Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong
Artwork for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
Species	Kong
First appearance	Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass, Wave 6) (2023)
Latest portrayal	Katsumi Suzuki (2004–present)

“I am the brave Diddy Kong. Show yourself, if you are friendly. If not, then get ready for the fight of your life!”

—Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong Country

Diddy Kong is the deuteragonist of the Donkey Kong franchise and Donkey Kong's best friend and sidekick. He is a creation of the British company Rare Ltd., which produced many successful Donkey Kong games that Diddy Kong either starred or co-starred in. However, after Rare lost its rights to the Donkey Kong franchise due to Nintendo selling its shares to Microsoft, Nintendo kept the rights to all Donkey Kong characters, including Diddy Kong. He became a regular character in spin-off Super Mario titles since Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003), effectively taking Donkey Kong Jr.'s former role. Diddy Kong sports a red shirt with yellow stars and a red hat with the Nintendo logo, and, unusually for Kongs, has a tail. "Diddy" is a slang word in some parts of northern England for "small," as Diddy Kong is. Diddy Kong occasionally pairs up with his girlfriend, Dixie Kong, who has a similar personality to him. He has even starred in his own racing game, Diddy Kong Racing (1997) for the Nintendo 64 and later in its remake, Diddy Kong Racing DS (2007) for the Nintendo DS.

Concept and creation

Diddy Kong's original look

During the development of Donkey Kong Country, the designers wanted the player to be capable of taking multiple hits, but they also aimed for the screen to be as "clutter-free" as possible, thereby forbidding the usage of a health bar. Having noted the "big Mario to small Mario" system used in the Super Mario games, Rare created Diddy Kong as a visual "extra hit." The design for the character was originally intended to be a redesign of Donkey Kong Jr., but Nintendo felt that its design was too different and insisted that Rare either make the design for Junior closer to his original appearance or make the new design an entirely different character. Rare, feeling that the design fit the "updated" Donkey Kong universe that the company was aiming to create, had decided to keep its design. During the process of naming the character, several names were suggested by Rare employees, including "Diet DK," "DK Lite," and "Titchy Kong." The name "Dinky Kong" was chosen, but it was later changed to "Diddy" due to legal considerations with Dinky Toys, although the name would eventually be used as Kiddy Kong's Japanese name.

History

Donkey Kong Country series

Diddy Kong made his debut appearance in the Donkey Kong Country series, having appeared in every game. The only game where he is not playable is Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Diddy has had more playable appearances in this series than Donkey Kong has.

Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in Elevator Antics

Diddy Kong first appears in the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Donkey Kong Country and its Game Boy Color and Advance remakes as the two playable Kongs, alongside Donkey Kong appearing as the second player and sidekick for him. The original game's instruction manual describes him as a "Donkey Kong wannabe," wanting to be a video game hero like Donkey Kong. In the game's first level, Jungle Hijinx, Diddy is inside the first DK Barrel after the Kremling Krew raids the banana hoard, overpower him. In the original game's instruction manual and Game Boy Advance remake reveal it was the Kremling Krew who put Diddy in the barrel. Whenever a Kong takes damage, the player switches to the second Kong they were not controlling, a mechanic that would be consistent in the next two games. Donkey and Diddy Kong have the same basic abilities, such as jumping, running, and rolling. Rather than using DK's Roll Attack, he has his unique rolling move: the Cartwheel Attack. He can use this ability to defeat enemies by cartwheeling into them to gain momentum. Diddy can also cartwheel off a ledge and perform a jump midair, usually to get collectibles such as a Banana Bunch or a KONG Letter. The ability that Diddy lacks that DK has is the Hand Slap, making him unable to find secret items that require it. Diddy's main difference is that he is weaker but is more agile, can jump higher, and move faster than Donkey Kong. He is much smaller, making it easier to pass through enemies than DK. Diddy cannot defeat Krushas and Klumps by stomping them, though he can still defeat the latter with the Cartwheel Attack. Diddy must jump on an Army twice to defeat it, rather than just once as DK can. Diddy also holds barrels in front of him rather than above his head, allowing him to use it as a shield from enemies and break open walls to find bonus levels, though cannot throw a barrel as far as DK can.

In the Game Boy Advance remake, if the player gets 90% or higher when completing a game, they unlock the "Hero Mode", where they only play as Diddy throughout the levels. His cap and shirt are yellow, and the player has to complete this mode without access to Donkey Kong or Star Barrels.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong preforming a team up in Pirate Panic

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and its Game Boy Advance remake has Diddy play the leading role and introduces his girlfriend, Dixie Kong. In the game, Diddy retains his abilities from Donkey Kong Country, though he is now the first player rather than the second, with Dixie now taking that role. Diddy and Dixie Kong can do a team up move, allowing one of the Kongs to pick each other up and throw another to get across obstacles or reach higher elevations. In the Game Boy Advance remake, Diddy appears in a time attack mode, Diddy's Dash, where the player controls Diddy through individual levels without the aid of Dixie, similar to the Hero Mode from Donkey Kong Country's Game Boy Advance remake.

In the game's story, the Kremling Krew kidnaps Donkey Kong and sends him away to their island, Crocodile Isle. K. Rool, now Kaptain K. Rool, threatens to keep Donkey Kong as a prisoner unless the Kongs give the banana hoard to him. Diddy refuses, so he and Dixie travel through Crocodile Isle. Whenever the player visits the Monkey Museum, Cranky chastises him and Dixie, believing them not to be actual video game heroes, hence the inclusion of Cranky's Video Game Heroes, an awards ceremony in which Cranky tallies up who has collected the most Video Game Hero Coins, for which he hid in every level.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

“Dear Dixie
Gone exploring the islands with DK, Back tomorrow!
--Diddy”

—Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! instruction booklet, page 5

Diddy has a smaller role in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! In the backstory, Donkey and Diddy go on a fishing trip to the Northern Kremisphere. The Kongs did not return from their fishing trip, so Dixie and Kiddy Kong go on an adventure to save them. In Kastle Kaos, after Dixie and Kiddy defeat Baron K. Roolenstein, it is revealed that Donkey and Diddy were contained within KAOS, who they were freed from, presumably having their brain energy used as a power source.

In the Game Boy Advance remake, Diddy appears in the Funky's Rentals mission "Protect", as one of the Kongs that Dixie and Kiddy must protect from the Kremlings.

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Diddy Kong in Donkey Kong Country Returns

Diddy Kong reappears as one of the two playable characters in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its remake. He is the first to notice the banana hoard being stolen by animals who are hypnotized by the Tiki Tak Tribe, and attempts to pursue them to retrieve it. However, Diddy fails, and he is shoved into a barrel. After he is freed, he and Donkey Kong go on another quest to reclaim the banana hoard by traversing through the various regions of the island while fighting the operatives in each of them. After defeating Tiki Tong, he and Donkey Kong get the banana hoard back from the Tiki Tak Tribe.

Diddy has different roles after the final battle. If he is with his big buddy at the end, they are ejected from the lair by the explosion of Tiki Tong to space. While Diddy panics, DK comes up with a plan and they knock the moon out of its orbit onto Tiki Tong Tower. Even without Diddy, Donkey Kong still frees the bananas, only to realize he is falling at alarming speed. Fortunately, Diddy Kong returns out of nowhere to save his friend. Should Diddy triumph on his own, he tries to break free from the moon's gravitational pull with his barrel jet. However, it malfunctions and he crashes headfirst into the moon, the impact knocking it out of orbit and onto Tiki Tong Tower. The unconscious Diddy plummets from the sky, only to land and awaken in DK's hands. Either way, the Kongs celebrate at bananas' freedom.

