Editing Donkey Kong (character) (section)

==Character==
Donkey Kong, also known by his initials DK, is the star of ''[[Donkey Kong]]'', a [[video game]] series and [[media franchise]] owned by the Japanese video game company [[Nintendo]].<ref name="GRadarHistory" /> One of Nintendo's flagship characters,<ref name="Wired25">{{cite magazine |title=Donkey Kong Turns 25 |url=https://www.wired.com/2006/08/donkey-kong-tur/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=November 27, 2023 |date=August 15, 2006 |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201141432/https://www.wired.com/2006/08/donkey-kong-tur/ |url-status=live}}</ref> he also appears in the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise as a [[playable character]] in most ''[[Mario Kart]]'' and ''[[Mario Party]]'' games. He is playable in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series of [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] [[fighting game]]s and makes [[cameo appearance]]s in other Nintendo franchises,<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" /><ref name="USG: Bluff">{{Cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Donkey Kong Country turns 25: Gaming's biggest bluff |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/reconsidering-donkey-kong-country-gamings-empty-handed-bluff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120031051/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/reconsidering-donkey-kong-country-gamings-empty-handed-bluff |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |website=[[USGamer]]}}</ref> such as ''[[Punch-Out!!]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Kevin |title=Every Punch-Out!! Opponent, Ranked |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/01/every-punch-out-opponent-ranked/ |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=January 5, 2016 |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102044349/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/01/every-punch-out-opponent-ranked/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NOM" />

Donkey Kong first appeared as the antagonist of ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', a 1981 [[arcade game]]; he is [[Mario]]'s rebellious pet gorilla who kidnaps his girlfriend [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Pauline]] and climbs a construction site.<ref name="NewYorkerMiyamoto">{{cite magazine |last1=Paumgarten |first1=Nick |title=Master of Play |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/master-of-play |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=February 24, 2023 |date=December 12, 2010 |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221170018/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/20/101220fa_fact_paumgarten |url-status=live}}</ref> He appears as Mario's captive in the sequel ''[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' (1982), in which he must be rescued by his son [[Donkey Kong Jr. (character)|Donkey Kong Jr.]],<ref name="IGN: Faces" /> and returns as the antagonist in ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'' (1983) and ''[[Donkey Kong (1994 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1994).<ref name="GRadar: DKDesign" /> Beginning with ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1994), ''Donkey Kong'' games were developed by the British studio [[Rare (company)|Rare]] until its acquisition by the Nintendo competitor [[Microsoft]] in 2002.<ref name="GRadarHistory" /><ref name="NWR: MvDK">{{cite web |last1=Ronaghan |first1=Neal |title=The Eternal Struggle of Mario vs. Donkey Kong |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/39816/the-eternal-struggle-of-mario-vs-donkey-kong |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 22, 2025 |date=March 10, 2015}}</ref> ''Country'' recast Donkey Kong as the protagonist.<ref name="GRadarHistory" /> He has largely been portrayed as heroic since, though he occasionally appears as a villain, such as in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=Review: Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem Is More Donkey Kong Than 2010's Other Big Donkey Kong Game |url=https://kotaku.com/review-mario-vs-donkey-kong-mini-land-mayhem-is-more-5698718 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=February 19, 2023 |date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220034720/https://kotaku.com/review-mario-vs-donkey-kong-mini-land-mayhem-is-more-5698718 |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong also appears as a playable character in ''[[Yoshi’s Island DS]]'' (2006), though as a baby, and teams up with Baby Mario, Baby Peach and the Yoshi clan to rescue numerous babies that were kidnapped by [[Bowser]]'s minion [[List of Mario franchise characters#Kamek|Kamek]]. It is revealed at the game’s ending that Donkey Kong is one of the seven "star children."<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=9|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|title=Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 24, 2010|accessdate=May 7, 2025}}</ref>

