnake who, like Winky, has a high jumping ability, so Rattly is essentially a replacement for Winky in its appearances.
|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)
|-
|-
|| [[Winky the Frog]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Squitter.jpg|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Squitter]]
|A large, orange spider who has the ability to create webs, either as platforms or to attack enemies.  
|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Land III'' (1997)
|-
|-
|| [[Squawks the Parrot]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]][[#ch3|<sup>3</sup>]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]][[#ch3|<sup>3</sup>]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Glimmer.jpg|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Glimmer]]
|An angler fish who only appears in one level, [[Glimmer's Galleon (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Glimmer's Galleon]], to light the path ahead for Diddy and [[Dixie Kong|Dixie]]. Its role is much like that of Squawks's in ''Donkey Kong Country'' albeit underwater.
|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)
|-
|-
|| [[Rattly the Rattlesnake]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Clapper.jpg|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Clapper]]
|These seals are always found next to a body of water. Whenever Diddy or Dixie jumps on a Clapper, it exhales cold air which cools (or freezes) the water.
|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)
|-
|-
|| [[Squitter the Spider]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Quawks Artwork - Donkey Kong Country 3.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Quawks]]
|A purple relative of Squawks with a similar behavior and appearance, but has one characteristic in which it is disadvantaged; in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' and ''Donkey Kong Land 2'', it cannot fly upward, and in ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'', it cannot spit eggs, picking up [[barrel]]s instead.
|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' (1995)<br>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (1996)
|-
|-
|| [[Glimmer the Angler Fish]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:EllieDKC3.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Ellie]]
|An elephant who can store a supply of water in her trunk and shoot bursts of them to attack enemies. Ellie can also use her trunk to carry barrels.
|''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (1996)<br>''Donkey Kong Land III'' (1997)
|-
|-
|| [[Clapper the Seal]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Parry DKC3.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Parry (character)|Parry]]
|A small bird who flies to the side of Dixie and [[Kiddy Kong|Kiddy]], similar to Squawks in ''Donkey Kong Country''. If the Kongs take Parry past a No Animal Sign, it often yields a valuable reward, sometimes even a [[Bonus Barrel]].
|''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' (1996)
|-
|-
|| [[Ellie the Elephant]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Lightfish DK64.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Lightfish]]<ref group=note>While not referred to as an Animal Friend in any English sources, there are German and Spanish sources that list the Lightfish as an Animal Friend, albeit while referring to it as Glimmer, the name of a similar Animal Friend.</ref>
|A tadpole-like fish who illuminates the darker areas of [[Gloomy Galleon]] for the Kongs. It is similar to Glimmer from ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''.
|''Donkey Kong 64'' (1999)
|-
|-
|| [[Parry the Parallel Bird]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Hoofer the Wildebeest.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Hoofer]]
|A wildebeest whom Donkey Kong can use to quickly ride through areas while defeating enemies and destroying obstacles along the way, much like Rambi in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' and ''Donkey Kong Land'' series.
|''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' (2004)
|-
|-
|| [[Hoofer]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Flurl.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Flurl]]
|A red squirrel whom Donkey Kong can use as a parachute to slowly descend from high areas.
|''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' (2004)
|-
|-
|| [[Flurl]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Orco the Killer Whale.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Orco]]
|A whale whom Donkey Kong can ride in aquatic areas. Orco has the ability to jump out of the water.
|''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' (2004)
|-
|-
|| [[Orco]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:Helibird1.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Helibird]]
|They are blue birds who carry Donkey Kong to higher areas. There are two levels that involve Helibirds participating in a race, [[Chopperbird Race]] and [[Helibird Dash]].
|''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' (2004)
|}
 
