Editing Cranky Kong

|image=[[File:Cranky Kong Artwork - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png|300px]]<br>Cranky Kong, as he appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''

|full_name=Cranky Kong (formerly Donkey Kong)

|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (as Cranky Kong) ([[List of games by date#1994|1994]])

''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (as Donkey Kong) ([[List of games by date#1981|1981]])

|latest_appearance=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023)

'''Cranky Kong''' is one of the central characters in the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise. He is depicted as a paternal figure to [[Donkey Kong]], though [[#Identity confusion|their exact relation varies]]. He is characterized by frequently breaking the [[fourth wall]] and constantly complaining and rambling (especially in [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]-made games), although he proves to be a helpful sage in many situations, having been shown to possess much knowledge about the current location and its history and secrets.<ref>"''Have you been to see my husband Cranky? He complains a little, but he does know everything about this island.''" - Wrinkly Kong, ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''</ref><ref>"''Even old Cranky Kong is getting in on the entrepreneurial spirit. He’s opened a Monkey Museum where inquisitive monkeys can go to learn about the lore of Crocodile Isle. Prepare to pay to get the best hints!''" -''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' instruction booklet, page 26.</ref><ref>"''Rumor has it—and it might just be simian senility—that Cranky Kong covered all the levels and found everything in five hours and fifteen minutes!''" - M. Arakawa. ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble'' Player's Guide. Page 4.</ref>

{{Main|Donkey Kong#Donkey Kong series{{!}}Donkey Kong § Donkey Kong series}}

According to [[#Identity confusion|various pieces of official media]], starting with ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong from the arcade games appearing in ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]''. During his youthful prime, Cranky Kong kidnapped [[Pauline]] and took her to a construction site, was kidnapped and trapped in a cage by [[Mario]], and even battled [[Stanley]] in various greenhouses. He also implies in one of his lectures to his grandson that his kidnapping Pauline was consistent enough that he did so "seven days a week." Not counting the "Modern" mixes in the [[Game & Watch Gallery (series)|''Game & Watch Gallery'' series]] or a cameo in ''[[Mario Clash]]'', his final role as Donkey Kong was in ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' for Game Boy. He retired after he relinquished the name to his grandson.<ref>「1994年に発売された『ドンキーコング』（ゲームボーイ）を最後に、孫に“ドンキーコング”の名を譲り渡す。」 ("''After the release of 'Donkey Kong' (Game Boy), he turned over the Donkey Kong name to his grandchild.''") - Nintendo Online Magazine</ref>

[[File:Cranky Kong DKC.png|thumb|left|Art of Cranky Kong for ''Donkey Kong Country'']]

Cranky's first appearance as "Cranky Kong" was in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', in which he lives in a slightly rundown shack known as "[[Cranky's Cabin]]". From here, Cranky gives randomly selected advice on the game's various items and locations, mostly pertaining to the first few levels, to the new Donkey Kong and his friend [[Diddy Kong]]. Unlike in the sequels, Cranky asks no fee for his bits of advice and can be consulted as many times as the player desires.

 

He also appears in the opening cutscene before the title screen of the original SNES version, where he operates a phonograph, playing the theme song from the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] version of ''Donkey Kong'' atop a [[Construction Site|construction site]]. Donkey Kong disrupts his session by knocking him aside and dancing to a remixed version of the song Cranky was playing on the phonograph, which plays on a boombox he drops nearby, then the scene turns to a jungle. Cranky, irritated by this interruption, hurls a TNT barrel at Donkey Kong's boombox, destroying it.

In the [[Game Boy Advance]] version, Cranky appears after each boss battle to provide commentary. He makes similar appearances in the GBA versions of ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 3''.

In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', Cranky sets up his "[[Monkey Museum]]" on [[Crocodile Isle]]. It appears as though, through his further aging, it has become more difficult to walk, as he stands with two canes. Once again, Cranky will give out information, this time for a price. In this game, Cranky also scatters several [[DK Coin|Video Game Hero Coin]]s throughout the game's various levels. Once [[Kaptain K. Rool]] is defeated Cranky will tally [[Diddy Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]]'s "hero status" by how many Video Game Hero Coins they have collected. ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' also introduced Cranky's wife, [[Wrinkly Kong]].

 

In the Game Boy Advance version of ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', Cranky's role remains relatively the same as in the original game, although it was slightly expanded with a new sidequest. Cranky bought a racing ostrich he named [[Expresso]], which the Kongs can bulk up using [[golden feather]]s and race against other ostriches to try and achieve trophies in exchange for rewards from Cranky.

