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[[Image:DonkeyKong'sTreehouse.png|thumb|The ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' version of '''Donkey Kong's Treehouse'''.]]
{{location infobox
'''Donkey Kong's Treehouse''' is [[Donkey Kong]]'s place of residence, and it is obviously also a treehouse.
|image=[[File:DK's Treehouse art.jpg|300px]]<br>Donkey Kong and [[Diddy Kong]] relaxing outside their treehouse, in artwork for ''Donkey Kong Country''
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' ([[List of games by date#1994|1994]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|greater_location=[[Donkey Kong Island]]
|owner=[[Donkey Kong]]
}}
'''DK's Tree House''',<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong 64'' instruction booklet|page=33|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1999}}</ref> or '''Donkey Kong’s Treehouse''',<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' Player's Guide|page=1|author=Tilden, Gail, et al.|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1994|language=en-us|quote=We’ll take you all the way from Donkey Kong’s Treehouse to King K. Rool’s ship.}}</ref> is a home located in the jungle portion of [[Donkey Kong Island]]. The house is built above the [[banana hoard|banana cave]], where the [[Kong]]s keep their stash of [[banana]]s. DK's Tree House is where [[Donkey Kong]] lives. It was originally portrayed as a wooden cabin perched on top of a tree trunk, but more recent stances picture it as a {{wp|rondavel}} hut raised on stilts high above the ground. The house is generally furnished with a television, a bed or hammock, a rug, and various pictures on walls. The treehouse is also commonly associated with [[tire (object)|tire]]s, appearing both in and around it as simple furniture, as a swing or as a means of bouncing up to the house. Incidentally, Donkey Kong was shown to live in a treehouse in ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'', a show created a few years before ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' was released.


[[Nintendo]] of America's product development division, [[Treehouse]], is codenamed after Donkey Kong's residence.<ref>{{cite|author=Schrier, Jason|date=April 22, 2014|title=Nintendo's Secret Weapon|url=kotaku.com/inside-the-treehouse-the-people-who-help-make-nintendo-1301809672|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=May 23, 2024|language=en}}</ref>
==History==
==History==
===''Donkey Kong'' series===
===''Donkey Kong Country'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Country====
====''Donkey Kong Country''====
Donkey Kong's Treehouse first appears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', in which it is the starting point of the game. The house is rather nice, with a picture of sailing boats on the wall and a vase of flowers on a nearby table. As one would expect, there is a large amount of [[banana]]s in the house, and a picture of [[Candy Kong]] can also be seen in the house behind a tire.
[[File:DK's Treehouse DKC original.png|thumb|The treehouse's first appearance in ''Donkey Kong Country'']]
Donkey Kong's Treehouse first appears in ''Donkey Kong Country''. It looks like a simple-looking wooden shack from the outside, and it can be seen on both the Donkey Kong Island map and the [[Kongo Jungle]] map. Donkey Kong's Treehouse also appears within [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]], which always begins with Donkey Kong launching out of the treehouse. It is directly above the banana cave, and there are a few steps for going up to the treehouse itself. The [[Cranky's Cabin]] theme plays in the background while inside of Donkey Kong's Treehouse. The interior layout of Donkey Kong's Treehouse includes a bed, a picture of two sailboats above it, a portrait of [[Candy Kong]] next to the door, a table with a blue vase containing flowers, discarded banana peels, and a half tire stuck into the ground that can be bounced on to collect the [[Red Balloon]] floating above in place. Donkey Kong's Treehouse can be entered only once during each playthrough of Jungle Hijinxs.


