Tag: Donkey Kong
Feature Catch-Up Crew: Donkey Kong Country - "I Liked His Big Red, Er, Ribbit-Bag?"
Catching up with the DK crew
Welcome aboard once again for this edition of Catch-up Crew, the series where the senior staff of the USS Nintendo Life do what every good crew should do on a seat-of-your-pants cosmic adventure - adjourn to the observation lounge for a conference. Yes, we're back at the table to discuss a classic video game that at...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Donkey Kong Country (GBA)
The Diddy one
We are back, back, back with another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we matched up two different covers for Contra 4 on the DS, and it wasn't even close. The North American variant walked comfortably away with the win, taking 76% of the vote and leaving Japan with the remaining 24%. Oof. This week, we're swinging it back a...
News Donkey Kong 'Lego Ideas' Set Has Enough Support For An Official Review
Reviewing process starts in September
A little while back, we reported on a 'Lego Ideas' set featuring a recreation of the classic Donkey Kong game starring the titular villain alongside Pauline. Well, the set - courtesy of user 'By If You Build It' - has now surpassed 10,000 supporters and has qualified for an official review from Lego itself. The...
Random Donkey Kong Country 3 Fan Creates Incredible Epoxy Resin Statue
Yes, we want one
There have been some truly gorgeous video game statues in our time, from the likes of the First 4 Figures Samus Gravity Suit statue from Metroid to the ludicrous Ghosts 'n Goblins statue from Dream Figures. We love one-off designs though; statues that likely won't be made available to the general public,
News Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Player Uses Glitch To Top Donkey Kong Leaderboard
Tournament scandal
Update [Sat 3rd Aug, 2024 03:30 BST]: Nintendo recently launched a website in Japan featuring replays of the fastest times in the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition tournaments. The same 'Donkey Kong Barrel Roll' replay (which can be seen in the original story below) is notably featured on this page (thanks, OatmealDome)...
Poll Box Art Brawl - DK: King Of Swing
B-A-N-A-N-A-S
We are back, back, back with another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we swing into this week's match-up, let's take a look at what went down last time when we looked at two regional covers for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Despite a duo of swanky designs being on display, it was Europe and North America's dark, moodier cover that...
Random Nintendo Considered Some Bananas Names For DK, Including "Kong Dong"
The name's Kong, Bill Kong
It's crazy to consider DK called anything other than Donkey Kong, but there was a time when Nintendo considered other possibilities including some wild swings. Back in the '80s, Nintendo and Universal went head to head in a lawsuit with the former accused of basing DK on the iconic ape of the big screen, King Kong...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Costs $60 On Switch
Nintendo's "pricing strategy" has some fans confused
Last year, when Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released, there were concerns raised about the game's $70 USD price tag. It followed with Nintendo mentioning how pricing of its new releases would be based on a "case-by-case basis". Now, the latest game that seems to be generating some discussion...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns Switch Dev Appears To Have Been Revealed
It seems to link back to a previously announced deal
Donkey Kong Country Returns is returning for a third time early next year and it seems we might already know who is behind the latest HD iteration. According to some official documentation which has already been spotted by
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Swings Onto Switch Next Year
Barelling our way in January
Nintendo has announced as a part of today's Direct that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be barrelling onto Switch on 16th January 2025. It might not be the new Donkey Kong game everyone is hoping for, but this remastered version of the Wii platformer has not only had a sweet new facelift, but it will also include...
Video Donkey Kong '94 - The 101-Level Sequel To Arcade DK
It's on like (101 stages of) Donkey Kong
14th June 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Donkey Kong for the Game Boy's Japanese release. It's one of the finest games on the system and a hybrid arcade port/spin-off that ushered in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series which recently came to Switch. In honour of the occasion, we thought we'd highlight this...
News Universal Orlando 'Epic Universe' Preview Event Shows Off Super Nintendo World
Scheduled to launch in 2025
In an update last month, it was confirmed Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World was still on track for its 2025 opening. It teased what fans could expect with some animated footage and now in an update courtesy of Theme Park Insider, we've got another look at the plans for this park thanks to a new model featured at a...
News Switch Online's Missions & Rewards Adds Donkey Kong Icons You Can Only "Get By Playing"
Play the arcade hit on the NES library to unlock them
Nintendo has announced a new batch of Switch Online icons you can only "get by playing" its digital retro library. It's already hosted missions like this for Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and now it's Donkey Kong's turn. This time, Switch Online members will need...
