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{{FASTAT}}
{{FA}}
{{character-infobox
{{distinguish|Kruncha}}
|image=[[File:DKRunch.png|150px]]<br>Artwork of Krunch for ''Diddy Kong Racing''
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:Krunch DKRDS art.png|200px]]<br>Artwork from ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
|full_name=Krunch the Kremling{{Ref needed}}
|species=[[Kritter]]
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]])
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]])
|species=Kremling
|latest_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|latest_portrayal=[[Chris Sutherland]] (''Diddy Kong Racing'')
|portrayed_by=[[Chris Sutherland]]<ref>[[Media:DKR_various_characters_voice_confirmation_2.png|Twitter confirmation by former Rare employee Graeme Norgate]]</ref> (1997–2002)
}}
}}
'''Krunch''' is a [[Kremling]] playable character in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' and ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. He wears a purple leather vest, which is adorned with a skull-and-crossbones design in ''Diddy Kong Racing'', though said design is omitted in ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''. His jacket is similar to the ones [[Kritter]]s wear in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', and the jacket the playable Kritter would have worn in both cancelled ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]'' titles.
'''Krunch''', also once referred to as just '''Kremling''',<ref>"{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/19990218060558/http://www.nintendo.com.au/games/n64/games/dkracing.html|deadlink=y|title=''Diddy Kong Racing''|publisher=Nintendo of Australia}}</ref> is a [[Kremling]] playable character in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' and ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. He wears a purple leather vest, which is adorned with a skull-and-crossbones design in ''Diddy Kong Racing'', though said design is omitted in ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''. A similar jacket to Krunch's would later be worn by [[Kritter]]s in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' as well as the playable one in both cancelled iterations of ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]''.


In the 2002 {{wp|Microsoft}} acquisition of [[Rare Ltd.]], the rights of many franchises and characters were passed on from [[Nintendo]] to Microsoft. Nintendo sought to keep all characters directly linked to the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, with the exception of the cast of ''Donkey Kong Racing''. Due to the nature of Krunch being a Kremling, which is a Nintendo-owned fictional species, Krunch was the only ''Diddy Kong Racing'' cast member, besides Diddy Kong, whose rights were kept with Nintendo.<ref>[https://twitter.com/dkvine/status/1050506352324431872 Scan of back of Diddy Kong Racing instruction manual, names Krunch, Banjo and Diddy as the only characters owned by Nintendo.] Posted October 11, 2018. Accessed August 23, 2020</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070628215552/http://rareware.com/extras/scribes/25jun07/index.html In an updated Scribes post on the official Rare Ltd. website, the editor confirms that Krunch is still owned by Nintendo, despite Microsoft buy-out.] Posted June 25, 2007. Accessed August 23, 2020.</ref>
In the 2002 {{wp|Microsoft}} acquisition of [[Rare Ltd.]], the rights of many franchises and characters were passed on to Microsoft. [[Nintendo]] sought to keep all characters directly linked to the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, with the exception of the cast of ''Diddy Kong Racing''. Due to the nature of Krunch being a Kremling, which is a Nintendo-owned fictional species, Krunch was the only ''Diddy Kong Racing'' cast member, besides [[Diddy Kong]], whose rights were kept with Nintendo.<ref>{{cite|quote=Diddy Kong, Banjo and Krunch characters licensed by Nintendo|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' instruction manual back cover|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref>{{cite|quote=As far as I'm aware - after asking around - all the major DKR characters who aren't Kongs or Kremlings still belong to Rare. Which would make Diddy, Dixie, Tiny and Krunch the 'licensed' ones in this case.|author=Loveday, Leigh|date=June 25, 2007|title=Rare Scribes|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20070628215552/http://rareware.com/extras/scribes/25jun07/index.html|accessdate=May 7, 2024}}</ref>


