Editing Donkey Kong (character) (section)

==Development==
===Conception===
{{seealso|Donkey Kong (1981 video game)#Development|l1=Development of ''Donkey Kong'' (1981 video game)}}
[[File:Shigeru Miyamoto at E3 2013 1 (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|upright|alt=Shigeru Miyamoto, a Japanese man wearing a black coat and white shirt with red, yellow, and blue Pikmin characters|Donkey Kong's creator, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], in 2013]]
In 1980, the [[List of commercial failures in video games|commercial failure]] of Nintendo's arcade game ''[[Radar Scope]]'' put the newly established subsidiary Nintendo of America in a financial crisis. Its founder, [[Minoru Arakawa]], asked his father in-law, the Nintendo CEO [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]], to provide a game that could repurpose the unsold ''Radar Scope'' cabinets.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|pp=103–105}} Most of Nintendo's top developers were preoccupied, so the task went to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], a first-time game designer.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=106}}<ref name="IGN: MarioHistory">{{cite web |last1=Nix |first1=Marc |title=IGN Presents: The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |date=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Miyamoto found most arcade games of the time dull and wanted to make one that told a story, drawing from his favorite media such as the Shakespeare play ''[[Macbeth]]'', the fairy tale "[[Beauty and the Beast]]", and the 1933 film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]''.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=47}}

Miyamoto devised a [[love triangle]] with the characters [[Popeye]], [[Olive Oyl]], and [[Bluto]] from the ''[[Popeye (comic strip)|Popeye]]'' franchise, but a licensing deal between Nintendo and [[King Features]] fell through.<ref name="IGN: MarioHistory" />{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=47}} Miyamoto created original characters to replace the ''Popeye'' ones; Mario and Pauline replaced Popeye and Olive Oyl, and Donkey Kong replaced Bluto.<ref name="IGN: MarioHistory" /> Like Bluto, Donkey Kong was a hairy, brutish character.<ref name="NWR: KingKong">{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Pedro |title=Nintendo History 101: Donkey Kong vs. King Kong |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/23122/nintendo-history-101-donkey-kong-vs-king-kong |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 23, 2025 |date=May 23, 2010}}</ref> Miyamoto chose a gorilla—an animal he found "nothing too evil or repulsive"{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=47}}—because he felt it made the scenario more interesting and humorous, and because gorillas are built similarly to humans.<ref name="Shmuplations">{{cite web |last1=Komanome |first1=Hirohisa |title=Donkey Kong: A Record of Struggle |url=https://shmuplations.com/donkeykong/ |website=Shmuplations |date=April 1997 |access-date=March 5, 2025}}</ref> "Beauty and the Beast" and ''King Kong'' influenced the choice.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=47}} Concept art that Miyamoto sent to ''Donkey Kong''{{'s}} programmers at [[Ikegami Tsushinki]] indicates that he replaced Bluto with Donkey Kong before removing the other ''Popeye'' characters.<ref name="Shmuplations" />

