Winky

Winky the Frog is an amphibian Animal Friend with a high jumping ability in Donkey Kong Country. It is the only playable appearance that he has, and therefore has the least out of the mountable Animal Friends of the Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land franchise. Winky was succeeded by Rattly the Rattlesnake in the game's sequel, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, as well as Donkey Kong Land 2.

History

Donkey Kong franchise

Donkey Kong Country

Winky in his featured stage, Winky's Walkway.

In Donkey Kong Country, Winky only appears in a few levels, three of which are in Monkey Mines. He first appears in Winky's Walkway, which is named after him. As the level's name implies, Winky is the main feature. Winky has the ability to jump higher than the Kongs, which is useful for reaching collectibles such as Bananas or Extra Life Balloons. He has the ability to defeat Zingers by jumping on them.

His second appearance is in Bouncy Bonanza, and his Animal Crate appears in a small room shortly after the Star Barrel. He can jump high enough to enter the last Bonus Area of the level. Winky's third appearance is in Millstone Mayhem, and his crate is located on a pathway that can be reached via a Tire. He is last found in the first Bonus Area of Rope Bridge Rumble, of Gorilla Glacier.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

In Donkey Kong Country 2, a Winky figure makes a cameo in the background of the Monkey Museum, priced at five dollars. This cameo was removed from Cranky's Hut in the Game Boy Advance remake, although a small Winky is contained in a cage, which it hops around in. These smaller variants also hop around in the swamp-themed stages of Krem Quay.

Cranky also mentioned Winky and Expresso in the Super Nintendo version's instruction manual by saying, "A more tragic looking bunch of useless no-hopers you'll never see! I liked Expresso and Winky--where have they gone?". His appreciation of both Animal Friends is shown from their figurines in his Monkey Museum, or keeping a pet of each in the Game Boy Advance remake. Cranky mentions both Animal Friends again in the Donkey Kong 64 instruction manual in hopes of their reappearance, "I just hope they've included poor old Winky and Expresso this time instead of that bone-brained rhino that always seems to get in the games."

Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku

Some Winkys swimming outside the campgrounds in Donkey Konga 3

In Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku, multiple Winkys appear swimming in the waters of the campground portion of the summer background.

Club Nintendo

Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24

In the Club Nintendo comic "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24", Cranky and Kiddy Kong are briefly seen riding Winky to an airport.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

In the Donkey Kong Adventure story of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, the design of Rabbid Cranky's Croaker Disposer is based on Winky the Frog. The weapon's flavor text reads: "Whether it's Monkey Mines or monkey shines, Winky is always BOUNCING with enthusiasm.", referencing the first area in the original Donkey Kong Country where Winky can be found. The weapon is also described as an officially licensed Barrel Bolt.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Winky appears as a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Profiles

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophy

Name	Image	Appears in	Description
Winky		SNES Donkey Kong Country (11/1994)	NA: The Kongs have all kinds of animal friends. Mammal friends, fish friends, bird friends. Winky is a frog. He defeats those pesky Zingers by bouncing on top of them. You might worry about falling off that slippery back of his, but all concern will wash away as you are hopping through the skies. PAL: The Kongs' Animal Friends come in all shapes and sizes. There are mammals, fish, birds... There's even a frog! Winky's high-hopping abilities make him really useful when it comes to taking out those pesky Zingers. Best of all, you don't need to worry about accidentally falling off that slippery back of his - it just never happens!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit

Name	Image	Series / game	Type	Class	Strength / effect(s)	How to obtain	Spirit battle
							Opponent(s)	Battle conditions	Stage	Song
Winky		Donkey Kong Series	Support (1)	Novice	Foot Attack ↑	Spirit Board	Greninja	The enemy deals damage when falling The enemy has increased jump power	Mushroom Kingdom U	Jungle Level (Brawl)

Gallery

Artwork

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Donkey Kong Country

• 

  Winky Token in Donkey Kong Country

Sprites

• 

  Donkey Kong Country (Super Nintendo)

• 

  A Winky Crate in Donkey Kong Country

• 

  A Winky Token in Donkey Kong Country.

• 

  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)

• 

  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ウィンキー[?] Winkī	Winky
German	Winky[?]	-
Italian	Winky[?]	-
Russian	Винки[?] Vinki	Winky

Trivia

• Donkey Kong Country game designer Gregg Mayles expressed a dislike of Winky as a player character, sarcastically saying "[Rattly and Winky] had rubbish controls and hits to test player skill. Good design." Gregg's brother and Donkey Kong Country character designer Steve Mayles similarly stated "it was always best to never get on the frog."
• In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for the Xbox 360, there's a large vehicle shaped like a frog called 'Big Winky', presumably a reference to Winky the Frog by Rare Ltd. (who developed both games).