In the [[Game Boy Advance]] version, the treehouse is redesigned and has a photograph inside it. Unlike the [[Super Nintendo]] and [[Game Boy Color]] versions of ''Donkey Kong Country'', the [[Kong]]s can only collect the [[Extra Life Balloon]] once in the entire game instead of it reappearing after each time the Kongs enter the treehouse.
In the [[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)|second remake]], the [[Bonus Room Blitz]] theme plays instead. There is a [[photograph]] is hidden behind the bunch of bananas, and it depicts a group picture of Donkey Kong and [[Diddy Kong|Diddy]] swinging from a rope on the eleventh page of the [[Scrapbook (Donkey Kong Country series)|scrapbook]]. After defeating [[Really Gnawty]], if Donkey Kong and Diddy enter the treehouse, they encounter [[Very Gnawty]] inside. In doing so, Very Gnawty turns around and hops out of the treehouse, an event that occurs only once per save file. The treehouse interior was redesigned to show more discarded items lying on the floor, and the portrait of Candy, a table with a vase, and the bed now all appear against a wall straight across from the entrance.
{{br}}


====''Donkey Kong 64====
====''Donkey Kong Country 3'' (Game Boy Advance)====
[[File:DKT64.png|thumb|left|200px|Donkey Kong inside his treehouse in ''Donkey Kong 64''.]]
The interior of the treehouse is used as the background of the ending credits in the remake of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)|Donkey Kong Country 3]]''. A tire swing can be seen in the treehouse, though the portrait of Candy was not retained, and random objects are not lying all over the ground.
Donkey Kong's Treehouse next appears in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' where it is, once again, the starting point of the game.  


In this game, Donkey Kong's treehouse has many differences compared to the one in ''Donkey Kong Country''. Instead of a bed, this treehouse has a hammock. It also has much memorabilia in it, such as [[Cranky Kong]]'s phonograph from ''Donkey Kong Country'' and a red girder from the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' arcade game. The treehouse also has several [[barrel]]s and [[crate]]s in it, along with old banana peels.
====''Donkey Kong Country Returns''====
[[File:DKTH2.png|thumb|left|250px|Donkey Kong playing a {{iw|nwiki|Nintendo DS Lite}} inside the tree house in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'']]
DK's Tree House is a location in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]''. It first appears in the opening. Diddy jumps out of the window to check on the [[banana]]s from the [[banana hoard]], only to realize that they are stolen. When Donkey Kong goes out on the deck to hear what Diddy is complaining about, he gets approached by [[Tiki Tak Tribe|Kalimba]], causing him to step back into the tree house. Kalimba tries to hypnotize Donkey Kong, but it is unsuccessful. The first level, [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country Returns)|Jungle Hijinxs]], starts right after the opening sequence, and every time the Kongs start the level, they must repeatedly punch Kalimba. After Kalimba is hit enough times, Donkey Kong kicks down the wooden front door and kicks the Tiki into the bushes. If the Kongs enter DK's Tree House, they can obtain a [[Red Balloon]] inside.


====''Donkey Kong Country Returns====
The tree house's appearance has changed again, as it is now smaller, its walls are made of bamboo, it has a round straw roof sustained by wooden girders, and it has small doors and windows framed with wood. It has a wooden deck wrapping around its exterior and a banner of the word "KONG". The tree house is elevated above the ground by long, wooden rods. Near the ground is a smaller wooden deck with a tire, and bouncing on it allows the [[Kong]]s to reach the deck. The banana hoard is relocated to a small alcove under the tree house.
[[File:DKTH2.png|thumb|250px|Donkey Kong playing with the [[DS Lite]] inside the treehouse in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.]]
 
Donkey Kong's Treehouse reappears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' after a long absence from the ''[[Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'' series. As in the previous games, it serves as the starting point. Constantly when the level starts, inside, the Kongs must repeatedly punch the Kalimba [[tiki]] until it is knocked out of the house (as it earlier tried to hypnotize Donkey Kong, to no avail). The treehouse has slightly maintained the furniture from ''Donkey Kong 64'', such as the boombox, hammock, and several barrels. It also has two of DK's ties hanging from the ceiling, two picture frames, and a T.V. which shows the game's title screen if activated. As in the Game Boy Advance version of ''Donkey Kong Country'', the Kongs can also collect an [[Extra Life Balloon]] once for the entire game.
The interior of DK's Tree House still slightly maintains the furniture from ''Donkey Kong 64'', such as the boombox, hammock, and several banana peels. Two of Donkey Kong's ties are hanging from the wooden girders suspending the roof. There is also a stack of spare tires, two framed pictures, a boombox, and a television which, if [[Ground Pound]]ed, shows the title screen (as well as playing the respective music). In ''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'', the Japanese version's title screen appears to be shown instead.
{{br|left}}
 