In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', Cranky's appearances have been reduced. In [[Swanky's Sideshow]], Cranky Kong acts as Dixie and [[Kiddy Kong]]'s opponent in various ball throwing [[minigame]]s. Cranky also appears at the end of the game to criticize Dixie and Kiddy's victory over [[KAOS]] and [[Baron K. Roolenstein]], resulting in Dixie and Kiddy Kong approaching him ominously while he tries to avoid an inevitable beating by putting on glasses. At the end of the post-game cutscene, Cranky will appear in the background doing a few water-skiing tricks behind [[Funky Kong]], who pulls him with a motorboat. He eventually falls in water, but comes back to the surface holding up a sign which says "THE END" in runny ink. He is also top of the All-Time Greats list at the end of the game, having beat the game in 04:22 with 103%. If the player beats the game with the TUFST code activated, thereby attaining 105%, they will get a trophy of Cranky Kong in a black belt's outfit and will be named "Immortal Monkey!"

In addition, a picture of Cranky Kong over a white background hangs from a wall in [[Wrinkly's Save Cave]]. The same picture can be seen in the same spot within Wrinkly Refuge in ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'', which is the only visual appearance of Cranky Kong in the entire ''[[Donkey Kong Land (series)|Donkey Kong Land]]'' series.

In the Game Boy Advance version of ''Donkey Kong Country 3'', Cranky runs several dojos, aptly named [[Cranky's Dojo]] to prepare for his self-purported "first" game, Cranky Kong Country. In Cranky's Dojo, players gain the ability to play as a shield-wielding Cranky during a [[Bristles]] dodging minigame. Cranky's Dojo minigame must be beaten at least once to gain a [[Banana Bird]].

Cranky Kong appears as '''Professor Cranky Kong'''<ref>"'''''Professor Cranky Kong''' Yep, you read it right, sonny! It’s Professor Cranky now, and you’d better show your elders some respect, as I’m your only hope in defeating those rancid reptiles.''" - ''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet, page 9.</ref> in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', having taken up science. [[Cranky's Lab]] can be found in every area of ''Donkey Kong 64'' except [[Hideout Helm]]. At Cranky's Lab, the Kongs can pay Professor Cranky for several potions that can give them new powers and abilities. Also, if the Kongs manage to collect fifteen [[Banana Medal]]s, he will allow them to play ''[[Jetpac]]'', the first published computer game of {{wp|Ultimate Play The Game}} (Rare's direct predecessor). The Kongs must beat the ''Jetpac'' game in order to obtain the [[Rareware Coin]]. Cranky also acts as the Kongs' coach during their boxing match against [[King Krusha K. Rool]].

Cranky appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]''. In the game, he runs [[Cranky Kong's Shop|a shop]] in each world and will often make sarcastic remarks over what Donkey and Diddy Kong buy. Aside from Donkey and Diddy, Cranky is the only Kong from the original trilogy to make a return appearance. According to him, the reason he made the shop was because his pension was revoked, so he has to sell items to make money.

Cranky Kong appears as a playable partner character in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' and its Nintendo Switch [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|port of the same name]], marking the first time he is fully playable in a ''Donkey Kong Country'' game (his role as shopkeeper filled by Funky Kong). Cranky is able to use his cane to bounce upward, as well as on spikes, and defeat certain enemies that the other Kongs cannot. His cane can also be utilized while underwater, using a move called the Cane Swipe to attack and take down enemies that cannot be defeated by a simple [[Corkscrew (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)|corkscrew]] move, such as [[Pufftup]]s and [[Sea Urchin]]s. Despite the cane's capabilities, it cannot be used to collapse unsound underwater structures, balancing it in relation to the corkscrew action. Cranky's [[Popgun|Denture Popgun]] has unlimited ammo of dentures, which can be shot at enemies in order to stun them for a brief period of time. Cranky's use of his cane as a pogo stick to attack enemies is similar to the method of attack used by {{wp|Scrooge McDuck}}, the main protagonist of Disney's ''{{wp|DuckTales}}'', in a {{wp|DuckTales (video game)|video game adaptation}} of his show that [[Capcom]] produced for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] and [[Game Boy]].

''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' is the only game in the series where Cranky does not have any written dialogue.