Nintendo considered around 20 names for the character before settling on Donkey Kong,<ref name="Euro: KongDong">{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=Donkey Kong could have been called Kong Dong, Nintendo court documents state |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-could-have-been-called-kong-dong-nintendo-court-documents-state |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=January 21, 2025 |date=June 27, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Sheff|1994|pp=48–49}} a name suggested by the export manager Shinichi Todori according to court documents.{{sfn|Universal City Studios, Inc.|1983|p=273}} It is a common misconception that "Donkey Kong" is a mistranslation of "Monkey Kong".<ref name="GRadarHistory">{{cite web |last1=Gilbert |first1=Henry |title=The History of Donkey Kong |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/history-donkey-kong/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=November 14, 2023 |date=February 21, 2014 |pages=1–2 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114162921/https://www.gamesradar.com/history-donkey-kong/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Donkey'' was meant to convey ''stubborn'',{{sfn|Sheff|1994|pp=48–49}} while ''kong'' is a generic term for ''gorilla'' in Japan.<ref name="PCGamer: 1980sDocs" /> Miyamoto called him "[[King Kong]]" during development, as, in Japan, it was commonly used to refer to any large ape.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=124}} One name, "Funky Kong", was later used for [[Funky Kong|a separate character]] in ''Donkey Kong Country''.<ref name="PCGamer: 1980sDocs" /> Other names considered included "Kong Dong" and "Kong Holiday".<ref name="Euro: KongDong" /><ref name="PCGamer: 1980sDocs">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Rich |title=1980s court documents show Nintendo considered 'Kong Dong' and 'Kong the Kong' before settling on the name Donkey Kong |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/1980s-court-documents-show-nintendo-considered-kong-dong-and-kong-the-kong-before-settling-on-the-name-donkey-kong/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=January 21, 2025 |date=June 27, 2024}}</ref> Nintendo of America objected to the name "Donkey Kong" because it did not believe that ''donkey'' could be used to describe an idiot, but Miyamoto liked how it sounded.<ref name="Wired: DK">{{cite web |last1=Kohler |first1=Chris |title=Miyamoto Spills Donkey Kong's Darkest Secrets, 35 Years Later |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/miyamoto-donkey-kong-secrets/ |website=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=January 22, 2025 |date=October 14, 2016}}</ref>

===Appearances===
{{further|Donkey Kong#History|l1=History of ''Donkey Kong''|List of Donkey Kong video games|l2=list of ''Donkey Kong'' video games}}
Donkey Kong has appeared in dozens of games.<ref name="Euro33rd">{{cite web |last1=Matulef |first1=Jeffrey |title=It's Donkey Kong's 33rd birthday today |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/its-donkey-kongs-33rd-birthday-today |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=March 1, 2025 |date=July 9, 2014}}</ref> ''Donkey Kong''{{'s}} popularity quickly led to the production of a sequel, ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' Miyamoto, interested in showing the narrative from Donkey Kong's perspective,<ref name="GDev: Secret">{{cite web |last1=Fahs |first1=Travis |title=The Secret History of Donkey Kong |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-secret-history-of-i-donkey-kong-i- |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |access-date=November 30, 2023 |date=July 6, 2011 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907122323/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-secret-history-of-i-donkey-kong-i- |url-status=live}}</ref> wanted to make him the player character, but the [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite graphic]] was too big to easily maneuver, so he created Donkey Kong Jr. The developers made Donkey Kong Mario's captive so they could still feature him at the top of the screen.{{sfn|Horowitz|2020|pp=90–91}}

After the failure of ''Donkey Kong 3'', Donkey Kong's appearances were limited to cameos in unrelated games.<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> Several games featuring Donkey Kong were canceled, including a [[Sega]]-developed arcade game,<ref>{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Random: Sega Almost Released A Parking Attendant Game Starring Donkey Kong |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/12/random_sega_almost_released_a_parking_attendant_game_starring_donkey_kong |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=March 20, 2024 |date=December 30, 2016 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320075647/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/12/random_sega_almost_released_a_parking_attendant_game_starring_donkey_kong |url-status=live }}</ref> the NES game ''The Return of Donkey Kong'',<ref name="1Up: 10" /> and a [[Riedel Software Productions]]-developed [[CD-i]] game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Szczepaniak |first1=John |title=FEATURE Like Zelda And Mario, Donkey Kong Was Supposed To Get A Philips CD-i Game - What Happened? |url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/like-zelda-and-mario-donkey-kong-was-supposed-to-get-a-philips-cd-i-game-what-happened |website=[[Time Extension]] |access-date=May 25, 2024 |date=July 29, 2023 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524221728/https://www.timeextension.com/features/like-zelda-and-mario-donkey-kong-was-supposed-to-get-a-philips-cd-i-game-what-happened |url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo staff began discussing a ''Donkey Kong'' revival as the original game's tenth anniversary approached in 1991. They were unable to start a new game at the time, so they included Donkey Kong Jr. as a playable character in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (1992). However, the discussions led to the development of the [[Game Boy]] ''Donkey Kong'' game, released in 1994.<ref name="Shmuplations: DK94">{{cite web |title=Donkey Kong (1994) - Developer Interview |url=https://shmuplations.com/dk1994/ |website=Shmuplations |access-date=October 14, 2024}}</ref> 