==Character creation==
==Character creation==
In a now defunct Facebook page for Rare employees, former Rare artist and employee [[Kevin Bayliss]], revealed that Krunch was not originally designed to be a Kremling.<ref>[https://sourcegaming.info/2017/11/15/new-content-approaching-krunch/ "Character Chronicle: Krunch"] Sourcegaming.info. Note: Article references [https://www.facebook.com/groups/210228099016826/ a dead link] to a Facebook group. Posted November 15, 2017. Accessed August 26, 2020.</ref><ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/interactive/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t7116.html DKVine Forum]. Quotes Kevin Bayliss from defunct Facebook link: "I think however, I did stick 'Krash' into DKR, as I wanted a bad guy in there. He wasn't really a DK character, just a quick 'croc-character' based on the Kremlins I guess, who looked cool in the car, plane and hovercraft - so I left him there!"</ref> His creation predates ''Diddy Kong Racing'' being a ''Donkey Kong'' series game, as originally, [[Timber]] was slated to be the main character. Krunch was designed to fulfill the role of a "bad guy" playable character, and was meant to be a crocodile. Upon attaching [[Diddy Kong]] to the project, Krunch was slightly altered to be a Kremling.  
Krunch was not originally designed to be a Kremling.<ref>{{cite|author=Cart Boy|url=sourcegaming.info/2017/11/15/new-content-approaching-krunch|language=en|title="Character Chronicle: Krunch"|publisher=Source Gaming|date=November 15, 2017|accessdate=May 7, 2024}}</ref><ref name=KrashBayliss>{{cite|quote=I think however, I did stick 'Krash' into DKR, as I wanted a bad guy in there. He wasn't really a DK character, just a quick 'croc-character' based on the Kremlins I guess, who looked cool in the car, plane and hovercraft - so I left him there!|author=Kevin Bayliss|title=Quote from Kevin Bayliss|url=www.dkvine.com/interactive/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t7116.html}}</ref> His creation predates ''Diddy Kong Racing'' being a ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' game, as originally, [[Timber]] was slated to be the main character, while Krunch was designed to be a crocodile who would fulfill the role of a "bad guy" playable character. Upon attaching [[Diddy Kong]] to the project, Krunch was slightly altered to be a Kremling.


Footage of the early pre-release build 1.964 of ''Diddy Kong Racing'' shown in the German [[Nintendo 64]] promotional VHS tape "''Wieviel 3-D hältst du aus?''" reveals that Krunch was named "Krash" at some point in development.<ref>[https://youtube.com/watch?v=OHSCLcA74ao Diddy Kong Racing - German Promotional Feature (Beta) High Quality]. Youtube. Posted February 18, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2020.</ref> As this name was already taken by [[Krash|another Kremling]] in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', it is possible that played a factor in his renaming to "Krunch".
Footage of the early pre-release build 1.964 of ''Diddy Kong Racing'', which was shown in the German [[Nintendo 64]] promotional VHS tape "''Wieviel 3-D hältst du aus?''",<ref>{{cite|url=youtube.com/watch?v=OHSCLcA74ao|title=Diddy Kong Racing - German Promotional Feature (Beta) High Quality|publisher=YouTube|date=February 18, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2020}}</ref> reveals that Krunch was named "Krash" earlier in development; this name is corroborated by Bayliss.<ref name=KrashBayliss/> However, the name "Krash" was already used by [[Krash|a different Kremling]] in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', which may have played a factor in the character being renamed to "Krunch". Another source refers to the character as "Kremling".<ref>"{{cite|deadlink=y|language=en-au|archive=web.archive.org/web/19990218060558/http://www.nintendo.com.au/games/n64/games/dkracing.html|title=''Diddy Kong Racing''|publisher=Nintendo of Australia}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===''Diddy Kong Racing'' series===
===''Diddy Kong Racing'' / ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''===
====''Diddy Kong Racing''====
In the backstory for ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', provided in the instruction manual, Krunch was one of two "Kremling spies" sent by [[King K. Rool]] to investigate why Diddy Kong and his friends are at [[Timber's Island]], with fears they could be plotting against the Kremlings.<ref>{{cite|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' instruction booklet|page=5-6, 24|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> According to the game's backstory, the Kremling spies watched Diddy Kong "tearing off at high speed through the jungle" from behind a boulder, before Krunch suggests to the other Kremling that they should follow him. The Kremling declines the suggestion and "bolted into the undergrowth", to which Krunch decided to follow Diddy Kong alone. Instead of antagonizing them, Krunch ends up teaming up alongside Diddy and friends, helping the racers on their journey to expel [[Wizpig]] from Timber's Island. The instruction manual states that, despite offering to help Diddy Kong and his friends, the cast of the game does not trust him.
In the backstory for ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', provided in the instruction manual, Krunch was one of two "Kremling spies" sent by [[King K. Rool]] to investigate why Diddy Kong and his friends are at [[Timber's Island]], with fears they could be plotting against the Kremlings.<ref>''Diddy Kong Racing'' instructional booklet, pages 5, 6 and 24</ref> According to the game's backstory, the Kremling spies watched Diddy Kong "tearing off at high speed through the jungle" from behind a boulder, before Krunch suggests to the other Kremling that they should follow him. The Kremling declines the suggestion and "bolted into the undergrowth", to which Krunch decided to follow Diddy Kong alone. Instead of antagonizing them, Krunch ends up teaming up alongside Diddy and friends, helping the racers on their journey to expel [[Wizpig]] from Timber's Island. The instruction manual states that, despite offering to help Diddy Kong and his friends, the cast of the game do not trust him.  


