Editing Cranky Kong

{{about|the original Donkey Kong from the [[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong game]]|the current Donkey Kong|[[Donkey Kong]]}}
{{redirect|CK|an online Flash game|[[Cannon Kaos]]}}
{{character-infobox
|image=[[File:Cranky Kong Artwork - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png{{!}}230px]]<br>Cranky Kong, as he appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''.
|full_name=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>  (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]])
|species=[[Kong]]
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) (as Cranky Kong) ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
''[[WarioWare Gold]]'' (as Donkey Kong) ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
|latest_portrayal= [[Takashi Nagasako]] (2007 - present)
}}

{{quote|You young apes wouldn't know a real adventure if it jumped up and bit you on the nose!|Cranky Kong|Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle}}

'''Cranky Kong''', also known as '''Donkey Kong Sr.'''<ref>"<i>Also known as Donkey Kong Sr., Cranky’s days of kidnapping Pauline and terrorizing Mario and Stanley the Bugman have long since passed.</i>" - ''Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide'', ''Donkey Kong Country'' Characters Tab.</ref>, is one of the central characters in the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, being [[Donkey Kong]]'s paternal figure. He has been remarked, especially in the [[Rare]]-made games, for breaking the [[Fourth wall|fourth wall]] and constantly complaining and rambling, although he proves to be a helpful sage in many situations. He is also currently a widower, as his wife [[Wrinkly Kong]] is deceased. He is the elderly form of the original Donkey Kong from the [[Donkey Kong (game)|''Donkey Kong'' arcade game]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20081122101320/http://www.pointlessmuseum.com/museum/snesdonkeykongcountry006.php</ref> and can be described as argumentative, old, and bad-tempered. Cranky has been playable in four games, including Japan-only games. His abilities and health vary greatly in games, sometimes being unable to walk without two canes, while other times being just as athletic as Donkey Kong.

==History==
===Background===
{{Main|Donkey Kong}}
[[File:DKNESDonkeyKongPaulineArt.png|thumb|Cranky Kong in his youth, together with [[Pauline]].]]
Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong from the arcade games (although [[Nintendo]] has sometimes ignored this in the past, they do ultimately support [[Rare]]'s decision{{ref needed}}). During his youthful prime, Cranky Kong kidnapped [[Pauline]], was kidnapped and trapped in a cage by [[Mario]], and even battled [[Stanley (Donkey Kong 3)|Stanley]] in a greenhouse. 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, his final role as Donkey Kong was in ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong '94]]''. 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>

===''Donkey Kong Country'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Country''====
[[File:Cranky Kong DKC.png|thumb|left|Cranky Kong]]
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 advices and can be consulted as many times as the player desires to.

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 original ''Donkey Kong'' arcade game, before 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. Cranky, irritated by this interruption, hurls a TNT barrel at DK's boombox, destroying it.

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

====''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''====
[[File:Cranky Kong.jpg|thumb|right|Cranky Kong, in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''.]]
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]]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 DK 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.

====''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!''====
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. If players manage to get the game's "best" ending, Cranky will do a few water-skiing tricks before 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 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]].

====''Donkey Kong 64''====
Professor Cranky appeared in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', having now 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 Cranky for several potions that can give them new powers and abilities. Also, if the Kongs manage to collect fifteen [[Banana Medal]]s, Cranky will allow them to play ''{{wp|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's role is likely based on the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'']] television series, in which Cranky was sometimes seen mixing up magic potions to use on either himself or others to advance that episode's plot.

====''Donkey Kong Country Returns''====
[[File:DKCRCrankyKongShop.png|250px|thumb|left|Cranky Kong's Shop]]
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 things to make money.

To buy things in Cranky Kong's shop, the player needs to have [[Banana Coin]]s. In his shop, there are [[Extra Life Balloon]]s bundled into groups of 1, 3, and 7 balloons. There is also a [[Heart Boost]], which gives Donkey or Diddy the ability to have three [[heart]]s for the duration of one level, [[Banana Juice]], which gives limited invincibility, and [[Squawks the Parrot]], who helps the Kongs collect undiscovered [[Puzzle Piece (Donkey Kong Country Returns)|Puzzle Pieces]] in levels. There is also a [[key]] for sale, which gives access to the locked path in each world.