The Game Boy game marked Donkey Kong's first major appearance in over 10 years,<ref name="VG247DK94">{{cite web |last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |title=Daily Classic: Donkey Kong's Unlikely Game Boy Reinvention |url=https://www.vg247.com/daily-classic-donkey-kongs-unlikely-game-boy-reinvention |website=[[VG247]] |access-date=February 24, 2023 |date=February 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224215310/https://www.vg247.com/daily-classic-donkey-kongs-unlikely-game-boy-reinvention |url-status=live}}</ref> before he first appeared as a protagonist in the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] game ''Donkey Kong Country''. While he was not playable in the sequels ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3]]'' (1996), ''[[GamesRadar+]]''{{'s}} Henry Gilbert wrote that the ''Country'' series nonetheless re-established Donkey Kong as one of Nintendo's major characters.<ref name="GRadarHistory" /> During the [[Nintendo 64]] era, Nintendo incorporated Rare's Donkey Kong in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' (1997),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minotti |first1=Mike |title=The complete history of Mario Kart |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/the-complete-history-of-mario-kart/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=May 2, 2025 |date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> in the [[party video game|party]] game ''[[Mario Party (video game)|Mario Party]]'' (1998),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Peer |title=Mario Party Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/12/mario-party |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 2, 2025 |date=February 11, 1999}}</ref> and in the crossover game ''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' (1999).<ref name="IGN: Smash" /> Donkey Kong was a late addition to ''Mario Kart 64'', replacing [[Kamek]] from prerelease versions.<ref>{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |url=https://www.polygon.com/22641229/mario-kart-tour-kamek-magikoopa-nintendo |title=Mario Kart finally stops disrespecting Kamek the Magikoopa |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=August 25, 2021 |accessdate=October 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091602/https://www.polygon.com/22641229/mario-kart-tour-kamek-magikoopa-nintendo |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since Microsoft's acquisition of Rare, Donkey Kong has mostly appeared as a guest character in other Nintendo franchises.<ref name="NWR: FavPt2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=DiRienzo |first1=David |title=Donkey Kong 64 |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-64/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=April 21, 2022 |date=April 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518191452/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-64/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The major ''Donkey Kong'' games released since include ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' (2004),<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiRienzo |first1=David |title=Donkey Kong Jungle Beat |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-jungle-beat/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=July 12, 2020 |date=April 17, 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813023826/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-jungle-beat/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' (2010),<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiRienzo |first1=David |title=Donkey Kong 64 |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-64/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=April 21, 2022 |date=April 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518191452/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-64/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''.<ref name="Euro: VV" /> [[Activision]]'s [[toys-to-life]] game ''[[Skylanders: SuperChargers]]'' (2015) includes Donkey Kong as a playable character in the versions released on Nintendo platforms,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Snider |first1=Mike |title=Nintendo stars Donkey Kong and Bowser to invade new 'Skylanders' game |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/16/donkey-kong-bowser-star-in-skylanders-game/28794857/ |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117194848/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/16/donkey-kong-bowser-star-in-skylanders-game/28794857/ |url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Ubisoft]]'s ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'' (2017) features him as the protagonist of an [[expansion pack]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gilliam |first1=Ryan |title=Donkey Kong Adventure is a lot more Mario + Rabbids, for better and worse |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/27/17502892/donkey-kong-adventure-rabbids-mario-dlc-impressions-review |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=June 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117182900/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/27/17502892/donkey-kong-adventure-rabbids-mario-dlc-impressions-review |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Tropical Freeze'', released for the [[Wii U]] in 2014, was the most recent game starring Donkey Kong for over a decade,<ref name="Euro: VV">{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |title=Activision's Vicarious Visions worked on a cancelled 3D Donkey Kong game |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/activisions-vicarious-visions-worked-on-a-cancelled-3d-donkey-kong-game |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=May 7, 2024 |date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> until ''[[Donkey Kong Bananza]]'' (2025).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Donkey Kong Bananza, A New 3D DK Adventure, Is Confirmed For Switch 2 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/donkey-kong-bananza-a-new-3d-dk-adventure-is-confirmed-for-switch-2 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>