In single player mode, once Diddy is freed from a DK Barrel, he stays on Donkey Kong's back. If Donkey Kong jumps into the air, Diddy can use his Barrel Jet to hover for a few seconds. In two player mode, the second player is Diddy, whom they can control individually, as well as keep Diddy on Donkey Kong's back. Diddy still remains more agile than Donkey Kong, and he can still control the Barrel Jet in midair and use his Peanut Popgun to stun enemies.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Diddy Kong is one of the four playable characters (five in the Nintendo Switch port, due to Funky Kong being an additional playable character) in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port of the same name. Donkey Kong can release him from a DK Barrel marked with a blue "DD". Diddy retains his ability to use his Barrel Jet to hover and the Peanut Popgun from Donkey Kong Country Returns. While underwater, Diddy can use his Barrel Jet to perform the Jet Blast, giving him and Donkey Kong a speed boost. The two Kongs can use the Kong POW move to replace every nearby enemy into Red Balloons.

In the game's opening cutscene, Diddy was celebrating DK's birthday along with him, Dixie, and Cranky, until the Snowmads appeared and blew the Kongs away to the Lost Mangroves to conquer Donkey Kong Island. Diddy joins the other Kongs on an adventure to return to Donkey Kong Island.

Club Nintendo

"Donkey Kong Country"

Diddy and Donkey attacking King K. Rool in the "Donkey Kong Country" comic

Diddy also appears in the Club Nintendo comic "Donkey Kong Country", serving a similar role as in the eponymous game. Diddy's task is to watch over the banana hoard. King K. Rool finds Diddy and puts him into a barrel. Donkey Kong soon discovers him, and they track down King K. Rool to defeat him. In the fight against King K. Rool, Donkey Kong throws Diddy up onto K. Rool to attack, unlike the method used in-game.

"Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens"

In the comic "Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens", published in the same magazine, Diddy Kong lives in a skyscraper in Brooklyn with many other Nintendo characters. Due to a contract signed by Wario, the skyscraper is invaded by several monsters. One of them, Chuckie, invades the Kongs' room while Diddy and Donkey are watching TV. They are terrified by the evil doll, but they are rescued by Mario, Link and Kirby.

"Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24"

In the Club Nintendo comic "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24", the Kongs have to save the world from freezing, since a giant U.F.O, is pulling the Earth away from the sun. Diddy joins Donkey, Dixie, Kiddy and Cranky into a space shuttle and flies into space to confront the aliens. The aliens explain that they mistook the Earth for a giant coconut. Diddy decides to give bananas to the aliens, and in return they promise to return the Earth to its original position.

Donkey Kong Land series

Donkey Kong Land

Diddy Kong climbing a rope in Donkey Kong Land

Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong are tricked into a bet by Cranky Kong in Donkey Kong Land, and the two travel again to reclaim Donkey's banana hoard from King K. Rool. After traveling through four lands, Diddy and Donkey Kong manage to defeat King K. Rool and his Kremling Krew again.

Donkey Kong Land 2

A Klomp walking away from Diddy Kong in Donkey Kong Land 2

In Donkey Kong Land 2, which is a retelling of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Diddy retains his abilities and his role as the main character.

Donkey Kong Land III

In Donkey Kong Land III's manual, Diddy and Donkey Kong enter a contest to find the Lost World, while leaving Dixie and Kiddy Kong behind. Despite having an integral role in the story, Diddy and Donkey Kong do not appear in the game, and it is unknown where the two Kongs are during the events of the game.

4-koma Gag Battle

Diddy Kong appears throughout the 4-koma Gag Battle manga adaptations of: Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64.

Super Mario-kun

Diddy Kong appears in the fourteenth volume of the Super Mario-kun manga comics. Even though a majority of the volume is based on Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, the end of it contains Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest content. In the Donkey Kong Country part of the volume, Cranky Kong asks Diddy and Donkey Kong to battle King K. Rool. He also appears with his girlfriend, Dixie Kong to battle Kaptain K. Rool in the Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest part.

Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle

Artwork of Donkey Kong with Diddy Kong from Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle

In the 1995 children's novel Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle, Donkey Kong introduces his "buddy" Diddy Kong to Funky Kong, who offers Diddy a ride in his barrel plane around Donkey Kong Island. During the flight, Diddy Kong notices smoke coming from Big Ape City, which was believed to have been abandoned. Hoping for an adventure, he is willing to investigate, although Funky Kong prefers to not "go looking for trouble". Returning to his treehouse after the flight, Diddy Kong realizes that he still has Funky Kong's walkie talkie, and trying to contact him reveals that his plane is being attacked by "flying pigs" over Big Ape City. Diddy Kong immediately agrees to travel with Donkey Kong to the city, joined by a reluctant Cranky Kong.

On the edge of the forest in Tree Top Town, the Kongs encounter a group of Kremlings. Diddy Kong performs several cartwheel attacks, which is true to his abilities as a playable character in the Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land series of games. Upon reaching Big Ape City, Diddy Kong is eager to find a way to infiltrate the factory, despite the high numbers of Kremling security guards. Overhearing some guards speaking, the Kongs discover that Funky Kong is being kept in the factory. After locating and breaking open Funky's cell, Diddy Kong assists Donkey Kong in clearing some Kremling guards using barrels. Upon inspecting his damaged plane, Funky draws a map for Diddy, explaining where to find the factory's supply room for a replacement waterpump. Diddy Kong traverses over several catwalks to reach the store room, where he encounters a Klap Trap. Diddy Kong lodges a barrel into the Klap Trap's large mouth, allowing him time to escape with the water pump.

After the Kongs from the factory in the barrel plane, Donkey Kong has the idea to jump from the plane and onto King K. Rool's zeppelin. Although afraid, Diddy Kong joins him in entering the zeppelin and defeating several Kremlings using cartwheels, double jumps and barrels. Afterward, Donkey and Diddy Kong plant the airship with time-delayed TNT Barrels, and choose to let the "coward" King K. Rool to escape. After re-entering the plane, Donkey Kong compliments Diddy Kong on how well he fought the Kremlings, and all the Kongs share a laugh as they watch the planted TNT Barrels explode onto the Kremling's factory.

Donkey Kong Country television series

Diddy Kong in the Donkey Kong Country television series

Diddy Kong is featured as a main character on the Donkey Kong Country television series. In most of the episodes, Diddy usually is seen watching over the Crystal Coconut with his buddy, Donkey Kong. Diddy Kong's physical appearance in the show is very similar to his appearance in Donkey Kong Country, as his shirt lacks the yellow stars on it and his hat does not have the Nintendo logo on it. Diddy was voiced by Andrew Sabiston during the entire run of the series. Sabiston had previously voiced Yoshi on the Super Mario World television series seven years earlier.

Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS

Diddy's appearance in Diddy Kong Racing

Diddy Kong in Diddy Kong Racing DS

Diddy appears as the main and titular character of Diddy Kong Racing and its Nintendo DS remake, Diddy Kong Racing DS. In the prologue, Diddy gets a letter from Timber, who asks for Diddy's help with saving Timber's Island from Wizpig. By the game's conclusion, Diddy, Timber, and their friends manage to expel Wizpig and free the Timber's Island guardians from his mind control. As a racer, Diddy has balanced stats, and in the Nintendo 64 original, Diddy's vehicle color is blue, his vehicle number is 1 and his top speed without bananas is 56 mph.

