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{{Species-infobox
{{rewrite-expand|Include better coverage of ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''}}
|title=Kong
{{species infobox
|species_origin=Kong
|image=[[File:DCKTFGroup artwork transparent.png|260px|Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong]]{{br}}The main Kongs of ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'': clockwise from top, [[Donkey Kong]], [[Dixie Kong]], [[Cranky Kong]], and [[Diddy Kong]]
|image=[[Image:KONGS.PNG|250px]]<br>The main '''Kongs''' featured in the game ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' ([[List of games by date#1981|1981]])
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#1981|1981]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|notable=[[Donkey Kong]]<br>[[Diddy Kong]]<br>[[Dixie Kong]]<br>[[Tiny Kong]]<br>[[Kiddy Kong]]<br>[[Chunky Kong]]<br>[[Lanky Kong]]<br>[[Candy Kong]]<br>[[Funky Kong]]<br>[[Swanky Kong]]<br>[[Wrinkly Kong]]<br>[[Cranky Kong]]
|variants=[[Candy Clone]]<br>[[Cannon Kong]]<br>[[Capture Kong]]<br>[[Catapult Kong]]<br>[[Chained Kong]]<br>[[Circus Kong]]<br>[[Cool Kong]]<br>[[Crash Kong]]<br>[[Cyber Kong]]<br>[[Guerrilla]]<br>[[Kongā]]<br>[[Manky Kong]]<br>[[Mega Rabbid Kong]]<br>[[Mini Diddy Kong]]<br>[[Mini Donkey Kong]]<br>[[Rabbid Cranky]]<br>[[Rabbid Kong]]
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2014|2014]])
|relatives=[[Helper Monkey]]<br>[[Snow Uckykong]]<br>[[Uckykong]]<br>[[Manky Kong]]
|notable=[[Baby DK]]<br>[[Baby Kong]]<br>[[Bink]] (originally)<br>[[Bluster Kong]]<br>[[Candy Kong]]<br>[[Chunky Kong]]<br>[[Cranky Kong]]<br>[[List of implied characters#Cranky Kong's great grandfather|Cranky Kong's great grandfather]]<br>[[Diddy Kong]]<br>[[Dixie Kong]]<br>[[Dread Kong]]<br>[[Driver (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)|Driver]]<br>[[Donkey Kong]]<br>[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]<br>[[Eddie the Mean Old Yeti]]<br>[[Funky Kong]]<br>[[Ghastly King|Ghastly King/Cactus King]][[Junior (II)]]<br>[[Karate Kong]]<br>[[Kiddy Kong]]<br>[[Kong Fu (character)|Kong Fu]]<br>[[Lanky Kong]]<br>[[Leo Luster]]<br>[[Mini Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Mini Donkey Kong]]<br>[[List of implied characters#Monkey Kong|Monkey Kong]]<br>[[Ninja Kong]]<br>Poppa<br>[[Ringo]]<br>[[Sumo Kong]]<br>[[Super Kong]]<br>[[Swanky Kong]]<br>[[Tiny Kong]]<br>[[Uncle Kong]]<br>[[Wrinkly Kong]]
|collapsed=true
}}
}}
A '''Kong''' is an ape or monkey capable of speech and building houses. The Kongs willingly wear clothes, and some of them have hairstyles. They are often plagued by the crocodilian [[Kremling]]s. They all live on [[Donkey Kong Island]]. The name Kong does not necessarily mean that they are related, but could mean that they are a part of a clan or tribe.
{{quote|I'm the king of the Kong, the simian Don Juan.|[[Diddy Kong]]|"[[Kong for a Day]]"}}
'''Kongs''' (known as '''Apes''' in production literature for the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' television series]])<ref>{{cite|title=''Computer Animation: A Whole New World''|date=1998|publisher=Rockport Publishers|page=87|isbn=1564963772}}</ref> are a species of sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the [[Donkey Kong (franchise)|''Donkey Kong'' franchise]], with the [[Donkey Kong|eponymous 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 to [[Donkey Kong Island]], and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilian [[Kremling]] 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]] and [[Tiny Kong]] resembling chimpanzees; and [[Lanky Kong]] resembling an orangutan.
==General information==
===Name===
The name "Kong" comes from a Japanese slang word for "gorilla."<ref>{{cite|author=De Maria, Rusel, and Wilson, Johnny L.|date=December 18, 2003|title=''High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games''|format=2nd edition|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|isbn=9780072231724|language=en}}</ref>
 
