Editing Diddy Kong Racing

{{redirect|DKR|the canceled [[Nintendo GameCube]] follow-up starring [[Donkey Kong]]|[[Donkey Kong Racing]]|the [[Wii]] game referred to as "Donkey Kong Returns" in Japan|[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]}}
{{italic title}}
{{game infobox
|image=[[File:Diddysracing.jpg|300px]]
|developer=[[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]]
|publisher=Rareware (publication)<br>[[Nintendo]] (distribution)
|release={{flag list|Europe|November 21, 1997|Japan|November 21, 1997|USA|November 24, 1997}}
|languages={{languages|en_us=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|jp=y}}
|genre=[[Genre#Racing games|Racing]], adventure
|modes=Single player, multiplayer
|ratings={{ratings|esrb=K-A|pegi=3|acb=G|usk=0}}
|platforms=[[Nintendo 64]]
|format={{format|n64=1}}
|input={{input|n64=1}}
|serials={{flag list|Japan|NUS-NDYJ-JPN}}
}}
{{Quote|A Wild Racing Adventure|Slogan}}
'''''Diddy Kong Racing''''' is a [[Genre#Racing games|racing]]/adventure game developed and published by [[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] for the [[Nintendo 64]]. Featuring gameplay elements similar to those in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, the game includes the use of airplanes, hovercrafts, and cars. The game features a story mode and a multiplayer mode. Most of the game's playable characters besides the titular [[Diddy Kong]] are original characters, though two characters who would go on to be the main characters of their own franchises, [[Banjo]] and [[Conker]], first appeared in ''Diddy Kong Racing'' while their own games were still in development.

''Diddy Kong Racing'' sold 4.5 million copies upon release<ref name="makingof">{{cite|url=www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-diddy-kong-racing-the-game-that-overtook-mario-kart|title=The Making Of Diddy Kong Racing, The Game That Overtook Mario Kart|author=Watts, Martin|date=October 8, 2022|publisher=Time Extension|accessdate=May 23, 2024}}</ref> and was recognized by ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the fastest-selling game of the time, with 800,000 copies sold before Christmas 1997. The game was even successful enough to become a [[Player's Choice]] title.

Two sequels were planned, but both were subsequently canceled in the aftermath of {{wp|Microsoft}}'s acquisition of Rare in 2002. These included ''[[Donkey Kong Racing]]'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], the latter of which was eventually reworked into the ''Banjo-Kazooie'' game ''{{wp|Banjo-Pilot}}''. Around 2004, Climax pitched its own sequel idea to Nintendo, ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', but it was ultimately rejected. A [[Reissue#Remakes|remake]] of the game was released for the [[Nintendo DS]] in 2007, titled ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''.

==Story==
[[File:Taj introduction DKR.png|thumb|left|200px|Taj introduces himself to Diddy.]]
According to the instruction manual, the story begins with Diddy Kong sitting on the porch of his tree house, opening a letter delivered by a carrier pigeon. The note reads, "Dear Diddy, Help!!!" The message is from his old friend, [[Timber]], the son of the [[Kong]]s' guests, the Tigers. Diddy reads the note and invites his friends, [[Banjo]] and [[Conker]] to join him in the fight against [[Wizpig]]. Diddy calls [[Squawks]] to deliver the message to his friends. While Diddy is in the jungle, two [[Kremling]]s watch him from behind a boulder. One Kremling, [[Krunch]], suggests they follow Diddy, but the other Kremling ignores him; Krunch eventually follows Diddy Kong.

Meanwhile, Timber is trying to calm [[Pipsy]], where she exclaims that she had just seen [[Taj]], who said he would help. [[Tiptup|TipTup]], confused, protests that Taj has been missing for 50 years. Afterwards, the group thinks about the Wizpig face that was carved onto the mountainside overnight and the race courses that were magically sealed. The group knows they need to solve the problem before Timber's parents return. [[Bumper (character)|Bumper]] then concludes the conversation by telling his friend that everybody needs to start practicing. Agreeing with Bumper, Timber and his friends leave, hoping that Diddy Kong does not mention this to Timber's parents; this is where the story leads into the game's own opening, where Taj introduces himself to the player character and explains what they need to do to progress.

When the first four worlds are completed, the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside opens and allows one of the characters [[Wizpig's First Strike|to race Wizpig]]. After beating him, the group has a party along the beach. However, Wizpig interferes in the party before a spaceship arrives and takes him into space. The lighthouse on the beach transforms into a rocket ship that takes them to [[Future Fun Land]]. 

After the character completes all the tasks in that world and gets the whole [[T.T. amulet]], [[Wizpig Strikes Back|Wizpig can be faced again]], racing against him in their plane, while he rides a rocket. After winning, Wizpig's rocket short circuits and blasts him into an unknown planet. Once again, the characters celebrate their victory without Wizpig interfering and with the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside turned into a golden carving of Taj's head. 

Right before the credits roll, one of Wizpig's spaceships appears, and Wizpig's laughter is heard, leaving the game on a cliffhanger.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Windmill Plains.png|thumb|left|One of ''Diddy Kong Racing''{{'}}s main mechanics is the use of different vehicles. For example, [[Diddy Kong|Diddy]] is riding a [[plane]].]]
''Diddy Kong Racing'' features ten playable characters—eight of which are available by default, and two unlockable—and three different types of vehicles for different terrain: [[car]]s for land, [[hovercraft]]s for water or land, and [[plane]]s for air. Each character and vehicle has different strengths and weaknesses, sometimes in combination. For example, [[Krunch]] normally has low steering, but his steering is higher in a hovercraft due to that vehicle's emphasis on weight.

In races, [[banana]]s can be picked up to increase speed, while [[Weapon Balloon]]s provide items to use in the race. The color of the Weapon Balloon determines what item it will be, and collecting multiple of the same color in sequence improves the item's effects by up to a total of three levels. Collecting a balloon of another color cancels it out and replaces it with the new item.