The Nintendo DS remake includes a newly rendered introduction where Diddy, Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong are seen running through the woods to recruit friends to fight Wizpig.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Diddy Kong in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Diddy Kong makes another appearance as a playable character in the racing game, Donkey Kong Barrel Blast. Diddy is one of the six default racers that are playable from the start of the game. Diddy has low speed but a good boost and handling. His rival is Kip.

Mario no Bōken Land

Diddy Kong, chasing Wizpig on his plane in Mario no Bōken Land

Diddy Kong stars as the main character in a Mario no Bōken Land chapter, titled "Go Go Diddy!". The story starts out with him, and various other characters, racing together for fun, him being in 10th place. Wizpig interrupts the race, attacks Taj the Genie, and rips up his carpet. After Wizpig escapes the scene, Taj casts a spell to transform Mario, Peach and Diddy's cars into planes; it is then that Diddy, Mario and Princess Peach follow him to fight him. Mario and Peach are overtaken by Wizpig throwing bombs, but Diddy Kong manages to dodge his projectile missile. Diddy then buries Wizpig under a pile of rocks, and after Wizpig's defeat, all the other racers decide to forfeit the race that was in progress and declare Diddy Kong the winner because of his heroic actions. He is seen with a crown, with various characters, celebrating his victory over Wizpig.

Donkey Kong 64

Artwork from Donkey Kong 64

“He's back again and about time too
And this time he's in the mood”

—DK Rap

Diddy is one of the five playable Kongs in Donkey Kong 64. In the opening introduction, King K. Rool attempts to attack DK Isles with the Blast-o-Matic, which gets damaged after Crocodile Isle crashes into a small island. To buy time to repair his weapon, K. Rool has the banana hoard stolen and some of the Kongs kidnapped, with Diddy being one of them.

Early on in his journey, Donkey Kong frees Diddy from captivity in Jungle Japes. Diddy can collect red bananas and coins. Diddy can perform the Simian Slam like the other Kongs, and he can learn a few unique moves from Cranky's Lab, including Chimpy Charge, Rocketbarrel Boost, and Simian Spring. He is the only Kong who can Double Jump. Diddy's musical instrument is the electric guitar, which he obtains from Candy's Music Shop, and his weapon is the popguns, which he obtains from Funky's Store.

In Hideout Helm, Diddy can complete two Bonus Stages to deactivate the red current flowing within the Blast-o-Matic. In the final boss battle at the boxing arena, Diddy is the second Kong to fight against King Krusha K. Rool. During the round, Diddy must use his Rocketbarrel Boost to fly up to the four light fixtures and shoot two targets on them so that they drop on K. Rool's head; Diddy's round ends when the last of the light fixtures is shot down and stuck to K. Rool's head.

In the Monkey Smash multiplayer mode, Diddy has three alternate color schemes (aside from his default red color): yellow, green, and blue.

Mario Golf series

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Diddy Kong swinging his golf club

Even though he has always been connected to Super Mario through Donkey Kong, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour is the first game in the Super Mario franchise to feature Diddy Kong. He is a playable character in the game, appearing as Donkey Kong's partner. Diddy Kong briefly appears in the opening of this game.

When Diddy gets a par, he nods and gives a thumbs up, and when he gets a birdie, he jumps in joy and then gives two thumbs-ups. His eagle or better animation show him doing a one arm handstand, flips, and then gives a thumbs up. If he gets a bogey, Diddy looks scared and moans in shame. If he gets a double bogey or worse, Diddy gets so frustrated that he jumps and flails erratically in midair. When he stops, he crashes neck-first back to the ground.

Mario Golf: World Tour

Diddy Kong returns as a playable character in Mario Golf: World Tour. In the Castle Club's Royal Room, he is seen looking at a bowl of bananas. Golf clubs and a ball based on him are available at the shop, and so are clothes themed after him, where Miis can purchase them from there or by participating in tournaments. His costume can be unlocked if all Star Coin challenges in the Sky Island course are completed. Some of his voice clips are recycled from Donkey Kong 64.

Diddy Kong in Earth's atmosphere after getting an Albatross.

When Diddy Kong gets a par, he flips and strikes a pose, and when he gets a birdie, he puts on his Barrel Jet and flies in victory. His eagle or better animation show him flying so high on his Barrel Jet out of joy that he ends up in Earth's atmosphere next to space, leaving him staring at the camera completely shocked and baffled. If he gets a bogey, he lies down in frustration while eating a banana. If he gets a double bogey or worse, he lies down and eats a banana, then tosses the peel and tries to get up, only to slip on the peel in the process.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Diddy Kong, along with Donkey Kong, in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Diddy Kong debuts in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! He is a lightweight character, along with Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Koopa Troopa, Koopa Paratroopa, Bowser Jr., Toad, and Toadette. His special weapon is the Giant Banana, which is shared with his partner Donkey Kong. His personal kart is the Barrel Train. This is the only Mario Kart game where Diddy is a lightweight driver.

Mario Kart Arcade GP series

In Mario Kart Arcade GP, Diddy Kong makes a cameo appearance. He appears in a course from the DK Cup, Bananan Ruins. When the player crosses the finish line to start a new lap or to finish the race, Diddy can be seen in the crowd cheering, which he also does in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2.

Mario Kart Wii

Diddy Kong in Mario Kart Wii

Diddy returns as a playable character in Mario Kart Wii. He appears as an unlockable, playable character. Diddy is classified as a middleweight character. He is unlocked by winning the 50cc Lightning Cup or by playing 450 races. Diddy Kong is a staff ghost for the course Maple Treeway. Diddy features a small acceleration and drift bonus while getting a strong mini-turbo bonus. Diddy Kong is one of three Kongs who appear in this game. The other two are Donkey Kong and Funky Kong. He also appears on Mario Kart Wii trading cards as a normal and foil card. On the back of his card, there is a description of him but with a spelling error saying "...he his^[sic] one fun driver", instead of saying "...he is one fun driver".

Mario Kart Tour

Diddy Kong in Mario Kart Tour

Diddy Kong reappears in Mario Kart Tour as a playable character, where he is classified as a Super character. His special item is the Banana Barrels, which he shares with Funky Kong and the Light Green Mii Racing Suit.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Diddy Kong racing on Cloudtop Cruise in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Diddy Kong was added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a playable character through the sixth and final wave of the Booster Course Pass, alongside Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette. He is among the lightest middleweight characters, sharing statistics with Cat Peach, Inkling Girl, and female Villager. A CPU controlled Diddy Kong uses the same kart combination options as Toad.

Donkey Konga series

Diddy Kong playing bongos

Diddy, along with Donkey Kong appears in Donkey Konga. In this game, he and Donkey Kong find a pair of bongos. With Diddy worrying that it could be King K. Rool's trap, he and Donkey Kong take them to Cranky Kong. Diddy tries to play it while Donkey Kong claps. The two leave, and continue to play their bongos. Diddy is also a playable character in the game. Diddy Kong appears as a playable character in the sequel, Donkey Konga 2, where Diddy, his girlfriend, Dixie Kong, and Donkey Kong are the three playable characters.