<references group="note"/>
 
==Similar characters==
While not Animal Friends themselves, these characters have a very similar role:
{|class="wikitable dk sortable"
!class="unsortable"|Image
!style="width:5%"|Name
!class="unsortable" style="width:65%"|Description
!class="unsortable" style="width:25%"|{{hover|Game appearance(s)|This does not include minor or cameo appearances}}
|-
|-
|| [[Helibird]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:HelperMonkey-DKJB-Art2.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Helper Monkey]]
|They are small, gray monkeys who hide in bushes and assist Donkey Kong by carrying him from one bush to the next. At the end of each level, they help by counting how many bananas Donkey Kong has obtained.
|''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' (2004)
|-
|-
|| [[Quawks]][[#ch1|<sup>1</sup>]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]][[#ch3|<sup>3</sup>]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:TutorialPig.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Professor Chops]]
|Bespectacled pigs that give advice and act as checkpoints.
|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' (2010)<br>''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' (2014)
|-
|-
|| [[Lightfish]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:BlowholeBound.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Whale]]
|Whales appear as large moving platforms in the stage [[Blowhole Bound]].
|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' (2010)
|-
|-
|| [[Tawks]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]] || [[File:Check_mark.svg|17px|link=]][[#ch1|<sup>2</sup>]]&nbsp;[[#ch1|<sup>3</sup>]] || [[File:X_mark.svg|17px|link=]]
|[[File:TawksArtwork.png|150x150px]]
|style="text-align:center"|[[Tawks]]
|A red parrot who substitutes for [[Funky Kong]] at [[Funky's Fly 'n' Buy]] whenever he is journeying with the other Kongs.
|''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) (2018)
|}
|}
* <span id=ch1>1</span> — The character is not fully confirmed as being an Animal Friend.
* <span id=ch2>2</span> — The character is only present in remakes of the game, and not the original game itself.
* <span id=ch3>3</span> — The character is present in the game, but does not have a full fledged Animal Friend role.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Rambi DKCR.png|[[Rambi the Rhino]]
Expresso.png|[[Expresso the Ostrich]]
Enguarde DK Barrel Blast artwork.jpg|[[Enguarde the Swordfish]]
WinkyDKC.png|[[Winky the Frog]]
Squawks - Donkey Kong Country Returns.png|[[Squawks the Parrot]]
Rattly.png|[[Rattly the Rattlesnake]]
Squitter.jpg|[[Squitter the Spider]]
Glimmer.jpg|[[Glimmer the Angler Fish]]
Clapper.jpg|[[Clapper the Seal]]
Quawks Artwork - Donkey Kong Country 3.png|[[Quawks]]
EllieDKC3.png|[[Ellie the Elephant]]
Parry DKC3.png|[[Parry the Parallel Bird]]
Glimmer the Lightfish.jpg|[[Lightfish]]
Hoofer the Wildebeest.png|[[Hoofer]]
Flurl.png|[[Flurl]]
Orco the Killer Whale.png|[[Orco]]
Helibird1.png|[[Helibird]]
HelperMonkey-DKJB-Art2.png|[[Helper Monkey]]
Animalfriendsdkcr.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' animals
Animalfriendsdkcr.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' animals
TawksArtwork.png|[[Tawks]]
Animal Buddies Concept.jpg|Concept of several Animal Friends for ''Donkey Kong Country''
Animal Buddies Concept.jpg|Concept of several Animal Friends for ''Donkey Kong Country''
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 119: Line 141:
==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
{{foreign names
|Jap=アニマルフレンド<br>''Animaru Furendo''<br>ジャングルブラザーズ<br>''Janguru Burazāzu''
|Jap=アニマルフレンド
|JapM=Animal Friends<br><br>Jungle Brothers
|JapR=Animaru Furendo
|JapM=Animal Friends
|Jap2=ジャングルブラザーズ<ref>''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat'' Japanese instruction booklet, page 16.</ref>
|Jap2R=Janguru Burazāzu
|Jap2M=Jungle Brothers
|Fre=Amis Animaux
|FreM=Animal Friends
|Ger=Tierisch Hilfreich
|Ger=Tierisch Hilfreich
|GerM=Helpful Animals
|GerM=Helpful Animals
|Ita=Amici animali
|ItaM=Animal friends
|Spa=Amigos Animales
|SpaM=-
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:Ram_Bunkshus.png|thumb|Ram Bunkshus]]
[[File:Ram_Bunkshus.png|thumb|Ram Bunkshus]]
*A concept artwork in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' dubs the elephant, zebra, giraffe, and squirrel species of [[Donkey Kong Island]] "Animal Friends";<ref>"Animal Friends" concept artwork, "Critters 1 Gallery" in the "Extras" section of ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.</ref> however, unlike the Animal Friends of previous installments, these animals only have a background role in the game due to being hypnotized into stealing the [[banana hoard]] by the [[Tiki Tak Tribe]], and are not helpers of Donkey Kong.
*In ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'', the elephant, zebra, giraffe, and squirrel seen throughout the game are dubbed "Animal Friends" in one of the unlockable concept artworks;<ref>"Animal Friends" concept artwork, "Critters 1 Gallery" in the "Extras" section of ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.</ref> however, these animals only have a background role in the game due to being hypnotized into stealing the [[banana hoard]] by the [[Tiki Tak Tribe]].
*''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' was [[List of Donkey Kong Land pre-release and unused content|originally]] going to introduce another Animal Friend, a ram named Ram Bunkshus.
*''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' was [[List of Donkey Kong Land pre-release and unused content|originally]] going to introduce another Animal Friend, a ram named Ram Bunkshus.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Animal Buddies|*]]
 