Cranky is featured in the ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]]'' comic "The Big Banana Robbery". At the beginning of the comic, Crankey yells at sleeping Donkey Kong and invites him to check the empty Banana Hoard. As Donkey Kong heads off to find the missing bananas and rescue the missing Diddy Kong, Cranky stays behind, saying he "can't be bothered" to help.

Cranky later stars in the comic "A Blast From The Past". While uncloging a pipe at his treehouse, Cranky is disrupted by [[Ace investigative reporter|a human reporter]], who introduces himself by asking Cranky if he remembers anything about [[Pauline]]. Recalling it as "a long time ago", Cranky proceeds to tell the tale of when he last saw her.

In a flashback, a [[Donkey Kong|younger Cranky Kong]] is climbing a construction site, telling Pauline it's "something I saw in a movie once". The commotion attracts a nearby [[Electrician|electrician]], who tries to rescue Pauline. Donkey Kong throws a [[Barrel|barrel]] at the individual, but he manages to get to the top of the construction site. Donkey Kong hits him with another barrel, but the electrician gets back up yet another time and taunts Donkey Kong, who retaliates by throwing ton of barrels at him and seemingly knocking the man out of sight.

Donkey Kong is concerned, saying he didn't want to harm the man. The electrician pops out of the barrel Donkey is holding, scaring him. A furious Pauline kicks Donkey Kong, adominishing him for his antics and promising to get even.

Additionally, the instruction booklet for ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' accidentally states that "Even old Cranky charges for his words of wisdom", having copied and pasted the line directly from the ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' manual.<ref>TMK. [http://themushroomkingdom.net/kongtroversy.shtml Kongtroversy]. ''The Mushroom Kingdom''. Retrieved July 1, 2012.</ref>

[[File:Rumble Jungle Illustration - Kongs and Squawks.jpg|thumb|Cranky Kong with Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and [[Squawks the Parrot]], from ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle]]'']]

Cranky Kong appears in the 1995 novel ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle]]'', accompanying Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong across the island to reach [[Big Ape City]]. At the beginning of the novel Cranky Kong expresses his disapproval about Diddy Kong flying in [[Funky Kong]]'s [[Jumbo Barrel|barrel plane]], complaining that "if apes were meant to fly, they'd have wings", and "there's nowhere any self-respecting ape would want to go that he can't get to on his own two hairy feet". After Funky Kong leaves in his plane, the Kongs find that he has accidentally left his walkie talkie with Donkey Kong. Trying to contact him, the Kongs hear that his plane is being attacked by "[[Hogwash the Flying Pig|flying pigs]]" near Big Ape City, and that he's going to crash.

Donkey Kong and Diddy immediately decide to travel to the city on foot. Cranky Kong doubts that they are capable, although he wishes to join them so that they don't have to "go off on another adventure alone". After reaching [[Tree Top Town]] on the edge of the jungle, Cranky Kong trips over a vine after insisting to take the lead, which triggers an alarm that alerts the [[Kremling]]s. Attacking alongside Donkey Kong and Diddy, Cranky uses his cane to slam several Kremlings on their feet, which sent them "hobbling into the bushes". An illustration also shows him swinging on a vine.

After the Kongs are guided through a mountain's caves by [[Squawks the Parrot]], they reach the skyline of Big Ape City. Cranky says to Donkey Kong that "I haven't been here since I was your age[...] I remember battling a short plumber named [[Mario]]", which suggests that Big Ape City is the location of the original [[Donkey Kong (game)|''Donkey Kong'']] arcade game. They find that the city has been overrun by Kremlings, who are building a large factory. Cranky Kong notably complains several times, being reluctant to continue while they are trying to locate Funky Kong's prison cell. In an illustration, Cranky Kong is even shown to be unimpressed when Donkey Kong uses a [[TNT Barrel]] to open the prison door lock.

===''Picross NP Vol. 8''===

Cranky makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Picross NP]] Vol. 8'' as one of the images that must be cleared.

 

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===

Throughout the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, Cranky Kong makes a cameo appearance in the background of [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]], where his silhouette can be seen pacing back and forth in his cabin near that of his rocking chair. The stage is accessible in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He also frequently appears as an obtainable [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]], where he is often described as being a wise and helpful figure.

====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Cranky Kong appears as a [[Sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|sticker]], which uses his artwork from ''Donkey Konga 3''. It is usable by any character and boosts the power of indirect special moves by 7.