As a playable character, Krunch is a heavyweight with the lowest acceleration and handling of the racers, but has a very high top speed. He is the third-fastest racer in the game. Krunch's top speed without [[banana]]s is 60 mph.  
As a playable character, Krunch is a heavyweight with the lowest acceleration and handling but very high top speed, and Krunch is the third-fastest racer in the game. Krunch's top speed without [[banana]]s is 60 mph. Krunch's theme instrument on the character select menu is an electric guitar.


====''Diddy Kong Racing DS''====
[[File:KrunchX2.png|thumb|x200px|Krunch conversing with an identical looking, unnamed Kremling in ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''{{'}}s intro]]
[[File:KrunchX2.png|thumb|200px|right|Krunch conversing with an identical looking, unnamed Kremling]]
In ''Diddy Kong Racing DS'', like the other playable characters, Krunch has minimal differences from the original ''Diddy Kong Racing'', although physically, Krunch was redesigned to have five fingers instead of four. He appears in the new intro cutscene, spying on Diddy Kong, [[Tiny Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]] from behind a boulder with a fellow Kremling spy, who shares Krunch's model. As the two Kremlings watch the three characters run by, Krunch informs the other Kremling that he plans to follow the Kongs to find out what they are doing. As Krunch begins to follow the three Kongs, the other Kremling flees the scene. As a playable character, Krunch's turning and acceleration is slightly higher, but his top speed is slightly lower.
In the remake, ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', Krunch reprises the role of the original game with very minor changes. He appears in the new intro cutscene, spying on Diddy Kong, [[Tiny Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]] behind a boulder, with another Kremling. This Kremling reuses the exact same model as Krunch. As they watch the three characters run by, Krunch informs the other Kremling that he plans to follow the Kongs to find out what they are doing. The other Kremling flees the scene, as Krunch begins to follow the three Kongs.


As a playable character, Krunch's turning and acceleration were slightly increased, and his top speed was slightly decreased.
===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
In ''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]'', Krunch makes a small, non-speaking cameo in the ''Diddy Kong Racing'' story segment titled "Go Go Diddy!" where he is shown in his [[car]], competing in a race in last place (12th).
 
===''4koma Gag Battle''===
Krunch appears throughout the ''[[4koma Gag Battle]]'' manga adaptation of ''Diddy Kong Racing'', depicted as being on the younger side, as in one scene, he is seen walking through [[Snowflake Mountain]] with [[Krunch's mother|his mother]].
 
===''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''===
Artwork of Krunch in his car from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' is one of the character stamps in in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''.


===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
===Unused appearances===
[[File:KrunchBouken.png|thumb|120px|left|Krunch racing in ''Mario no Bōken Land'']]
[[File:Character Select 2001 - Diddy Kong Pilot.png|thumb|left|Character select from the cancelled ''Diddy Kong Pilot'' (2001)]]
Krunch makes a small, non-speaking cameo in the ''Diddy Kong Racing'' story segment of ''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]'', titled "Go Go Diddy!". He is shown in his car, competing in a race in last place (12th).
Krunch was intended to make a reappearance in the 2001 iteration of ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]''. He is the only ''Diddy Kong Racing'' character to appear in the cast, besides Diddy Kong.