===Adventure Mode===
[[File:Diddy Kong Racing Overworld.png|200px|thumb|The overworld for adventure mode.]]
Adventure mode is the main mode of the game. While exploring [[Timber's Island]], the players must find a number of [[Golden Balloon]]s to access various challenges and to defeat Wizpig. There is a total of five worlds that can be accessed from the main Timber's Island hub, and each has four main racetracks, a [[trophy]] championship, a boss track, and—aside from the last one—a special battle minigame. Different vehicles are sometimes required for different tracks, and the player can change them at any time by speaking with [[Taj]], located in the center of the Timber's Island map. Each of the smaller worlds, meanwhile, instead has [[T.T.]] walking around the hub, and he tells the player's progress when approached. If the players beats the boss of the world they are given the challenge of collecting eight silver coins in each course of that world and then win simultaneously. When the challenge is complete, the player faces the boss again. After beating the boss again, the racer receives a piece of [[Wizpig amulet]], and the player can participate in a world's Grand Prix mode, the [[Trophy Race]], which the boss even suggests. The player obtains a gold trophy if they win first place, a silver one for second place, and a bronze one for third place.

Golden Balloons can be found scattered on Timber's Island or won from races, either from tracks or from Taj on the island. All of the standard tracks have two Golden Balloons available: one from a standard race, and one from completing a [[Silver Coin]] collection challenge. The standard races must be completed first to race the world's boss, who then challenges the player to complete the Silver Coin races; after they are completed as well, the player can rematch the boss for a piece of the [[Wizpig amulet]]. The boss then challenges the player to complete the Trophy Race championship. Each of the first four worlds has a [[Wish Key|key]] hidden in one track that opens a gate to the respective world's battle minigame, which awards a piece of the [[T.T. amulet]].

When all four pieces of the Wizpig amulet are gathered, the player is able to race Wizpig in [[Wizpig's First Strike]], accessed by flying into the giant stone Wizpig mouth in the central hub. Upon losing, he throws a tantrum and retreats to his own planet, [[Future Fun Land]], which is accessed by driving to where the lighthouse used to be on the beach To race him again, the player must complete all races and Silver Coin challenges, requiring every Golden Balloon in the game, and collecting all four pieces of the T.T. amulet from the Challenge levels. The adventure is complete once Wizpig is defeated here.

====Taj's challenges====
[[File:DKR TajRace.png|thumb|left|TipTup racing Taj in a plane]]
After the player collects enough Golden Balloons in Adventure Mode, Taj will appear and challenge the player to a race in a specific vehicle. The player has to race Taj, who rides a flying carpet. The racetrack is marked with red flags showing the Nintendo 64 logo and the player has to follow them. If they leave the set track by too far a margin, they will be disqualified. After Taj is beaten, he will reward the player with another Golden Balloon. There are three different challenges and each of them can be repeated at any time after they have been unlocked (the player will only obtain one Golden Balloon per challenge however). 

Car Challenge is a relatively easy race done in a car. This race goes around a dirt road right in front of Dino Domain and reaches into a tunnel. This should be very easy for the player because of Taj's slow movement.

Hovercraft Challenge is the second of Taj's races and is somewhat more difficult than the Car Challenge. The track is mostly in water and begins next to the bridge which leads to Dino Domain. In the race the player will hover into a waterfall that is on the far east of the river. Here, they will be in a cave leading to Snowflake Mountain and eventually fall down two small waterfalls taking them to the ocean. Going east will take the player back on shore where they need to go through a small tunnel leading to the finish line.

Plane Challenge is considered to be the hardest of Taj's three races and a plane is used in it. This race begins at the same place where the Car Challenge begins. From the start the player must fly up to the tunnel leading to Snowflake Mountain and then move east, going over a long river. From there, the player must glide to the beach and go east again. After going through a small tunnel, the player should end up at the finish line.

===Adventure Two Mode===
Adventure Two is played the same as the standard Adventure Mode, but harder. The balloons are silver, the tracks are flipped (very similar to [[Mirror Mode]] in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]]), and the locations of the silver coins are different, often in hard to reach places. It is unlocked by defeating Wizpig at Future Fun Land in Adventure Mode.

===Tracks Mode===
Players can freely play all the race tracks unlocked. Tracks with a Taj symbol are completed tracks, and players can choose any vehicle that is compatible with the track. Tracks with a Wizpig symbol have not been cleared, and players will be unable to play that track at all. The tracks are listed in the order they appear in Trophy Races, not in the order they are unlocked in Adventure Mode. At the start of the game, only the first of the tracks (as ordered by the Trophy Race) can be played from each of the main four worlds. Time Trial mode is also accessed here, where the player needs to race to beat T.T.'s best times. This is optional in the main game, but it is required to unlock T.T. himself. Additionally, "magic codes" can be used to affect the game in various ways, with one being told to the player after they complete the adventure.

Trophy Races and Challenge levels are also accessible through Tracks mode, however players always use each track's default vehicle, regardless if a Taj symbol is present.

If Adventure Mode progress is deleted via the Save Options menu, the Tracks Mode also resets its status.