====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''====
[[File:DKCrewTropicalFreeze.png|thumb|left|250px|The Kongs look outside the tree house before being blown away by the [[Ice dragon|ice dragon]] in the prologue.]]
[[File:Homecoming Hijinxs DKCTF 4.jpg|thumb|250px|The tree house with snow on its roof in [[Homecoming Hijinxs]]]]
DK's Tree House reappears in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' and [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|its Nintendo Switch port]], with the same appearance as ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' except without a front door and some wooden posts on the front porch. The interior has a few additions, and one of the framed pictures on the wall is revealed to be a photograph of DK and Diddy and there a rug on the floor. There is a wooden table and a set of chairs, along with a set of four mugs that resemble small barrels, each with a different symbol representing which Kong it belongs to.
 
In the opening cutscene, [[Donkey Kong]], [[Diddy Kong]], [[Dixie Kong]], and [[Cranky Kong]] are sitting around a table, celebrating Donkey Kong's birthday. Just before Donkey Kong eats a [[banana]], a balloon floats outside the tree house and away from [[Donkey Kong Island]]. The balloon is noticed by a [[Pointy Tucks]], who then looks at the island from afar on a boat with other [[Snowmads]]. Upon seeing the tree house, the Pointy Tucks panics and notifies its leader, [[Lord Fredrik]]. Fredrik then uses the [[Horn (object)|horn]] to create an [[ice dragon]] to cover the island in snow. A snowflake blows into DK's Tree House and douses the birthday candle just before Donkey Kong can blow it out. The four Kongs go outside DK's Tree House to investigate, and then a strong wind blows them away to the [[Lost Mangroves]].
 
Later in [[Homecoming Hijinxs]], the first level of Donkey Kong Island, DK's Tree House appears in the background at the start of the level. Its roof and a side of its deck are covered in snow. DK's Tree House also appears in the epilogue, where, after Donkey Kong uses the horn to return Donkey Kong Island to its usual state (and thus melt the snow present on the tree house), the Kongs form a band on the porch to perform the credits theme.
 
A [[Media:LostMangroves art1.png|piece of concept artwork]] shows that the tree house was intended to be flung along with the Kongs on the shore of a foreign island.
 
===''Donkey Kong 64''===
[[File:DKT64.png|thumb|200px|Donkey Kong inside his Tree House in ''Donkey Kong 64'']]
DK's Tree House is a location in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''. It is located within [[Donkey Kong Island|Kong Isle]] of [[DK Isles]] and the first location altogether. It is first seen in the opening cutscene, where Donkey Kong is exercising as he listens to an instrumental [[DK Rap]] on a boombox. [[Squawks]] appears and alerts Donkey Kong of [[King K. Rool]]'s plans to destroy DK Isles. DK's Tree House does not have any other role in the game.
 
The interior of DK's Tree House looks entirely different than in ''Donkey Kong Country''. It has a leaf hammock instead of a bed. It also has objects from earlier ''Donkey Kong'' games such as [[Cranky Kong]]'s phonograph from ''Donkey Kong Country'' and a red girder from the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' arcade game. There are several [[barrel]]s and [[crate]]s, as well as banana peels lying on the ground. DK's Tree House still has a framed picture of Candy. A red mat with the DK emblem is on the ground, and there is a framed photograph of a dolphin (possibly a reference to the [[Nintendo GameCube]], which was code named "Dolphin" at the time). Instead of steps, the Kongs can use a palm tree to climb up into the tree house.
 
[[List of Donkey Kong 64 pre-release and unused content|Early screenshots]] of the game showed that there was going to be a shower stall in DK's Tree House with a poster of [[Banjo]] and Kazooie on it. The shower and posters were removed in the final version of the game.


===''Donkey Kong Country'' television series===
===''Donkey Kong Country'' television series===
Donkey Kong's Treehouse also appears in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' television series, where it is relatively unchanged.
DK's Tree House also appears in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' television series, where it is relatively unchanged except for an elevator that is powered by a strong punch. Sometimes, Donkey Kong punches the button too hard, making the elevator slam on entry and startling anyone inside of it. The Tree House additionally appears to be in a savanna, rather than a deep rainforest.
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
DK's Tree House appears in the background of [[Kongo Falls]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. It is shown to be positioned above a rapid waterfall.
 
The ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' reveal trailers for [[King K. Rool]] and [[Banjo]] & [[Kazooie]] each show Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong (and King K. Rool in the Banjo & Kazooie reveal) lounging in the tree home, until they are disturbed by [[King Dedede]] and [[Duck Hunt (character)|Duck Hunt]] pretending to be King K. Rool and Banjo & Kazooie respectively. The interior of the tree house matches that of ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.
 
===''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''====
In ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', DK's Tree House makes a brief appearance in the prologue, where Donkey Kong is channel-surfing on his TV, until he stumbles upon a commercial with [[Mini Mario (toy)|Mini-Mario]]s. Visually, the only distinctive features of the house are a television and a couch, while the rest of the room is mostly dark. In the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|remake]], when Donkey Kong storms out after watching the television report, the outdoors show a simple grass field with trees on the ground, so it could possibly be a different location from the treehouse.<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|author=Nintendo of America|date=January 17, 2024|url=youtu.be/TcM4DUo3hkA|title=''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' — A Heist of Mini Proportions — Nintendo Switch|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=January 18, 2024}}</ref>
 
====''Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge''====
[[File:MM&FaC DK bg.png|thumb|The background of [[Barrel Blast Jungle]] in ''[[Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge]]''. DK's Tree House can be seen on the left.]]
DK's Tree House, reusing its ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' design, can be seen in ''[[Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge]]'' in the background of [[Barrel Blast Jungle]].
 
===''Mario Party'' series===
DK's Tree House makes a few background appearances in the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]]. In ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', the porch in front of DK's Tree House represents the finish point in the [[Jump, Man]] and [[Vine Country]] [[minigame]]s, as well as in their ''[[Mario Party: The Top 100]]'' iterations. The [[Donkey Kong Board]] from ''[[Mario Party 10]]'' contains a miniatural version of DK's Tree House, used for decoration. It resembles its appearance from ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.
 
===''Yoshi's Island DS''===
DK's Tree House makes a minor appearance in the introduction of ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'', when the [[Toadies]] capture [[Baby DK]].
 
===''Diddy Kong Racing DS''===
DK's Tree House{{ref needed}} briefly appears during the opening cutscene of ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. Diddy is sitting on the porch of his tree house, and [[Squawks]] gives a letter to him written by [[Timber]]. In the letter, Timber asks for Diddy's help to kick out [[Wizpig]] from [[Timber's Island]]. The tree house appears to have an entirely empty interior, and unlike other games, a wooden ladder is connected to the tree house.


===''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''===
===''Mario Kart'' series===
In ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', the treehouse makes a brief appearance in the prologue of the game, when Donkey Kong is channel-surfing and stumbled upon a commercial with [[Mini Mario (Mario vs. Donkey Kong)|Mini Mario|Mini Marios]].
DK's Tree House reappears in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', as an ornamental feature in the course [[DK Jungle (3DS)|DK Jungle]]. It is built on the side of a turn with [[Tiki Goon]]s, above a pond surrounded by cascades. DK's Tree House retains its appearance from ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'', and a [[DK Barrel]] is shown on the front deck.


===''Mario Party 7===
===''Mario Tennis Open''===
In ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', the Treehouse can also be seen in the background of the [[Donkey Kong|DK]] [[minigame]]s [[Jump, Man]] and [[Vine Country]] when [[player]]s reach the top of the jungle.
[[File:DKJungleMTO.jpg|thumb|DK Jungle in ''Mario Tennis Open'']]
In ''[[Mario Tennis Open]]'', DK's Tree House from ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' appears in the background of the [[DK Jungle (Mario Tennis Open)|DK Jungle]] court, though it lacks the door and the "KONG" sign above it.


===''Yoshi's Island DS===
===''Mario Strikers: Battle League''===
Donkey Kong's treehouse makes a small cameo in the intro of ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'' where the [[Toadies]] captures him from.
In ''[[Mario Strikers: Battle League]]'', multiple treehouses resembling Donkey Kong's in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' (without the "KONG" sign) appear in the background of the [[Jungle Retreat]] stage.