Poll A New Donkey Kong Game Must Be Coming, But What Should It Be?
The wait is driving us bananas
It feels like Donkey Kong is everywhere at the moment. With the lovable ape’s significant appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the upcoming DK-themed expansion at Japan’s
News Details Emerge Of A Cancelled Donkey Kong Project From Vicarious Visions
Rope burn'd
Of all the studios to potentially work on a Donkey Kong project, Vicarious Visions (now known simply as Blizzard Albany) admittedly wasn't particularly high up on our list. However, details have emerged of a now-cancelled DK project at the studio via a new video from Did You Know Gaming (with prior reporting from DK Vine). According to...
News Get A Closer Look At Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World, Opening 2025
Mario, Yoshi AND Donkey Kong all set to appear
If you cast your mind way back to 2021, you might remember the announcement that Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World was getting pushed to 2025. Well, today Universal has reconfirmed that this is still happening (yay!) and it has given a sneak peek at what's in store. The above video gives an...
News Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Park Delayed To Late 2024
Swinging away from Spring
It was right at the end of 2023 that Universal Studios announced the opening date for its Donkey Kong Country park at Super Nintendo World Japan. It was supposed to be this Spring (any day now, we would assume), but instead, the studio has announced that the opening has been pushed back to "late 2024". The delay was...
News Super Nintendo World Footage Showcases A Near-Complete Donkey Kong Expansion
Looking good!
When Nintendo announced that the Super Nintendo World attraction in Japan would be receiving a Donkey Kong expansion in Spring 2024, our hearts nearly leapt out of our chests. Well, it's Spring 2024 uh, now, so it must be nearing completion, right? Right. Judging from the above footage recorded by YouTube channel L.C.A.STUDIOS (USJ...
Random Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze Could Have Been About Alien Invaders
Donkey Kong Country: Independence Day?
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is all about snow; that much should be obvious from the game's title, even for those who have yet to play Retro Studios' excellent platformer. According to a recent interview from KiwiTalkz in which he chats with former Retro artists Eric Kozlowsky and Ted Anderson,...
Guide Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time
Every DK game, as ranked by you
The list below is governed by each game's User Rating in our database and is subject to real-time change even after publication. Read on to find out more and see if Tropical Freeze, our original pick for number one, is still top banana... While Mario is the undisputed man when it comes to all things Nintendo, let it...
Poll So, Will You Be Getting Mario vs. Donkey Kong For Switch?
The GBA title is back
Apart from the arrival of the Smash Bros. Sora amiibo this week, Nintendo has also revived Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Switch. This one is a bit different to the average new release because it's a remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance title with a few new worlds, co-op mode and a new casual difficulty setting. We rather enjoyed...
News Switch Online's 'Missions & Rewards' Adds Mario vs. Donkey Kong Icons
Wave one is available now
Alongside the arrival of Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Switch, Nintendo has today released some new Switch Online icons. Some of the characters included in the first few waves are Mario, Donkey Kong, Shy Guy and Toad. You'll be able to redeem these for the usual price of 10 Platinum Points, with frames and backgrounds setting...
News Mario vs. Donkey Kong Launch Week Update Now Live, Here's What's Included
There's a patch for the demo, too
Apart from the Tomb Raider Remastered trilogy, this week also marks the return of the Game Boy Advance title Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Switch. Although the game isn't even out yet, like so many other first-party releases nowadays, it's already been updated. Version 1.0.1 addresses an issue where the controls could...
Anniversary Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Is Now A Decade Old
Time for a new one?
Just in case you weren't feeling old today, it's now been a decade since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was released for the Wii U in Japan (13 February, 2014). Yes, the latest platformer in the Donkey Kong Country sub-series is now basically old enough to sneak a tenner out of Dad's wallet and laugh incessantly at toilet...
News Nintendo's Switch Online Service Spotlights Donkey Kong With New Hub
The DKC series celebrates 30 years in 2024
Nintendo seems to be slowly putting the spotlight back on Donkey Kong with a series of announcements in recent times. He will also star in the upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong, due out on the Switch later this month. With this in mind, Nintendo has now launched a special section in the Switch Online...