===''4-koma Gag Battle''===
Krunch would have been included as part of the cast to ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', a rejected video game idea pitch that never came into fruition. It was planned that he would use his jaw to chase down other racers as a special move. "Krunch's den" would have also been a location in the game.
Krunch appears throughout the ''[[4-koma Gag Battle]]'' manga adaptation of ''Diddy Kong Racing''. He is depicted as being on the younger side, as in one scene, he is seen walking through [[Snowflake Mountain]] with his mother.  
{{br|left}}
{{br|left}}
==Profiles and statistics==
==Profiles and statistics==
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
*'''''Diddy Kong Racing'' instruction manual:''' "''(Low acceleration, heavy weight, difficult handling, high top speed) Seeing Diddy Kong rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings very suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure that there aren't any anti-Kremling plots in the works. Diddy Kong, Timber and company don't exactly trust him, but Krunch insists he's only there to lend a hand...''"
*'''Character stats'''
*'''Character stats'''
**'''Weight group:''' Heavy
**'''Weight:''' Heavy
**'''Acceleration:''' 1/5
**'''Acceleration:''' 1/5
**'''Turning:''' 1/5
**'''Handling:''' 1/5
**'''Top Speed:''' 4/5
**'''Top Speed:''' 4/5
**'''Vehicle Color:''' Orange
**'''Vehicle Color:''' Orange
*'''Instruction booklet bio''': "''(Low acceleration, heavy weight, difficult handling, high top speed) Seeing Diddy Kong rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings very suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure that there aren’t any anti-Kremling plots in the works. Diddy Kong, Timber and company don’t exactly trust him, but Krunch insists he’s only there to lend a hand...''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' instruction booklet|page=25|language=American English|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1997}}</ref>
*'''[[Nintendo Power#Player's Guides|Player's Guide]]''': "''The only reason Krunch has joined the resistance is to make sure that Diddy, Timber and the rest aren’t hatching some anti-Kremling plot. The other racers realize that Krunch hasn’t joined out of the goodness of his heart, but as long as he doesn’t sabotage their efforts, they’ll be satisfied. Who knows? He may surprise them yet.''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' Nintendo Player's Guide|author=Swan, Leslie|language=American English|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1997|page=7}}</ref>
*'''''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Volume 103''': "''Krunch may be a Kremling, but he doesn’t like the thought of the Wizpig upstaging Captain K. Rool. So he’s doing his best to free the island from racing tyranny. Krunch, as the heaviest character, has slower acceleration and poor handling, but his top speed is unsurpassed. He’s a good choice for hovercraft courses.''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 103|page=14|date=December 1997|language=American English|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
*'''Diddy's Drivers Ed''': "''I don't really know why this Kremling is hanging out with us, but hey, we need all the help we can get to defeat Wizpig. He's the heaviest racer and has the highest top speed. On the downside, his handling in atrocious and he accelerates like he's glued to the track.''"<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/19981206065714/http://www.dkr.com/driversed.html|title=Diddy's Drivers Ed|publisher=dkr.com|accessdate=March 28, 2023}}</ref>
*'''''Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition:''''' "''Krunch is by far the heaviest of the Diddy Kong racers. His acceleration is low and his handling is not very sharp. Krunch’s speed, however, is tops. And with so much weight he will almost always win a shoving match.''"<ref>{{cite|date=April 7, 1999|title=''Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide''|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|isbn=0-7615-2103-7|page=39}}</ref>
*'''Rarewhere''': "''Seeing Diddy rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings deeply suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure that there aren’t any anti-Kremling plots in the works. Timber and the others don’t exactly trust him, but Krunch insists he’s only come along to lend a hand...''"<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/19980705005250/http://www.rare.co.uk/recent/games/racing/castlist/cast_krunch.html|title=Rarewhere: DKR Cast List|publisher=Rarewhere|language=en-gb|accessdate=March 28, 2023}}</ref>


===''Diddy Kong Racing DS''===
===''Diddy Kong Racing DS''===
Line 54: Line 64:


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
*''"Hi, it's Krunch."'' - ''Diddy Kong Racing''
*"''Hi, it's Krunch.''" - ''Diddy Kong Racing''
*''"Hey - where you think he go?"'' - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instructional booklet
*"''Hey - where you think he go?''" - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instruction booklet
*''"What if he go fetch others? Fight Kremlings?"'' - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instructional booklet
*"''What if he go fetch others? Fight Kremlings?''" - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instruction booklet
*''"I go after him. You go tell boss - see what he think of that, huh?"'' - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instructional booklet
*"''I go after him. You go tell boss - see what he think of that, huh?''" - ''Diddy Kong Racing'', instruction booklet
*''"Where are thossse Kongsss going? I will follow!"'' - ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
*"''Where thossse Kongsss going? I will follow!!!''" - ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
*"''K. Rools! Wizpig stinks!''" - ''[[Nintendo Power]]''<ref>{{cite|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 102|date=November 1997|page=29|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
Krunch Artwork - Diddy Kong Racing.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Krunch.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Krunch1.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
DKRSmokeyPromo.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing'' group artwork
Wizpig and racers DKR.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing'' group artwork
KrunchAdventures.png|''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', a failed video game pitch by {{wp|Climax Studios}}
Krunch DKRDS art.png|''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
</gallery>
 