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 as ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' and the ''Donkey 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 as [[Cranky Kong]] using it against [[Krusha]] in "[[From Zero to Hero]]." Despite this, Kongs are their own species separate from apes.<ref>{{cite|author=KRoolKountry|date=January 15, 2024|url=x.com/KRoolKountry/status/1747120247826702486|title=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!|publisher=X|accessdate=February 15, 2024}}</ref>
 
===Society===
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 for ''Donkey 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 of [[kart]]s.
 
===Diet===
Kongs usually take a strong liking to [[banana]]s, 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===
In the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]] and in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'', Kongs are capable of speaking intelligibly. However, in most games where Kongs appear alongside other species, particularly humans, as demonstrated in ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'' and the [[Mario & Sonic (series)|''Mario & 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 in ''Saturday Supercade''.
 
==Kong Family==
[[File:Kong Family DKC2 GBA Credits.png|thumb|left|The Kong Family]]
The '''Kong Family'''<ref>{{cite|date=1995|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' Instruction Booklet|page=21|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> (alternatively '''Kong family'''),<ref>{{cite|author=Cranky Kong|quote=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.|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''}}</ref> also known as the '''Donkey Kong Family''',<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|url=archive.org/details/Nintendo_Players_Guide_SNES_Donkey_Kong_Country_1994/page/n5|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1994|page=5}}</ref> '''Kong Klan''',<ref>{{cite|url=archive.org/details/Nintendo_Players_Guide_SNES_Donkey_Kong_Country_3_Dixie_Kongs_Double_Trouble_199/page/n7|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=1996|page=8|author=Munson, Terry and Paul Shinoda}}</ref> '''DK Crew''',<ref>{{cite|author=DK Rap singer|quote=He's the first member of the DK crew!|title=''Donkey Kong 64''}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Narrator|quote=The DK Crew came to his tropical paradise for a little R&R.|title=''DK: Jungle Climber''}}</ref> and '''DK Krew''',<ref>[[:File:DKC2 GBA back cover.jpg|The back cover for the Game Boy Advance remake of ''Donkey Kong Country 2''.]]</ref> is the main group of Kongs, being [[Donkey Kong]]'s family and close friends. The patriarch of the family is Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong. In the ''Donkey 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 the [[Animal Friends]] and the [[Kremling]] [[K. Lumsy]].
 
Though only officialized in ''Donkey Kong Country'', the concept of a family of Kongs dates back to ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey 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 Barrel]]s, [[DK Coin]]s, the [[Level Flag]]s, [[DK Space]]s, and various other objects around Donkey Kong Island. The symbol is also used in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], although in this context, it is used as the logo for the ''Donkey Kong'' franchise in general instead of just the Kong Family members (since [[King K. Rool]] and [[Klaptrap]]s also use it).
 
According to [[Gregg Mayles]], the characters were loosely intended to be an actual family, but the extended relations were left deliberately vague by the release of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' due to uncanny details such as [[Diddy Kong]] having a tail and [[Candy Kong]] looking humanoid, as more priority was put in diversifying the designs rather than fitting it into a cohesive family tree background.<ref>{{cite|author=GameXplain|date=November 16, 2019|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX3g9Z3JF9k&t=1626s|timestamp=27:06|title=Talking with Rare's Creative Director for DKC's 25th Anniversary! (Cut Content, Wario Plot, & More)|language=en|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref>
{{br|left}}