Random Yep, Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Has Already Been Modded On Switch
Super Mario 64 returns
Stone the crows, these folks don't hang around, do they? Mario vs. Donkey Kong has yet to be released on the Nintendo Switch (though we've not got long to wait; it launches on February 16th, 2024), but it looks like people are already looking to mod the game based solely on the public eShop demo. One particularly intriguing...
Poll What Did You Think Of The Demo For Mario Vs. Donkey Kong?
Go on, tell us
Nintendo surprised Switch owners yesterday with a demo of the upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong. In case you've missed the coverage so far, this title is a revival of the 2004 Game Boy Advance release featuring additional content such as new worlds, co-op, and even multiple difficulty settings. Now that everyone has had a...
Round Up The Previews Are In For Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Returning next month
Nintendo's upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong will revive the 2004 Game Boy Advance title next month on the Switch. If you haven't already seen our own "hands on" here on Nintendo Life, we mentioned how "psyched" we were for the full release, as the Switch version is a game filled with meaningful changes, new modes, and a...
Video Nintendo Shows Off Mario Vs. Donkey Kong's New Co-Op Gameplay
Two heads are better than one
We're nearing next month's release of Mario vs. Donkey Kong on the Switch and Nintendo has started to share more footage of the game on its social media channels. The latest clip showcases the game's "new" co-op mode. In the latest video, you can see Mario teaming up with Toad to solve various problems and overcome all...
News Nintendo Highlights New Stages In Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Switch
This new version will come with two new worlds
Nintendo has finally got its marketing push for Mario vs. Donkey Kong underway, and after revealing the Switch release would be getting some new stages filled with new enemies and levels, it's now highlighting some scenes from the previous clip on social media. This latest post on the official Nintendo...
News Nintendo World's New Donkey Kong Ride Will Literally Send You Off The Tracks
Well, in a totally fake kind of way
Toward the end of 2023, it was revealed that a Donkey Kong expansion would be making its way to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. Now, thanks to some keen investigation from CoasterTalk (thanks, Gizmodo), some more information has been discovered regarding the site's new rollercoaster ride. The...
Video Mario vs. Donkey Kong Switch Shows Off New Worlds, Co-Op And More
Launching next month
Nintendo is gearing up for another year of game releases and one of the titles you'll soon be able to get your hands on is an enhanced version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It's arriving next month on Switch on 16th February 2024. In a new video today, Nintendo has outlined what to players can expect. This new version will feature...
Video Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Commercials Released
Opening in Spring 2024
Earlier this month, Universal Studios revealed the Super Nintendo World 'Donkey Kong Country Expansion' would be opening in Japan in Spring 2024. At the time, there was a brief look at what to expect in an official teaser trailer featuring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now, in an update, a few commercials have surfaced online...
Soapbox Donkey Konga Introduced Me To One Of My Favourite Songs Ever
A mighty impression
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Donkey Konga in Japan, Ollie recounts how the game introduced him to a song that remains one of his all-time favourites... I used to love...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Power-Up Bands Revealed
Part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion
Yesterday, Universal Studios announced the Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country expansion would be opening in Spring 2024. As part of this, it's also revealed two brand new Power-Up Bands, featuring amiibo functionality. There's one for Donkey Kong and the other is based on Diddy Kong. These special...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Opening Spring 2024
Check out the announcement video
Remember when Nintendo confirmed Super Nintendo World in Japan would be getting a Donkey Kong-themed expansion? In the latest development, it's now been announced 'Donkey Kong Country' will be opening at Universal Studios in Spring 2024. As highlighted by Universal Parks News Today, this announcement was made during...
Poll Box Art Brawl - Donkey Kong
The OG
Welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we get cracking with this week's epic battle, let's take a look at how Contact went on with its own duel. It was incredibly close; possibly one of the closest brawls we've seen to date, but ultimately the design favoured by North America and Japan won the round with 51% of the vote...
News Coleco's Failed Negotiations With Nintendo Apparently Resulted In The Birth Of The Famicom
"The rest is history"
Time Extension recently got the chance to speak to Coleco exec Bert Reiner about the history of the American toy and console maker. According to his account, there was a time when Nintendo almost ended up buying and marketing the 1982 video game system 'ColecoVision' for Japan but negotiations fell through. The former Coleco...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Donkey Konga
♫ That's the Impression That I Get ♫
Hi! Welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl - good to see you again. Before we get cracking with this week's bout, let's take a look at how last week went down. We took a look at WarioWare Gold for the 3DS, pitting North America and Europe against Japan. Unsurprisingly (and rather disappointingly in...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel - Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
Go bananas
Hello and welcome back to your weekly round of Box Art Brawl! Before we leave the courtroom behind and move on somewhere a bit warmer, let's take a look at last week's results. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, the original Ace Attorney game, stood in the BAB docks, but it was an easy win for North America, which took 53% of your votes...