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
AmuletKrunch.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Krunch Artwork - Diddy Kong Racing.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Everfrost Peak.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
KrunchTimberJPN.png|Japanese ''Diddy Kong Racing'' commercial
KrunchDKR.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing'' character select
KrunchBouken.png|''Mario no Bōken Land''
DKRJPNC.png|Cast of ''Diddy Kong Racing'', Japanese commercial
KrunchMom.png|Krunch and his mother, in ''4koma Gag Battle''
KrunchTimberJPN.png|Krunch and Timber, ''Diddy Kong Racing'' Japanese commercial
KrunchArtist.jpg|''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''
DKRDSintro2.png|Cast of ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
</gallery>
 
===Sprites and models===
<gallery>
KrunchRender.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' model
Krunch-CSS-DKR.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' mugshot
Krunch (Unused mugshot).png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' [[List of Diddy Kong Racing pre-release and unused content|unused mugshot]]
</gallery>
 
===Scans===
<gallery>
KrunchMom.png|Krunch and his mother, in ''4-koma Gag Battle''
KrunchManga1.jpg|''4-koma Gag Battle''
KrunchManga2.jpg|''4-koma Gag Battle''
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names|float=1
{{foreign names
|Jap=クランチ
|Jap=クランチ
|JapR=
|JapR=Kuranchi
|JapM=Crunch
|JapM=Krunch
|Fre=Krunch<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo64ever.com/Scans-Magazine,52,Le-Magazine-Officiel-Nintendo-03.html|title=Official Nintendo french magazine N3|date=February-March 1998|language=French|page=25}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{br}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The Kritter character in both versions of the cancelled ''Diddy Kong Pilot'' bears an almost identical appearance to Krunch. In addition, in the [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|2001 version of ''Diddy Kong Pilot'']], the internal name for the Kritter is "Krash".<ref>[http://www.dkc-atlas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1329#p32980 DKC Atlas]. Posted January 16, 2013.</ref> Whether the Kritter was at some point intended to be Krunch is unknown, but all of the remaining information and screenshots for the cancelled two games simply refer to this character as Kritter.
[[File:DKP 2001 Hud.png|thumb|Internal data of ''Diddy Kong Pilot'' (2001) (named as Krunch)]]
*Krunch has four fingers in ''Diddy Kong Racing''&ndash;for the remake, ''Diddy Kong Racing DS'', his new appearance now has five fingers.
*The Kritter character in both versions of the cancelled ''Diddy Kong Pilot'' appears nearly identically to Krunch. In addition, in the [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|2001 version of ''Diddy Kong Pilot'']], the internal name for the Kritter when highlighted on the selection screen is "Krash",<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/20130325215431/http://www.dkc-atlas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1329#p32980|publisher=DKC Atlas|title=Diddy Kong Pilot: 2001 Alpha has been Released!!!|author=Blaziken257|date=January 16, 2013}}</ref> which was also Krunch's early name during ''Diddy Kong Racing''{{'}}s development, while the internal name for the battle mode HUD portrait is Krunch. The [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2003)|2003]] version refers to an identical character as simply "Kritter".  
*Krunch would have been included as part of the cast to ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', a rejected video game idea pitch that never came into fruition. It was planned that he would use his jaw to chase down other racers as a special move.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{Kremlings}}
{{Kremlings}}
{{DKR}}
{{DKR}}
[[Category:Kremlings]]
[[Category:Kritters]]
[[Category:Kremling Krew]]
[[Category:Kremling Krew]]
[[Category:Playable Characters]]
[[Category:Playable characters]]
[[Category:Twins]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong allies]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Allies]]
[[Category:Diddy Kong Racing characters]]
[[Category:Diddy Kong Racing Characters]]
[[de:Krunch]]
[[de:Krunch]]

Latest revision as of 11:33, August 23, 2024

Not to be confused with Kruncha.
Krunch
Krunch
Artwork from Diddy Kong Racing DS
Full name Krunch the Kremling[citation needed]
Species Kritter
First appearance Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Latest appearance Diddy Kong Racing DS (2007)
Portrayed by Chris Sutherland[1] (1997–2002)

Krunch, also once referred to as just Kremling,[2] is a Kremling playable character in Diddy Kong Racing and Diddy Kong Racing DS. He wears a purple leather vest, which is adorned with a skull-and-crossbones design in Diddy Kong Racing, though said design is omitted in Diddy Kong Racing DS. A similar jacket to Krunch's would later be worn by Kritters in Donkey Kong 64 as well as the playable one in both cancelled iterations of Diddy Kong Pilot.