Diddy reappears in the Japan-only sequel, Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku. He returns as a playable character, along with Donkey Kong, Dixie Kong, and Funky Kong.

Mario Tennis series

Mario Power Tennis / New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis

Diddy Kong hitting a tennis ball

In his Mario Tennis series debut in Mario Power Tennis, Diddy Kong is a Speed type character, and his default partner for doubles matches is Donkey Kong. His Offensive Power Shot, Acrobatic Banana, makes him hit the ball in a curved trajectory while standing on his head. Any opponents that return his power shot have their controls reversed and a banana picture shows the effect. His Defensive Power Shot, Barrel Jet, allows him to return any balls that are out of his reach.

During the opening cinematic, Diddy is briefly seen using his tennis racket to knock back Bob-ombs thrown by Wario, Waluigi, and Bowser, where the Peach Dome is under siege.

During a trophy ceremony, Diddy comes up to the podium, while Luigi, Peach, and Donkey Kong look on. Diddy starts walking around Luigi, much to his and Peach's curiosity, asking, "Hey, where are you going?" Then Diddy flips the trophy with his tail in the air and catches while he celebrates his victory with Donkey Kong. During the Koopa Troopa's trophy ceremony, Diddy is seen eaten bananas, while Luigi, Mario, and Peach are congratulating the Koopa for his victory. Diddy then throws a banana peel in the direct path of the Koopa's path, causing it to trip over, but it eventually receives the trophy. Diddy and other characters pose for the camera as Koopa holds the trophy. During Wiggler's trophy ceremony, Diddy accidentally rolls a tennis ball, which causes Wiggler to trip. After Wiggler calms down, Diddy trips on the same tennis ball, losing his footing and falling onto both Luigi and Wiggler. This causes Wiggler to become angry and turn red, chasing after Diddy and Luigi. This is the first game where Katsumi Suzuki voices Diddy and has voiced as him ever since.

Mario Tennis Open

In Mario Tennis Open, Diddy Kong reappears as a speedy character. He is usually paired with Donkey Kong again. His gameplay is based on acrobatic moves, like in the previous tennis game. Like the other characters of the game, he has a tennis outfit and racket based on himself, available for purchase in the Tennis Gear Store, and also his own Mii costume, which is unlocked by meeting 20 Mii characters via Streetpass.

Mario Tennis Aces

Diddy Kong as he appears in Mario Tennis Aces

Diddy Kong appears in Mario Tennis Aces as a playable character, where he was available as a participation prize for the September online tournament, or from October 1, 2018. He is a speedy character. His Trick Shots are "Acrobatics" for forwards and "Diddy Roll" for sideways. His Special Shot is referred to as the "Jungle Swing".

DK series

DK: King of Swing

Diddy Kong in DK: King of Swing

In DK: King of Swing, Diddy Kong is the star of the Diddy Mode, which the player can unlock collecting 24 medals with Donkey Kong. Diddy is one of the playable characters in the Jungle Jam, where he can jump high but has a weak attack.

DK: Jungle Climber

Diddy Kong in DK: Jungle Climber

Diddy Kong appears in DK: Jungle Climber as well. In this game, DK can use him as a launch to hit objects and reach areas where DK cannot reach. Diddy is also required to use three powerups: Hammer, Wings, and Torch. The player has to race Diddy at the start of the game, and in one of the minigames, the player also has to race Diddy. Diddy plays a role in the plot as Donkey Kong's sidekick, as usual.

Yakuman DS

Diddy Kong appears in the Japan-only mahjong game Yakuman DS as an opponent. Unlike in most other Super Mario games he appears in, he appears only as a computer opponent. Diddy is one of twenty-one opponents and his best friend, Donkey Kong, appears as an opponent, too.

Mario Baseball series

Mario Superstar Baseball

Diddy Kong in Mario Superstar Baseball

In Mario Superstar Baseball, Diddy Kong is once again a playable character. He has fast running, good fielding, average pitching, and weak batting. He is a Team Captain in Exhibition Mode, and a Sub-Captain in Challenge Mode. During Challenge Mode, Diddy plays on Donkey Kong's team. His special ball is the Boomerang Ball, which launches the ball out like a Boomerang to trick the other team. It can be used when the player purchases the Chimp Banana in the store from challenge mode. His other special moves are Clamber and Super Catch. He shares good chemistry with Donkey Kong, Goomba, and Dixie Kong, and does not share bad chemistry with any character.

During the opening cinematic, Diddy is seen to be showing a bunt that hits a pitch thrown from Wario, where the ball barely stays fair on the boundary line.

In the closing cinematic that plays after winning the final game in Challenge Mode via Special Cup, Diddy is seen greeting Mario at the baseball field before Bowser arrives on scene and challenges Mario's team to a baseball game.

Mario Super Sluggers

Diddy Kong juggling three baseballs from Mario Super Sluggers

Diddy Kong reprises his role as a playable character and captain in Mario Super Sluggers. In challenge mode, he is on Donkey Kong's team, the DK Wilds. His team name is the Diddy Monkeys. Diddy's star swing is the Banana Swing and his star pitch is the Banana Ball. His batting has slightly improved, has a good fielding boost, his running has decreased, and his pitching is unchanged. He shares good chemistry with all the Kongs, bad chemistry with the Kritters and King K. Rool and is the only character not to share good chemistry with any Mii color.

During the opening cinematic, Diddy witnesses a giant barrel coming his way at DK Jungle until Donkey Kong smashes the barrel to save him.

In Challenge Mode, Diddy watches over the statue that once held the stone tablet while Donkey Kong, Mario, and the others search for the its pieces broken up by Bowser Jr. and his minions. He gives them hints on where to find the other two pieces; suggesting they follow one of Bowser Jr.'s minions and look near the waterfall. After the stone tablet is restored, the bridge to the ballpark is raised back into place. When Bowser Jr. is revealed to be holding Tiny Kong hostage, Diddy joins the team to rescue her.

Once the DK Wilds are assembled, the player can play a game against them by talking to Diddy, who explains their strength and defense.

In the cinematic that plays after defeating Bowser's team in Challenge Mode, Diddy is briefly seen celebrating with the other characters in the middle of the infield before everyone departs from Bowser's Castle and marches toward the entrance of the Baseball Kingdom, where they look at the sunset before the lights turn on for the night.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3

Diddy Kong playing basketball

Diddy Kong is playable in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Diddy Kong is a default player, and is a part of the speedy class. His Special Shot is the Jet Shot, which summons a jet pack, and attaches to Diddy Kong's back. He then flies towards the basket.

Mario Strikers series

Mario Strikers Charged

Diddy Kong kicking a soccer ball from Mario Strikers Charged

Diddy Kong is also an unlockable captain in Mario Strikers Charged. He is unlocked when the player beats Diddy Kong in the Crystal Cup. Diddy Kong is a Playmaker Captain, and he is very swift and agile. His Super Ability is Red Card!, which summons a beam of light that pulls any player, except for Diddy Kong, into the skies for fifteen seconds. A new trait of Diddy Kong in this game is that he does not smile very often, with the exception of his victory scenes, as do most other players; another exception is Diddy having a more deep human-like voice on certain occasions such as getting shoved by an opponent, being affected by Wario's "Gas Mask!" ability, and getting electrocuted. In the intro, he gets sucked into some cyclone in the sky during a match against Yoshi. It is later revealed that he somehow survived it, as shown when he receives the ball, and jumps into the air, smashing all of Yoshi's Dry Bones in the process and makes a great kick.

