Diddy Kong: Difference between revisions

|image=[[File: MK8D BCP Diddy Kong Artwork.png{{!}}250px]]<br>Artwork from ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass]]''

|latest_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' ([[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]], Wave 6) (2023)

'''Diddy Kong''' is the deuteragonist of the [[Donkey Kong (franchise)|''Donkey Kong'' franchise]] and [[Donkey Kong]]'s best friend and sidekick. He is a creation of the British company [[Rare Ltd.]], which produced many successful ''Donkey Kong'' games that Diddy Kong either starred or co-starred in, but after Rare lost its rights to the ''Donkey Kong'' franchise due to [[Nintendo]] selling its shares to {{wp|Microsoft}}, Nintendo kept the rights of all ''Donkey Kong'' characters, including Diddy Kong. He went on to become a regular character in spin-off ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' titles, effectively taking [[Donkey Kong Jr.]]'s former role starting with ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]''.

 

Diddy sports a red shirt with yellow stars and a red hat with the Nintendo logo printed on it. The name "Diddy" is a slang word used in some parts of northern England for "small," as Diddy Kong is. Diddy Kong has gone on many adventures by himself, occasionally with his girlfriend, [[Dixie Kong]], and has even starred in [[Diddy Kong Racing|his own racing game]] for the [[Nintendo 64]] and later in [[Diddy Kong Racing DS|its remake]] for the [[Nintendo DS]].

[[File:Diddy Kong DKC.png|thumb|left|121px|The original render of Diddy Kong]]

Diddy Kong first appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', as the co-star of the game with Donkey Kong. Here, he is still Donkey Kong's apprentice and an "in-training video-game star". On one night, Diddy Kong is given the task of guarding Donkey Kong's [[banana hoard]]. However, the [[Kremling Krew]] attacks Diddy and traps him inside of a [[DK Barrel]]. After being released, he and Donkey Kong set off across [[Donkey Kong Island]] to save the banana hoard and drive off the Kremlings. At the end of their journey, the Kongs go aboard the [[Gang-Plank Galleon]] to fight [[King K. Rool]], whom they manage to defeat and reclaim the stolen bananas from.

In the game, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong have the same basic abilities such as jumping, running, and rolling. Diddy is the weaker Kong, which makes him unable to defeat [[Krusha]]s or [[Klump]]s by a jump attack, unlike Donkey Kong. Diddy is more agile and can jump higher and move faster than Donkey Kong. When Diddy picks up a barrel, he holds it in front, protecting himself from an enemy. He cannot throw a barrel as far as Donkey Kong.

In the [[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)|Game Boy Advance remake]], if the player gets 90% or higher when completing a game, they unlock the "Hero Mode", where they only play as Diddy throughout the levels.

[[File:Diddy4.jpg|thumb|120px|Diddy Kong in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'']]

In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'',  Diddy Kong is the main hero. The Kremling Krew kidnaps Donkey Kong and sends him away to their own island, [[Crocodile Isle]]. K. Rool, who is now Kaptain K. Rool, threatens to keep Donkey Kong as prisoner unless the Kongs give the banana hoard to him. Diddy refuses, so he and Dixie travel through Crocodile Isle. At the end, they manage to rescue Donkey Kong from [[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]]. After Diddy and Dixie defeat K. Rool in the Lost World, the entire Crocodile Isle sinks underwater, which Diddy, Dixie, and Donkey Kong watch from a distance.

In the game, Diddy retains his abilities from ''Donkey Kong Country''. In the [[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)|Game Boy Advance remake]], Diddy is featured in a time attack mode, [[Diddy's Dash]], where the player controls Diddy through individual levels without the aid of Dixie, similar to the Hero Mode from ''Donkey Kong Country''{{'}}s [[Game Boy Advance]] remake.

Diddy has a smaller role in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''. In the backstory, Donkey and Diddy go on a fishing trip to the [[Northern Kremisphere]]. The Kongs did not return from their fishing trip, so Dixie and [[Kiddy Kong]] go on an adventure to save them. In [[Kastle Kaos]], after Dixie and Kiddy defeat [[King K. Rool|Baron K. Roolenstein]], it is revealed that Donkey and Diddy were contained within [[KAOS]], who they were freed from, presumably having their brain energy used as a power source.

Diddy appears as the main and titular character of ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' and its [[Nintendo DS]] remake, ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. In the prologue, Diddy gets a letter from [[Timber]], who asks for Diddy's help with saving [[Timber's Island]] from [[Wizpig]]. By the game's conclusion, Diddy, Timber, and their friends manage to expel Wizpig and free the Timber's Island guardians from his mind control. As a racer, Diddy has balanced stats.  

====''Mario Kart Arcade GP''====

In the arcade game, ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]'', Diddy Kong makes a cameo appearance. He appears in a course from the [[Donkey Kong Cup|DK Cup]], [[Bananan Ruins]]. When the player crosses the finish line to start a new lap or to finish the race, Diddy can be seen in the crowd cheering.

 

Diddy Kong makes a cameo in the arcade game, ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'', where he can be seen cheering in the crowd in the same way as the previous game.