==Characters==
===Playable characters===
[[File:Character Selection DKR.png|thumb|All of ''Diddy Kong Racing''{{'}}s playable characters unlocked]]
There are 10 playable characters in ''Diddy Kong Racing'', with eight available from the start and two being unlockable. All of these characters except [[Diddy Kong]] debut in this game. Some characters have discrepancies depending on the vehicle they use; [[Tiptup|TipTup]] and [[Pipsy]] have the same speed as Diddy on a car when they have 4 to 10 bananas and have the same speed as Diddy on a hovercraft and a plane, while [[T.T.]] has the same speed and acceleration as [[Krunch]] on a plane.<ref>{{cite|author=William5000000|date=February 25, 2017|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkeqPxKQ_Tk|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' - Character Stats|language=en|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=April 5, 2020}}</ref> This is the first game to introduce [[Banjo]], [[Tiptup|TipTup]] (later renamed Tiptup), and [[Conker]], three characters who appear in other [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] games with Banjo being one of the main characters in ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Kazooie|Banjo-Kazooie]]'' and Tiptup appearing as a minor character, returning in the sequel ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Tooie|Banjo-Tooie]]''. Conker would appear in ''Conker's Pocket Tales'' and would've appeared in ''Twelve Tales: Conker 64'' until it was reworked into the adult-oriented title, ''Conker's Bad Fur Day''. Banjo and Conker would be removed in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', replaced by [[Tiny Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]] respectively. However, Tiptup still appears in both versions.
{{br}}
====Default characters====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable"
!Driver
!Weight
!Acceleration
!Turning
!Top speed
!class=unsortable|Bio
|-
|data-sort-value=Krunch|[[File:Krunch.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Krunch]]
|'''{{color|red|Heavy}}'''
|1/5
|1/5
|4/5 
|align=left|"''Seeing Diddy Kong rush off so suddenly makes the Kremlings very suspicious, so Krunch goes bounding after him to make sure 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...''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Diddy|[[File:Diddywave.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Diddy Kong]]
|'''{{color|green|Middle}}'''
|3/5
|3/5
|2.5/5 
|align=left|"''Regarded as a hero after all his adventures in Kong country, the young primate is a long-time friend of Timber and doesn't think twice about responding to his call for help. With his family tending to their guests, he even manages to sneak off without their interference.''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Bumper|[[File:Bumper DKR art.png|100px]]<br>[[Bumper]]
|'''{{color|green|Middle}}'''
|2.5/5
|2.5/5
|3/5
|align=left|"''Unlike most of his kind, Bumper the badger prefers speed and thrills to a quiet nocturnal lifestyle. He gets even more worked up than his friends when he realizes how much racing and excitement will be involved in the crusade against Wizpig...''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Banjo|[[File:Carbanjo.png|100px]]<br>[[Banjo]]
|'''{{color|red|Heavy}}'''
|2/5
|2/5
|4/5
|align=left|"''Even before the start of his future partnership with Kazooie, Banjo isn't one to turn down the chance of an adventure. So when Squawks brings the message from his pal Diddy Kong, the Honey Bear stuffs a few things into his trusty backpack and takes to his heels.''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Conker|[[File:Conker the Squirrel DKR artwork.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Conker]]
|'''{{color|green|Middle}}'''
|2.5/5
|2.5/5
|3/5
|align=left|"''Another friend made by Diddy Kong on one of his endless adventures with Donkey Kong, Conker is also an exploration nut who'll jump at any chance to break free of a squirrel's less than exciting daily routine. He's eager to join up with Banjo as the bear passes through.''"
|-
|data-sort-value=TipTup|[[File:Hoveringtiptup.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Tiptup|TipTup]]
|'''{{color|dodgerblue|Light}}'''
|4.5/5
|4.5/5
|1.5/5
|align=left|"''TipTup the turtle is another member of the close group of animal friends, but because of his nervous (and maybe even slightly clumsy) nature, he's never been particularly fond of the racing that the others seem to like so much. Now, though, he doesn't seem to have much choice!''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Pipsy|[[File:Pipsycar.png|100px]]<br>[[Pipsy]]
|'''{{color|dodgerblue|Light}}'''
|5/5
|5/5
|1/5
|align=left|"''Evicted from her mountain home by the wicked Wizpig, Pipsy the mouse turns to her friends for help and gives them yet another reason to want the intruder out. She might seem delicate, but take her on in a race and you'll find that she's a lot tougher than she looks!''"
|-
|data-sort-value=Timber|[[File:Timber Plane DKR.png|100px]]<br>[[Timber]]
|'''{{color|green|Middle}}'''
|3/5
|2.5/5
|3/5
|align=left|"''A playful young tiger, Timber has been left in charge of the island while his parents visit their old friends over in Kong Country. Desperate to get Wizpig out and everything else back to normal before they return, Timber rallies his friends to join up with Taj's resistance!''"
|-
|}

====Unlockable characters====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable"
!Driver
!Weight
!Acceleration
!Turning
!Top speed
!class=unsortable|Bio
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Drumstick|[[File:Drumstick - Plane Artwork - Diddy Kong Racing.png|100px]]<br>[[Drumstick (character)|Drumstick]]
|'''{{color|red|Heavy}}'''
|2/5
|1.5/5
|4.5/5 
|align=left|"''The most experienced racer on the island, Drumstick was the animals' best hope for getting rid of the intruder. Unfortunately, something seems to have gone wrong and he hasn't been seen since he went off to make a stand. Could he have fallen afoul of one of Wizpig's spells?''"
|align=left|The player must get all four Grand Prix trophies, which reveals a frog with a rooster crest in Timber's Island hub. The racer must run over it to return Drumstick to normal.
|-
|data-sort-value=T.T.|[[File:TickTock.jpg|100px]]<br>[[T.T.]]
|'''{{color|green|Middle}}'''
|5/5
|2.5/5
|5/5 
|align=left|"''Like Taj, the overseer of the racetracks is less than impressed with Wizpig's behavior, but in T.T.'s case, it's because the bully has sealed off his beloved courses. He can't do much on his own, but he's certainly willing to give the animals any help he can in their mission.''"
|align=left|The player must get good enough times around tracks in Time Trials mode to unlock T.T.'s ghost for each course, and then beat each.
|}

===Other important characters===
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable"
!Name
!Bio
|-
|[[File:Taj Walking.png|100px]]<br>[[Taj]]
|align=left|"''The most experienced racer on the island, Drumstick was the animals' best hope for getting rid of the intruder. Unfortunately, something seems to have gone wrong and he hasn't been seen since he went off to make a stand. Could he have fallen afoul of one of Wizpig's spells?''"
|-
|[[File:Wizpig.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Wizpig]]
|align=left|"''The big bad bully himself, a spiteful space traveler who hops from planet to planet looking for good places to drop in and cause havoc until there's nothing left there to amuse him. Nobody's ever managed to kick him out before he got bored, but there has to be a first time...''"
|-
|}

{{br|left}}

==Worlds==
''Diddy Kong Racing'' contains twenty race tracks split between five worlds as well as five separate challenge levels. In Adventure Mode, players can access them by driving to specific areas marked with large doors, requiring a set amount of Golden Balloons to access them. In Track Mode, racers are able to choose what type of vehicle to bring into the race if available, which can affect the paths in the course they are able to take.