In the [[Earth|real world]], Kong is a colloquial term referring to any type of monkey, ape, orangutan, or gorilla, and there is a famous movie monster called [[wikipedia:King Kong|King Kong]].
==List of Kongs==
==List of Kongs==
===Donkey Kong's family===
*[[List of implied characters#Cranky Kong's great grandfather|Cranky Kong's great grandfather]] &ndash; Was said to have once owned an antique mirror in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''<ref>{{cite|quote=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.|author=Bazaar|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!''}}</ref>
*[[Cranky Kong]] &ndash; The original Donkey Kong, the paternal figure of Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong, and Wrinkly Kong's husband.
*[[Donkey Kong Jr.]] &ndash; The son of the original Donkey Kong.
*[[Donkey Kong]] &ndash; The current Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong's descendant.
**[[Baby DK]] &ndash; The younger version of Donkey Kong in ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]''.
**[[Baby Kong]] &ndash; The younger version of Donkey Kong in the episode "[[Ape Foo Young]]" of the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' television series]].
*[[Diddy Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's sidekick and Dixie Kong's boyfriend.
*[[Wrinkly Kong]] &ndash; Cranky Kong's late wife. She appeared alive prior to ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''; from then onwards, she has been deceased and appears as a spirit.
In addition, Donkey Kong Jr. has a relative referred to as [[Uncle Julius]], albeit he has not been shown to be a part of the Kong clan.


*[[Baby Donkey Kong]]
===Dixie Kong's family===
*[[Baby Kong]]
*[[Dixie Kong]] &ndash; Diddy Kong's girlfriend, Tiny Kong's older sister, and Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
*[[Bink]]
*[[Tiny Kong]] &ndash; Dixie Kong's younger sister, as well as Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
*[[Bluster Kong]]
*[[Chunky Kong]] &ndash; Kiddy Kong's older brother, as well as Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.
*[[Cactus King]]
*[[Kiddy Kong]] &ndash; Chunky Kong's younger brother, as well as Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.
*[[Candy Kong]]
*[[Chunky Kong]]
*[[Cranky Kong]]
*[[Cranky Kong's Great-Grandfather]]
*[[Diddy Kong]]
*[[Dixie Kong]]
*[[Donkey Kong]]
*[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]
*[[Dread Kong]]
*[[Eddie the Mean Old Yeti|Eddie]]
*[[Funky Kong]]
*[[Ghastly King]]
*[[Karate Kong]]
*[[Kiddy Kong]]
*[[Kong Fu (character)|Kong Fu]]
*[[Lanky Kong]]
*[[Monkey Kong]]
*[[Ninja Kong]]
*[[Pink Donkey Kong Jr.]]
*[[Sumo Kong]]
*[[Super Kong]]
*[[Swanky Kong]]
*[[Tiny Kong]]
*[[Wrinkly Kong]]


==Unused Kongs==
===Other members===
*An unnamed, hatted Kong - ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
*[[Baby Kong]] &ndash; A baby that was under the care of Candy Kong and Dixie Kong in the [[Baby Kong Blues]] episode of the ''Donkey Kong Country'' television series.
*An unnamed Kong with dark fur and glowing red eyes. He was replaced by Dread Kong in the final game. - ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''
*[[Bink]] &ndash; A deceased Kong-like character in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''. In the [[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions|Nintendo 3DS remake]], his appearance is the same as the rest of the skeleton sailors of the [[S.S. Chuckola]].
*Redneck Kong - ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]''
*[[Bluster Kong]] &ndash; A rich arrogant Kong that runs [[Bluster Barrelworks]] on Kongo Bongo Island.
**[[Leo Luster]] &ndash; Bluster's alter-ego from the [[Hunka Hunka Burnin' Bluster]] episode of the ''Donkey Kong Country'' television series.
*[[Candy Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's  childhood sweetheart and rumored girlfriend.
*The [[driver (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)|driver]] &ndash; A Kong that takes [[Mario]], [[Princess Peach]], and [[Toad]] to Cranky Kong's lair  in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''.
*[[Eddie the Mean Old Yeti]] &ndash; A Kong that lives in the mountains of Kongo Bongo Island.
*[[Funky Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's friend.
*[[Donkey Kong Jr.#Donkey Kong Jr. Math|Junior (II)]] &ndash; A pink variant of Donkey Kong Jr.
*[[Kong Fu (character)|Kong Fu]] &ndash; A Kong that challenges Donkey Kong in the television show.
*[[Lanky Kong]] &ndash; An orangutan whose relationship to the other Kongs is unknown.<ref>{{cite|author=Cranky Kong|quote=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.|title=''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet|page=8|date=1999|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Chunky Kong bio|title=German ''Donkey Kong 64'' website|quote=The well-mannered giant gorilla is, in the truest sense of the word, a great guy, and sticks to Lanky, his uncle once-removed.}}</ref>
*[[Mini Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Mini Donkey Kong]] &ndash; A Kong that signifies an alarm.
*[[List of implied characters#Monkey Kong|Monkey Kong]] &ndash; An implied Kong chosen to lead the [[List of implied organizations#Federation of Future Rulers|Federation of Future Rulers]].
*[[Rabbid Cranky]] &ndash; A [[Rabbid]]/Cranky Kong cross-creation.
*[[Ringo]] &ndash; A cartoonist friend of Donkey Kong appearing in the ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]].
*[[Super Kong]] &ndash; 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]] &ndash; A Kong that hosts a game show and is very fashionable.
*Poppa &ndash; An implied Kong who is the father of [[Sonny (Saturday Supercade)|Sonny]] who disappeared.
*[[Uncle Kong]] &ndash; A Kong similar in design to Bluster who appears in the ''[[Famitsu]]'' [[Super Donkey Kong 2 Guide Book|guide book]] for ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''.
*Various generic, unnamed Kong characters seen at the starting line of [[DK Jungle (Mario Kart Arcade GP DX)|DK Jungle]] and [[Bananan Labyrinth]] in ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]''.
*Various generic, unnamed Kong characters in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'', including the [[Kong army]].