====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''====
[[File:Cranky Kong Artwork - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png|170px|thumb|Official artwork of Cranky Kong for ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'']]
Cranky Kong appears as a playable partner character in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'', marking the first time he is fully playable in a ''Donkey Kong Country'' game. 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 to attack and take down underwater 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]] in 1990.

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

===''Club Nintendo''===
===="Donkey Kong Country"====
He also appeared in the ''[[Club Nintendo (magazine)|Club Nintendo]]'' comic "[[Donkey Kong Country (comic)|Donkey Kong Country]]". He is the first one to discover that King K. Rool has stolen the Kongs' Banana Hoard, which follows the story of the game. Cranky's appearance in the comic differs slightly from his standard look, as he is wearing a blue shirt instead of a gray or brown one.

===="Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24"====
In the comic "[[Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24]]", published in the same magazine, he supported Donkey, Diddy, Dixie and Kiddy on their mission to save the [[Earth]] from being pulled away from the sun by a giant [[UFO]]. It was his idea to carry on negotiations with the aliens so they would release the Earth. The [[Mr. President|President of the United States]] puts a space shuttle at the Kongs' disposal, and Cranky is the one to navigate it. He beams Donkey, Diddy and Dixie into the UFO and stays in the Kongs' space shuttle meanwhile. When their mission succeeds, he navigates the space shuttle back to Earth, where the Kongs are being hailed by the people. Euphorically, Cranky tries to kiss a random girl, much to her disgust. After returning to their jungle, Cranky gets in trouble with his wife Wrinkly because of this. During the events of this story, Cranky did not show much of his grouchy traits as often discovered in the games, but instead appears as a helpful person.

===''Donkey Kong Land'' series===
While Cranky does not appear in any of the ''[[Donkey Kong Land (series)|Donkey Kong Land]]'' games, the instruction booklet for the first ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' explains that the game happens owing to Cranky. Jealous of Donkey and Diddy's victory over [[King K. Rool]], Cranky attracts them into a bet, stating that if they can reclaim Donkey's [[Banana Hoard]] from King K. Rool once again, this time on an [[Game Boy|8-bit system]], he will admit that they are adequate gaming heroes. In the end, Cranky retracts his doubts when Donkey and Diddy once again defeat K. Rool and the [[Kremling Krew]].

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>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/kongtroversy.shtml Kongtroversy] The Mushroom Kingdom (Retrieved July 1, 2012)</ref>

===''Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle''===
[[File:Rumble Jungle Illustration - Kongs and Squawks.jpg|thumb|right|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|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.

While battling some Kremlings who had heard the loud explosion, [[Kritter]] tries to take Cranky Kong hostage. He shouts "stop your assault or the old ape gets it!" Cranky Kong instead elbows Kritter in the stomach, and says "I was stomping on the likes of you when you were knee-high to a salamander!". After Funky's plane is found in the factory's cargo room, Donkey Kong and Diddy both leave to retrieve a part to repair the plane, and to turn off the factory's defense system. Cranky Kong is left to keep Funky Kong company while he repairs the plane, and Cranky tells "story after story" about his youth. After the plane is repaired, the Kongs all board (although Cranky Kong is reluctant as he "hates" flying), and they escape through a hole in the factory wall created by a TNT Barrel. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong manage to plant [[King K. Rool]]'s zeppelin with TNT Barrels, which falls and destroys the Kremling's factory. Cranky Kong shares a laugh with the other Kongs as they fly back home to their [[DK's Tree House|treehouse]].

===''Donkey Kong Country'' television series===
[[File:CrankyCartoon65.png|thumb|Cranky as he appears in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' show.]]
Cranky was also a main character on the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'']] television series produced by [[Nelvana]] and [[Nintendo]]. Here, Cranky was as grouchy and bitter as he was in the games. However, he's far less arrogant than in the video games, and the white hair he has in the games is replaced by large white eyebrows, though he still has his beard. On the show, instead of living in a cabin on the ground like in the games, Cranky instead lives in a cabin on a tree-top village, similar to ones seen in the area [[Vine Valley (world)|Vine Valley]] from the ''Donkey Kong Country'' game. On the show, Cranky was also seen to be adept at potion-making and magic, a trait later carried on into the games. In one episode it is revealed that he was once best friends with King K Rool before the crocodile cheated during a bet, which turned their friendship into a bitter rivalry.