Donkey Kong is a large and powerful gorilla who leads the [[Kongs]], a family of various primates. He resides in a city in early ''Donkey Kong'' games, but the Rare games moved his residence to Donkey Kong Island,<ref name="KotakuTimeline">{{cite web |last1=k |first1=merritt |title=The Donkey Kong Timeline Is Truly Disturbing |url=https://kotaku.com/the-donkey-kong-timeline-is-truly-disturbing-1823035151 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=November 13, 2023 |date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023113/https://kotaku.com/the-donkey-kong-timeline-is-truly-disturbing-1823035151 |url-status=live}}</ref> an idyllic isle.<ref name="Gspot: DK64">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-64-review/1900-2543651/ |access-date=December 17, 2016 |title=Donkey Kong 64 Review |last1=Taruc |first1=Nelson |date=November 22, 1999 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830005452/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-64-review/1900-2543651/ |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong weighs 800 pounds,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kong '99 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/11/kong-99 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=January 26, 2025 |date=February 10, 1999}}</ref> and since 1994, has been depicted wearing a red necktie bearing his initials.<ref name="GRadar: DKDesign" /> Although Donkey Kong was introduced as an antagonist, he is not evil. ''Nintendo World Report''{{'s}} Pedro Hernandez noted that, unlike the ''Mario'' villains [[Bowser]] and [[Wario]], Donkey Kong's villainous acts are the result of jealous [[temper tantrum]]s rather than malice.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2">{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Pedro |title=My Favorite Nintendo Character: Donkey Kong Part 2 |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/23168/my-favorite-nintendo-character-donkey-kong-part-2 |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=January 26, 2025 |date=May 31, 2010}}</ref> He is stubborn, buffoonish,<ref name="NWR: Fav">{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Pedro |title=My Favorite Nintendo Character Part 3: Donkey Kong |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/20172/my-favorite-nintendo-character-part-3-donkey-kong |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=October 19, 2009}}</ref> and innocent, and strives to help others and be accepted.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" /> He protects his stash of bananas from enemies such as the [[Kremlings]], a crocodile army led by his archenemy [[King K. Rool]],<ref name="HG101: DKC">{{cite web|last=DiRienzo|first=David|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-country|website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]|access-date=6 June 2020|date=25 January 2015|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225224451/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-country/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Tiki Tak Tribe]], a race of floating masks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Ellie |title=Donkey Kong Country Returns |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-country-returns-review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=November 16, 2023 |date=November 19, 2010 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114005015/https://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-country-returns-review |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong is frequently accompanied by his nephew and sidekick [[Diddy Kong]], and his girlfriend, [[Candy Kong]].<ref name="IGN: Faces">{{cite web |last1=Drake |first1=Jonathan |title=The Many Faces of Donkey Kong |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/05/the-many-faces-of-donkey-kong |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 21, 2025 |date=December 5, 2011}}</ref>

In his playable appearances, Donkey Kong is a [[heavyweight]].<ref name="IGN: Smash">{{cite web |title=Smash Moves: Donkey Kong |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/15/smash-moves-donkey-kong |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 13, 2023 |date=January 15, 2002 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117181313/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/15/smash-moves-donkey-kong |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IGN: DKC3">{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Lucas M. |title=Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/05/donkey-kong-country-3-dixie-kongs-double-trouble-review |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=January 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bedford |first1=John |title=Mario Kart 8 best karts and characters and weight classes |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/mario-kart-8-guide-tips-tricks-shortcuts-deluxe?page=3 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> He throws barrels to impede the player's progress in the original game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orland |first1=Kyle |title=Donkey Kong’s famed kill screen has been cleared for the first time |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/02/donkey-kongs-famed-kill-screen-has-been-cleared-for-the-first-time/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=February 22, 2025 |date=February 7, 2025}}</ref> This trait is retained in his playable appearances, whereby he uses barrels as weapons or to uncover [[power-up]]s.{{sfn|Milne|2022|p=18}} Donkey Kong's other abilities include slapping the ground,{{sfn|Undercover Lover|1994|p=55}} rolling,<ref name="IGN: DKC3" /> clinging onto and climbing surfaces,{{sfn|Milne|2022|p=24}} and swinging on vines.<ref name="Kotaku: DKCSecret">{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Kevin |title=I Wish I'd Found This Donkey Kong Country Secret As A Kid |url=https://kotaku.com/i-wish-id-found-this-donkey-kong-country-secret-as-a-ki-1783917753 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=May 20, 2024 |date=July 19, 2016 |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520234029/https://kotaku.com/i-wish-id-found-this-donkey-kong-country-secret-as-a-ki-1783917753 |url-status=live }}</ref> He rides vehicles such as minecarts and barrel-shaped rockets,<ref name="Kotaku: DKCSecret" /><ref name="VB: TFSwitch">{{cite web |last1=Horwitz |first1=Jeremy |title=Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review — a Funky-fresh Switch update |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-review-a-funky-fresh-switch-update/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=November 6, 2023 |date=May 1, 2018 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107010737/https://venturebeat.com/games/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze-review-a-funky-fresh-switch-update/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and animals such as [[Rambi the Rhino]] and [[Enguarde the Swordfish]].<ref name="HG101: DKC" /> In ''Super Smash Bros.'', Donkey Kong has slow but powerful attacks such as a chargeable punch and a [[headbutt]], with ''[[IGN]]''{{'s}} staff likening him to ''[[Street Fighter]]''{{'s}} [[Zangief]].<ref name="IGN: Smash" />