Diddy Kong gains some new abilities in this game. He is shown to have super natural powers, as seen with Red Card!, which summons a beam of light to take players out of the field, and his Mega Strike. When he uses his Mega Strike, he launches in the air, moves into a Buddha position, and touches it with the tip of his tail which makes the ball go flying.

His theme music when he scores a point and makes his home entrance is Hindustani classical music. One of his winning animations involves him doing a victory dance and grinning sheepishly, while two of his losing animations show Diddy moping around with a very depressed look on his face, while another scene shows him pounding his fists to the ground out of fury.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Diddy Kong returns as a playable character in Mario Strikers: Battle League, added through the version 1.2.0 update alongside Pauline. In this game, his best attributes are his speed and passing, while he has weaker strength and shooting. In his Hyper Strike, Barrel Boom, he shoots himself from a Blast Barrel towards the ball.

Mario Party series

The unlockable figure of Diddy Kong from Mario Party DS

Diddy Kong debuts in the Mario Party series in Mario Party DS as a non-playable character. In the third stage of Story Mode, Donkey Kong is transformed into a statue by a Dry Bones. Mario and friends help him recover Donkey Kong, and soon defeat the Dry Bones. After its defeat, Diddy hands Mario and friends the third Sky Crystal, while Donkey Kong heads off to Bowser's Castle. Diddy Kong also appears as one of the unlockable figures and badges. Diddy makes another non-playable appearance in Mario Party 9, this time as the mid-boss for DK's Jungle Ruins.

In Mario Party 10, Diddy does not physically appear, but a statue that looks like him mounted on Donkey Kong can be seen on the southern side of the Donkey Kong Board; it is based on another statue seen on the file select screen of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. While Diddy does not physically appear in Mario Party: The Top 100 either, his name is mentioned when the player scans the Diddy Kong amiibo, giving them ten coins, and as such an extra life if they have lost all of theirs.

Diddy Kong is an unlockable character Mario Party: Star Rush, also being his first playable appearance in a Mario Party game. He can be unlocked by earning enough party points to reach level 11 or by scanning a Diddy Kong amiibo. In Toad Scramble, he can break barrels to earn coins, and his Triple 7 Dice Block has a 50% chance of rolling either a 0 or a 7. In Coinathlon, if a Diddy Kong amiibo is used, Diddy Kong always starts out with two Double Medals, sharing this trait with Donkey Kong. Diddy Kong returns as an unlockable playable character in Super Mario Party, now unlocked by completing the second world of Challenge Road, Chestnut Forest. For this game, Diddy's special Dice Block has one face that gives him two coins (without moving), two faces that display 0s, and three faces that display 7s, giving him a better chance at movement than Donkey Kong's, who has two 10s instead of three 7s.

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. fighter Diddy Kong
Game appearances
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (unlockable)
Special moves
Neutral:  Peanut Popgun Side:  Monkey Flip Up:  Rocketbarrel Boost Down:  Banana Peel Final Smash:  Rocketbarrel Barrage (Brawl, for 3DS / Wii U); Hyper Rocketbarrel (Ultimate)
Battle entrance
Diddy Kong explodes out of a DK Barrel.

SmashWiki article: Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong joins the Super Smash Bros. series as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and returns in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He is swift, agile, and very acrobatic, just like how he is in the Donkey Kong franchise. Diddy Kong's weight is 93 units in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U; in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, his weight is decreased to 90 units.

For the Super Smash Bros. series, Diddy Kong is given a realistic monkey voice instead of the cartoonish voice he is commonly given in the Super Mario franchise titles.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

SmashWiki article: Diddy Kong (SSBB)

Diddy Kong makes his playable Super Smash Bros. debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, having only been mentioned in Donkey Kong's character biography and trophy in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Diddy Kong's special moves are Peanut Popgun, which lets him shoot peanuts at his opponents; Monkey Flip, which lets him leap forward and pummel (or kick) his opponents; Rocketbarrel Boost, which can be charged to fly through the air; and Banana Peel, which when thrown, makes his opponents trip. His Final Smash is Rocketbarrel Barrage, and it combines two of his special moves, Peanut Popgun and Rocketbarrel Boost, together.

In Diddy's codec conversation, Snake refers to him as a "chimpanzee in a Nintendo hat", despite the fact neither chimps nor any ape species have prominent tails.

The Subspace Emissary

Diddy Kong's snapshot in the Subspace Emissary

In the Jungle, Diddy Kong helps Donkey Kong recover bananas stolen from the Koopa Troop, only to have Bowser appear and attempt to use his Dark Cannon on the Kongs. Donkey knocks Diddy away to safety before anything happens, however, although at the cost of Donkey Kong being turned into a trophy in the process. At the Lake, Diddy encounters Rayquaza, teams up with Fox McCloud by force, and fights False Bowser, but they end up fleeing from the real Bowser. As they reach the Swamp, Bowser successfully attacks Diddy, turns into a static trophy and clones him into False Diddy Kong with shadowbugs, eventually multiplying in size. After Diddy is revived, he defeats the clone and teams up with Falco Lombardi, again by force.

Upon discovering that Donkey is being taken to the Island of the Ancients, Falco drops Diddy for the little Kong to rescue him. After receiving help from Captain Falcon and Captain Olimar to fend off the Subspace Army, all four of them end up at the Subspace Bomb Factory. Upon meeting Samus and Pikachu, R.O.B. reveals himself just before they are forced to evacuate the island as it is sucked into Subspace.

In Subspace, Tabuu turns all of the gathered heroes, including Diddy, into trophies. However, Diddy is among the fighters rescued by King Dedede and his team before they all head into the Great Maze to defeat Tabuu and save the world, with help from Sonic the Hedgehog.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

SmashWiki article: Diddy Kong (SSB4)

Diddy Kong was revealed for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U on February 21, 2014, the day of the North American/European release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Diddy Kong's mobility has been improved; his limbs are longer, giving his attacks more range; and many of his attacks deal much more knockback. However, his damage output is lower overall.

Early on in the game's lifetime, Diddy became notorious in competitive play for his very powerful and easy-to-use throw combos, leading to some of his moves being slightly weakened in later balance patches.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

SmashWiki article: Diddy Kong (SSBU)

Diddy Kong in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Diddy Kong reappears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, having new monkey voice clips alongside those from previous games. Diddy Kong benefits from universal changes: his mobility is even faster; his short hop timing is shortened; the landing lag in his aerials is reduced; he can directionally air dodge; and he can use any ground attack out of a run, or any aerial attack on ladders. Diddy Kong's damage output has been further decreased. Lastly, his weight has been reduced to 90 units, while Monkey Flip and Rocketbarrel Boost cover much less distance.

Owing to King K. Rool's ties to Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong appears alongside Donkey Kong in K. Rool's debut trailer for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Specifically, Diddy Kong lounges lazily in Donkey Kong's treehouse on a tire swing, only to be startled by quakes before looking outside with Donkey to investigate. They then see an ominous and familiar shadow, only for it to be revealed to be King Dedede wearing a cape and King K. Rool's mask, to their surprise. King Dedede then proceeds to laugh at the practical joke he played on them, only for him to be smacked upside the head and knocked away by the actual King K. Rool, much to Diddy and Donkey Kong's horror, with King K. Rool roaring. In the ending of the trailer, Diddy, alongside Donkey Kong, has their foot and fist, respectively, make contact with King K. Rool's fist with enough force as to cause a shockwave to be emitted throughout the jungle. He also appears in Banjo & Kazooie's trailer.