Challenge levels are unlocked when players find hidden [[Wish Key|keys]] in one track of each world. Challenge levels involve players completing tasks in an arena-like map similar to the ''Mario Kart'' series' [[Battle Mode]], and in Adventure Mode, if they are won in, pieces of the [[T.T. amulet]] are rewarded. In addition, [[Trophy Race]]s are unlocked for each world after the second boss race has been cleared. These races are played consecutively with the four race tracks of each world, and players are awarded points for their standing, making it similar to Grand Prix modes of other racing games. Trophy Races feature harder AI racers than the single races. If the players get first place overall, they win a trophy depending on their placement, with third place being a bronze T.T. trophy, second being a silver Taj trophy, and first being a gold Wizpig trophy.

Vehicle availability is marked as available ([[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]) and unavailable ([[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]). An asterisk (*) next to the check mark indicates that the player uses this vehicle in races in Adventure Mode and Trophy Race.

===Dino Domain===
The [[Dino Domain]] is a prehistoric area full of [[dinosaur]]s and [[pterodactyl]]s. It is accessed across the bridge in the central part of Timber's Island and requires one balloon to enter.

====Tracks====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable" width=70%
!Course
![[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
![[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
![[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Ancient Lake|[[File:DKR-AncientLake.png|200px]]<br>[[Ancient Lake]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|1}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|6}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Fossil Canyon|[[File:DKR-FossilCanyon.png|200px]]<br>[[Fossil Canyon]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|2}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|7}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Fossil Canyon|[[File:DKR-JungleFalls.png|200px]]<br>[[Jungle Falls (Diddy Kong Racing)|Jungle Falls]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|3}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|8}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Hot Top Volcano|[[File:DKR-HotTopVolcano.png|200px]]<br>[[Hot Top Volcano]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|5}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|10}}
|}

====Tricky Challenge====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:DKR Trickythetriceratops.png|100px]]<br>[[Tricky]]
|[[File:Tricky's Course DKR.png|200px]]<br>[[Tricky Challenge]]
|[[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
|align=left|Tricky races the player character up a spiraling mountain. Beyond constantly charging forward and potentially flattening the player, he has no special behavior. [[Boulder]]s occasionally travel down the mountain. In the second race, more boulders as well as falling pillars are added.
|}

====Fire Mountain====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:DKR-FireMountain.png|200px]]<br>[[Fire Mountain (battle course)|Fire Mountain]]
|[[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
|align=left|The objective of this challenge level is to obtain eggs from the central lava pit, carry them to their nest, and wait for the eggs to hatch. Other players may attempt to sabotage the effort by stealing eggs or using missiles against them. The first player who hatches three eggs wins.
|}

===Snowflake Mountain===
[[Snowflake Mountain]] is a snowy, Christmas-themed area. It is accessed from the frosty northeast corner of Timber's Island and requires two balloons to enter.

====Tracks====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable" width=70%
!Course
![[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
![[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
![[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Everfrost Peak|[[File:DKR-EverfrostPeak.png|200px]]<br>[[Everfrost Peak]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|2}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|10}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Walrus Cove|[[File:DKR-WalrusCove.png|200px]]<br>[[Walrus Cove]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|3}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|11}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Snowball Valley|[[File:DKR-SnowballValley.png|200px]]<br>[[Snowball Valley]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|6}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|14}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Snowball Valley|[[File:DKR-FrostyVillage.png|200px]]<br>[[Frosty Village]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|9}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|16}}
|}

====Bluey Challenge====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:Bluey Artwork - Diddy Kong Racing.png|100px]]<br>[[Bluey]]
|[[File:Bluey's Course.png|200px]]<br>[[Bluey Challenge]]
|[[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
|align=left|Bluey races on a jagged, icy, downhill ski slope full of trees to act as obstacles. As with Tricky, his only behavior is stampeding forward, though he does not squish the player character. In the second race, a few [[snowball]]s are added as further obstacles.
|}

====Icicle Pyramid====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:DKR-IciclePyramid.png|200px]]<br>[[Icicle Pyramid]]
|[[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
|align=left|The objective of this challenge level is to eliminate foes by using weapons against them. Bananas represent a drivers' health and if they run out, they are eliminated. The last player standing wins the challenge.
|}

===Sherbet Island===
[[Sherbet Island]] is an oceanside area extensively requiring the hovercraft. It is accessed from the small island to the east of Timber's Island and requires ten balloons to enter.

====Tracks====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable" width=70%
!Course
![[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
![[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
![[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Whale Bay|[[File:DKR-WhaleBay.png|200px]]<br>[[Whale Bay]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|10}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|17}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Crescent Island|[[File:DKR-CrescentIsland.png|200px]]<br>[[Crescent Island]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|11}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|18}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Pirate Lagoon|[[File:DKR-PirateLagoon.png|200px]]<br>[[Pirate Lagoon]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|13}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|20}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Pirate Lagoon|[[File:DKR-TreasureCaves.png|200px]]<br>[[Treasure Caves]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|16}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|22}}
|}

====Bubbler Challenge====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:Bubbler DKR.png|100px]]<br>[[Bubbler]]
|[[File:Bubbler's Course.png|200px]]<br>[[Bubbler Challenge]]
|[[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
|align=left|Bubbler swims three laps circling the sea around a small island, tossing explosive mines around him. In the second race, he instead launches giant bubbles that can trap the player character. 
|}

====Darkwater Beach====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:DKR-DarkwaterBeach.png|200px]]<br>[[Darkwater Beach]]
|[[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
|align=left|The objective of this challenge level is to eliminate foes by using weapons against them. Bananas represent a drivers' health and if they run out, they are eliminated. The last player standing wins the challenge.
|}

===Dragon Forest===
[[Dragon Forest]] is a medieval countryside. It is accessed from behind a waterfall in the central part of Timber's Island and requires sixteen balloons to enter.