===In other media===
A ''Donkey Kong'' cartoon produced by [[Ruby-Spears]] aired as part of [[CBS]]'s hour-long ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' programming block in 1983.<ref name="1Up: 10">{{Cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |title=10 interesting things about Donkey Kong |url=http://www.1up.com/features/10-interesting-donkey-kong |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623015927/http://www.1up.com/features/10-interesting-donkey-kong |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |website=[[1Up.com]]}}</ref> It follows Mario and Pauline as they attempt to capture Donkey Kong after he escapes from a circus.<ref name="GI: SS">{{cite magazine |last1=Reeves |first1=Ben |title=A Look Back At The '80s Donkey Kong Cartoon |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/11/25/a-look-back-a-the-80s-donkey-kong-cartoon.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=November 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116220634/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/11/25/a-look-back-a-the-80s-donkey-kong-cartoon.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong also featured in ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'', a [[DIC Entertainment]] series that ran on [[NBC]] for 34 episodes between 1989 and 1991. He interacts with other [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) characters such as ''[[Castlevania]]''{{'s}} [[Simon Belmont]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=Feature: 10 Strangest Moments In Captain N: The Game Master |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/feature_10_strangest_moments_in_captain_n_the_game_master |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=September 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108170220/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/feature_10_strangest_moments_in_captain_n_the_game_master |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Drucker |first1=Michael |title=Captain N The Game Master - The Complete Series |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/01/captain-n-the-game-master-the-complete-series |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=February 1, 2007 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117173709/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/01/captain-n-the-game-master-the-complete-series |url-status=live}}</ref> The computer-animated ''[[Donkey Kong Country (TV series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1997–2000), a [[sitcom]], follows Donkey Kong as he attempts to protect a magical artifact, the Crystal Coconut, from King K. Rool.<ref name="HG101: TVShow">{{cite web |last1=DiRienzo |first1=David |title=Donkey Kong Country (Cartoon) |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-country-cartoon/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=May 18, 2014 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601155700/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-country-cartoon/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GSpot: TVShow">{{cite web |last1=Bonthuys |first1=Darryn |title=Nightmare Fuel Donkey Kong Country TV Series Is Free To Watch On YouTube And Amazon |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nightmare-fuel-donkey-kong-country-tv-series-is-free-to-watch-on-youtube-and-amazon/1100-6505494/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=July 14, 2022 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204201422/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nightmare-fuel-donkey-kong-country-tv-series-is-free-to-watch-on-youtube-and-amazon/1100-6505494/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Donkey Kong is a major character in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023),<ref name="Euro: Movie">{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=Here's where the Mario movie series may go next |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-where-the-mario-movie-series-may-go-next |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=April 11, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117210713/https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-where-the-mario-movie-series-may-go-next |url-status=live}}</ref> an animated film produced by Nintendo, [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]], and [[Universal Pictures]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Super Mario Bros. Movie' Officially Smashes $1 Billion Globally |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/super-mario-bros-movie-1-billion-box-office-milestone-1235598832/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=April 30, 2023 |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505220952/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/super-mario-bros-movie-1-billion-box-office-milestone-1235598832/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Mario and [[Princess Peach]] seek the Kongs' help to stop [[Bowser]] from invading the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. The Kongs agree to help after Mario defeats Donkey Kong in an arena fight.<ref name="SMBMovie" /><ref name="SyFy: SMBMovie">{{cite web |last1=Busch |first1=Caitlin |last2=Grebey |first2=James |last3=Weiss |first3=Josh |title=Our Favorite 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Easter Eggs: Game References, Cameos & More |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/super-mario-bros-movie-easter-eggs-game-references-characters |website=[[SyFy Wire]] |access-date=November 6, 2023 |date=April 5, 2023 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406225700/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/super-mario-bros-movie-easter-eggs-game-references-characters |url-status=live}}</ref> Mario and Donkey Kong begin as foes, but learn they both want the respect of their fathers, and Donkey Kong participates in the final battle against Bowser.<ref name="SMBMovie">{{cite AV media|title=[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]|people=[[Aaron Horvath|Horvath, Aaron]]; [[Michael Jelenic|Jelenic; Michael]] (directors)|date=April 5, 2023|type=motion picture|publisher=[[Universal Pictures]]}}</ref>

