Kong
- This article is about the species of sapient primates that mostly appear in theDonkey Kong franchise. For the boss group that appears inDonkey Kong Jungle Beat, seeKong (boss group).
- “I'm the king of the Kong, the simian Don Juan.”
- —Diddy Kong, "Kong for a Day"
Kongs (known asApes in production literature for theDonkey Kong Country television series)[1] are a species of sapient primates that make up much of the cast of theDonkey Kong franchise, with theeponymous character himself being one. Kongs are capable of actions such as speech and building houses and typically wear clothing, though the amount varies drastically with the individual, with Donkey Kong himself wearing only a tie, while many others wear full outfits. Kongs seem to be native toDonkey Kong Island, and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilianKremling race. While most of them share the surname "Kong," they are not all directly related to one another. Kongs can resemble any number of real-life primates, with Donkey Kong,Funky Kong, and several others resembling gorillas;Diddy Kong resembling a monkey;Dixie Kong andTiny Kong resembling chimpanzees; andLanky Kong resembling an orangutan.
General information[edit]
Name[edit]
The name "Kong" comes from a Japanese slang word for "gorilla."[2]
Generic names of various real-life types of primates, such as "monkeys," "chimps," "gorillas," and "apes," are used fairly interchangeably to describe Kongs, especially in earlier media such asSaturday Supercade and theDonkey Kong Country cartoon, which never refer to Kongs as such outside their individual names. However, the term "baboon" seems to be reserved as an insult, potentially due to it sounding similar to the word "buffoon," and is even used against other species, such asCranky Kong using it againstKrusha in "From Zero to Hero." Despite this, Kongs are their own species separate from apes.[3]
Society[edit]
In the games, the society of Kongs lives on Donkey Kong Island, living in houses made of wood, usually built on top of trees. Donkey Kong is their king, though sometimes Cranky Kong fills the role of being a leader. Generic Kongs are not commonly seen, with most known members of the species being individual characters.
The instruction booklet forDonkey Kong Country states that Manky Kongs were rejected by the Kongs. Despite this, Lanky Kong, who is an orangutan himself, is friendly to the Kongs and also part of the Kong Family.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, in contrast to the games, depicts the Kongs living in a bigger society and being more technologically advanced, having an entire factory dedicated to the manufacturing ofkarts.
Diet[edit]
Kongs usually take a strong liking tobananas, which are the subject of many stories involving the species. In particular, Donkey Kong has a cave full of them and is constantly seen eating them. Despite this, Kongs are also seen eating other kinds of food.
Speech[edit]
In theDonkey Kong Country series and inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, Kongs are capable of speaking intelligibly. However, in most games where Kongs appear alongside other species, particularly humans, as demonstrated inMario Super Sluggers and theMario & Sonic series, they simply say the word "Ook" followed by a translation of what they are saying in parentheses. Sometimes they do not speak at all, such as inSaturday Supercade.
Kong Family[edit]
TheKong Family[4] (alternativelyKong family),[5] also known as theDonkey Kong Family,[6]Kong Klan,[7][8]DK Crew,[9][10]DK Krew,[11] andDonkey Kong Crew,[12] is the main group of Kongs, beingDonkey Kong's family and close friends. The patriarch of the family is Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong. In theDonkey Kong franchise of video games, members of the Kong Family are either playable characters or supporting characters that aid the main heroes on their journey, although they also receive help from allies outside the family, including theAnimal Friends and theKremlingK. Lumsy.
Though only officialized inDonkey Kong Country, the concept of a family of Kongs dates back toDonkey Kong Jr.
The family often uses the initials "DK" as a symbol, which most often represents Donkey Kong. It is seen on Donkey Kong's tie,DK Barrels,DK Coins, theLevel Flags,DK Spaces, and various other objects around Donkey Kong Island. The symbol is also used in theSuper Smash Bros. series, although in this context, it is used as the logo for theDonkey Kong franchise in general instead of just the Kong Family members (sinceKing K. Rool andKlaptraps also use it).