====Tracks====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable" width=70%
!Course
![[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
![[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
![[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Windmill Plains|[[File:DKR-WindmillPlains.png|200px]]<br>[[Windmill Plains]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|16}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|23}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Greenwood Village|[[File:DKR-GreenwoodVillage.png|200px]]<br>[[Greenwood Village]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|17}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|24}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Boulder Canyon|[[File:DKR-BoulderCanyon.png|200px]]<br>[[Boulder Canyon]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|20}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|30}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Haunted Woods|[[File:DKR-HauntedWoods.png|200px]]<br>[[Haunted Woods]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|22}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|37}}
|}

====Smokey Challenge====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:Smokey DKR.png|100px]]<br>[[Smokey]]
|[[File:Smokey's Course.png|200px]]<br>[[Smokey Challenge]]
|[[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
|align=left|Smokey runs and flies three laps through a series of caves and fields. He attacks by spitting clouds of hot ash to be ran into. In the second race, he spits much more.  
|}

====Smokey Castle====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:DKR-SmokeyCastle.png|200px]]<br>[[Smokey Castle]]
|[[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
|align=left|The objective of this challenge level is to collect bananas and store them in large treasure chests in the central area. Players can disrupt other players' efforts by using weapons against each other. The first racer who puts ten bananas in their treasure chest wins.
|}

===Wizpig Head===
After the Wizpig amulet has been completed by obtaining all four pieces, players can face off against Wizpig for the first time in Timber's Island. His boss fight can be accessed by flying into the mouth of the giant stone Wizpig head, which will now be open.

====Wizpig's First Strike====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:Wizpig.jpg|100px]]<br>[[Wizpig]]
|[[File:Wizpig's First Strike.png|200px]]<br>[[Wizpig's First Strike]]
|[[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
|align=left|Wizpig's first race takes place on a stormy road, where he runs on foot three laps around the circuit. Water is the primary obstacle here, and the player needs to make use of various Zippers to drive through the terrain.
|}

===Future Fun Land===
[[Future Fun Land]] is Wizpig's homeworld, accessed from the lighthouse in the southeastern corner of Timber's Island. To reach it, the player needs to complete the four previous trophy races in a high enough position to earn a trophy in each, then approach the sign near the lighthouse after Wizpig's first race has been beaten. Future Fun Land is the only world in the game that does not have a challenge level.

====Tracks====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk sortable" width=70%
!Course
![[File:Car DKR art.png|76x38px|Car|link=Car]]<br>Car
![[File:DKR Hovercraft.png|76x38px|Hovercraft|link=Hovercraft]]<br>Hovercraft
![[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
!class=unsortable|Unlock requirements
|-
|data-sort-value=Spacedust Alley|[[File:DKR-SpacedustAlley.png|200px]]<br>[[Spacedust Alley]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|39}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|43}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Darkmoon Caverns|[[File:DKR-DarkmoonCaverns.png|200px]]<br>[[Darkmoon Caverns]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:X mark.svg|x27px|No]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|40}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|44}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spaceport Alpha|[[File:DKR-SpaceportAlpha.png|200px]]<br>[[Spaceport Alpha]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|41}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|45}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spaceport Alpha|[[File:DKR-StarCity.png|200px]]<br>[[Star City]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]*
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|[[File:Check mark.svg|x27px|Yes]]
|
*Default: {{DKR balloons|42}}
*Silver Coin Challenge: {{DKR balloons|46}}
|}

====Wizpig Strikes Back====
{|style="text-align:center"class="wikitable dk" width=70%
!Boss
!Course
!Vehicle
!Description
|-
|[[File:Wizpig 2.png|100px]]<br>[[Wizpig]]
|[[File:Wizpig Strikes Back.png|200px]]<br>[[Wizpig Strikes Back]]
|[[File:DKR Plane.png|76x38px|Plane|link=Plane]]<br>Plane
|align=left|Wizpig's second race takes place on his homeworld, where he rides on a giant silver rocket three laps around his kingdom. Many obstacles appear here, such as floating asteroids, random laser blasts, attacking spaceships, and giant arcs of electricity.
|}

===Staff ghosts===
{|class="wikitable dk" style="text-align:center"
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:saddlebrown; color:white"|[[File:TT-CSS-DKR.png]]<br>{{color-link|white|T.T.}}'s ghosts
|-
!Course
!Unlock time
!Ghost time
|-
|[[Ancient Lake]]
|1:07.00
|1:01.28
|-
|[[Fossil Canyon]]
|1:37.00
|1:30.16
|-
|[[Jungle Falls (Diddy Kong Racing)|Jungle Falls]]
|1:08.00
|1:02.50
|-
|[[Hot Top Volcano]]
|1:35.00
|1:30.71
|-
|[[Everfrost Peak]]
|1:53.00
|1:48.00
|-
|[[Walrus Cove]]
|2:10.00
|2:06.28
|-
|[[Snowball Valley]]
|1:13.00
|1:06.41
|-
|[[Frosty Village]]
|1:44.00
|1:39.40
|-
|[[Whale Bay]]
|1:19.00
|1:13.11
|-
|[[Pirate Lagoon]]
|1:34.00
|1:28.56
|-
|[[Crescent Island]]
|1:39.00
|1:33.16
|-
|[[Treasure Caves]]
|1:10.00
|1:05.63
|-
|[[Boulder Canyon]]
|2:11.00
|2:02.35
|-
|[[Greenwood Village]]
|1.46:00
|1:40.61
|-
|[[Windmill Plains]]
|2:22.00
|2:13.13
|-
|[[Haunted Woods]]
|1:22.00
|1:09.51
|-
|[[Spacedust Alley]]
|2:12.00
|2:06.16
|-
|[[Darkmoon Caverns]]
|2:20.00
|2:12.05
|-
|[[Star City]]
|2:07.00
|2:01.45
|-
|[[Spaceport Alpha]]
|2:16.00
|2:09.03
|}