Cranky's trophy from this game states that his first playable appearance is in ''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast''. However, this is not true, as he had been playable in the earlier Japan-only release ''Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku'' and in the Cranky's Dojo minigame in the GBA version of ''Donkey Kong Country 3''.

Cranky Kong is also alluded to in Solid Snake's Codec call about Donkey Kong, where Colonel Roy Campbell mentioned that the Donkey Kong who fought Mario in an "epic battle" (referring to the arcade release of Donkey Kong) was the current one's grandfather, with Snake also calling the current one "a chip off the old block" upon learning that the current one also was a rival of Mario, to certain extent.

Cranky Kong appears as a primary, ace, attack-type [[Spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)|spirit]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', using his artwork from ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''. In his spirit battle, the player fights a white-furred Donkey Kong on the Kongo Jungle stage in its Omega form with a Slumber Floor effect. The music during the fight is "Opening - Donkey Kong", referencing the fact that he was the Donkey Kong appearing in the original arcade game, and the opening to the original ''Donkey Kong Country'' where he is associated with the theme.

Cranky also appears in the ''[[Donkey Konga]]'' series, though he is only playable in the series' third installment, ''[[Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku]]''. As ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]'' never saw a release, this is the first game where Cranky Kong is a playable character.

[[File:Cranky Kong DKKoS artwork.jpg|thumb|left|Cranky, as he appeared in ''DK: King of Swing'']]

[[File:CrankyDKJUNGLE.jpg|thumb|Cranky, as he appeared in ''DK: Jungle Climber'']]

While Cranky Kong himself does not appear in ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'', a [[Rabbid]] in his likeness known as [[Rabbid Cranky]] appears in the Donkey Kong Adventure add-on.

{{new subject|section=y|film}}

Cranky Kong appears in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', voiced by [[Fred Armisen]] in the English version. He is the ruler of the [[Donkey Kong Island|Jungle Kingdom]], and commander of his own army, the [[Great Kong Army]]. In this depiction, Cranky Kong is adorned with an Aztec-styled crown and outfit, and unlike his game depiction, does not have wrinkles on his mouth. He is also depicted as being [[Donkey Kong]]'s father, and his personality is altered somewhat from his behavior in the games.

Threatened by [[Bowser]]'s impending attack on the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], [[Mario]], [[Princess Peach]] and [[Toad]] arrive at Cranky Kong's throne to ask for his Great Kong Army to assist in their battle. Cranky Kong turns down the offer, as Peach pleads that the Jungle Kingdom would be next to fall if the Mushroom Kingdom was to be taken over. Mario insists despite Cranky Kong ridiculing him, and finally concedes and promises to aid them in their battle only if Mario successfully defeats his best warrior and son, Donkey Kong.

At the [[Great Ring of Kong]], Cranky watches the battle from a gold throne alongside Peach and Toad. He is shown to be annoyed at Donkey Kong's antics and show-off personality, at one point telling him to stop flexing his pec muscles. Despite that, he cheers his son on through his continued hits on Mario, but is surprised at the upset when Mario defeats Donkey Kong using the [[Cat Mario|cat power-up]]. A defeated Cranky Kong agrees to lend his army to Princess Peach. He is shown in the following scene breaking up a second fight between Mario and Donkey Kong before it begins.

The Great Kong Army, with Cranky Kong leading, take on [[Rainbow Road]] in [[kart]]s headed to [[Bowser's Castle]]. [[Bowser]] receives prior knowledge of this attempted raid from his [[Koopa General]], prompting Bowser to send out an ambush squad of [[Koopa Troopa]]s on karts. The Koopas overtake the main characters, and Cranky Kong is captured and trapped alongside the Kongs in Bowser's Castle, trapped in a cage suspended over lava. In a conversation between Donkey Kong and Mario shortly after this scene, Donkey Kong reveals his strained relationship with Cranky where he feels like he can never make his father proud, and feels like he constantly lets him down. Towards the film's end, Cranky Kong is rescued from the cage by Donkey Kong and Cranky warmly tells him he has earned the right to show off his pecs.  

{{rewrite-expand|section=yes|Gameplay information about 2001 version}}

Cranky is one of the playable characters in the 2001 version of ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]''.