According toGregg Mayles, the characters were loosely intended to be an actual family, but the extended relations were left deliberately vague by the release ofDonkey Kong Country due to uncanny details such asDiddy Kong having a tail andCandy Kong looking humanoid, as more priority was put in diversifying the designs rather than fitting it into a cohesive family tree background.[13]
Kong army[edit]
- “What makesyou think you're worthy of fighting alongside the greatest army in the world!?”
- —Cranky Kong,The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduces theKong army, which, as implied by its title, is the army of theJungle Kingdom that consists of various Kongs. In the film,Mario has to fight Donkey Kong in order for them to join the fight againstBowser and his troops. After Mario wins against Donkey Kong, the army prepares for the fight in thekart workshop and takes asecret passage that leads toRainbow Road. The members of the Kong army get captured by the troops inKoopa Clown Cars and get put into the prison to be sacrificed for the royal wedding.
Gallery[edit]
Koopa Clown Cars capturing the Kong army convoy
List of Kongs[edit]
Donkey Kong's family[edit]
- Cranky Kong's great grandfather – Was said to have once owned an antiquemirror inDonkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble![14]
- Great Aunt Grouchy – Cranky Kong's great aunt who owns a spell book that can reverse theCurse of the Double Doubloon.
- Cranky Kong – The original Donkey Kong, the paternal figure of Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong, and Wrinkly Kong's husband.
- Donkey Kong Jr. – The son of the original Donkey Kong.
- Donkey Kong – The current Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong's descendant.
- Baby DK – The younger version of Donkey Kong inYoshi's Island DS.
- Baby Kong – The younger version of Donkey Kong in the episode "Ape Foo Young" of theDonkey Kong Country television series.
- Diddy Kong – Donkey Kong's sidekick and Dixie Kong's boyfriend.
- Wrinkly Kong – Cranky Kong's late wife. She appeared alive prior toDonkey Kong 64; from then onwards, she has been deceased and appears as a spirit.
In addition, Donkey Kong Jr. has a relative referred to asUncle Julius, though he has not been shown to be a part of the Kong clan.
Dixie Kong's family[edit]
- Dixie Kong – Diddy Kong's girlfriend, Tiny Kong's older sister, and Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
- Tiny Kong – Dixie Kong's younger sister, as well as Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
- Chunky Kong – Kiddy Kong's older brother, as well as Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.
- Kiddy Kong – Chunky Kong's younger brother, as well as Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.
Other members[edit]
- Baby Kong – A baby that was under the care of Candy Kong and Dixie Kong in the "Baby Kong Blues" episode of theDonkey Kong Country television series.
- Bink – A deceased Kong-like character inMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. In theNintendo 3DS remake, his appearance is the same as the rest of the skeleton sailors of theS.S. Chuckola.
- Bluster Kong – A rich arrogant Kong that runsBluster Barrelworks on Kongo Bongo Island.
- Leo Luster – Bluster's alter-ego from theHunka Hunka Burnin' Bluster episode of theDonkey Kong Country television series.
- Candy Kong – Donkey Kong's childhood sweetheart and rumored girlfriend.
- Thedriver – A Kong that takesMario,Princess Peach, andToad to Cranky Kong's lair inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- Eddie the Mean Old Yeti – A Kong that lives in the mountains of Kongo Bongo Island.
- Funky Kong – Donkey Kong's friend.
- Great Uncle Spacey – Funky Kong's mentioned deceased great uncle that gave Funky theMystic Oracle.
- Junior (II) – A pink variant of Donkey Kong Jr.
- Kong Fu – A Kong that challenges Donkey Kong in the television show.
- Lanky Kong – An orangutan whose relationship to the other Kongs is unknown.[15][16]
- Mini Donkey Kong – A Kong that signifies an alarm.
- Monkey Kong – An implied Kong chosen to lead theFederation of Future Rulers.
- Rabbid Cranky – ARabbid/Cranky Kong cross-creation.