==Items and objects==
{|class="wikitable dk"style="vertical-align:center;width:85%;margin:auto"
!width=20%|Item/object
!Description
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR Banana.png]]<br>[[Banana]]
|Bananas are scattered in every course. By collecting them, the player is able to increase the top-speed of his or her vehicle until the banana counter reaches ten (with the exception of the VITAMINB magic code that enables bananas to infinitely boost any character's top speed). After that, the bananas do not affect the vehicle any further. If players get hit (by a level 1-3 red balloon or level 2-3 green balloon), they lose some bananas. Additionally, bananas play a key role in the battle games of Icicle Pyramid and Darkwater Beach, where they act as the player's life gauge, and in Smokey Castle, where they need to be collected and stored in a treasure chest. If the BOGUSBANANAS magic code is in use, bananas will reduce speed rather than increase it.
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR Egg.png]]<br>Egg
|Eggs only appear in the [[Fire Mountain (battle course)|Fire Mountain]] battle course, where the goal is to gather and hatch three in one's own nest as quickly as possible.
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR Flag.png]]<br>Flag
|Flags mark the path around [[Timber's Island]] during [[Taj]]'s races.
|-
|align=center|[[File:Golden Balloon DKR64.png]] [[File:Silver Balloon DKR64.png]] <br>[[Golden Balloon|Golden Balloon / Silver Balloon]]
|Golden Balloons are the key items in the game. The player must collect a specified amount access each course and world. After the player's character wins at a race, [[Taj]] gives them a Golden Balloon. A total of 47 Golden Balloons appear in the game. In Adventure Two, they are replaced by Silver Balloons, which function identically in this Adventure, differing only in physical appearance.
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR Wish Key model.png|40px]]<br>[[Wish Key|Key]]
|The game features four keys. One is hidden in a race course of each world. Their purpose is to unlock the door to the Challenge level in the corresponding world's hub, where the racer can compete against CPUs or other players. A key appears in [[Ancient Lake]] of the [[Dino Domain]], [[Snowball Valley]] of [[Snowflake Mountain]], [[Crescent Island]] of [[Sherbet Island]], and, lastly, [[Boulder Canyon]] of [[Dragon Forest]].
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR Silver Coin.png]]<br>[[Silver Coin]]
|Eight Silver Coins appear in each standard race course for their Coin Challenges.
|-
|align=center|[[File:Zipper Ground DKRDS.png|75px]] [[File:DKR Zipper hovercraft model.png|75px]] [[File:DKR Zipper plane model.png|75px]]<br>[[Dash Panel|Zipper]]
|Zippers can be used to give the player an extra speed boost. They are found in every track. Letting go of the {{button|n64|A}} button before hitting one will make the player go slightly faster. There are three Zipper variants, one for each vehicle: Cars, Hovercrafts, and Planes.
|}
===Weapon Balloons===
During the challenges on the different race tracks throughout the game the player can find these [[Weapon Balloon]]s on the track. Similar to the [[Item Box]]es of the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], these objects will give the player an Item when they break them. There are five different types of Weapon Balloons, each with a unique color and a specific type of Item. A special feature of the Weapon Balloons is their ability to power up, meaning that the player will receive stronger items if they collect more balloons of one color. An item can be upgraded two times, making a total of three items obtainable from one type of balloon.
{{br}}
{|class="wikitable dk"style="vertical-align:center;width:85%;margin:auto"
|- 
!rowspan="2" style="width:19%"|Type of Balloon
!colspan="6"|Number of Balloons
|-
!style="background:burlywood;width:27%"|1
!style="background:burlywood;width:27%"|2
!style="background:burlywood;width:27%"|3
|-
|align="center"|'''Red Balloon'''<br>[[File:DKR64 BalloonRed.png]]<br>'''Missiles'''
|align="center"|[[File:RedMissile 1.png|left]]One forward-firing missile
|align="center"|[[File:RedMissile 2.png|left]]One homing missile
|align="center"|[[File:RedMissile 3.png|left]]One 10x multi-shot missile
|-
|align="center"|'''Blue Balloon'''<br>[[File:DKR64 BalloonBlue.png]]<br>'''Speed boosts'''
|align="center"|[[File:BlueBoost 1.png|left]]A small speed boost. As with the Zippers, releasing the accelerator button gives a larger boost.
|align="center"|[[File:BlueBoost 2.png|left]]A larger speed boost
|align="center"|[[File:BlueBoost 3.png|left]]The most significant speed boost
|-
|align="center"|'''Yellow Balloon'''<br>[[File:DKR64 BalloonYellow.png]]<br>'''Shield'''
|align="center"|[[File:Shield 1.png|left]]A short-lasting shield which protects against hits. If the players run into opponents, the opponents spin out.
|align="center"|[[File:Shield 2.png|left]]A longer-lasting shield which protects against hits. If the players run into opponents, the opponents spin out.
|align="center"|[[File:Shield 3.png|left]]A long-lasting shield. If the players run into opponents, the opponents spin out.
|-
|align="center"|'''Green Balloon'''<br>[[File:DKR64 BalloonGreen.png]]<br>'''Dropper'''
|align="center"|[[File:GreenDropper 1.png|left]]An oil slick or gas cloud
|align="center"|[[File:GreenDropper 2.png|left]]A land mine or floating mine
|align="center"|[[File:GreenDropper 3.png|left]]A snare bubble which delays enemies for a significant time
|-
|align="center"|'''Rainbow Balloon'''<br>[[File:DKR64 BalloonRainbow.png]]<br>'''Special'''
|align="center"|[[File:RainbowMagnet 1.png|left]]A weak pull toward the racer in front of the player, if in range
|align="center"|[[File:RainbowMagnet 2.png|left]]A magnet with a stronger pull and longer range
|align="center"|[[File:RainbowMagnet 3.png|left]]A powerful magnet that pulls opponents towards the player
|}

===Special rewards===
{|class="wikitable dk"style="vertical-align:center;width:85%;margin:auto"
!width=15%|Reward
!Description
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKR TrophyRaceTrophy.png|160px]]<br>[[Trophy Race#Trophies|Trophy]]
|Trophies can be gained by placing high enough in a world's [[Trophy Race]], racing through the world's four tracks back-to-back to accumulate the most points. First place earns a golden [[Wizpig]] trophy, second place earns a silver [[Taj]] trophy, and third place earns a bronze [[T.T.]] trophy. Four trophies are needed to access [[Future Fun Land]].
|-
|align=center|[[File:Wizpig Amulet.png|160px]]<br>[[Wizpig amulet]]
|One fourth of this magical amulet is held by each of the four Island Guardians. Each must be beaten twice to collect them all, leading to [[Wizpig's First Strike]].
|-
|align=center|[[File:TT Amulet.png|160px]]<br>[[T.T. amulet]]
|One fourth of the T.T. amulet can be found by beating each of the four Challenge levels around the island. Collecting them all is needed to open [[Wizpig Strikes Back]].
|}

==Magic Codes==
[[File:Magic Codes Menu DKR.png|thumb|200px|The Magic Codes menu.]]
[[Cheat code#Diddy Kong Racing|Magic Code]]s are game cheats, always accessible in the options menu. These cheats mostly alter only the tracks mode rather than the Adventure mode, while some others do miscellaneous tasks such as allowing players to listen to music in the game. At the end of the game credits, a random magic code is given to players. The "Clear All Codes" option only deletes the codes from the Code List that the player has entered; the ones that are earned from progression, such as "Control Drumstick," do not get deleted.