===''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]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]''. He also frequently appears as an obtainable [[trophy]], where he is often described as being a wise and helpful figure.

====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', he appears in his 8-bit form from ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' on the [[75m]] stage, derived from the third (second in the NES version) stage by the same name in said game. He is mostly not seen on the stage, but will occasionally show up and deal damage and decent knockback to anyone who touches him. He also throws [[Spring]]s across the top of the stage, similar to how he did in the original arcade game. The "stage start" theme from ''Donkey Kong'' can be heard when he shows up on the stage. Lastly, Cranky Kong also appears as a [[Sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|sticker]]. His sticker uses his artwork from ''Donkey Konga 3'' and boosts the power of indirect special moves by 7 and is usable by any character.

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.

===''Donkey Konga'' series===
[[File:Cranky3.jpg|thumb|Cranky as he appears in ''Donkey Konga'']]
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]]''. 
{{br|left}}

===''DK'' series===
====''DK: King of Swing''====
[[File:Cranky Kong DKKoS art.png|thumb|left|Cranky, as he appeared in ''DK: King of Swing'']]
In ''[[DK: King of Swing]]'' Cranky Kong, along with the ghost of his wife Wrinkly, teaches Donkey Kong how to use the games unique controls in [[Cranky's Lectures]]. Cranky, along with [[Candy Kong]], are the only Kongs who aren't playable in ''DK: King of Swing's'' Jungle Jam mode.
{{br|right}}

====''DK: Jungle Climber''====
[[File:CrankyDKJUNGLE.jpg|thumb|Cranky, as he appeared in ''DK: Jungle Climber'']]
Cranky once again appears in ''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]''. He teaches DK and Diddy how to play the game, and also appears in various levels to teach them moves. Cranky has a very active and good-tempered role in this game, as he follows DK, Diddy and [[Xananab]] throughout the various islands. He also tells the characters what they can do with the various Banana Coins, DK Coins, and Oil Barrels they find throughout the levels once they are collected.
{{br|left}}

===''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast''===
[[File:CrankyJet.jpg|thumb|left|Cranky as he appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'']]
Cranky appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'' as an unlockable character, unlocked by completing Challenge 24 of Candy's Challenges. All three of his stats are rated four stars out of a possible five, making him a rival to [[King K. Rool]] (who has the same stats as Cranky Kong). His stats essentially mean that he has high stats all around. He also has his own race course, [[Cranky's Temple]].

Cranky Kong also hosts [[Cranky's Flight School]]; a mode that serves as a tutorial to the game.

===''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle''===
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.
{{br}}

==General information==
===Development===
[[File:Grandpa Kong.PNG|Grandpa Kong|thumb|upright=0.85]]
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. 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 name="TCRF">[[tcrf:Donkey_Kong_Country_(SNES)#Greetings|The Cutting Room Floor]]</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]</ref>, with some lines contributed by [[Tim Stampers]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/YouOldSoAndSo/status/964588560786444288 Gregg Mayles in a February 2018 Twitter post]</ref>. 