- Ringo – A cartoonist friend of Donkey Kong appearing in theDonkey Kong Jungle Action Special.
- Super Kong – A powerful version of Donkey Kong that appears to help the player get through levels. Super Kong also has the ability to get a white-furred Diddy Kong as a partner.
- Swanky Kong – A Kong that hosts a game show and is very fashionable.
- Poppa – An implied Kong who is the father ofSonny who disappeared.
- Uncle Kong – A Kong similar in design to Bluster who appears in theFamitsuguide book forDonkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
- Various generic, unnamed Kong characters seen at the starting line ofDK Jungle andBananan Labyrinth inMario Kart Arcade GP DX.
- Various generic, unnamed Kong characters inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Evil Kongs[edit]
- Dread Kong – A member of theKong boss group.
- Ghastly King, a.k.a. Cactus King – The leader of the Kong boss group.
- Karate Kong – A member of the Kong boss group.
- Ninja Kong – A member of the Kong boss group.
- Rabbid Kong – ARabbid/Kong cross-creation.
- Mega Rabbid Kong – Rabbid Kong's corrupted alter-ego.
- Snow Kong – AZinger disguised as a living giant Donkey Kongsnowman.
- Sumo Kong – A member of the Kong boss group.
Robotic Kongs[edit]
- Candy Clone – A robotic version of Candy Kong under the control of King K. Rool in theDonkey Kong Country television series.
- Cannon Kong –Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Capture Kong – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Catapult Kong – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Circus Kong – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Cool Kong – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Crash Kong – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Cyber Kong – Robotic Kong enemies that can shoot lasers fromDonkey Kong Barrel Blast.
- Kongā – Donkey Kong's robot from theMario vs. Donkey Kong series.
- Mecha Donkey Kong – A giant, robotic version of Donkey Kong under the control ofWario inSuper Mario-kunvolume 12.
- Mini Diddy Kong – Atoy made by theMario Toy Company.
- Mini Donkey Kong – A toy made by the Mario Toy Company.
Kong species[edit]
- Guerrilla – A type of enemy fromSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars that has an uncanny resemblance to Donkey Kong.
- Chained Kong – A stronger variant of Guerrillas, fromSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
- Manky Kong – A type of enemy fromDonkey Kong Country that is described as a "Kong reject orangutan."[17]
- Uckykong – A type of enemy fromYoshi's Crafted World that is a hybrid between aUkiki and a Kong.
- Snow Ucky Kong – A snow variant of the Uckykongs, fromYoshi's Crafted World.
Unused Kongs[edit]
- An unnamed, hatted Kong. –Donkey Kong Land
- An unnamed Kong with dark fur and glowing red eyes. He was replaced by Dread Kong in the final game. –Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
- TheHelper Monkeys from anearlier build. –Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
- Unused Kong sidekicks. –Super Mario Strikers
- Redneck KongMedia:DKP - Redneck Kong Screenshot.png, also known as "Crappy Kong." He was replaced by Candy Kong in the later build. –Diddy Kong Pilot
- An unnamed Kong genie referred to as the "Ultimate Magic Man" by unused text. He would have been the final boss of the unfinished story mode "K. Rool's Gold."[18] —Diddy Kong Pilot
Gallery[edit]
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (unused)
Super Mario Strikers (unused)
Super Mario Strikers (unused)
Super Mario Strikers (unused)
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (concept artwork)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (concept artwork)
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Names in other languages[edit]
Kong[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | コング[?] Kongu | Kong |
Kong Family[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | コングファミリー[?] Kongu Famirī | Kong Family | |
| Catalan | Família Kong[?] | Kong Family | The Super Mario Bros. Movie |
| Chinese (simplified) | 刚家族[?] Gāng Jiāzú | Kong Family | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 剛家族[?] Gāng Jiāzú | Kong Family | |
| French | Famille Kong[?] | Kong Family | |
| German | Kong-Familie[?] | Kong Family | |
| Italian | Famiglia Kong[?] | Kong Family | |
| Spanish | Familia Kong[?] | Kong Family |
Kong army[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan | Exèrcit Kong[?] | Kong army | |
| French | Armée des Kongs[?] | Kong army | |
| Romanian | Armata Kong[?] | The Kong army | |
| Spanish | Ejército Kong[?] | Kong Army |
References[edit]
- ^1998.Computer Animation: A Whole New World.Rockport Publishers. ISBN1564963772. Page 87.