===''Mario Kart 7===
===Unused appearances===
The Treehouse reappears in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', in the background of the course [[DK Jungle (Mario Super Sluggers)|DK Jungle]]. Its appearance is the same as in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''.
====''Diddy Kong Pilot''====
In the 2003 iteration of ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot (2003)|Diddy Kong Pilot]]'', DK's Tree House appears in the background of jungle-themed races. As expected, it was not retained in ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Pilot|Banjo-Pilot]]''.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery><center>
{{main-gallery}}
File:DKCGBCTreehouse.png|The Treehouse in the [[Game Boy Color]] version of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''.
<gallery>
File:DKTH.png|The Treehouse in the [[Game Boy Advance]] version of ''Donkey Kong Country''.
DK's Treehouse 3.png|''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
File:Donkey's Tree House.png|The Treehouse in ''[[Mario Party 7]]''.
Donkey's Tree House.png|''[[Mario Party 7]]''
DKCR Treehouse.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''
LEGO SM-71424 Donkey Kong's Tree House.png|[[LEGO Super Mario|LEGO ''Super Mario'']]
SNW Donkey Kong Country Play Wild 2.jpg|[[Super Nintendo World]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Names in other languages==
*Early screenshots of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' showed that there was going to be a shower stall in Donkey Kong's Treehouse with a poster of [[Banjo]] and Kazooie on it. The shower and posters were later removed in the final version of the game.
{{foreign names
*In the [[Game Boy Advance]] remake of ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', after defeating [[Really Gnawty]], when Donkey Kong and [[Diddy Kong]] enter DK's treehouse, they will find [[Very Gnawty]] inside. The beaver then turns around shocked at the sight of DK and runs past him out the door.
|Jap=ドンキーコングの{{ruby|家|いえ}}<ref>{{cite|title=ドンキーコング{{ruby|64|六十四}} (''Donkī Kongu Rokujūyon'') instruction booklet|date=1999|language=ja|page=22|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
*In the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Game Boy Color]] versions of ''Donkey Kong Country'', the treehouse can only be entered once per when the Kongs play the level. This was removed in the Game Boy Advance remake of ''Donkey Kong Country''.
|JapR=Donkī Kongu no Ie
|JapM=Donkey Kong's House
|Jap2=ドンキーハウス<ref>''[[Media:DK House Cards.jpg|Donkey Kong Card Game]]''</ref><ref>''[[Media:DK House Toy.jpg|"Tsūkai Donkey House" playset]]''</ref>
|Jap2N=''Donkey Kong Country'' television series
|Jap2R=Donkī Hausu
|Jap2M=Donkey House
|Fre=Cabane de Donkey Kong<ref>{{cite|url=www.lego.com/fr-fr/product/donkey-kong-s-tree-house-expansion-set-71424|title=Ensemble d'extension La cabane de Donkey Kong 71424 {{!}} LEGO® Super Mario™ {{!}} Boutique LEGO® officielle FR|publisher=LEGO|language=fr|accessdate=May 23, 2024}}</ref>
|FreM=Donkey Kong's Tree House
|Ita=Capanna di Donkey Kong<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' manual|language=it|publisher=Nintendo|page=4}}</ref>
|Ita2=Casa sull'albero di Donkey Kong (LEGO ''Super Mario'')
|ItaM=Donkey Kong's hut
|Ita2M=Donkey Kong's tree house
}}
 
==References==
<references/>


<br clear=all>
{{NIWA|DKWiki=1}}
{{DKC}}
{{DKC}}
{{DK64}}
{{DK64}}
{{MM&FaC}}
[[Category:Donkey Kong Island]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Island]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Places]]
[[Category:Homes]]
[[Category:Homes]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong 64 locations]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country Returns]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country Returns]]
[[Category:Buildings]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]
[[Category:Mario Party 7]]
[[Category:Mario Party 7]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 7]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8]]