In the 2002 Microsoft acquisition of Rare Ltd., the rights of many franchises and characters were passed on to Microsoft. Nintendo sought to keep all characters directly linked to the Donkey Kong franchise, with the exception of the cast of Diddy Kong Racing. Due to the nature of Krunch being a Kremling, which is a Nintendo-owned fictional species, Krunch was the only Diddy Kong Racing cast member, besides Diddy Kong, whose rights were kept with Nintendo.[3][4]

Character creation[edit]

Krunch was not originally designed to be a Kremling.[5][6] His creation predates Diddy Kong Racing being a Super Mario game, as originally, Timber was slated to be the main character, while Krunch was designed to be a crocodile who would fulfill the role of a "bad guy" playable character. Upon attaching Diddy Kong to the project, Krunch was slightly altered to be a Kremling.

Footage of the early pre-release build 1.964 of Diddy Kong Racing, which was shown in the German Nintendo 64 promotional VHS tape "Wieviel 3-D hältst du aus?",[7] reveals that Krunch was named "Krash" earlier in development; this name is corroborated by Bayliss.[6] However, the name "Krash" was already used by a different Kremling in Donkey Kong Country, which may have played a factor in the character being renamed to "Krunch". Another source refers to the character as "Kremling".[8]

History[edit]

Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS[edit]

In the backstory for Diddy Kong Racing, provided in the instruction manual, Krunch was one of two "Kremling spies" sent by King K. Rool to investigate why Diddy Kong and his friends are at Timber's Island, with fears they could be plotting against the Kremlings.[9] According to the game's backstory, the Kremling spies watched Diddy Kong "tearing off at high speed through the jungle" from behind a boulder, before Krunch suggests to the other Kremling that they should follow him. The Kremling declines the suggestion and "bolted into the undergrowth", to which Krunch decided to follow Diddy Kong alone. Instead of antagonizing them, Krunch ends up teaming up alongside Diddy and friends, helping the racers on their journey to expel Wizpig from Timber's Island. The instruction manual states that, despite offering to help Diddy Kong and his friends, the cast of the game does not trust him.

As a playable character, Krunch is a heavyweight with the lowest acceleration and handling but very high top speed, and Krunch is the third-fastest racer in the game. Krunch's top speed without bananas is 60 mph. Krunch's theme instrument on the character select menu is an electric guitar.

Krunch with another Kremling in the intro for Diddy Kong Racing DS
Krunch conversing with an identical looking, unnamed Kremling in Diddy Kong Racing DS's intro

In Diddy Kong Racing DS, like the other playable characters, Krunch has minimal differences from the original Diddy Kong Racing, although physically, Krunch was redesigned to have five fingers instead of four. He appears in the new intro cutscene, spying on Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong from behind a boulder with a fellow Kremling spy, who shares Krunch's model. As the two Kremlings watch the three characters run by, Krunch informs the other Kremling that he plans to follow the Kongs to find out what they are doing. As Krunch begins to follow the three Kongs, the other Kremling flees the scene. As a playable character, Krunch's turning and acceleration is slightly higher, but his top speed is slightly lower.

Mario no Bōken Land[edit]

In Mario no Bōken Land, Krunch makes a small, non-speaking cameo in the Diddy Kong Racing story segment titled "Go Go Diddy!" where he is shown in his car, competing in a race in last place (12th).

4koma Gag Battle[edit]

Krunch appears throughout the 4koma Gag Battle manga adaptation of Diddy Kong Racing, depicted as being on the younger side, as in one scene, he is seen walking through Snowflake Mountain with his mother.

Mario Artist: Paint Studio[edit]

Artwork of Krunch in his car from Diddy Kong Racing is one of the character stamps in in Mario Artist: Paint Studio.

Unused appearances[edit]

The character selection screen in the 2001 Diddy Kong Pilot.
Character select from the cancelled Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)

Krunch was intended to make a reappearance in the 2001 iteration of Diddy Kong Pilot. He is the only Diddy Kong Racing character to appear in the cast, besides Diddy Kong.