== Sub-Species ==
===Evil Kongs===
*[[Manky Kong]]
*[[Dread Kong]] &ndash; A member of the [[Kong (boss group)|Kong boss group]].
*[[Minky]]
*[[Ghastly King]], a.k.a. Cactus King &ndash; The leader of the Kong boss group.
*[[Guerilla]]
*[[Karate Kong]] &ndash; A member of the Kong boss group.
*[[Chained Kong]]
*[[Ninja Kong]] &ndash; A member of the Kong boss group.
*[[Thwomp Kong]]
*[[Rabbid Kong]] &ndash; A [[Rabbid]]/Kong cross-creation.
**[[Mega Rabbid Kong]] &ndash; Rabbid Kong's corrupted alter-ego.
*[[Snow Kong]] &ndash; A [[Zinger]] disguised as a living giant Donkey Kong [[snowman]].
*[[Sumo Kong]] &ndash; A member of the Kong boss group.
 
===Robotic Kongs===
*[[Candy Clone]] &ndash; A robotic version of Candy Kong under the control of King K. Rool in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' television series.
*[[Cannon Kong]] &ndash; [[Donkey Kong's robot]] from the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (series)|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series]].
*[[Capture Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Catapult Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Circus Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Cool Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Crash Kong]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Cyber Kong]] &ndash; Robotic Kong enemies that can shoot lasers from ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]''.
*[[Kongā]] &ndash; Donkey Kong's robot from the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series.
*[[Mecha Donkey Kong]] &ndash; A giant, robotic version of Donkey Kong under the control of [[Wario]] in ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' [[Super Mario-kun Volume 12|volume 12]].
*[[Mini Diddy Kong]] &ndash; A [[Mini|toy]] made by the [[Mario Toy Company]].
*[[Mini Donkey Kong]] &ndash; A toy made by the Mario Toy Company.
 
===Kong species===
*[[Guerrilla]] &ndash; A type of enemy from ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' that has an uncanny resemblance to Donkey Kong.
**[[Chained Kong]] &ndash; A stronger variant of Guerrillas, from ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.
*[[Manky Kong]] &ndash; A type of enemy from ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' that is described as a "Kong reject orangutan."<ref>{{cite|date=1994|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet|page=29|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref>
*[[Uckykong]] &ndash; A type of enemy from ''[[Yoshi's Crafted World]]'' that is a hybrid between a [[Ukiki]] and a Kong.
**[[Snow Ucky Kong]] &ndash; A snow variant of the Uckykongs, from ''Yoshi's Crafted World''.
 