===Identity confusion===
[[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. However, Cranky Kong being Donkey Kong's grandfather was the consistent backstory throughout the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|series]].<ref>"''He groggily rolled over to see the familiar wrinkled, white-bearded, grouchy face of his old granddad "Cranky Kong" peering down at him. In his heyday, Cranky was the original Donkey Kong who battled Mario in several of his own games.''" - ''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet, pages 5 & 6 (among various in-game lines)</ref> While this was not explicitly stated in the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|television series]], he acted as a father figure and [[Message in a Bottle Show|once said]] that he considered DK like a son. Rare seemingly started to retcon their relationship in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', in which Cranky Kong consistently addressed him 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. According to [[Leigh Loveday]] in a 1999 online Q&A, their 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]] re-release of ''[[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> Closer inspection reveals there may have been conflicting ideas among the developers, as footage from a promotional VHS video exclusively for [[Nintendo Power]] subscribers named ''Donkey Kong Country: Exposed'' called Cranky Kong his "dad or grandfather."<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPxA-VlLhwM&t=3m18s</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]]'' implied that the Donkey Kong in the arcade may be the Donkey Kong of today,<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</ref> and ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' advertised Donkey Kong as Mario's "original foe".<ref>[[:File:MvDKUS_back_cover.jpg|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' box back]]</ref> However, this was contradicted by ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'', which distinguished "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]]'' suggested that Donkey Kong met [[Pauline]] for the first time and became smitten at first sight.<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> Additional text for the exclusive content in the Game Boy Advance re-releases leaves the family connection unclear; for example, in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!|Donkey Kong Country 3]]'', Cranky claims in his [[Cranky's Dojo|dojo]] that his first starring role would be called "''Cranky Kong Country''". ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' 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.''" - [[Radio conversation characters#Otacon|Otacon]], [[Solid Snake|Snake's]] [[List of Snake's codec conversations#Donkey Kong|codec]]</ref> [[Retro Studios]]' ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' reaffirms the position 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>

The most recent development is in ''Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics'', which seemingly acknowledged both opposing versions of the Donkey Kong lineage. In one section, it is asserted that Donkey Kong Jr. is the father of the modern Donkey Kong;<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> however, in another section, it is concluded that the modern Donkey Kong is, in fact, a grown 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 has since clarified and elaborated upon the apparent contradiction, stating that the latter is meant to be written as a metaphor for the original design process, whereas the former is indeed the official interpretation of the characters' familial ties.<ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/interactive/forums/index.php?showtopic=13535 DK Vine forum thread, with snapshots from the book and Prima Games' justification on social media]</ref>

===Personality===
Cranky Kong is as his name says. He's grouchy, crabby, snarky, cantankerous, and stubborn due to his old age. Cranky often criticizes how video game graphics often change and other character roles. In the game manual of ''Donkey Kong 64'', he also does snarky commentary on the gameplay.

Despite his cynical outlook, Cranky has a heart of gold deep down and has helped and tutored the other Kongs in their adventures. In ''DK: Jungle Climber'', he's shown as good-natured and supportive, only hostile towards the Kremlings. In the training sessions of ''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast'', he has a friendly demeanor, though he mildly complains about youth's mindset. As a playable character in ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'', Cranky has a jollier outlook; though is annoyed with the noise from DK's Nintendo Switch and can be fierce when up against the [[Snowmads]] and their forces.

==Game appearances (as Cranky)==
{| class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"
|-
! width=50%|Title
! width=20%|Description
! width=20%|Release Date
! width=10%|System/Format
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
|Non-Playable Character    
|1994
|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
|Mentioned in plotline found in Instruction Booklet
|1995
|[[Game Boy]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|1995
|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]''
|Non-Playable Character 
|1996
|[[Game Boy]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''
|Opponent in Minigame
|1996
|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]''
|Cameo- His picture hangs in Wrinkly Refuge.
|1997
|[[Game Boy]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|1999
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (remake)
|Non-Playable Character 
|2000
|[[Game Boy Color]]
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''
|Cameo- He can be seen walking around in the hut in [[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]].
|2001
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (remake)
|Non-Playable Character
|2003
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Konga]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2003
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Konga 2]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2004
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest|Donkey Kong Country 2]]'' (remake)
|Non-Playable Character
|2004
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku]]''
|Playable Character 
|2005
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]''
|Mentioned in Donkey Kong's Bio.
|2005
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|- 
|''[[DK: King of Swing]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2005
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!|Donkey Kong Country 3]]'' (remake)
|Playable Character in Minigame
|2005
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2007
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]''
|Unlockable Playable Character
|2007
|[[Wii]]
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
|Cameo as a Trophy and Sticker, as well as an appearance [[Jungle Japes]]
|2008
|[[Wii]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2010
|[[Wii]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]''
|Non-Playable Character
|2013
|[[Nintendo 3DS]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''
|Playable Character
|2014
|[[Wii U]]
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''
|Cameo as [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]]
|2014
|[[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Wii U]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''
|Playable Character
|2018
|[[Nintendo Switch]]
|}