Krunch would have been included as part of the cast to Diddy Kong Racing Adventure, a rejected video game idea pitch that never came into fruition. It was planned that he would use his jaw to chase down other racers as a special move. "Krunch's den" would have also been a location in the game.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Diddy Kong Racing[edit]

  • Character stats
    • Weight: Heavy
    • Acceleration: 1/5
    • Handling: 1/5
    • Top Speed: 4/5
    • Vehicle Color: Orange
  • Instruction booklet bio: "(Low acceleration, heavy weight, difficult handling, high top speed) Seeing Diddy Kong rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings very suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure that there aren’t any anti-Kremling plots in the works. Diddy Kong, Timber and company don’t exactly trust him, but Krunch insists he’s only there to lend a hand..."[10]
  • Player's Guide: "The only reason Krunch has joined the resistance is to make sure that Diddy, Timber and the rest aren’t hatching some anti-Kremling plot. The other racers realize that Krunch hasn’t joined out of the goodness of his heart, but as long as he doesn’t sabotage their efforts, they’ll be satisfied. Who knows? He may surprise them yet."[11]
  • Nintendo Power Volume 103: "Krunch may be a Kremling, but he doesn’t like the thought of the Wizpig upstaging Captain K. Rool. So he’s doing his best to free the island from racing tyranny. Krunch, as the heaviest character, has slower acceleration and poor handling, but his top speed is unsurpassed. He’s a good choice for hovercraft courses."[12]
  • Diddy's Drivers Ed: "I don't really know why this Kremling is hanging out with us, but hey, we need all the help we can get to defeat Wizpig. He's the heaviest racer and has the highest top speed. On the downside, his handling in atrocious and he accelerates like he's glued to the track."[13]
  • Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition: "Krunch is by far the heaviest of the Diddy Kong racers. His acceleration is low and his handling is not very sharp. Krunch’s speed, however, is tops. And with so much weight he will almost always win a shoving match."[14]
  • Rarewhere: "Seeing Diddy rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings deeply suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure that there aren’t any anti-Kremling plots in the works. Timber and the others don’t exactly trust him, but Krunch insists he’s only come along to lend a hand..."[15]

Diddy Kong Racing DS[edit]

  • Character stats
    • Speed: 4/5
    • Acceleration: 2/5
    • Handling: 2/5

Quotes[edit]

  • "Hi, it's Krunch." - Diddy Kong Racing
  • "Hey - where you think he go?" - Diddy Kong Racing, instruction booklet
  • "What if he go fetch others? Fight Kremlings?" - Diddy Kong Racing, instruction booklet
  • "I go after him. You go tell boss - see what he think of that, huh?" - Diddy Kong Racing, instruction booklet
  • "Where thossse Kongsss going? I will follow!!!" - Diddy Kong Racing DS
  • "K. Rools! Wizpig stinks!" - Nintendo Power[16]

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Krunch.
  • Diddy Kong Racing

    Diddy Kong Racing

  • Japanese Diddy Kong Racing commercial

    Japanese Diddy Kong Racing commercial

  • Mario no Bōken Land

    Mario no Bōken Land

  • Krunch and his mother, in 4koma Gag Battle

    Krunch and his mother, in 4koma Gag Battle

  • Mario Artist: Paint Studio

    Mario Artist: Paint Studio

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クランチ[?]
Kuranchi 		Krunch
French Krunch[17] -

Trivia[edit]

Ripped data from Diddy Kong Pilot.
Internal data of Diddy Kong Pilot (2001) (named as Krunch)
  • The Kritter character in both versions of the cancelled Diddy Kong Pilot appears nearly identically to Krunch. In addition, in the 2001 version of Diddy Kong Pilot, the internal name for the Kritter when highlighted on the selection screen is "Krash",[18] which was also Krunch's early name during Diddy Kong Racing's development, while the internal name for the battle mode HUD portrait is Krunch. The 2003 version refers to an identical character as simply "Kritter".

References[edit]