===Design===
Miyamoto designed Donkey Kong to appear dumb,<ref name="NOM" /> as he saw him as humorous rather than evil. In his mind, Donkey Kong's motivation was not to hurt Pauline, but to retaliate against Mario, who mistreated him.{{sfn|Sheff|1994|p=47}} With the exception of ''Donkey Kong 3'', Donkey Kong's character artwork during the 1980s generally portrayed him as likable, even as a villain. The Game Boy game was the first to depict Donkey Kong wearing a red tie with his initials.<ref name="GRadar: DKDesign" /> For ''Donkey Kong Country'', Rare's Kevin Bayliss redesigned Donkey Kong.<ref name="GRadar: Drafts" /> Bayliss was asked only to make him look more modern;<ref>{{cite web |title=Men at Work |url=http://www.playtonicgames.com/men-at-work |publisher=[[Playtonic Games]] |access-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801015417/http://www.playtonicgames.com/men-at-work |archive-date=August 1, 2015 |date=July 8, 2015}}</ref> he had no problems with the existing design, but was nonetheless excited to reinterpret him.<ref name="GRadar: Drafts" /> 

[[File:Donkey Kong concept art development.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Donkey Kong's design evolution during the development of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1994): Miyamoto's design, Bayliss's concept art, and the final render]]

Alongside the red tie from the Game Boy game, Bayliss gave Donkey Kong what ''GamesRadar+''{{'s}} Bob Mackey described as "menacing, sunken eyes and [a] beak-like muzzle".<ref name="GRadar: DKDesign">{{cite web |last1=Mackey |first1=Bob |title=It's On Like... Him: How Donkey Kong's design has evolved over three decades |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/evolution-donkey-kong-design/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=November 10, 2023 |date=February 26, 2014 |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719175933/https://www.gamesradar.com/evolution-donkey-kong-design/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Bayliss wanted a character that looked believable and could perform animations such as pounding his chest.{{sfn|Milne|2022|p=18}} His initial design was blocky and muscular to make Donkey Kong easy to animate, but became more cartoonish when Nintendo faxed reference material.<ref name="GRadar: Drafts">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Austin|title=Original ''Donkey Kong Country'' drafts reveal the characters that might have been|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/original-donkey-kong-country-drafts-reveal-the-characters-that-might-have-been|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=16 June 2022|date=19 January 2021|archive-date=16 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616191837/https://www.gamesradar.com/original-donkey-kong-country-drafts-reveal-the-characters-that-might-have-been/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bayliss recycled the eye design from those of the [[Battletoads (characters)|Battletoads]], characters he had previously designed for Rare. In retrospect, Bayliss felt this made it difficult for Donkey Kong to express emotions besides annoyance.<ref name="GRadar: Problem">{{cite web |last1=van der Velde |first1=Issy |title=Donkey Kong designer reveals his biggest problem with his Rare redesign, and explains how his childhood breakfast cereal ban shaped Diddy Kong, too |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-designer-reveals-his-biggest-problem-with-his-rare-redesign-and-explains-how-his-childhood-breakfast-cereal-ban-shaped-diddy-kong-too/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=February 22, 2025 |date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>