Latest revision as of 18:26, October 6, 2024

DK's Tree House
Artwork of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong sitting outside of Donkey Kong's Treehouse
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong relaxing outside their treehouse, in artwork for Donkey Kong Country
First appearance Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024)
Greater location Donkey Kong Island
Owner Donkey Kong

DK's Tree House,[1] or Donkey Kong’s Treehouse,[2] is a home located in the jungle portion of Donkey Kong Island. The house is built above the banana cave, where the Kongs keep their stash of bananas. DK's Tree House is where Donkey Kong lives. It was originally portrayed as a wooden cabin perched on top of a tree trunk, but more recent stances picture it as a rondavel hut raised on stilts high above the ground. The house is generally furnished with a television, a bed or hammock, a rug, and various pictures on walls. The treehouse is also commonly associated with tires, appearing both in and around it as simple furniture, as a swing or as a means of bouncing up to the house. Incidentally, Donkey Kong was shown to live in a treehouse in Captain N: The Game Master, a show created a few years before Donkey Kong Country was released.

Nintendo of America's product development division, Treehouse, is codenamed after Donkey Kong's residence.[3]

History[edit]

Donkey Kong Country series[edit]

Donkey Kong Country[edit]

Donkey Kong inside of DK's Tree House in Donkey Kong Country
The treehouse's first appearance in Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong's Treehouse first appears in Donkey Kong Country. It looks like a simple-looking wooden shack from the outside, and it can be seen on both the Donkey Kong Island map and the Kongo Jungle map. Donkey Kong's Treehouse also appears within Jungle Hijinxs, which always begins with Donkey Kong launching out of the treehouse. It is directly above the banana cave, and there are a few steps for going up to the treehouse itself. The Cranky's Cabin theme plays in the background while inside of Donkey Kong's Treehouse. The interior layout of Donkey Kong's Treehouse includes a bed, a picture of two sailboats above it, a portrait of Candy Kong next to the door, a table with a blue vase containing flowers, discarded banana peels, and a half tire stuck into the ground that can be bounced on to collect the Red Balloon floating above in place. Donkey Kong's Treehouse can be entered only once during each playthrough of Jungle Hijinxs.

In the second remake, the Bonus Room Blitz theme plays instead. There is a photograph is hidden behind the bunch of bananas, and it depicts a group picture of Donkey Kong and Diddy swinging from a rope on the eleventh page of the scrapbook. After defeating Really Gnawty, if Donkey Kong and Diddy enter the treehouse, they encounter Very Gnawty inside. In doing so, Very Gnawty turns around and hops out of the treehouse, an event that occurs only once per save file. The treehouse interior was redesigned to show more discarded items lying on the floor, and the portrait of Candy, a table with a vase, and the bed now all appear against a wall straight across from the entrance.

Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)[edit]

The interior of the treehouse is used as the background of the ending credits in the remake of Donkey Kong Country 3. A tire swing can be seen in the treehouse, though the portrait of Candy was not retained, and random objects are not lying all over the ground.

Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]

Donkey Kong playing a Nintendo DS Lite inside the tree house in Donkey Kong Country Returns

DK's Tree House is a location in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. It first appears in the opening. Diddy jumps out of the window to check on the bananas from the banana hoard, only to realize that they are stolen. When Donkey Kong goes out on the deck to hear what Diddy is complaining about, he gets approached by Kalimba, causing him to step back into the tree house. Kalimba tries to hypnotize Donkey Kong, but it is unsuccessful. The first level, Jungle Hijinxs, starts right after the opening sequence, and every time the Kongs start the level, they must repeatedly punch Kalimba. After Kalimba is hit enough times, Donkey Kong kicks down the wooden front door and kicks the Tiki into the bushes. If the Kongs enter DK's Tree House, they can obtain a Red Balloon inside.

The tree house's appearance has changed again, as it is now smaller, its walls are made of bamboo, it has a round straw roof sustained by wooden girders, and it has small doors and windows framed with wood. It has a wooden deck wrapping around its exterior and a banner of the word "KONG". The tree house is elevated above the ground by long, wooden rods. Near the ground is a smaller wooden deck with a tire, and bouncing on it allows the Kongs to reach the deck. The banana hoard is relocated to a small alcove under the tree house.