Diddy returns as a playable character in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. He appears as an unlockable, playable character. Diddy is classified as a middleweight character. He is unlocked by winning the 50cc Lightning Cup or by playing 450 races. Diddy Kong is a staff ghost for the course [[Wii Maple Treeway|Maple Treeway]]. Diddy features a small acceleration and drift bonus while getting a strong mini-turbo bonus. Diddy Kong is one of three [[Kong]]s who appear in this game. The other two are Donkey Kong and [[Funky Kong]].

Diddy Kong reappears in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' as a playable character, where he is classified as a Super character. His [[Special Item (Mario Kart series)|special item]] is the [[Banana Barrels]], which he shares with [[Funky Kong]].

Diddy Kong is set to be added to ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' as a playable character through the sixth and final wave of the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]], alongside Funky Kong, [[Pauline]], and [[Peachette]].<ref name=Wave6>Nintendo of America (September 14, 2023). [https://youtu.be/BiJ7IoeuhXE Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass Wave 6 - Nintendo Switch 9.14.2023]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved September 14, 2023.</ref>

In his ''[[Mario Tennis (series)|Mario Tennis]]'' series debut in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'', Diddy Kong is a Speed type character, and his default partner for doubles matches is [[Donkey Kong]]. His [[Offensive Power Shot]], [[Acrobatic Banana]], makes him hit the ball in a curved trajectory while standing on his head. Any opponents that return his power shot have their controls reversed and a banana picture shows the effect. His [[Defensive Power Shot]], [[Barrel Jet]], allows him to return any balls that are out of his reach.

Diddy Kong debuts in the ''Mario Party'' series in ''[[Mario Party DS]]'' as a non-playable character. In the third stage of Story Mode, Donkey Kong is transformed into a statue by a [[Dry Bones]]. Mario and friends help him recover Donkey Kong, and soon defeat the Dry Bones. After its defeat, Diddy hands Mario and friends the third Sky Crystal, while Donkey Kong heads off to Bowser's Castle. Diddy Kong also appears as one of the unlockable figures and badges.

 

Diddy Kong makes another non-playable appearance in ''[[Mario Party 9]]''. This time, he is the mid-boss for [[DK's Jungle Ruins]].

====''Mario Party 10''====

A statue resembling Diddy Kong mounted on Donkey Kong can be seen on the southern side of the [[Donkey Kong Board]] in ''[[Mario Party 10]]''. It is based on another statue seen on the file select screen of ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]''.

====''Mario Party: Star Rush''====

Diddy Kong makes his first playable appearance in the ''Mario Party'' series in ''[[Mario Party: Star Rush]]''. He can be unlocked by earning enough party points to reach level 11 or by scanning a Diddy Kong [[amiibo]]. In Toad Scramble, he can break barrels to earn coins, and his [[Triple 7 Dice Block]] has a 50% chance of rolling either a 0 or a 7. In Coinathlon, if a Diddy Kong amiibo is used, Diddy Kong always starts out with two [[Double Medal]]s, sharing this trait with Donkey Kong.

 

 

Diddy Kong returns as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Super Mario Party]]'', unlocked by completing the second world of Challenge Road, Chestnut Forest. His special [[Dice Block]] has one face that gives him two coins (without moving), two faces that display 0s, and three faces that display 7s, giving him a better chance at movement than Donkey Kong's, who has two 10s instead of three 7s.

In the opening cutscene to "World of Light", Diddy is among the fighters who attempt to escape from Galeem's beams of light; Diddy himself attempts to flee using the Rocketbarrel Pack alongside [[Rosalina]] & [[Luma]], but ultimately is consumed and used to create puppet fighters. Diddy is found in the sub-area in the Light Realm resembling the first world of the original "Donkey Kong Country", with Diddy himself serving as the "boss" of that area.

====''WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase''====

In the ''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'' [[microgame]] [[DK Country]], the player takes control of a moving [[Bonus Barrel]], from which Diddy gets shot into the air. He must avoid an energic red [[Zinger]] and collect two rows of [[banana]]s in order to win the microgame.

 

In ''[[WarioWare: Get It Together!]]'', Diddy Kong occasionally appears in the microgame [[Donkey Kong Country Returns (microgame)|Donkey Kong Country Returns]] after it is cleared.

====''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games''====

Although Diddy Kong does not appear in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'', there is a suit based on him that the player can purchase from the boutique for [[Mii]]s to wear.

 

====''Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games''====

Like the previous game, Diddy Kong does not appear in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]'', but there is a suit based on him that the player can unlock for Miis to wear. It is unlocked after playing against a friend 20 times in Single Event mode.

 

As in the previous game, an unlockable suit for Miis based on Diddy Kong appears in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games]]''. It is unlocked after completing 3 areas in Legend Showdown.

 

 

Diddy Kong reappears as a playable character in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020]]''. He is a Technique character, being playable in Rugby Sevens.

Diddy Kong appears as a playable character in the Wii follow-up to ''Itadaki Street DS'', ''[[Fortune Street]]''. He is a Level D character, alongside [[Birdo]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Slime (Dragon Quest)|Slime]], and [[Yangus]].