Miyamoto provided some suggestions,<ref name="RG: MakingOf">{{cite web|last=Hunt|first=Stuart|title="Yes, we did go to the zoo and observe the gorillas": The making of ''Donkey Kong Country''|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-making-of-donkey-kong-country/|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=22 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611165430/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-making-of-donkey-kong-country/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NOM">{{cite web |title="ドンキーコングの生みの親"　宮本茂独占インタビュー |trans-title=Exclusive Interview with Donkey Kong Creator Shigeru Miyamoto |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0002/01/miyamoto.html |website=Nintendo Online Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212000129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0002/01/miyamoto.html |archive-date=February 12, 2004 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |language=Japanese |date=February 2000}} ([https://themushroomkingdom.net/interview_miyamoto_nom18_feb2000.shtml Translation])</ref> but otherwise left the specifics to Bayliss.{{sfn|Milne|2022|p=18}} ''Donkey Kong Country'' marked Donkey Kong's first appearance as a [[3D modeling|3D model]],<ref name="Poly: Switch2">{{cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Donkey Kong’s Switch 2 version looks like his Mario movie self |url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/509861/donkey-kong-redesign-switch-2-mario-kart-9 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=January 22, 2025 |date=January 16, 2025}}</ref> and the limitations of technology at the time influenced the redesign. Miyamoto asked that Donkey Kong have eyebrows and tangible fur, but both were infeasible. For the eyebrows, Rare compromised by making the area around Donkey Kong's eyes black. Miyamoto suggested the tie to better convey Donkey Kong's stubbornness. He felt Rare "breathed new life into" Donkey Kong and made him "really cool", but also childish.<ref name="NOM" /> Because real gorillas move slowly, Rare based Donkey Kong's running animation on a horse's [[Canter and gallop#Gallop|gallop]].<ref name="RG: MakingOf" /> [[Steve Mayles]] rendered Donkey Kong's finalized 3D model in mid-1993.<ref name="JXV: BTS">{{cite web |title=Les coulisses de Donkey Kong Country : Des gorilles et des hommes |trans-title=Behind the scenes of Donkey Kong Country: Gorillas and Men |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/651885/les-coulisses-de-donkey-kong-country-des-gorilles-et-des-hommes.htm |website=[[Jeuxvideo]] |access-date=February 2, 2025 |language=French |date=May 7, 2017}}</ref>

Nintendo used the Bayliss design for decades in both ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Mario'' games. While [[Paon]] reintroduced elements of the arcade-era design for Donkey Kong's appearance in ''[[DK King of Swing|DK: King of Swing]]'' (2004), they were not retained in subsequent games, including ''King of Swing''{{'s}} sequel ''[[Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber]]'' (2007).<ref name="GRadar: DKDesign" /> In 2022, Donkey Kong underwent his first major redesign since ''Donkey Kong Country'' for his appearance in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''.<ref name="Poly: Switch2" /> The design, which combines elements of the Bayliss design with the original arcade-era one, features larger eyes, a less angular brow, lighter fur, and more realistic proportions.<ref name="Poly: Switch2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Frederiksen |first1=Eric |title=The Super Mario Movie Features A Redesigned Donkey Kong, Shigeru Miyamoto Says |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-super-mario-movie-features-a-redesigned-donkey-kong-shigeru-miyamoto-says/1100-6509563/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117210712/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-super-mario-movie-features-a-redesigned-donkey-kong-shigeru-miyamoto-says/1100-6509563/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leston |first1=Ryan |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals Why Donkey Kong Got a Redesign For The Super Mario Bros. Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/shigeru-miyamoto-donkey-kong-redesign-super-mario-bros-movie |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 17, 2023 |date=November 28, 2022 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117210714/https://www.ign.com/articles/shigeru-miyamoto-donkey-kong-redesign-super-mario-bros-movie |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Nintendo introduced another redesign, similar to artwork by the ''Mario'' artist [[Shigehisa Nakaue]],<ref name="Euro: BaylissRedesign">{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=Donkey Kong's new look in Switch 2 Mario Kart approved by former Rare artist |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kongs-new-look-in-switch-2-mario-kart-approved-by-former-rare-artist |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=January 22, 2025 |date=January 21, 2025}}</ref> which debuted in the [[Nintendo Switch 2]] games ''[[Mario Kart World]]'' and ''Donkey Kong Bananza''.<ref name="Poly: Switch2" /><ref name="NLife: NewDesign" /> ''[[Video Games Chronicle]]''{{'s}} Chris Scullion described it as a blend of the ''Super Mario Bros. Movie'' and Game Boy ''Donkey Kong'' designs,<ref name="VGC: Redesign">{{cite web |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title='People need to embrace change': Donkey Kong Country artist welcomes new DK design |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/people-need-to-embrace-change-donkey-kong-country-artist-welcomes-new-dk-design/ |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |access-date=April 5, 2025 |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref> and ''[[The Verge]]''{{'s}} Ash Parrish noted it allowed Donkey Kong to display a greater range of expressions.<ref name="Verge: Best">{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=April 3, 2025 |title=Donkey Kong Bananza was best in show at the Switch 2 hands-on |url=https://www.theverge.com/games/642699/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on-preview-switch-2 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Bayliss considered the new design superior and said design changes were necessary for characters to endure.<ref name="NLife: NewDesign">{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Donkey Kong Country Artist Shares His Thoughts On Kong's New Design |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/donkey-kong-country-artist-shares-his-thoughts-on-kongs-new-design |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=April 4, 2025 |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>