The interior of DK's Tree House still slightly maintains the furniture from Donkey Kong 64, such as the boombox, hammock, and several banana peels. Two of Donkey Kong's ties are hanging from the wooden girders suspending the roof. There is also a stack of spare tires, two framed pictures, a boombox, and a television which, if Ground Pounded, shows the title screen (as well as playing the respective music). In Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, the Japanese version's title screen appears to be shown instead.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]

Donkey Kong and his friends in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
The Kongs look outside the tree house before being blown away by the ice dragon in the prologue.
Homecoming Hijinxs
The tree house with snow on its roof in Homecoming Hijinxs

DK's Tree House reappears in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port, with the same appearance as Donkey Kong Country Returns except without a front door and some wooden posts on the front porch. The interior has a few additions, and one of the framed pictures on the wall is revealed to be a photograph of DK and Diddy and there a rug on the floor. There is a wooden table and a set of chairs, along with a set of four mugs that resemble small barrels, each with a different symbol representing which Kong it belongs to.

In the opening cutscene, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong are sitting around a table, celebrating Donkey Kong's birthday. Just before Donkey Kong eats a banana, a balloon floats outside the tree house and away from Donkey Kong Island. The balloon is noticed by a Pointy Tucks, who then looks at the island from afar on a boat with other Snowmads. Upon seeing the tree house, the Pointy Tucks panics and notifies its leader, Lord Fredrik. Fredrik then uses the horn to create an ice dragon to cover the island in snow. A snowflake blows into DK's Tree House and douses the birthday candle just before Donkey Kong can blow it out. The four Kongs go outside DK's Tree House to investigate, and then a strong wind blows them away to the Lost Mangroves.

Later in Homecoming Hijinxs, the first level of Donkey Kong Island, DK's Tree House appears in the background at the start of the level. Its roof and a side of its deck are covered in snow. DK's Tree House also appears in the epilogue, where, after Donkey Kong uses the horn to return Donkey Kong Island to its usual state (and thus melt the snow present on the tree house), the Kongs form a band on the porch to perform the credits theme.

A piece of concept artwork shows that the tree house was intended to be flung along with the Kongs on the shore of a foreign island.

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

Donkey Kong inside his Tree House in Donkey Kong 64

DK's Tree House is a location in Donkey Kong 64. It is located within Kong Isle of DK Isles and the first location altogether. It is first seen in the opening cutscene, where Donkey Kong is exercising as he listens to an instrumental DK Rap on a boombox. Squawks appears and alerts Donkey Kong of King K. Rool's plans to destroy DK Isles. DK's Tree House does not have any other role in the game.

The interior of DK's Tree House looks entirely different than in Donkey Kong Country. It has a leaf hammock instead of a bed. It also has objects from earlier Donkey Kong games such as Cranky Kong's phonograph from Donkey Kong Country and a red girder from the original Donkey Kong arcade game. There are several barrels and crates, as well as banana peels lying on the ground. DK's Tree House still has a framed picture of Candy. A red mat with the DK emblem is on the ground, and there is a framed photograph of a dolphin (possibly a reference to the Nintendo GameCube, which was code named "Dolphin" at the time). Instead of steps, the Kongs can use a palm tree to climb up into the tree house.

Early screenshots of the game showed that there was going to be a shower stall in DK's Tree House with a poster of Banjo and Kazooie on it. The shower and posters were removed in the final version of the game.

Donkey Kong Country television series[edit]

DK's Tree House also appears in the Donkey Kong Country television series, where it is relatively unchanged except for an elevator that is powered by a strong punch. Sometimes, Donkey Kong punches the button too hard, making the elevator slam on entry and startling anyone inside of it. The Tree House additionally appears to be in a savanna, rather than a deep rainforest.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

DK's Tree House appears in the background of Kongo Falls in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It is shown to be positioned above a rapid waterfall.