In the opening cutscene to "World of Light", Diddy is among the fighters who attempt to escape from Galeem's beams of light; Diddy himself attempts to flee using the Rocketbarrel Pack alongside Rosalina & Luma, but ultimately is consumed and used to create puppet fighters. Diddy is found in the sub-area in the Light Realm resembling the first world of the original Donkey Kong Country, with Diddy himself serving as the "boss" of that area.

Classic Mode route

Diddy Kong's Classic Mode has him fight alongside characters who generally have sidekicks at their side during adventures. The penultimate battle has Diddy fight alongside Donkey Kong against King K. Rool, their biggest nemesis.

Hey, Little Buddy!
Round	Opponent(s)	Rule	Stage	Song
1	Bowser, Bowser Jr.	Team Battle (Ally: Mario)	Princess Peach's Castle	King Bowser - Super Mario Bros. 3
2	Meta Ridley, Dark Samus	Team Battle (Ally: Zero Suit Samus)	Norfair	Nemesis Ridley
3	Ganondorf	Team Battle (Ally: Zelda)	Unova Pokémon League (Battlefield)	Death Mountain
4	Mewtwo	Team Battle (Ally: Pokémon Trainer)	Spear Pillar	Battle! (Dialga/Palkia) / Spear Pillar
5	King Dedede, Meta Knight	Team Battle (Ally: Kirby)	Fountain of Dreams	King Dedede's Theme (Brawl)
6	King K. Rool	Team Battle (Ally: Donkey Kong)	Jungle Japes	King K. Rool / Ship Deck 2
Final	Master Hand, Crazy Hand	Team Battle (Ally: Donkey Kong)	Final Destination	Master Hand / Crazy Hand

WarioWare series

In the WarioWare series, Diddy only appears in a few microgames. In WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase's DK Country, the player takes control of a moving Bonus Barrel, from which Diddy gets shot into the air. He must avoid an energic red Zinger and collect two rows of bananas in order to win the microgame. In WarioWare: Get It Together!'s Donkey Kong Country Returns, Diddy sometimes appears after the microgame is cleared.

Mario & Sonic series

Diddy's first three appearances in the Mario & Sonic series are in the form of an unlockable Mii outfit. In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games for the Wii, the suit based on him can be purchased from the boutique. In Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for the Wii, the suit is unlocked after playing against a friend 20 times in Single Event mode. In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, the Diddy suit is unlocked after completing 3 areas in Legend Showdown.

Diddy Kong's head icon in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

In more recent installments, Diddy has begun to appear as a playable character. In the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Diddy makes his playable debut in the series, although he can only be played in the 110m Hurdles event. In the Wii U version, Diddy is only playable in the Rugby Sevens event. Oddly, for Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Diddy has brown eyes instead of black like in the Super Smash Bros. series, and he does not have the Nintendo logo on his cap, possibly because Sega developed the games. In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Diddy is a Technique character, and he is only playable in Rugby Sevens.

Mario Sports Mix

Diddy Kong stealing a basketball from Donkey Kong

Diddy Kong appears in Mario Sports Mix as a playable character. He is a speedy character that has a slightly higher technique stat countered with a slightly lower power stat, along with other three speedy characters, Bowser Jr., Toad, and Cactuar. His Special Shot has him throwing a banana that acts like a boomerang, attempting to stun any players that try to counter his shot.

In Volleyball, Diddy Kong can give his full power shots an added curve, which is something that is typically seen with the Technical characters.

Fortune Street

Diddy Kong appears as a playable character in Fortune Street. He is a Level D character, alongside Birdo, Donkey Kong, Slime, and Yangus.

Super Mario series

Super Mario Maker

Diddy Kong appears as a Mystery Mushroom costume in the Super Mario Bros. style of Super Mario Maker, unlockable by scanning his amiibo onto the Wii U GamePad or randomly after clearing the 100 Mario Challenge. The costume is an 8-bit rendition of him, and its sounds are taken from Donkey Kong Country.

Super Mario Odyssey

The "Diddy Kong Suit" from Super Mario Odyssey

In Super Mario Odyssey, one of the billboards in New Donk City mentions a "Diddy's Mart". Diddy's outfit also appears as a purchasable costume for Mario after completing the game and collecting enough Power Moons or using his amiibo through Uncle amiibo.

Mario Sports Superstars

Diddy Kong appears as a starter, playable captain-type character in Mario Sports Superstars. Through most sports, he is a Speed type character, sharing the quality with Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Bowser Jr. In golf, his default drive is 216 yards, and his shots travel slightly high in a draw trajectory. Some of his voice clips from Donkey Kong 64 are also recycled for the Golf Gameplay.

Dr. Mario World

Diddy Kong's mugshot in Dr. Mario World

Diddy Kong, under the name Dr. Diddy Kong, was added to Dr. Mario World as a playable character on October 31, 2019. Dr. Diddy Kong is a reward in World 9's special stage since version 1.2.0, though beating the stage prior to the update will allow him to be obtainable through the doc box.

Dr. Diddy Kong's skill is to change full-sized capsules into two half-capsules, represented by his Peanut Popgun being fired and a peanut being overlaid on a capsule and being snapped into two. In stage mode, this affects the next four capsules, but in versus, this affects the next three capsules in level 1 and the next six capsules starting from level 2 (higher levels have a faster skill meter charge). When the changed capsule is brought into the stage, it works like a full-sized capsule in that both move simultaneously, but when control of the capsule is released, both halves of the capsule operate individually. Half-sized rainbow capsules are unaffected by this effect. In version 2.3.0, the first capsule affected by this effect are turned into rainbow capsules (half-sized rainbow capsules are still unaffected), which applies to both stage mode and versus.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Diddy Kong's appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Diddy Kong can be seen in the audience behind Donkey Kong on a poster for The Super Mario Bros. Movie with Swanky Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong, among various other generic Kongs. He has been given a slight redesign, with his eyes being separated and his tank top lengthened to cover his legs and show part of his chest along with yellow trimming. His hat has also been redesigned slightly, with the Nintendo logo being absent and a pin with Donkey Kong's emblem on it. He is also the only Kong other than Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong whose name is mentioned in the film.

In the film, he is seen in the crowd at the Great Ring of Kong for Mario and Donkey Kong's fight, cheering for the latter with Dixie and Chunky Kong sitting next to him. He continues to cheer even after Cranky silences the crowd until he tells him to be quiet, causing Diddy to sheepishly apologize. He is voiced by Eric Bauza.

Unused appearances

Diddy was to star in both Diddy Kong Pilot and Donkey Kong Racing as a main character and a sidekick, respectively, but these games were canceled before they could be released when Nintendo sold Rare Ltd. to Microsoft.

Other appearances

In 1998, despite not yet being part of the Super Mario franchise, he was featured alongside Mario, Yoshi and Koopa Troopa in a Pez dispenser set. Diddy Kong also appears in Nintendo Monopoly, where he costs $260 and takes the role of Ventnor Avenue.

Diddy Kong is a playable character in Monopoly Gamer. He is sold separately as a "Power Pack" expansion figure.