===Voice===
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| image1 = Grant Kirkhope by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image2 = Seth Rogen at Collision 2019 - SM0 1823 (47106936404) (cropped).jpg
| footer = [[Grant Kirkhope]] (''left'') voiced Donkey Kong in many games, starting with ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' (1999), while [[Seth Rogen]] (''right'') voiced him in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023).}}

In his early animated appearances, Donkey Kong was voiced by the comedian [[Soupy Sales]] and the actor [[Garry Chalk]].<ref name="GRadar: SMBCast">{{cite web |last1=Lauren |first1=Milici |date=December 20, 2022 |title=The Super Mario Bros. Movie voice cast: who plays who? |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-bros-movie-voice-cast-chris-pratt-seth-rogen/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref> [[Richard Yearwood]] voiced Donkey Kong in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' animated series, while [[Sterling Jarvis]] performed his singing voice.<ref name="Voices of Donkey Kong" /> Yearwood reprised the role for a fan-made short film in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/05/random-og-donkey-kong-country-tv-series-cast-reunites-for-animated-short|title=Random: OG Donkey Kong Country TV Series Cast Reunites For Animated Short|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=May 10, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514172130/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/05/random-og-donkey-kong-country-tv-series-cast-reunites-for-animated-short|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Charles Martinet]], who voiced Mario and other ''Mario'' characters until 2023, also voiced Donkey Kong for Nintendo's "Mario in Real Time" [[trade show]] attraction.<ref name="Mario in Real Time">{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Bryn|title=Interview with the Voice of Mario|website=[[GameSpy]]|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/august02/mario/index2.shtml|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041214201633/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/august02/mario/index2.shtml|archive-date=December 14, 2004|page=2|date=August 10, 2002}}</ref>