===''Super Mario Maker''===

===''Skylanders: SuperChargers''===

Diddy Kong appears in the game ''[[Skylanders: SuperChargers]]'' as part of the SuperCharged version of Donkey Kong's vehicle, the [[Barrel Blaster]]. He is also the basis of Donkey Kong's Soul Gem [[Diddy You Call?]], where after being summoned he can fly around in his Rocketbarrel Pack and attack enemies with his Peanut Popguns, similar to his Final Smash in the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.

 

In the Super Mario Mash-up in ''[[Minecraft]]'', Diddy Kong appears as a playable skin.

[[File:DrMarioWorld - SpriteDiddyKong.png|thumb|left|Diddy Kong's mugshot in ''Dr. Mario World'']]

===Other appearances===

Donkey Kong is Diddy Kong's best friend and idol. Although they are different species, Diddy Kong has been called a relative of Donkey Kong's in a handful of material mostly in the late 90's. One of the earliest instances appears to be the December 1997 issue of the United Kingdom ''Nintendo Magazine'', in which Diddy Kong is referred to as Donkey Kong's son.<ref>''Official UK Nintendo Magazine'' Issue 63, page 31. "'''''KING KONG!''' Even though Donkey Kong began life at the dawn of videogames, his son, Diddy, has only been around since tea time. He first appeared in Donkey Kong Country, one of the best games to grace the Super NES. His dad, on the other hand, has been swinging about for donkey’s years. He began life in 1981 in the arcade hit, Donkey Kong. Since then he’s been in many a battle with our favourite plumber, notably in Mario Kart and on those little Game & Watch handhelds back in the ‘80s. He even appeared as a breakfast cereal and became a Saturday morning cartoon favourite when the CBS-TV Network in the US brought him to life.''"</ref> He has also been called Donkey Kong's nephew in 1999, specifically in the English version of ''Super Smash Bros.'',<ref>"''In the past few years, other members of the Kong family have cashed in on DK’s fame as well, including his favorite nephew, Diddy.''" - [https://www.themushroomkingdom.net/images/ssb_dk.png From the character bio of Donkey Kong from ''Super Smash Bros.''] ''TheMushroomKingdom.net''. Retrieved December 14, 2014.</ref> once on Rare's website,<ref>Rare. [https://web.archive.org/web/20010606030858/http://rareware.com/recent/games/dk64/castlist/ Donkey Kong 64 Cast List]. ''Rarewhere''. Retrieved December 14, 2014. "''Long-established second half of the big Kong double act, DK's nephew Diddy makes ever-bigger leaps and bounds towards fully-fledged videogame hero status with his part in each successful overthrow of K. Rool's hordes.''"</ref> and the ''Donkey Kong 64'' [[Nintendo Power|Player's Guide]];<ref>Bihldorff, Nate, Jason Leung, and Drew Williams. ''Donkey Kong 64'' Player's Guide. Page 1. "''Cold-blooded reptile K. Rool has once again invaded the DK Isles, but if he thinks he can seize them, he’s a monkey’s uncle. And K. Rool’s definitely not one of those. But Donkey Kong is, and with him and the help of his nephew Diddy, a barrelful of new simian superstars and Nintendo Power’s know-how, you’ll make monkeys out of all the Kremlings. So stop dragging your knuckles and turn the page—it’s time to get down to monkey business.''"</ref> however, the original Japanese version of ''Super Smash Bros.'' does not call him DK's nephew,<ref>「パックにはディディーを始め、ユニークなコングファミリーが控えている。」(''Starting with Diddy of the pack, a unique Kong Kamily awaits.'') - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X08MC9rLiDA&t=2m45s Super Smash Bros. (Japanese) Playthrough Part 1] ''YouTube''. Retrieved December 14, 2014.</ref> [[Leigh Loveday]] himself uses uncertain language,<ref>Rare. [https://web.archive.org/web/20020423180638/http://www.rareware.com/the_site/talk_to_us/scribes/sep16_99/sep16_99.html Scribes - September 16, 1999]. ''Rarewhere''. Retrieved December 14, 2014. "''P.S. Diddy's DK's nephew, I think, and Dixie's Diddy's, er, 'friend'. They're all linked in some bizarre way or another. Anyway, they're probably plotting to get Cranky institutionalised as we speak.''"</ref> and the ''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet only considers him "Donkey's little nephew wannabe."<ref>''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet, page 7.</ref> The [[Prima Games]] guide for the 2003 [[Game Boy Advance]] version of ''Donkey Kong Country'' vaguely refers to them as cousins.<ref>Hodgson, David S. J. ''Donkey Kong Country'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 12. "''Donkey's massive frame allows him to tear through opponents with greater ease than his shrimpy cousin Diddy; use Donkey to take on bigger foes.''"</ref> Subsequent sources entirely drop the notion of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong being related, and the usual story returned to them just being close friends.

==Game appearances==

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|Cameo in Microgame

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==Trivia==

==References==

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