Diddy Kong appears in the game Skylanders: SuperChargers as part of the SuperCharged version of Donkey Kong's vehicle, the Barrel Blaster. He is also the basis of Donkey Kong's Soul Gem Diddy You Call?, where after being summoned he can fly around in his Rocketbarrel Pack and attack enemies with his Peanut Popguns, similar to his Final Smash in the Super Smash Bros. series.

In the Super Mario Mash-up in Minecraft, Diddy Kong appears as a playable skin.

General information

Physical appearance

Diddy Kong, holding his red hat with the Nintendo logo on it

Diddy Kong appears to be designed after a spider monkey. He has versatile feet, and a prehensile tail (the only Kong to possess one), which he uses most of the time to hold certain small items or also hang on objects. Diddy Kong's face is somewhat similar to Donkey Kong; however, Diddy Kong has big eyes and a less frowned space between the eyebrows, covered in fur, as opposed to Donkey Kong's. His ears are a bit big, the same size of his eyes. Diddy Kong's eyes are usually depicted as black, although Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64 depict him with blue eyes. On the other hand, Super Smash Bros. Brawl gives him brown eyes. The color of his eyelids varies depending on his appearances; sometimes they are either brown (like in Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing DS) or tan (like in Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and the Super Smash Bros. series) and mostly he has no eyelids at all (though he still blinks but his eyes remain open). Upon creation, he originally had four fingers. After the Microsoft acquisition of Rare Ltd., Nintendo now had exclusive rights to Diddy Kong, and altered his look to now have five fingers, starting with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Diddy Kong's clothing consists of a red cap showing the logo of Nintendo on its front, and a red tank top, with yellow stars on it (the details on his clothes were first introduced in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest).

Alternate outfits

In Donkey Kong Country, an alternate Diddy Kong's clothing was a yellow tank top and a yellow cap. It appeared when two players wished to play independently. In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Diddy Kong appears with another alternate costume as well. In the sequel, Diddy Kong wears a blue costume. In Mario Strikers Charged, Diddy Kong wears armor, protecting him against hazards set in the game. He wears a pair of wristbands, shoulder-pads, and a cuirasse over his tank top to protect his chest. The armor is mainly yellow, but it turns to purple in case that his opponents wear a similar color scheme. Later in Donkey Kong Country Returns, when the Super Guide mode is activated and Super Kong breaks a DK Barrel, Super Diddy Kong appears. Super Diddy Kong has white fur instead of brown, and his red cap and tank top have become blue.

Throughout the Super Smash Bros. series, Diddy Kong has had eight alternate costumes to choose from, including his default appearance. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Diddy Kong has 6 costumes, while in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he has 8 costumes. Diddy Kong's first alternate costume consists of a yellow tank top with red stars and white cap, while his fur is dark brown, resembling his alternate color in Donkey Kong Country's Two-Player Contest mode; his second alternate costume gives him golden brown fur, while his cap and tank top turn pink (the stars also turn white), resembling Dixie Kong; his third alternate costume gives him dark brown fur and a purple tank top and cap, resembling his appearance in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest's Two-Player Contest mode; his fourth alternate costume gives him reddish-brown fur and a green tank top and cap, resembling one of his alternate colors from Donkey Kong 64's multiplayer mode; lastly, his fifth alternate costume gives Diddy Kong a blue tank top and cap, resembling Kiddy Kong. In 3DS / Wii U, Diddy Kong gains his sixth and seventh alternate costumes: the former gives him black fur with a brown tank top and yellow cap, resembling a chimpanzee; the latter gives him light brown fur with a cyan tank top and fur, resembling Donkey Kong Jr.'s design in Donkey Kong Jr. Math.

Speech

In the early Donkey Kong Country games, as well as the Donkey Kong Land series, there was no voice acting, though Diddy Kong did have a few realistic monkey sounds provided by Mark Betteridge. However, the games' respective instruction manuals showed Diddy Kong being able to speak full sentences. Diddy Kong was able to speak intelligently in the comic Rumble in the Jungle and the Super Mario Kun manga. Diddy Kong first received voice acting in the 1998 computer-animated Donkey Kong Country series, where he was portrayed by Andrew Sabiston. In the GameCube-era Super Mario and Donkey Kong games, Diddy was voiced by Chris Sutherland, who provided him with a mixture of cartoonish monkey noises and actual words/phrases, such as "Uh-oh!" and "Come on!" From 2004 onwards, Diddy Kong has been voiced by Katsumi Suzuki, who solely provided him with a cartoonish monkey voice. In cases where Diddy Kong is intended to speak in full sentences, there is in-game text to show what he is actually saying. The only time in the games where Diddy Kong actually speaks is in Diddy Kong Racing, when he says, "I'm Diddy!" whenever the player selects him to play as him. Most of the time, his speech is in parentheses, thus implying that characters other than Donkey Kong and the other Kongs still have difficulty understanding what he is saying. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Diddy Kong receives realistic monkey noises.

Powers and abilities

Diddy Kong using his cartwheel attack from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

In almost every appearance he makes, Diddy Kong has been shown to be quick and nimble to offset Donkey Kong's great strength. As a result, Diddy, while more agile, has more trouble defeating larger enemies. In many games he has appeared, such as in Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong 64, he is able to use his cartwheel to attack opponents but also to jump farther in Donkey Kong Country. Diddy Kong is shown to have a strong skull; he has a special dashing ability in Donkey Kong 64 called Chimpy Charge where he ram into switches, walls, and gongs with a head-first charge and in Donkey Kong Country Returns, after defeating Tiki Tong, he brings the moon down with just his head.

While teamed up with Dixie Kong during the events of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Diddy Kong is able to pick up his partner and throw her to high areas or enemies. He can also throw her at collectibles that float above pits.

Diddy Kong with his Barrel Jet

In some games, Diddy Kong can also use his Barrel Jet to fly to hard-to-reach areas. However, in Donkey Kong 64, it is only given to him after entering one of Cranky's Kong Barrels, and it can only be used in certain areas. During the time Diddy Kong uses his Barrel Jet, he is also equipped with Peanut Popguns, which allow him to defeat or stun distant enemies and activate switches. During Donkey Kong Country Returns, Diddy Kong can use his Barrel Jet in order to carry Donkey Kong over pits. It's revealed in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, that Diddy Kong has a prehensile tail due to the fact he can hang onto hooks with it. Additionally, in Donkey Kong 64 he is able to use his tail to attack enemies or use it as a spring to reach higher areas. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he is able to combine his Rocketbarrel Pack and Peanut Popgun for his Final Smash.

Diddy Kong juggling

In Mario Superstar Baseball, Diddy Kong, with his good running stat, also possess the ability to climb on walls and catch balls that are otherwise fair. He also has Super Catch ensuring that he does not fumble any routine fly balls. His pitches and batting involve curving the ball in the shape of a banana. This ability is also present in Mario Power Tennis. In Mario Striker Charged, Diddy Kong displays some supernatural abilities such as summoning a beam of light that subdue his opponents into the sky and psychic abilities during his Mega Strike. In Mario Sport Mix, his special move is throwing a banana like a boomerang which stuns opponents after being hit by it.

Diddy Kong is capable of juggling, which he does in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest if he does not move for a while. Also, his artwork for Mario Super Sluggers portrays him juggling three baseballs. Just like Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, he is also capable of playing an electric guitar in Donkey Kong 64, which he uses to solve puzzles and destroy surrounding enemies.