  1. ^ Twitter confirmation by former Rare employee Graeme Norgate
  2. ^ "Diddy Kong Racing. Nintendo of Australia. Archived February 18, 1999, 06:05:58 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "Diddy Kong, Banjo and Krunch characters licensed by Nintendo" – 1997. Diddy Kong Racing instruction manual back cover. Nintendo.
  4. ^ "As far as I'm aware - after asking around - all the major DKR characters who aren't Kongs or Kremlings still belong to Rare. Which would make Diddy, Dixie, Tiny and Krunch the 'licensed' ones in this case." – Loveday, Leigh (June 25, 2007). Rare Scribes. Archived June 28, 2007, 21:55:52 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Cart Boy (November 15, 2017). "Character Chronicle: Krunch". Source Gaming (English). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "I think however, I did stick 'Krash' into DKR, as I wanted a bad guy in there. He wasn't really a DK character, just a quick 'croc-character' based on the Kremlins I guess, who looked cool in the car, plane and hovercraft - so I left him there!" – Kevin Bayliss. Quote from Kevin Bayliss.
  7. ^ February 18, 2017. Diddy Kong Racing - German Promotional Feature (Beta) High Quality. YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Diddy Kong Racing. Nintendo of Australia (Australian English). Archived February 18, 1999, 06:05:58 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ 1997. Diddy Kong Racing instruction booklet. Nintendo of America. Page 5-6, 24.
  10. ^ 1997. Diddy Kong Racing instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 25.
  11. ^ Swan, Leslie (1997). Diddy Kong Racing Nintendo Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 7.
  12. ^ December 1997. Nintendo Power Volume 103. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 14.
  13. ^ Diddy's Drivers Ed. dkr.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023. (Archived December 6, 1998, 06:57:14 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  14. ^ April 7, 1999. Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. ISBN 0-7615-2103-7. Page 39.
  15. ^ Rarewhere: DKR Cast List. Rarewhere (British English). Archived July 5, 1998, 00:52:50 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  16. ^ November 1997. Nintendo Power Volume 102. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 29.
  17. ^ February-March 1998. Official Nintendo french magazine N3. Page 25.
  18. ^ Blaziken257 (January 16, 2013). Diddy Kong Pilot: 2001 Alpha has been Released!!!. DKC Atlas. (Archived March 25, 2013, 21:54:31 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
[Edit]
Kremlings
Characters Congazuma • Cranky K. Rool • Draglinger • General Klump • Giant Viking Kremling • Green Kroc • Jr. Klap Trap • Junklomp • K. Lumsy • Kalypso • Kaptain Skurvy • Kass • Kerozene • King K. Rool • King Kut Out • Kip • Klubba • Kleever • Kludge • Krunch • Krunch's mother • Krusha • Krushy • Kudgel • Kutlass • Mega Amp • Okusan • Quint Skurvy • Resident demon
Species Bazuka • Ghost • Kaboing • Kaboom • Kackle • Kannon • Kasplat • Klampon • Klank • Klaptrap • Klasp • Klinger • Kloak • Klobber • Klomp • Klump • Knocka • Kobble • Koin • Koindozer • Kopter • Kosha • Kracka • Krash • Kremling (boater) • Kremling cop • Krimp • Kritter • Kroc • Krockhead • Krook • Krumple • Kruncha • Krusha • Kuchuka • Kuff 'n' Klout • Kutlass • Re-Koil • Robokremling • Rock Kroc • Shroom • Skeleton Kremling • Skidda • Super Team goalie
[Edit]
Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS
Playable characters Diddy Kong • Krunch • Drumstick • Bumper • Tiptup • T.T. • Pipsy • Timber • Banjoa • Conkera • Tiny Kongb • Dixie Kongb • Tajb • Wizpigb
Vehicles Car • Plane • Hovercraft
Bosses Tricky • Bluey • Bubbler • Smokey • Wizpig
Worlds Dino Domain • Snowflake Mountain • Sherbet Island • Dragon Forest • Future Fun Land • DK Islandb
Tracks Ancient Lake • Fossil Canyon • Jungle Falls • Hot Top Volcano • Everfrost Peak • Walrus Cove • Snowball Valley • Frosty Village • Whale Bay • Crescent Island • Pirate Lagoon • Treasure Caves • Windmill Plains • Greenwood Village • Boulder Canyon • Haunted Woods • Spacedust Alley • Darkmoon Caverns • Spaceport Alpha • Star City • Thunder Coveb • Meandering Mountb • Splashdown Passb • Strangled Shrineb
Boss tracks Tricky Challenge • Bluey Challenge • Bubbler Challenge • Smokey Challenge • Wizpig's First Strike • Wizpig Strikes Back
Challenge levels Fire Mountain • Icicle Pyramid • Darkwater Beach • Smokey Castle
Items & objects Bananaa • Coinb • Discovery Cardb • Golden Balloon • Power-Up Tokenb • Silver Coin • Taj Tokenb • Tree • T.T. amulet • Weapon Balloon • Wish Key • Wizpig amulet • Zipper
Other Gallery (N64 · DS) • Glitches • Media • Quotes • Timber's Balloon Pop • Trophy Race • Wish Race
a Exclusive to Diddy Kong Racing
Retrieved from "https://www.mariowiki.com/index.php?title=Krunch&oldid=4337776"