In the 2003 build of ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2003)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]'', Cranky talks to Team Kong and Team Kremling both before and after they start a cup or a new mode. Cranky encourages the former team to win races but criticizes the latter. Cranky is one of the unlockable characters, and he can be obtained after Team Kremling completes every cup and dogfight. The character select screen for Team Cranky erroneously shows four different portraits for Cranky. He has the highest speed and acceleration of the other characters, and is a lightweight character. Cranky was replaced with [[jiggywikki:Mumbo Jumbo|Mumbo Jumbo]] in the final build of this iteration, ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Pilot|Banjo-Pilot]]''.

The pitch that would lead to ''Donkey Kong Country'', ''[[List of Donkey Kong Country pre-release and unused content|Donkey Kong and the Golden Bananas]]'', featured a character named '''Grandpa Kong''', who was a white-furred bearded gorilla who looked very similar to Donkey Kong himself. Due to [[Donkey Kong Jr.]]'s presence in the pitch, it seems that the idea of him being the original arcade Donkey Kong had not yet been written. Throughout ''Donkey Kong Country''{{'}}s development, the character would eventually be retooled to his current appearance, but unused dialogue found in the game's data suggests Cranky was initially written as a more kindly and friendly individual.<ref>TCRF. [[tcrf:Donkey Kong Country (SNES)#Greetings|Donkey Kong Country (SNES)#Greetings]]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.</ref> Cranky Kong's dialogue in the final game and instruction manual was primarily written by [[Gregg Mayles]],<ref>[https://twitter.com/Ghoulyboy/status/669612104433967105 Gregg Mayles in a November 2015 Twitter post]. Retrieved May 14, 2018.</ref> with some lines contributed by [[Tim Stamper]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/Ghoulyboy/status/964595629577195520 Gregg Mayles in a February 2018 Twitter post]. Retrieved May 14, 2018.</ref>

Compared to his appearances in the original ''Donkey Kong'' and its two sequels (where he greatly resembled the current Donkey Kong), Cranky Kong appears to have become thinner, more diminutive, and much less muscular over the years, with his fur also becoming slightly darker. He bears facial proportions much like those of his grandson, though his head is smooth on top, his lips are more wrinkled, and he wears thick glasses with black frames. He has also grown a thick, white beard which obscures most of his torso, due to the fact that he always stands with a heavy slouch. Beneath his beard, Cranky Kong wears a taupe sweater-vest (green in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and ''3'') as his only garment. Finally, Cranky always carries an ordinary-looking wooden cane with him (though he held two in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and ''3''). His trademark pose involves him standing on both feet with a heavy slouch, his cane in one hand, and the other arm resting on his back. In addition, his gameplay in ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' suggests that he might wear dentures.

Even though he is a supporting character, Cranky is generally depicted as curmudgeonly and bitter, always making sarcastic remarks about various things, pointing out flaws in the other [[Kong]]s (particularly [[Donkey Kong]]) or even the very games he appears in, and complaining about everything he doesn't like. He is also rather cocky, claiming himself to be among the best video game icons ever, and that he is and always will be better than his grandson despite his old and frail state. His arrogance is countered by his poor sportsmanship however. Aside from this, Cranky Kong is also known to display traits of stereotypical elders, such as constantly demanding sleep. Cranky can be benevolent and heroic when the situation calls for it, such as how he helped his grandson and their friends take back [[Donkey Kong Island]] in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''. Cranky sometimes asks Donkey Kong for help, or allows him take over in situations.  Despite his cantankerous manners, Cranky has praised his fellow Kongs on exceptional occasions (more frequently in ''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]'', where he is shown less crabby), such as telling Donkey Kong that "''he's nearly as good as I used to be"'' if 101% [[Completion]] is achieved in the original ''Donkey Kong Country'', or saying of Diddy that "''You're as big of a hero as they come.''" if all [[DK Coin|Video Game Hero Coin]]s are recovered in ''Donkey Kong Country 2''.