[[it:Amici Animali]]
[[Category:Animal Friends|*]]
[[it:Amici animali]]
[[de:Tierischer Freund]]
[[de:Tierischer Freund]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, March 16, 2024

It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: add History section for game-specific information

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong with their Animal Friends
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong with their Animal Friends

Animal Friends, also known as The Good Guys,[1] Animal Buddies,[2] First Class Friends,[3] Jungle Buddies,[4] or Amicable Animals,[5] are friendly creatures that aid Donkey Kong and the other Kongs on their various adventures. Since their first appearance in Donkey Kong Country, Animal Friends have appeared in several subsequent Donkey Kong titles, especially the Donkey Kong Country series and Donkey Kong Land series.

Every Animal Friend has its own abilities, which are sometimes shared between two or more Animal Friends, usually if they do not appear in the same game. Animal Friends generally help by defeating enemies, finding special items, and allowing the Kongs to reach Bonus Levels and other high areas. In some cases, a special item, such as a couple of DK Coins, can be obtained only through the aid of an Animal Friend. A few of the Animal Friends have the sole purpose of allowing the Kongs to navigate an environment, such as by illuminating a dark area, and are found in only a few relevant areas. None of the Animal Friends can use ropes, and most of them cannot carry objects such as barrels.

In most cases, an Animal Friend is contained within an animal crate, which depicts an emblem of its face on the side. The Kongs can release the Animal Friend by breaking open its animal crate. Most of the Animal Friends can be ridden, and when this occurs, the player's control switches over from the Kongs to the Animal Friend. Just like Yoshis in the Super Mario series, if an Animal Friend is injured by an enemy or obstacle, it runs away, continuing in a single direction until it hits a wall, where it starts moving in the opposite direction, or falls down a pit. To continue riding the Animal Friend, the Kongs must jump back onto it. The Kongs can continue riding an Animal Friend until they exit a level or pass a No Animal Sign, which is a signpost that the depicted Animal Friend is incapable of passing. Crossing a No Animal Sign causes the Animal Friend to disappear, and an item, such as an Extra Life Balloon, appears in its place.

Similar to animal crates are Animal Barrels, which transform the Kongs into the depicted Animal Friend. Whenever two Kongs are active, a small icon of the same Animal Friend is shown at the bottom left of the screen to represent the other Kong. The Animal Friend can sustain two hits from an enemy or most obstacles, meaning that it loses a life only if hit a third time. Whenever the Animal Friend takes one hit, its bottom left icon disappears to indicate that only one of the Kongs is presently transformed into it. Touching a DK Barrel causes the second Kong, and therefore the Animal Friend's icon, to reappear. Whenever the Kongs cross a No Animal Sign, they transform back into themselves. In the Donkey Kong Land series, some levels do not have a No Animal Sign near the end, so they can be completed by an Animal Friend, who then turns back into the Kongs afterward.

List of Animal Friends[edit]