===Unused Kongs===
*[[List of Donkey Kong Land pre-release and unused content#Early ideas|An unnamed, hatted Kong]]. &ndash; ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
*[[List of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat pre-release and unused content|An unnamed Kong]] with dark fur and glowing red eyes. He was replaced by Dread Kong in the final game. &ndash; ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''
*The [[Helper Monkey]]s from an [[List of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat pre-release and unused content|earlier build]]. &ndash; ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''
*[[List of Super Mario Strikers pre-release and unused content#Unused sidekicks|Unused Kong sidekicks]]. – ''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''
*{{file link|DKP - Redneck Kong Screenshot.png|Redneck Kong}}, also known as "Crappy Kong." He was replaced by Candy Kong in the later build. &ndash; ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|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."<ref>{{cite|url=tcrf.net/Proto:Banjo-Pilot/Diddy_Kong_Pilot_2001#Story_Text|title=Proto:Banjo-Pilot/Diddy Kong Pilot 2001 § Story Text|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor|accessdate=April 23, 2024}}</ref> &mdash; ''Diddy Kong Pilot''
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Pink Kong Jr Math.png|''[[Donkey Kong Jr. Math]]''
KongFamilyDKC.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
Manky Kong art.png|''Donkey Kong Country''
The kongs.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''
SMRPG_ChainedKong.png|''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''
Wrinkly Save Cave DKC3 group art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''
Kong family DK64 artwork.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
DKCTV Kong family.png|[[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' TV show]]
Bink.png|''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''
Tyranny.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''
BetaMonkeys.jpg|''Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat'' (unused)
SMS DK Sidekick 1.png|''[[Super Mario Strikers]]'' (unused)
SMS DK Sidekick 2.png|''Super Mario Strikers'' (unused)
SMS DK Sidekick 3.png|''Super Mario Strikers'' (unused)
DKBB Giant CyberKong.png|''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]''
Kong (key temple).png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''
Kong (temple entrance).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
Kong (vine switch).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
Kong (switch).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
Kong (pillars).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
Kong (throne).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
Kong (heads).png|''Donkey Kong Country Returns''
DCKTFGroup artwork.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''
MKGPDX DK Start.jpg|''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]''
RabbidKong.png|''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]''
MRKB Rabbid Cranky Stats.png|''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle''
Bg modal cast06.jpg|''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''
TSMBM Kongs.jpg|''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''
TSMBM Concept Art Mario DK Falling.jpeg|''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' (concept artwork)
TSMBM Jail Break Concept Art.jpeg|''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' (concept artwork)
</gallery>
====Emblem====
<gallery widths=150>
DKBarrelDKCR.png|Barrel
DKCoin DKC2.png|Coin
LevelFlag.png|Pennant
Kong Family (portal).png|Portal
Kong Family (dirt pile).png|Dirt pile
Kong Family (star).png|Star
Kong Family (flag).png|Flag
Kong Family (switch).png|Switch
</gallery>
 
==Trivia==
*In Donkey Kong's {{file link|TSMBM poster DK.jpg|character poster}} for ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' set in the [[Great Ring of Kong]], in addition to depicting Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Swanky Kong, and Cranky Kong, there are also several other unnamed Kongs, including one who wears sunglasses that resembles Funky Kong.
 
==Names in other languages==
===Kong===
{{foreign names
|Jap=コング
|JapR=Kongu
|JapM=Kong
}}
 
===Kong Family===
{{foreign names
|Jap=コングファミリー
|JapR=Kongu Famirī
|JapM=Kong Family
|Cat=Família Kong <small>(''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'')
|CatM=Kong Family
|ChiS=刚家族
|ChiSR=Gāng Jiāzú
|ChiSM=Kong Family
|ChiT=剛家族
|ChiTR=Gāng Jiāzú
|ChiTM=Kong Family
|Spa=Familia Kong
|SpaM=Kong Family
|Ita=Famiglia Kong
|ItaM=Kong Family
|Ger=Kong-Familie
|GerM=Kong Family
|Fre=Famille Kong
|FreM=Kong Family
}}


== Gallery ==
==References==
<center><gallery>
<references/>
File:KONGS.PNG|The main Kongs of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''.
File:KongFamilyDKC.png|The Kongs of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''.
File:The_kongs.jpg|The Kongs of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest|Donkey Kong Country 2]]''.
File:ChillinWithTheN64 65.jpg|Several Kongs watching Cranky Kong play the [[Nintendo 64]].
File:Dkctv.jpg|The main Kongs in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' TV show.
</gallery></center>