[[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] created the Cranky Kong character as an older version of the original [[Donkey Kong]] from the earlier ''Donkey Kong'' games, but his exact relation to the current Donkey Kong has been disputed. Before the release of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', footage from a promotional VHS video exclusively for ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' subscribers named ''Donkey Kong Country: Exposed'' called Cranky Kong his "dad or grandfather",<ref>cfhworld (Dec 22, 2006). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPxA-VlLhwM&t=3m18s Donkey Kong Country Exposed Part 1]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 3, 2018.</ref> and Cranky Kong refers to Donkey Kong as "Junior" in the review of ''Donkey Kong Country'' by the ''Nintendo Magazine System''.<ref>"'''''CRANKY KONG''' I am the original Donkey Kong and, as such, command barrel loads of due respect from my proteges Junior (the Donkey Kong of this game) and Diddy.''" - ''Nintendo Magazine System'' (UK) #26, Special page 6 (among other references on Special pages 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 18, 22, and 26)</ref> Upon release, Cranky Kong being Donkey Kong's grandfather was the consistent backstory throughout the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|series]].<ref name=DKC/> While their relation was not explicitly stated in the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|television series]], Cranky acted as a father figure to Donkey Kong and [[Message in a Bottle Show|once said]] that he considered him like a son. Rare seemingly started to retcon their relationship in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', in which Cranky Kong consistently addresses Donkey Kong as "son",<ref>"''That darn Donkey has all the luck! His girl Candy waits around in her hut, always willing to offer her musical help to that undeserving son of mine and his fancy polygonal friends. Pah!''" - ''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet, page 9 (among various in-game lines)</ref> implying a more direct parental role. [[Leigh Loveday]] stated in a 1999 online Q&A that the current Donkey Kong was intended to be Cranky Kong's son and thus an adult [[Donkey Kong Jr.]] as far as he was aware, and requested fans to completely ignore instances claiming Cranky to be his grandfather.<ref>Scribes - April 25, 1999. [https://web.archive.org/web/20020805184158/rareware.com/the_site/talk_to_us/scribes/aug25_99/aug25_99.html Rareware Website Archive]. ''Rareware.com''. Retrieved April 13, 2017.</ref> Whether or not this statement was intended to be taken seriously, the Nintendo of Europe website for the [[Game Boy Advance]] version of ''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' supported this notion.<ref>[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Game-Boy-Advance/Donkey-Kong-Country-266551.html ''Donkey Kong Country'' web page.] (April 13, 2017). ''Nintendo.co.uk''. Retrieved April 13, 2017.</ref> According to [[Gregg Mayles]] in 2017, Cranky Kong is Donkey Kong's grandfather and called him "son" during the events of ''Donkey Kong 64'' because he was so senile by then that he could not remember their actual relationship.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Ghoulyboy/status/859502066225606656 Gregg Mayles in a May 2017 Twitter post]. Retrieved May 2, 2017.</ref>

After Rare left Nintendo, the issue was left open for some time. Official bios for both ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' imply that the Donkey Kong from the arcade games is the same as the current Donkey Kong,<ref>"''Donkey Kong and Mario started out as arch-rivals, but they've patched things up in recent years. These days Donkey Kong spends his time searching the jungle for bananas instead of kidnapping beautiful maidens.''" - ''Super Smash Bros.'' Characters</ref><ref>"''While he now prefers the laid-back jungle lifestyle to construction site mischief, DK is often forced back into action by the Kremling Krew.''" - ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' trophy description</ref> and ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' describes Donkey Kong as Mario's "original foe".<ref>[[:File:MvDKUS_back_cover.jpg|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' box back]]</ref> However, this is contradicted by ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'', which distinguishes "his ancestor, the original Donkey Kong".<ref>"''His ancestor, the original Donkey Kong wore no necktie.''" - ''Mario Superstar Baseball'' Exhibition Game Records</ref> Subsequently, ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'' implies that Donkey Kong had never seen [[Pauline]] beforehand, suggesting him to be distinct from the original Donkey Kong.<ref>"''The Mario Toy Company’s hairiest employee. He instantly fell in love with Pauline as soon as he saw her at the theme park’s opening ceremony, and now the jealous ape has run off with her!''" - ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis'' instruction booklet, page 7.</ref> ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (and, consequently, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'') sticks with the story that the original Donkey Kong is the current Donkey Kong's grandfather.<ref>"''The Donkey Kong who fought that epic battle with Mario was this guy's grandfather.''" - [[List of Smash Taunt characters#Otacon|Otacon]], [[Solid Snake|Snake's]] [[List of Snake's codec conversations#Donkey Kong|codec]]</ref> ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' reaffirms the portrayal of Cranky Kong as the grandfather of the modern Donkey Kong.<ref>"''Donkey Kong’s white-bearded, grouchy grandfather, Cranky Kong, has set up shop in each world to sell items to aid Donkey Kong. Cranky Kong can ramble on about anything, but don’t ignore what he has to say, as his ramblings provide advice for those who pay careful attention.''" - ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' instruction booklet, page 20 (among various in-game lines)</ref> This would be contradicted again in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', in which Donkey Kong is referred to as Cranky Kong's son and, according to the Japanese website, successor.<ref>「ジャングル王国とコング軍を率いるクランキーコングの後継者であり、息子。」 (''The successor and son of Cranky Kong, who leads the Jungle Kingdom and the Kong army.'') [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/smbmovie/ ザ・スーパーマリオブラザーズ・ムービー] ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved March 10, 2023.</ref>  