==Official profiles and statistics==

===German ''Donkey Kong 64'' website===
''"A sharp tongue, lots of hair and loose teeth characterize the video game veteran Cranky Kong. Even if he seldom has anything good to say about his "good for nothing" [[Donkey Kong|son]], as he calls him, he still supports Donkey and his friends in their exciting adventures with various potions from his laboratory. These wonders from the research lab help the Kongs to turn into true super apes! Whether it's a rocket back-pack, invulnerability, increased speed or becoming the size of a dwarf or a giant - Cranky is just the right one for the purposes of the ape clan. Since one has to pay a price for these helpful abilities, however, it is necessary to have sufficient banana coins on hand when calling on the brightest scientist of the primate world."''      

===''[[DK: King of Swing]]''===
*'''Instruction booklet bio:''' ''"Head of the Jungle Jam Executive Committee. He teaches Donkey useful information like how to grab hold of [[peg]]s."''

===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''===
====Trophy====
{| 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: Barrel Blast features Cranky as a playable character for the first time.''
|-
|align=center | '''Wii''' ''Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast''
|-
|}

====Sticker====
{| border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 style="text-align:center" width=100%
|-
! width=120px | Image !! | Game !! | Effect
|-
|[[File:Cranky Kong Sticker.png|120px]]
|''Donkey Konga 3 JP''
|['''Specials:''' Indirect] - Attack +7
|-
|}

===''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
!3DS Image
!Wii U Image
!width="20%"|Appears in
!NTSC-U Description
!PAL Description
|-
!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?''
|-
|}
<small>Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.</small>

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}

==Quotes==
{{Main|List of Cranky Kong quotes}}

*''"They can't keep this level of graphics up for much longer! We used to be lucky if we only got three shades of grey, let alone any real colors!"''
*''"Look!...look at this!...as I rock, my beard swings! Waste of frames in my opinion!"''
*''"Whisking off maidens and throwing barrels around the place seven days a week, I was. That's how I got where I am today, you know. Hard work."''
*''"You're only reading this because you're bored!"''
*''"Tired of me? You're lucky I'm here to brighten up this boring manual!"''
*''"I've never seen so much worthless rubbish! I'm surprised they don't give you a special 'trash barrel' to haul it all around in!"''

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=クランキーコング
|JapR=Kurankī Kongu
|JapM=Cranky Kong
|Ger=Cranky Kong <br> Bubbles (''Donkey Kong Country'' animated series)
|GerM=Cranky Kong
|Kor=크랭키콩
|KorR=Keuraenki Kong
|KorM=Cranky Kong
|Rus=Крэнки Конг
|RusR=Kraenki Kong
|RusM=Cranky Kong
}}

==Trivia==
*In the N64 version of ''Banjo-Kazooie'', Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong's names can be seen as answers in the Grunty's Furnance Fun quiz.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ei79MB9ig</ref>
*Cranky Kong admits to being a big fan of [[Game & Watch]] games, and also mentions that he considers playing the original ''Donkey Kong'' arcade game when Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong aren't visiting him.
*In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', one of the streets in [[Metro Kingdom|New Donk City]] is named "Cranky Avenue".
*Cranky Kong has an unused walking animation in the SNES version of ''Donkey Kong Country'', which is used in the GBA version of the game<ref>https://tcrf.net/Donkey_Kong_Country_(SNES)#Cranky_Kong</ref>.

==References==
<references/>
{{nav templates|
{{Kongs}}
{{DK}}
{{DKJR}}
{{SS}}
{{DK3}}
{{DKC}}
{{DKC2}}
{{DKCTV}}
{{DKC3}}
{{DK64}}
{{DKKOS}}
{{DKBB}}
{{DKJC}}
{{DKCR}}
{{DKCTF}}
}}
[[Category:Kongs]]
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