- ^De Maria, Rusel, and Wilson, Johnny L. (December 18, 2003).High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games (2nd edition). New York:McGraw-Hill/Osborne (English). ISBN9780072231724.
- ^KRoolKountry (January 15, 2024).Just a reminder that Donkey Kong is not an ape—he is a Kong. However, “going ape” is a phrase that can be used for Kongs as well!.X. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^1995.Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Instruction Booklet.Nintendo of America (American English). Page 21.
- ^"Have you been to see the other members of the Kong family? They're not as useful as me of course, but they might be able to help." – Cranky Kong.Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
- ^1994.Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide.Nintendo of America (American English). Page 5.
- ^Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest cast roll
- ^Munson, Terry and Paul Shinoda (1996).Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Player's Guide.Nintendo of America (American English). Page 8.
- ^"He's the first member of the DK crew!" – DK Rap singer.Donkey Kong 64.
- ^"The DK Crew came to his tropical paradise for a little R&R." – Narrator.DK: Jungle Climber.
- ^"The DK Krew is Counting on You!" –Back coverMedia:DKC2 GBA back cover.jpg.Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance).
- ^"Take your pick from the Donkey Kong Crew — Donkey Kong, Diddy, Dixie and Funky are all here!" –British back coverMedia:DKJC UK Back Cover.jpg.Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber.
- ^GameXplain (November 16, 2019).Talking with Rare's Creative Director for DKC's 25th Anniversary! (Cut Content, Wario Plot, & More) (27:06).YouTube (English). Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^"Yes, but it's no ordinary one though! It was Cranky's great grandfather's! I can't let it go for less than 50 coins." – Bazaar.Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!.
- ^"A newcomer to the Kong clan and the joker of the pack. I haven't a clue whom he's related to—must be some distant cousin or something." – Cranky Kong (1999).Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet.Nintendo of America. Page 8.
- ^"The well-mannered giant gorilla is, in the truest sense of the word, a great guy, and sticks to Lanky, his uncle once-removed." – Chunky Kong bio. GermanDonkey Kong 64 website.
- ^1994.Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet.Nintendo of America (American English). Page 29.
- ^Proto:Banjo-Pilot/Diddy Kong Pilot 2001 § Story Text.The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
[Edit] Kongs | |
|---|---|
| Kong characters | Baby Kong •Bink •Bluster Kong (Leo Luster) •Candy Clone •Candy Kong •Chunky Kong •Cranky Kong (Young) •Cranky Kong's great grandfather •Diddy Kong •Dixie Kong •Donkey Kong (Baby DK ·Giant Donkey Kong ·Robot-Donkey Kong ·Ultra Barrel DK) •Donkey Kong Jr. •Dread Kong •Driver •Eddie the Mean Old Yeti •Funky Kong •Ghastly King •Karate Kong •Kiddy Kong •Kong Fu •Lanky Kong •Mecha Donkey Kong •Mini Donkey Kong (Game & Watch) •Monkey Kong •Ninja Kong •Rabbid Cranky •Rabbid Kong (Mega) •Ringo •Snow Kong •Sumo Kong •Super Kong •Swanky Kong •Tiny Kong •Uncle Kong •Wrinkly Kong |