The 2017 book ''Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics'' by [[Prima Games]] contains two contradictory notes. In one section, it is explained that Donkey Kong Jr. is a separate character from both Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong and is actually the father of the current Donkey Kong and the son of Cranky Kong (who is further explained to be the original Donkey Kong, "Donkey Kong Sr.").<ref>"<i>''Super Mario Kart'' is the only ''Mario Kart'' game to feature Donkey Kong Jr. Due to the success of ''Donkey Kong Country'', all future ''Mario Kart'' entries featured Donkey Kong, who is actually Donkey Kong Jr.’s son, with Cranky Kong, aka Donkey Kong Sr., canonically being the character featured in the original ''Donkey Kong'' game. Makes sense, right?</i>" - ''Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide'', ''Super Mario Kart'' 16 Bits Tab.</ref> Another section, however, notes that the current Donkey Kong is in fact a grown-up Donkey Kong Jr.<ref>"<i>As the marketing noted, “This isn’t your father’s Donkey Kong!” He is, in fact, Donkey Kong Jr., all grown up. For his 16-bit revival, Donkey Kong was redesigned, with his original creator Shigeru Miyamoto providing Rare with a sketch that included the now-iconic red tie. Mr. Miyamoto also suggested Donkey’s ape-inspired “hand slap” move, which allowed him to defeat nearby enemies and reveal certain secrets. Rare was able to implement the move just weeks before the deadline for the game.</i>" - ''Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide'', ''Donkey Kong Country'' Characters Tab.</ref> The Prima Games Twitter account clarified and elaborated upon the apparent contradiction, stating that the latter is meant to be taken as a metaphor for the original design process, whereas the former is the official interpretation of the characters' familial ties.<ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/interactive/forums/index.php?showtopic=13535 DK Vine forum thread, with images from the book and Prima Games' justification on social media]</ref> This is the only published piece of media that has directly stated that Donkey Kong Jr. is the father of the current Donkey Kong.

==Game appearances (as Cranky)==

{|class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"

!width=15%|Release Date

!width=20%|System/Format

|Cameo appearance

|Cameo walking around in the hut in [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]].

|Cameo as a [[trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] and [[sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|sticker]], as well as an appearance in [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]].

|Cameo as trophy, as well as an appearance in [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]] in the Nintendo 3DS version.

|Cameo as [[spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)|spirit]], as well as an appearance in [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]].

*'''[[Nintendo Power|Player's Guide]]''' (page 8): "''The star of the original Donkey Kong games, Cranky Kong, gives out tidbits of advice to DK and Diddy as they progress through the stages. He’s wise, but he’s really bitter about all the new fangled technology that’s being used in video games these days. Generally, though, you should take notice of what he tells you.''"

 

*Page 16: "''Donkey Kong’s grouchy grandpappy is actually the original Donkey Kong. Cranky is best remembered for the time he grabbed a girl called Pauline and carried her to the top of a tall building. It was here he had his first famous meeting with Mario. Unfortunately what Cranky has to say about the heroic Italian plumber is unprintable! However, their exploits were turned into a best-selling video game which took the whole world by storm. Since then he has ’retired’ (some say ’banished’) to Donkey Kong Island where despairs at his grandson’s attempts to be a hero. Cranky never tires of telling DK about the good old days and all the adventures he had when he had when he was young. Donkey Kong thinks that deep down Cranky is really proud of him and wants to see him do well in the hero business. Big mistake!''"

 

 

 

 

*'''Instruction booklet bio from [[Cranky Kong|Professor Cranky Kong]]''' (page 9): "''Yep, you read it right, sonny! It’s Professor Cranky now, and you’d better show your elders some respect, as I’m your only hope in defeating those rancid reptiles. My powerful potions will give you abilities you’ve never dreamed of and certainly don’t deserve, assuming of course you can afford my modest asking fee. Now don’t you go asking me for a potion of gameplay, as even my genius can’t rescue this game from its rightful destiny in the bargain bin.''"