Random OG Donkey Kong Country TV Series Cast Reunites For Animated Short
Return to Krocodile Isle
If you're a fan of the Donkey Kong Country TV Series from the late '90s, then get ready for a sweet dose of nostalgia, because multiple members of the original English voiceover cast have reunited for a brand new animated short called 'DKC: Return to Krocodile Isle' from Alex Henderson Animation and Bootleg Dub Productions...
News LEGO Reveals New Donkey Kong Adventure Playsets
Swinging into stores this August
After being teased earlier on this week, we have now got our first proper look at four new Donkey Kong LEGO adventure playsets which provide another expansion to the LEGO Super Mario collection. The sets each contain one or two famous members of the Kong family, and have various interactive components to be used...
News More Donkey Kong Figures Teased For LEGO Super Mario
Diddy, Dixie, and more!
On MAR10, Lego gave us a sneak peek at an upcoming Donkey Kong figure, and ahead of DK's brick debut this summer, it's now given us even more of a teaser as to who else we can expect to be joining the Lego Super Mario sets. Lego shared a brief clip on Twitter which shuffles through a handful of famous Kong figures. Donkey...
News Strong Museum Making The World's "Largest, Playable" Donkey Kong Cabinet
Nintendo of America is "providing input on the project"
The Strong National Museum of Play - best known for its "World Video Game Hall of Fame" - has announced it's creating the world's "largest playable" Donkey Arcade cabinet, standing "nearly 20-feet tall" and about "370% bigger" than the original. It will be part of The Strong's...
Random Donkey Kong Country Artist Reveals DK's Early Character Design Sketches
"He looks a lot more polished now"
The release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie has meant that Donkey Kong is somewhat the talk of the town at the moment. While Illumination's take on the character has managed to stick pretty close to the DK that we all know and love, a recent livestream from one of the original Donkey Kong Country artists, Kev...
Random Ex-Rare Dev Explains The Origin Of Donkey Kong Country's Name
Take me home, country roads
When you think of the titles of some of Nintendo's most iconic platform games, many of them just make sense as they are: Super Mario World, Kirby's Dream Land, and Donkey Kong Country. It all fits as a naming convention, right? Well, according to ex-Rare dev Kev Bayliss, the inclusion of the word 'Country' in Donkey Kong...
News Legendary DK Rap Composer Disappointed He's Missing From Mario Movie Credits
Credit where credit's due
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is finally out and we are preparing for the internet to soon become awash with hidden references and spoiler talk. One of the film's aspects immediately brought to our attention, however, is to do with the credits, in which it seems that Rareware composer Grant Kirkhope has not been included...
News Seth Rogen On Voicing Donkey Kong In The Mario Movie: "It's Gonna Sound Like Me And That's It"
"I don't do voices"
There's been a lot of discussion about how Chris Pratt will sound as Mario in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie, but what will Donkey Kong's voice sound like? In an interview with Comicbook.com, DK's voice actor Seth Rogen admitted he doesn't do voices and just used his regular one for Donkey Kong. There was no real back and...
News This Donkey Kong 'LEGO Ideas' Project Is Halfway To An Expert Review
If it reaches 10k LEGO will take a look
Mario Lego has become quite popular, but what other Nintendo IP could be adapted to the world of brick building? A Lego Ideas user known as 'By If You Build It' has submitted a Donkey Kong-themed set. Although the big ape kind of looks terrifying up close, the project itself has already got close to 5,000...
Random Fan-Made Game Mixes Classic Sonic With Donkey Kong Country
It looks fantastic!
Sonic the Hedgehog is no stranger to change. The franchise has crossed paths with multiple genres across the decades, from its humble beginnings as a 2D platformer to the latest "open-zone" 3D title Sonic Frontiers, and everything in between. But what would happen if you took the concept of classic 2D Sonic and mixed it with the...