| Kong species | Chained Kong •Cyber Kong •Guerrilla •Helper Monkey •Kong •Manky Kong •Mini Diddy Kong •Mini Donkey Kong (toy) •Ninjape •Snow Ucky Kong •Uckykong |
| Donkey Kong's robots | Cannon Kong •Capture Kong •Catapult Kong •Circus Kong •Cool Kong •Crash Kong •Kongā |
| Kong groups | Donkey Kong's robots •Kong (boss group) •Kong army •Kong Family |
[Edit] The Super Mario Bros. Movie | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Main characters | Donkey Kong •Luigi •Mario •Princess Peach •Toad |
| Antagonists | Bowser •Kamek •Koopa General | |
| Supporting characters | BrKLnCouple •Cranky Kong •Driver •Francis •Giuseppe •Kong army •Lumalee •Mario and Luigi's family (Aunt Marie ·Mario and Luigi's father ·Mario and Luigi's grandfather ·Mario and Luigi's mother ·Mario and Luigi's niece ·Uncle Arthur ·Uncle Tony) •Penguin King •Spike •Toad General | |
| Other characters | Baby Luigi •Baby Mario •Baby Peach •Chanterelle •Chunky Kong •Diddy Kong •Dixie Kong •Funky Kong •Kiddy Kong •King Bob-omb •King Boo •Luigi's bully •Pauline •Pit •Super Mario Bros. Plumbing customer •Swanky Kong •Toadette •Yoshi | |
| Forms | Cape Mario •Cat Mario •Fire Mario •Ice Mario •Invincible Mario •Mini Mario •Super Mario •Tanooki Mario | |
| Species | Bat •Biddybud •Blooper (Blooper Baby) •Bob-omb •Bullet Bill (Bomber Bill) •Bramball •Buzzy Beetle •Chain Chomp •Cheep Cheep (Spiny Cheep Cheep) •Goomba (Goomba Tower) •Hammer Bro •Human •Jellybeam •Kong •Koopa (Dry Bones ·Koopa Paratroopa ·Koopa Troopa ·Spiny ·Sledge Bro) •Luma •Maw-Ray •Penguin •Piranha Plant •Snifit •Toad •Yoshi | |
| Locations | Bob-omb Battlefield •Bowser's Castle •Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights) •Castle Burger •Crazy Cap •Dark Lands •Jungle Kingdom •Fire Flower Fields •Great Ring of Kong •High Cliffs •Kart workshop •Mushroom Forest •Mushroom Kingdom (Toad Town · Mushroom Heights) •Peach's Castle •Punch-Out Pizzeria •Rainbow Road •Desert Area •Secret passage •Snow Kingdom •Super Mario Bros. Plumbing •Training Course •Warp Zone •Waterfall Area •Yoshi's Island | |
| Items and objects | ! Block •Anchor •Axe •Barrel •Bill Blaster •Bike (Bullet Bike ·Mach Bike) •Blue mushroom •Blue Shell •Boomerang Flower •Bowser Statue •Box •Brick Block •Cannon •Cape Feather •Clear Pipe •Coin •Coin Block •Crate •Donut Block •Dragon Coin •Fire Bar •Fire Flower •Flying Question Block •Fruit (Banana ·Carrot ·Coconut ·Grape ·Melon ·Pineapple ·Turnip ·Watermelon) •Girder •Goal Pole •Hammer •Ice Flower •Kart (Pipe Frame ·Standard Kart ·Tiny Titan) •Koopa Clown Car •Ladder •Lakitu's Cloud •Lift •Magic wand •Magical Potion •Mushroom Platform •Music Box •Mysterious pipe •P Switch •P-Wing •POW Block •Power Balloon •Question Block •Rocket Barrel •Rotating Block •Shy Guy balloon •Spike Trap •Snowball •Super Bell •Super Leaf •Super Mushroom •Super Star •Tanooki Suit •Trampoline •Warp Pipe •Wooden cutout •Yoshi's Egg | |
| Miscellaneous | Gallery •Illumination •Jump Man •Media •Quotes •References to other media •SMBPlumbing.com •Staff •The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) ("DK Rap" · "Mario Brothers Rap" · "Peaches") •Universal Pictures •Voice actors | |