*'''[[Prima Games]] guide''' (page 13): "''Cranky is Donkey Kong's dad, and he's not too happy about it. Although he complains almost constantly, Cranky also helps the Kongs by providing potions—for a price, of course. Each potion gives the Kong who drinks it an ability that ape needs.<brVisit Cranky when you find his Lab. It shows up on every level, so suffer through his gruff abuse and see if he has a new potion to offer.''"

 

 

 

 

 

{|border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=100%

!width=100px|Name!!width=100px|Image!!width=200px|Game!!|Description

!rowspan=2|Cranky Kong

|rowspan=2|[[File:BrawlTrophy326.png|100px]]

|align=center|'''SNES''' ''Donkey Kong Country'' || rowspan=2 | ''A village chief and bitter old codger. Cranky uses his extensive knowledge and wisdom to provide helpful hints. He has also made appearances in a white lab coat as a potion-dealing chemist, granting the Kongs special abilities. Donkey Kong: {{hover|Barrel Blast|Jet Race (PAL version)}} features Cranky as a playable character for the first time.''

|align=center|'''Wii''' ''Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast''

|}

 

|}

====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U'' trophy====

{|align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial;"

!width="10%"|Name

!width="20%"|Appears in

!Cranky Kong

|[[File:SSB4 Cranky Trophy.png|100px]]

|[[File:CrankyKongTrophyWiiU.png|100px]]

|align=center bgcolor="lightblue"|'''SNES''' ''Donkey Kong Country'' (11/1994)<br>'''Wii U''' ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' (02/2014)

|''This old man could teach you a thing or two! Cranky Kong has always been willing to share some words of wisdom, but in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, he decides to help directly and brings his cane-swinging style to the field. What a crazy old... Ahem. What a gentleman!''

|''In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Cranky Kong's decided he's done with just giving the young 'uns helpful hints, so now he's taking things into his own hands by bringing some much-needed cane-swinging to the fray. You just can't keep an old ape down, can you?''

|}

====''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' spirit====

{|align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial; font-size:85%;"

!colspan=4 width=40%|Spirit battle

|-

!width=7%|Opponents

!width=7%|Stage

!width=7%|Song

!Cranky Kong

|[[File:CrankyDKCR.png|100px]]

|''Donkey Kong'' Series

|Primary (3)

|Ace

|'''{{color|Attack|red}}'''<br>Speed ↓

|World of Light (DK Island); Summoned with a Cyrus & Reese and Wrinkly Kong core

|[[Donkey Kong]]

|'''Hazard:''' Slumber Floor

|[[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]]

|Opening - Donkey Kong

|}

Cranky Model - Diddy Kong Pilot 2001.png|''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]''<br>(canceled)

Cranky Kong DKonga3.png|''[[Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku]]''

Cranky Kong DKC3 art.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!|Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (GBA)]]''

{{Main|List of Cranky Kong quotes}}

|Fin=Kärtty Kong <small>(in DKC1-3 and DKL1-3)</small>

|Ger=Cranky Kong<br>Bubbles <small>(''Donkey Kong Country'' animated series)</small>

|KorR=Keuraenki Kong

|RusR=Kraenki Kong

|Tha=แครนกี คอง<ref>[https://youtu.be/3Egwz629D8c Thai version] of the official trailer for ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (November 30, 2022), ''YouTube''. Retrieved December 9, 2022.</ref>

*In the original [[Nintendo 64]] version of ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Kazooie|Banjo-Kazooie]]'', Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong's names are each an answer to one of the Grunty's Furnace Fun questions.<ref>CountBleck2009 (January 3, 2009). [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ei79MB9ig Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Furnace Fun Part I]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2014.</ref>

*Cranky Kong has an unused walking animation in the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] version of ''Donkey Kong Country'', which would later be used in the [[Game Boy Advance]] version.<ref>TCRF. [[tcrf:Donkey Kong Country (SNES)#Cranky Kong|Donkey Kong Country (SNES)#Cranky Kong]]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved October 31, 2017.</ref>

*In the ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' coverage of both the 47th and 49th issues of the Australian ''Nintendo Magazine System'', a [[DK Coin]] is described as being a prize of "Kranky Kong",{{sic}} even though he does not appear in the game.<ref>''Nintendo Magazine System'' (Australia) issue 49, page 51.</ref><ref>''Nintendo Magazine System'' (Australia) issue 47, page 48.</ref>

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[[Category:Donkey Kong Country (television series)]]