Image Name Description Game appearance(s)
Rambi the Rhino Rambi Rambi is a rhinoceros who has the most appearances out of all the Animal Friends. It uses its horn to attack enemies and break open walls. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Donkey Kong Land (1995)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (2007)
Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)
Expresso.png Expresso An ostrich who can glide across wide gaps. It has tall legs that short enemies, such as Klaptraps, walk right through. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Donkey Kong Land (1995)
Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance) (2004)
Artwork of Enguarde the Swordfish from Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Enguarde Enguarde is a blue swordfish who often appears in aquatic levels to assist the Kongs. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
Donkey Kong Land III (1997)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (2007)
WinkyDKC.png Winky Winky is a frog who is capable of bouncing high, allowing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to reach higher areas. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Artwork of Squawks the Parrot from Donkey Kong Country Returns Squawks Squawks is a green parrot whose role has varied throughout the Donkey Kong Country series. In Donkey Kong Country, it carries a flashlight to light the path forward in the level Torchlight Trouble. In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (as well as their respective counterparts, Donkey Kong Land 2 and Donkey Kong Land III), Squawks can fly the Kongs through the level, usually only segments. In Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Squawks helps the Kongs find Puzzle Pieces. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
Donkey Kong Land III (1997)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (2007)
Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)
Rattly.png Rattly Rattly is a green rattlesnake who, like Winky, has a high jumping ability, so Rattly is essentially a replacement for Winky in its appearances. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Squitter the Spider Squitter A large, orange spider who has the ability to create webs, either as platforms or to attack enemies. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
Donkey Kong Land III (1997)
Glimmer.jpg Glimmer An angler fish who only appears in one level, Glimmer's Galleon, to light the path ahead for Diddy and Dixie. Its role is much like that of Squawks's in Donkey Kong Country albeit underwater. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Clapper.jpg Clapper These seals are always found next to a body of water. Whenever Diddy or Dixie jumps on a Clapper, it exhales cold air which cools (or freezes) the water. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Official artwork of Quawks from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Quawks A purple relative of Squawks with a similar behavior and appearance, but has one characteristic in which it is disadvantaged; in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Land 2, it cannot fly upward, and in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, it cannot spit eggs, picking up barrels instead. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
Artwork of Ellie the Elephant from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Ellie An elephant who can store a supply of water in her trunk and shoot bursts of them to attack enemies. Ellie can also use her trunk to carry barrels. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
Donkey Kong Land III (1997)
Artwork of Parry the Parallel Bird from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Parry A small bird who flies to the side of Dixie and Kiddy, similar to Squawks in Donkey Kong Country. If the Kongs take Parry past a No Animal Sign, it often yields a valuable reward, sometimes even a Bonus Barrel. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)
The Lightfish as it appears in Donkey Kong 64 Lightfish[note 1] A tadpole-like fish who illuminates the darker areas of Gloomy Galleon for the Kongs. It is similar to Glimmer from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Concept artwork of Hoofer, from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Hoofer A wildebeest whom Donkey Kong can use to quickly ride through areas while defeating enemies and destroying obstacles along the way, much like Rambi in the Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land series. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
Flurl from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Flurl A red squirrel whom Donkey Kong can use as a parachute to slowly descend from high areas. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
Orco Orco A whale whom Donkey Kong can ride in aquatic areas. Orco has the ability to jump out of the water. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
Helibird Helibird They are blue birds who carry Donkey Kong to higher areas. There are two levels that involve Helibirds participating in a race, Chopperbird Race and Helibird Dash. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
  1. ^ While not referred to as an Animal Friend in any English sources, there are German and Spanish sources that list the Lightfish as an Animal Friend, albeit while referring to it as Glimmer, the name of a similar Animal Friend.

Similar characters[edit]

While not Animal Friends themselves, these characters have a very similar role:

Image Name Description Game appearance(s)
Helper Monkey Helper Monkey They are small, gray monkeys who hide in bushes and assist Donkey Kong by carrying him from one bush to the next. At the end of each level, they help by counting how many bananas Donkey Kong has obtained. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
TutorialPig.png Professor Chops Bespectacled pigs that give advice and act as checkpoints. Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)
Blowhole Bound Whale Whales appear as large moving platforms in the stage Blowhole Bound. Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)
Artwork of Tawks Tawks A red parrot who substitutes for Funky Kong at Funky's Fly 'n' Buy whenever he is journeying with the other Kongs. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch) (2018)

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese アニマルフレンド
Animaru Furendo
ジャングルブラザーズ[6]
Janguru Burazāzu
Animal Friends

Jungle Brothers

French Amis Animaux
Animal Friends
German Tierisch Hilfreich
Helpful Animals
Italian Amici animali
Animal friends
Spanish Amigos Animales
-

Trivia[edit]

Ram Bunkshus
  • In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the elephant, zebra, giraffe, and squirrel seen throughout the game are dubbed "Animal Friends" in one of the unlockable concept artworks;[7] however, these animals only have a background role in the game due to being hypnotized into stealing the banana hoard by the Tiki Tak Tribe.
  • Donkey Kong Land was originally going to introduce another Animal Friend, a ram named Ram Bunkshus.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Donkey Kong Country cast roll
  2. ^ Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest cast roll
  3. ^ Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! cast roll
  4. ^ New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat instruction booklet, page 17.
  5. ^ Nintendo UK NEW PLAY CONTROL! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat official webpage
  6. ^ Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Japanese instruction booklet, page 16.
  7. ^ "Animal Friends" concept artwork, "Critters 1 Gallery" in the "Extras" section of Donkey Kong Country Returns.