The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reveal trailers for King K. Rool and Banjo & Kazooie each show Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong (and King K. Rool in the Banjo & Kazooie reveal) lounging in the tree home, until they are disturbed by King Dedede and Duck Hunt pretending to be King K. Rool and Banjo & Kazooie respectively. The interior of the tree house matches that of Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, DK's Tree House makes a brief appearance in the prologue, where Donkey Kong is channel-surfing on his TV, until he stumbles upon a commercial with Mini-Marios. Visually, the only distinctive features of the house are a television and a couch, while the rest of the room is mostly dark. In the remake, when Donkey Kong storms out after watching the television report, the outdoors show a simple grass field with trees on the ground, so it could possibly be a different location from the treehouse.[4]

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]

The background of Barrel Blast Jungle in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge
The background of Barrel Blast Jungle in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge. DK's Tree House can be seen on the left.

DK's Tree House, reusing its Donkey Kong Country Returns design, can be seen in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge in the background of Barrel Blast Jungle.

Mario Party series[edit]

DK's Tree House makes a few background appearances in the Mario Party series. In Mario Party 7, the porch in front of DK's Tree House represents the finish point in the Jump, Man and Vine Country minigames, as well as in their Mario Party: The Top 100 iterations. The Donkey Kong Board from Mario Party 10 contains a miniatural version of DK's Tree House, used for decoration. It resembles its appearance from Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Yoshi's Island DS[edit]

DK's Tree House makes a minor appearance in the introduction of Yoshi's Island DS, when the Toadies capture Baby DK.

Diddy Kong Racing DS[edit]

DK's Tree House[citation needed] briefly appears during the opening cutscene of Diddy Kong Racing DS. Diddy is sitting on the porch of his tree house, and Squawks gives a letter to him written by Timber. In the letter, Timber asks for Diddy's help to kick out Wizpig from Timber's Island. The tree house appears to have an entirely empty interior, and unlike other games, a wooden ladder is connected to the tree house.

Mario Kart series[edit]

DK's Tree House reappears in Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as an ornamental feature in the course DK Jungle. It is built on the side of a turn with Tiki Goons, above a pond surrounded by cascades. DK's Tree House retains its appearance from Donkey Kong Country Returns, and a DK Barrel is shown on the front deck.

Mario Tennis Open[edit]

DK Jungle in Mario Tennis Open

In Mario Tennis Open, DK's Tree House from Donkey Kong Country Returns appears in the background of the DK Jungle court, though it lacks the door and the "KONG" sign above it.

Mario Strikers: Battle League[edit]

In Mario Strikers: Battle League, multiple treehouses resembling Donkey Kong's in Donkey Kong Country Returns (without the "KONG" sign) appear in the background of the Jungle Retreat stage.

Unused appearances[edit]

Diddy Kong Pilot[edit]

In the 2003 iteration of Diddy Kong Pilot, DK's Tree House appears in the background of jungle-themed races. As expected, it was not retained in Banjo-Pilot.

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:DK's Tree House.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドンキーコングのいえ[5]
Donkī Kongu no Ie
Donkey Kong's House
ドンキーハウス[6][7]
Donkī Hausu
Donkey House Donkey Kong Country television series
French Cabane de Donkey Kong[8] Donkey Kong's Tree House
Italian Capanna di Donkey Kong[9] Donkey Kong's hut
Casa sull'albero di Donkey Kong (LEGO Super Mario)[?] Donkey Kong's tree house

References[edit]

  1. ^ 1999. Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 33.
  2. ^ "We’ll take you all the way from Donkey Kong’s Treehouse to King K. Rool’s ship." – Tilden, Gail, et al. (1994). Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 1.
  3. ^ Schrier, Jason (April 22, 2014). Nintendo's Secret Weapon. Kotaku (English). Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  4. ^ Nintendo of America (January 17, 2024). Mario vs. Donkey Kong — A Heist of Mini Proportions — Nintendo Switch. YouTube (American English). Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  5. ^ 1999. ドンキーコング64六十四 (Donkī Kongu Rokujūyon) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 22.
  6. ^ Donkey Kong Card Game
  7. ^ "Tsūkai Donkey House" playset
  8. ^ Ensemble d'extension La cabane de Donkey Kong 71424 | LEGO® Super Mario™ | Boutique LEGO® officielle FR. LEGO (French). Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Donkey Kong Country manual. Nintendo (Italian). Page 4.