{{BoxTop}}
{{Kongs}}
{{NIWA|DKWiki=1}}
{{TSMBM}}
{{Kong}}
[[Category:Kongs|*]]
[[Category: Species]]
[[Category:The Super Mario Bros. Movie characters]]
[[Category: Major Races]]
[[de:Kong]]
[[Category: Donkey Kong Species]]
[[it:Kong]]
[[Category: Kongs|*]]
[[Category:Primates]]

Latest revision as of 17:37, November 9, 2024

It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: Include better coverage of The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Kong
Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong
The main Kongs of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: clockwise from top, Donkey Kong, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, and Diddy Kong
First appearance Donkey Kong (1981)
Latest appearance Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024)
Variants
Relatives
Notable members
“I'm the king of the Kong, the simian Don Juan.”
—Diddy Kong, "Kong for a Day"

Kongs (known as Apes in production literature for the Donkey Kong Country television series)[1] are a species of sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the Donkey Kong franchise, with the eponymous 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 to Donkey Kong Island, and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilian Kremling 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 and Tiny Kong resembling chimpanzees; and Lanky 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 as Saturday Supercade and the Donkey 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 as Cranky Kong using it against Krusha 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 for Donkey 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 of karts.

Diet[edit]

Kongs usually take a strong liking to bananas, 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 the Donkey Kong Country series and in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Kongs are capable of speaking intelligibly. However, in most games where Kongs appear alongside other species, particularly humans, as demonstrated in Mario Super Sluggers and the Mario & 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 in Saturday Supercade.

Kong Family[edit]

The Kong family in the credits.
The Kong Family

The Kong Family[4] (alternatively Kong family),[5] also known as the Donkey Kong Family,[6] Kong Klan,[7] DK Crew,[8][9] and DK Krew,[10] is the main group of Kongs, being Donkey Kong's family and close friends. The patriarch of the family is Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong. In the Donkey 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 the Animal Friends and the Kremling K. Lumsy.

Though only officialized in Donkey Kong Country, the concept of a family of Kongs dates back to Donkey 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, the Level Flags, DK Spaces, and various other objects around Donkey Kong Island. The symbol is also used in the Super Smash Bros. series, although in this context, it is used as the logo for the Donkey Kong franchise in general instead of just the Kong Family members (since King K. Rool and Klaptraps also use it).

According to Gregg Mayles, the characters were loosely intended to be an actual family, but the extended relations were left deliberately vague by the release of Donkey Kong Country due to uncanny details such as Diddy Kong having a tail and Candy Kong looking humanoid, as more priority was put in diversifying the designs rather than fitting it into a cohesive family tree background.[11]

List of Kongs[edit]

Donkey Kong's family[edit]

In addition, Donkey Kong Jr. has a relative referred to as Uncle Julius, albeit 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]

Evil Kongs[edit]

Robotic Kongs[edit]

Kong species[edit]

Unused Kongs[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Emblem[edit]

  • Barrel

    Barrel

  • Coin

    Coin

  • Pennant

    Pennant

  • Portal

    Portal

  • Dirt pile

    Dirt pile

  • Star

    Star

  • Flag

    Flag

  • Switch

    Switch

Trivia[edit]

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 (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)[?] Kong Family
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

References[edit]

  1. ^ 1998. Computer Animation: A Whole New World. Rockport Publishers. ISBN 1564963772. Page 87.
  2. ^ 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). ISBN 9780072231724.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 1995. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Instruction Booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 21.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 5.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "He's the first member of the DK crew!" – DK Rap singer. Donkey Kong 64.
  9. ^ "The DK Crew came to his tropical paradise for a little R&R." – Narrator. DK: Jungle Climber.
  10. ^ The back cover for the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "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!.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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. German Donkey Kong 64 website.
  15. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 29.
  16. ^ 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, Robot) • Donkey Kong Jr. • Dread Kong • Driver • Eddie • 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 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 (H. nintendonus) • 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
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