{|class="wikitable dk"width=40%
|-
!Code
!Description
|-
|ARNOLD
|Large players (code is named after {{wp|Arnold Schwarzenegger}})
|-
|BLABBERMOUTH
|Changes horn sounds into character sounds
|-
|BODYARMOR
|All balloons are yellow
|-
|BOGUSBANANAS
|Bananas slow players down
|-
|BOMBSAWAY
|All balloons are red
|-
|BYEBYEBALLOONS
|Balloons are disabled
|-
|DODGYROMMER
|Displays ROM Checksum
|-
|DOUBLEVISION
|Multiple players can be the same character
|-
|EOLAOBFENRLONE
|Free balloon (code is an anagram of "one free balloon")
|-
|EPC
|EPC lockup display
|-
|FREEFORALL
|Fully powered-up balloons
|-
|FREEFRUIT
|Players start with ten bananas
|-
|JOINTVENTURE
|A second player joins Adventure mode. Players take turns racing bosses.
|-
|JUKEBOX
|Adds Music Test to audio menu
|-
|NOYELLOWSTUFF
|No bananas in Tracks mode.
|-
|OFFROAD
|Four-wheel drive
|-
|OPPOSITESATTRACT
|All balloons are rainbows
|-
|ROCKETFUEL
|All balloons are blue
|-
|TEENYWEENIES
|Small players
|-
|TIMETOLOSE
|CPUs are harder
|-
|TOXICOFFENDER
|All balloons are green (code is named after ''{{wp|The Toxic Avenger (1984 film)|The Toxic Avenger}}'')
|-
|VITAMINB
|Unlimited bananas
|-
|WHODIDTHIS
|Players can view credits
|-
|ZAPTHEZIPPERS
|Disables Zippers
|}

==Regional differences==
{{stub|section=yes}}
{{multiple image
|align=center
|direction=horizontal
|header=Rareware logo
|width=320
|image1=Rareware logo DKR.png
|caption1=International
|image2=Rareware logo JP DKR.png
|caption2=Japan
}}
The Japanese version of ''Diddy Kong Racing'' redesigned the [[font]] for the English text. One example is the start-up screen for the Rareware logo, which uses a different and larger font for the copyright information.
{{multiple image
|align=center
|direction=horizontal
|header=Font difference
|width=320
|image1=File Select DKR.png
|caption1=International
|image2=File Select JP DKR.png
|caption2=Japan
}}
The English letters of the yellow-green font were redesigned in the Japanese version.

==Development==
[[File:Diddy-kong-racing-beta-01.jpg|thumb|100px|A mammoth character repurposed from the RTS build.]]
''Diddy Kong Racing'' found its root in a short-lived prototype. According to Lead Designer Lee Schuneman, a team of four at [[Rareware]] was developing a caveman/time travel-themed real time strategy game for the [[Nintendo 64]]<ref name=GamesTM>{{cite|title=''GamesTM'', Issue 79 - "Behind the Scenes of Diddy Kong Racing"|publisher=GamesTM|date=January 2009}}</ref>; however, the idea was quickly abandoned and the developers decided to create a "fun" racing game named ''Wild Cartoon Kingdom'' using assets from the canceled RTS (3D artist Lee Musgrave denies, however, that the two projects were ever related).<ref name="makingof"/>

The racing aspect was heavily inspired by ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' while the concept of an "adventure" mode  was inspired by {{wp|Disney World}} according to Schumenam.<ref name=GamesTM/> The initial concept featured a hub world based on theme parks.  Development was initially slow until a larger team was brought in to help accelerate the project, and the game was renamed to ''Adventure Racers''.

The project was renamed ''Pro Am 64'' (in reference to Rare's [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] hit ''{{wp|R.C. Pro-Am|R.C. Pro-AM}}'') later in development and briefly featured the characters using three-wheeled {{wp|trike}}-like vehicles.<ref name=GamesTM/> The game was demoed to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] in June 1997, who approved of it and suggested that it should feature [[Diddy Kong]].<ref name=GamesTM/> The development team initially hated the idea,<ref name=GamesTM/> but eventually agreed with Miyamoto's suggestion as featuring Diddy Kong brought stronger marketing from [[Nintendo]] and greater visibility to the game due to the popularity of the ''Donkey Kong'' brand.
===Pre-release and unused content===
{{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing pre-release and unused content}}
All objects are assigned a name according to the files. One unfinished track remains in the game, Horseshoe Gulch. It can be accessed with cheats. 
<gallery>
DKR Horseshoe Gulch 1.png|No animation. Adventure Two doesn't work right.
DKR Horseshoe Gulch 2.png|Only available vehicle is a [[car]].
DKR Horseshoe Gulch 3.png|The first part of the unfinished track.
DKR Horseshoe Gulch 4.png|Driving through the only curve in the track.
DKR Horseshoe Gulch 5.png|The other end of the track.
</gallery>
{{br|right}}