Appearances in printed media include ''Blip'', a short-lived [[American comic book]] published by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1983,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Reeves |first1=Ben |title=Mario's First Comic Book Appearance |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/12/17/mario-39-s-first-comic-book-appearance.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=December 17, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117211916/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/12/17/mario-39-s-first-comic-book-appearance.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> a ''Donkey Kong Country'' comic published by the [[British comics]] publisher [[Fleetway Publications]] in 1995,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Check out this forgotten Donkey Kong Country comic from the UK |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/check_out_this_forgotten_donkey_kong_country_comic_from_the_uk |access-date=July 20, 2022 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720115950/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/check_out_this_forgotten_donkey_kong_country_comic_from_the_uk |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[children's book]] adaptations of the ''Country'' games by Michael Teitelbaum.<ref name="HG101: Land">{{cite web |last1=Zverloff |first1=Nick |title=Donkey Kong Land |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-land/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=December 27, 2022 |date=April 17, 2013 |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227185431/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-land/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong appears on Nintendo merchandise, including clothing,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bitner |first1=John |title=Massive Savings On Merch Today Only - Mario, Metroid, Animal Crossing, Studio Ghibli, And More |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/massive-savings-on-merch-today-only-mario-metroid-animal-crossing-studio-ghibli-and-more/2900-4935/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=November 16, 2023 |date=November 3, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172021/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/massive-savings-on-merch-today-only-mario-metroid-animal-crossing-studio-ghibli-and-more/2900-4935/ |url-status=live}}</ref> toys such as plushes and [[Amiibo]] figures,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=James |title=This Plush Donkey Kong Can Be Yours Down Under |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/10/this_plush_donkey_kong_can_be_yours_down_under |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=October 16, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117195746/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/10/this_plush_donkey_kong_can_be_yours_down_under |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dickens |first1=Anthony |title=List of Donkey Kong amiibo - Guide |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/all-amiibo-list-every-animal-crossing-zelda-smash-bros-metroid-mario-amiibo?search=series%3A%22Donkey+Kong%22 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=November 3, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172339/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/all-amiibo-list-every-animal-crossing-zelda-smash-bros-metroid-mario-amiibo?search=series%3A%22Donkey+Kong%22 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[trading card]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caron |first1=Frank |title=Lost and found: Donkey Kong trading cards from 1982 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2007/02/6938/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=October 21, 2024 |date=February 7, 2007}}</ref> [[The Lego Group]] introduced a Donkey Kong [[Lego minifigure|Lego figure]] in a series of ''Country'' [[Lego Super Mario]] sets in 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Wesley |title=Donkey Kong Lego Sets Join The Super Mario Lineup |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/04/28/donkey-kong-lego-sets-join-the-super-mario-lineup |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=November 15, 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115165624/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/04/28/donkey-kong-lego-sets-join-the-super-mario-lineup |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Abbott |first1=Benjamin |title=New Lego Donkey Kong sets are a nostalgia overload for longtime fans |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/new-lego-donkey-kong-sets-are-a-nostalgia-overload-for-fans-of-the-games/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=November 15, 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115165624/https://www.gamesradar.com/new-lego-donkey-kong-sets-are-a-nostalgia-overload-for-fans-of-the-games/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Donkey Kong also features in the ''Country''-themed area as a [[mascot]] at [[Universal Destinations & Experiences|Universal Studios]]' [[Super Nintendo World]], which opened in 2024.<ref name="IGN: SNW">{{cite web |last1=Robson |first1=Daniel |title=Super Nintendo World’s Donkey Kong Country Area Is Impressive if Not Amazing |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-nintendo-worlds-donkey-kong-country-area-is-impressive-if-not-amazing |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 21, 2025 |date=December 9, 2024}}</ref><ref name="VB: DKCWorld">{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Nintendo unveils Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World in Japan |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/nintendo-unveils-donkey-kong-country-at-super-nintendo-world-in-japan/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=February 28, 2025 |date=November 11, 2024}}</ref>