Donkey Kong does not have a consistent voice across games,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Plunkett |first1=Luke |title=Mario Movie's Donkey Kong Voice Is Just Seth Rogen |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-bros-movie-trailer-seth-rogen-donkey-kong-1850046619 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=January 21, 2025 |date=January 29, 2023}}</ref> and generally makes gorilla noises instead of speaking in full sentences.<ref name="GSpot: RogenDK">{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Seth Rogen On Why He Didn't Give DK A "Weird" Voice In Mario Movie And Just Used His Own |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/seth-rogen-on-why-he-didnt-give-dk-a-weird-voice-in-mario-movie-and-just-used-his-own/1100-6512984/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=January 21, 2025 |date=April 5, 2023}}</ref> When developing ''Donkey Kong Country'', Rare planned to use real gorilla noises and visited the [[Twycross Zoo]] to record them. The composer [[David Wise (composer)|David Wise]] described the visit as "a complete waste of time".<ref name="NLife: MakingOfDKC" /> Outside of feeding times, the gorillas were too quiet, so a Rare staffer, [[Mark Betteridge]], provided Donkey Kong's voice.<ref name="NLife: MakingOfDKC">{{Cite news|last=McFerren|first=Damien|date=February 27, 2014|title=Month of Kong: The Making of Donkey Kong Country|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/month_of_kong_the_making_of_donkey_kong_country|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131130533/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/month_of_kong_the_making_of_donkey_kong_country|archive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> [[Grant Kirkhope]] provided the voice while composing music for ''Donkey Kong 64''.<ref name="Kirkhope: Website">{{Cite web |last=Kirkhope |first=Grant |title=Donkey Kong 64 Video Game Music Compositions |url=http://grantkirkhope.com/donkeykong64.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926160412/http://grantkirkhope.com/donkeykong64.html |archive-date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=Grant Kirkhope}}</ref><ref name="GRadar: SMBCast" /> Kirkhope's voice appeared in games such as ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash]]'' (2003), the [[Game Boy Advance]] port of ''Donkey Kong Country'', and ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Stephanie |title=Grant Kirkhope Will Compose Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope |url=https://www.siliconera.com/grant-kirkhope-compose-mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope/ |website=[[Siliconera]] |access-date=January 20, 2025 |date=June 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="HG: MvDK">{{cite web |last1=Spyrison |first1=Sam |title=Mario vs. Donkey Kong Enhances a Handheld Classic with New Worlds, Co-op Gameplay |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/mario-vs-donkey-kong-enhances-a-handheld-classic-with-new-worlds-co-op-gameplay/ |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=January 20, 2025 |date=January 15, 2024}}</ref> [[Takashi Nagasako]] is the most prolific Donkey Kong voice actor, having voiced him in 36 games as of 2025. He began voicing Donkey Kong in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' (2004).<ref name="Voices of Donkey Kong">{{cite web |title=Donkey Kong Voices (Donkey Kong Country) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Donkey-Kong-Country/Donkey-Kong/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410021450/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Donkey-Kong-Country/Donkey-Kong/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The actor and comedian [[Seth Rogen]] voiced Donkey Kong in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''. Rogen, a fan of ''Donkey Kong'' since childhood,<ref name="IGN: RogenExcited">{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=Carson |title=Seth Rogen Would Be 'Excited' to Voice Donkey Kong Again After Super Mario Bros. Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/seth-rogen-would-be-excited-to-voice-donkey-kong-again-after-super-mario-bros-movie |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=January 21, 2025 |date=March 30, 2023}}</ref> used his regular speaking voice, as he felt the role did not require an unusual one.<ref name="GSpot: RogenDK" /> He said that, during casting, "I was very clear that I don't do voices. If you want me to be in this movie, then it's going to sound like me and that's it... I think in the film and in the game, all you seem to know about Donkey Kong is that he throws barrels and does not like Mario very much. And that's what I ran with."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jiang |first=Sisi |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Super Mario Bros. Movie Fans Knock Seth Rogen For Barely Trying |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-bros-movie-seth-rogen-donkey-kong-voice-1850293751 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405024843/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-bros-movie-seth-rogen-donkey-kong-voice-1850293751 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> The directors gave Rogen freedom to approach the role, and most of his directions were to yell and sound angry.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bullard |first1=Benjamin |title=Super Mario Movie's Seth Rogen on Donkey Kong Advice He Received: 'Yell More!' |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/super-mario-bros-movie-seth-rogen-talks-donkey-kong |website=[[SyFy Wire]] |access-date=January 20, 2025 |date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> Rogen enjoyed the role and expressed interest in reprising it.<ref name="IGN: RogenExcited" />