==Reception==
{| class="wikitable reviews"
!colspan="4"style="font-size:120%; text-align:center; background-color:silver;"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Release
|Reviewer, Publication
|Score
|Comment
|-
|N64
|Doug Perry, [https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/25/diddy-kong-racing IGN]
|8.4/10
|align="left"|"''In the end, Diddy Kong Racing is a calculated, copy of a game that Nintendo, not Rare, originated. But as is the case with Rare, the company has that amazing knack for taking an idea and crafting it into something beautiful. Diddy Kong Racing is a deep, colorful game with an overly kiddy feel and look. But after a few minutes, you'll be compelled with subtle details, blissful gameplay and graphics, and the full, rich world that makes Diddy Kong Racing an even better game than Mario Kart.''"
|-
|N64
|Jeff Gerstmann, [https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/diddy-kong-racing-review/1900-2544317/ GameSpot]
|6.6/10
|align="left"|"''Diddy Kong Racing is a game that shouldn't have been released for at least another six months. The foul taste left behind by Mario Kart 64 is still too fresh in my mind to accept a game as similar as this, even though this is a much better game than [[Mario Kart 64|Kart 64]] ever was. Also, the game could have used a few more worlds and more tracks, as the repetitiveness of DKR is what ultimately kills it.'"
|-
!colspan="4" style="background-color:silver; font-size:120%; text-align:center;"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Platform / Score
|-
|colspan=2|Metacritic
|colspan=2 style="background-color:LimeGreen"|[https://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/diddy-kong-racing 88]
|-
|colspan=2|GameRankings
|colspan=2|[https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197118-diddy-kong-racing/index.html 88.65%]
|}

==Canceled sequels==
Owing to the game's success, numerous attempts at sequels were made. However, each ended up canceled due to [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]'s sale to {{wp|Microsoft}} in 2002, among other reasons.
{|class="wikitable dk"style="vertical-align:center;width:100%;margin:auto"
!Game
!Description
|-
|align=center|[[File:Diddypilot.jpg|200px]]<br>''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]''
|Rare planned to make a ''Diddy Kong Pilot'', based solely around the plane. It was intended to release on the [[Game Boy Advance]], and several [[Kong]]s, as well as [[King K. Rool]] and [[Krunch]], were set to be playable in the original [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|2001 iteration]], including [[Dixie Kong|Dixie]], [[Donkey Kong|Donkey]], [[Cranky Kong|Cranky]] and [[Candy Kong]]. The [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2003)|second iteration in 2003]] is based around the rivalry between the Kong family and the Kremlings, but ended up reworked into ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Pilot|Banjo-Pilot]]'', an indirect sequel to ''Diddy Kong Racing''.
|-
|align=center|[[File:DKRacing.jpg|200px]]<br>''[[Donkey Kong Racing]]''
|Rare and [[Nintendo]] also planned to make ''Donkey Kong Racing'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. However, this game was also canceled along with ''[[Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers]]'' in August 2002, one month before Rare's move to Microsoft. Very little had been revealed about it, but Animal Buddies (including some that are normally enemies) would have replaced the mechanical vehicles, and Taj and [[Kiddy Kong]] were supposed to reappear.
|-
|align=center|[[File:Diddy Kong Racing Adventures title screen.png|200px]]<br>''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]''
|The {{wp|Climax Group}} planned a different GameCube sequel, featuring new vehicle types and the ability to switch between them during races. The plot was to involve saving [[Donkey Kong Island]] and the Kong family from a team-up of Wizpig and [[King K. Rool]]. The pitch ended up rejected, in part due to the ambiguities over who held the rights to most of the ''Diddy Kong Racing''-original characters.
|}
While no sequel ended up happening, a remake for the [[Nintendo DS]] was released: ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. Although a remake, it featured more characters, tracks, and some different challenges. Some music had also changed. Eventually, another ''Donkey Kong''-themed racing game was released, the unrelated ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'' for the [[Wii]].

==Gallery==
{{main|Gallery:Diddy Kong Racing}}
<gallery>
Diddy car.jpg|[[Diddy Kong]]
Banjo DKR art.jpg|[[Banjo]]
DKR Conker artwork.png|[[Conker]]
Timber Hovercraft DKR.png|[[Timber]]
CarTiptup.jpg|[[Tiptup|TipTup]]
Taj the Genie.png|[[Taj]]
</gallery>

==Quotes==
{{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing quotes}}

==Glitches==
{{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing glitches}}

==Media==
{{media missing|more=yes|section=yes|More music samples}}
{{main-media|List of Diddy Kong Racing media}}
{{media table
|file1=DK (Diddy Kong Racing).oga
|title1=Diddy Kong's theme
}}

==References to other games==
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': The introduction to the story found in the instruction booklet has an opening on [[Donkey Kong Island]], the setting of this game. In addition, [[Squawks]] is mentioned. Diddy's character select theme is an arrangement of [[DK Island Swing]].

==References in later games==
*''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'': The [[Kritter]]s in this game are physically similar to [[Krunch]].
*''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]'': Krunch's sound effects were reused, as was Diddy's. T.T.'s voice is also used.
* ''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)]]'': Krunch's sound effects were reused at a different pitch for [[Kritter]], as was Diddy's.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)]]'': Krunch's sound effects were reused for [[Kannon]], as was Diddy's.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)]]'': Krunch's sound effects were reused for [[Rekoil]], as was Diddy's.
*''[[DK: King of Swing]]'': Diddy's sound effects were reused.

==Staff==
{{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing staff}}
'''Software director:'''
*Robert Harrison
'''Software engineers:'''
*Paul Mountain
*John Pegg
*Richard Gale
'''Art director:'''
*[[Kevin Bayliss]]
'''3D artists:'''
*Lee Musgrave
*Keith Rabbette
*Dean Smith
*Johnni Christensen
*Brian Smyth
*Paul Cunningham

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ディディーコングレーシング
|JapR=Didī Kongu Rēshingu
|JapM=Diddy Kong Racing
}}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=1}}
{{TCRF}}
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_ndyj/index.html Japanese site]
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Diddy-Kong-Racing-269448.html Nintendo UK site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19981203020725/http://www.dkr.com/ North American site (Archived)]
{{DKR}}
{{Donkey Kong games}}
{{N64}}
[[Category:Nintendo 64 games]]
[[Category:Racing games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Diddy Kong Racing|*]]
[[Category:1997 games]]
[[Category:Player's Choice]]
[[Category:Rare Ltd. games]]
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