===Cranky Kong===
[[File:Cranky_Kong.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Artwork of Cranky Kong, the elderly incarnation of Donkey Kong from the arcade games, from ''[[Donkey Konga]]'' (2003)]]

''Donkey Kong Country'' establishes that "Donkey Kong" is a [[hereditary title]] and that the Donkey Kong introduced in the Rare games is separate from the arcade games.<ref name="KotakuTimeline" /> The original Donkey Kong appears as {{nihongo foot|'''Cranky Kong''',|クランキーコング|Kurankī Kongu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} a grumpy, elderly gorilla.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" /> Cranky Kong provides scathing, [[fourth wall]]-breaking humor, unfavorably comparing games to older ones such as the original ''Donkey Kong''.<ref name="GRadar: Trivia">{{cite web |last1=Gilbert |first1=Henry |title=Nintendo trivia - 64 little known facts about the gaming giant |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-trivia-20-little-known-facts-about-gaming-giant/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=November 15, 2023 |date=September 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115133612/https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-trivia-20-little-known-facts-about-gaming-giant/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Irving |first1=Mike |title=Cranky Kong works out that new-fangled Twitter thing |url=https://www.vg247.com/cranky-kong-works-out-that-new-fangled-twitter-thing |website=[[VG247]] |access-date=June 19, 2022 |date=June 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629094540/https://www.vg247.com/cranky-kong-works-out-that-new-fangled-twitter-thing |url-status=live}}</ref> His wife, [[Wrinkly Kong]], was introduced in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2]]'' (1995) and is [[Killing off|killed off]] as a joke in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' (1999), appearing in subsequent games as a ghost.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" />

In most games, Cranky appears as a [[non-player character]] who provides hints or sells items.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Veloria |first1=Lorenzo |title=Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D preview - New screens and details |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/donkey-kong-country-returns-3d-preview-screens-details/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=May 20, 2024 |date=April 18, 2013}}</ref> He is playable in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' (2014), in which he can use his cane to bounce on enemies and obstacles.<ref name="GRadar: Cranky">{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Cranky |title=Cranky Kong's still got it in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cranky-kongs-still-got-it-donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=January 28, 2025 |date=December 18, 2013}}</ref> Cranky also appears in spin-offs such as the ''[[Donkey Konga]]'' games and ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'' (2007),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gantayat |first1=Anoop |title=Donkey Konga 3 Playtest |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/18/donkey-konga-3-playtest |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 22, 2025 |date=March 18, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gapper |first1=Michael |title=Donkey Kong Barrel Blast review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dk-barrel-blast-review/2/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=February 22, 2025 |date=October 8, 2007}}</ref> as a supporting character in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'',<ref name="SyFy: SMBMovie" /> and as an [[animatronic]] at Super Nintendo World.<ref name="IGN: SNW" /> On February 20, 2014, to promote ''Tropical Freeze'', Nintendo pretended to have Cranky take over its [[Twitter]] account, tweeting wisecracks and [[image macro]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Thomas |title=Feature: When Cranky Kong Took On Twitter |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/feature_when_cranky_kong_took_on_twitter |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=January 30, 2025 |date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>

The Rare ''Donkey Kong'' games referred to Cranky Kong as both Donkey Kong's father and grandfather,<ref name="GRadarHistory" /> which the developer [[Gregg Mayles]] suggested was due to his senility.<ref>{{cite tweet|title=I'm pretty sure when I made this stuff up nearly 25 years ago that he was his grandson. By DK64 he was so senile he couldn't remember
|last=Mayles|first=Gregg|author-link=Gregg Mayles|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=January 28, 2025|user=Ghoulyboy|number=859502066225606656}}</ref> While Nintendo often referred to Cranky as Donkey Kong's grandfather after Rare's acquisition by Microsoft,<ref name="GRadarHistory" /> ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' identifies him as Donkey Kong's father.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bellingham |first1=Hope |title=The Super Mario Bros Movie has changed the Donkey Kong family tree |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-super-mario-bros-movie-has-changed-the-donkey-kong-family-tree/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=January 28, 2025 |date=March 28, 2023}}</ref> Journalists have noted that the inconsistency makes it unclear if the modern Donkey Kong is intended to be an adult Donkey Kong Jr., who does not appear in the ''Country'' games.<ref name="GRadarHistory" /><ref name="KotakuTimeline" />