Personality

Diddy Kong is a friendly and adventurous character, willing to help out his friends during times of need, evidenced by the Donkey Kong Country series. Diddy Kong is somewhat of a peace seeker, which is an offset to Donkey Kong's more aggressive behavior against his enemies, since he asks a Kremling to "show himself if he was friendly" in Donkey Kong Country. Diddy Kong's defining personality trait is his energy and gaiety, to the point of childishness (in a similar vein to Toad, though he is less humble than the mushroom himself). Diddy Kong always shows excitement in various competitive sports (the Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Mario Baseball series) and kart races, as evidenced by his idle and victory animations, which see him cartwheeling, backflipping, sideflipping, jumping up and down, or clapping his hands while yelling and screeching in happiness and enjoyment. Diddy's boisterous, slap-happy personality comes into play in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he is constantly smiling or showing toothy grins. Diddy Kong's victory animations show him holding his head with both his hands, or firing a peanut from the Peanut Popgun, further showing how excitable he is. In The Subspace Emmissary, he is fearless to the point that he doesn't consider the danger; eager to fight Bowser while Donkey Kong and Fox McCloud knew this was too dangerous when he had a Dark Cannon at his disposal. Despite his energetic, excitable nature, Diddy Kong becomes sad when he loses to a boss in the Donkey Kong Country games or his opponents in various Super Mario spin-offs and Super Smash Bros. games, thus showing that he does not like to face defeat. In the television show, Diddy has a more snarky than go-lucky attitude.

Relationships

Friends

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong giving each other a high five

Donkey Kong is Diddy Kong's best friend and idol. Although they are designed after different species, Diddy Kong has been called a relative of Donkey Kong's in a handful of material mostly in the late 90's. One of the earliest instances appears to be the December 1997 issue of the United Kingdom Nintendo Magazine, in which Diddy Kong is referred to as Donkey Kong's son. He has also been called Donkey Kong's nephew in 1999, specifically in the English version of Super Smash Bros., once on Rare's website, and the Donkey Kong 64 Player's Guide, as well as by Diddy's creator Kevin Bayliss; however, non-international releases of Super Smash Bros. do not refer to Diddy as DK's nephew, Leigh Loveday himself uses uncertain language, and the Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet only considers him "Donkey's little nephew wannabe." The Prima Games guide for the 2003 Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country vaguely refers to them as cousins, and so do the Italian instruction booklets of both the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance remakes of Donkey Kong Country. The Italian Club Nintendo magazine defines him as the youngest member of the Kong family. Most subsequent sources drop the notion of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong being related, but the Donkey Kong Country Returns Kong Gallery refers to one image of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as a "Family Portrait" in every language except Japanese. According to Gregg Mayles, the Kong characters of Donkey Kong Country were set to be related to each other, but the notion was left ambiguous after deeming design quirks such as Diddy's tail nonsensical.

Cranky Kong considers himself to be a "grandpappy" of sorts to Diddy Kong (as well as Dixie Kong), and while he complains about Diddy Kong receiving a starring role in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest while he was stuck in a gloomy shed, he also calls him a true video game hero and comments that he must take after himself and Donkey Kong. Incidentally, in the episode "Ape Foo Young" of the Donkey Kong Country television series, Diddy Kong tries to pass off Baby Kong as Donkey Kong's nephew, while Cranky Kong states that he does not have one.

Dixie Kong began a relationship with Diddy Kong after the events of Donkey Kong Country, and has accompanied her boyfriend on a few adventures and sports outings, including Diddy Kong Racing DS, in which Donkey Kong does not appear. Their romantic relationship is not often touched upon in the games themselves, but is utilized in the Donkey Kong Country television series. Diddy is shown to be good friends with her sister Tiny Kong in rare interactions, as Diddy freed Tiny in Donkey Kong 64 and Tiny joins his group in Diddy Kong Racing DS.

Enemies

Diddy Kong, like the rest of the Kongs, is mortal enemies with the Kremlings. A Krusha stuffed him in a barrel when he guarded the banana hoard and the Kremlings, in later adventures, kidnap him and his friends. Diddy has an antagonistic relationship with King K. Rool, almost as much as Donkey Kong. Diddy Kong views him as "King K. Fool" once in DK: Jungle Climber while demanding him to just surrender. In Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Diddy has a rivalry with Kip.

Diddy Kong also has another archenemy, the evil Wizpig, who he and a group of friends face in a race after takes over Timber's Island.

Profiles and statistics

See also: List of Diddy Kong profiles and statistics

Diddy Kong is usually introduced as Donkey Kong's buddy in his official bios, with Dixie Kong being mentioned occasionally as well. He is typically described as being small and agile, and his stats in most spinoffs accordingly make him a lightweight and/or speed character.

Portrayals

• Mark Betteridge (DK's voice clips recycled and higher-pitched from 1994–1995)
• Chris Sutherland (1997-2017)
• Andrew Sabiston (Donkey Kong Country television series)
• Katsumi Suzuki (current; 2004-present)
• Eric Bauza (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Quotes

• "Ahhh... delicious delicious bananas..." – Donkey Kong Country (SNES instruction booklet)
• "“W-w-who goes there?!” Diddy challenged the sounds in the darkened, dripping foliage." – Donkey Kong Country (SNES instruction booklet, with narration)
• "“W-w-who goes there?!?” Diddy called." – Donkey Kong Country (GBA instruction booklet, with narration)
• "“Kremlings!” Diddy gasped in horror." – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Instruction booklets, with narration)
• "After all we did to get them back last time? Donkey Kong would go crazy if he lost his bananas again!" – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES instruction booklet)
• "“We’ve got to rescue him, of course!” said Diddy and Dixie together." – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES instruction booklet, with narration)
• "“What about me?!” asked Diddy, stamping his foot. “I went with Donkey on his last adventure! Why can't I do it?!”" – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES instruction booklet, with narration)
• "DK would never forgive us! We've got to rescue him!" – Donkey Kong Country 2 (GBA instruction booklet)
• "What about me?!" demanded Diddy. "I went with Donkey on his last adventure! I’ll do it!" – Donkey Kong Country 2 (GBA instruction booklet)
• "“But it’s dangerous!” he protested." – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Instruction booklets, with narration)
• "Of course I’m not!" – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Instruction booklets)
• "“I'll bring him back, you’ll see!” he declared." – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES instruction booklet, with narration)
• "We'll bring him back, you'll see!" – Donkey Kong Country 2 (GBA instruction booklet)
• "Hey, DK! Hellllp!" – Donkey Kong 64
• "YIPEE! Way to go, DK!" – Donkey Kong 64
• "Now that I'm free, I can help you by collecting red bananas." – Donkey Kong 64
• "I'll just go and wait in the Tag Barrel until you need me." – Donkey Kong 64
• "Mmm... I wonder if I'll need Cranky's help in here?" – Donkey Kong 64
• "Uh-oh!" – Donkey Kong 64
• "Come on!" – Donkey Kong 64, Mario Power Tennis
• "AAAAH, EEEEE-EEEK!!!" – Donkey Kong 64
• "Wheeee! Catch me if you can!" – Donkey Kong 64
• "Okay, you two morons, here's your chance..." – Donkey Kong 64
• "Come on!"(Is that the right club?) Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
• "I'm Diddy! Hoo-hoo!" – Mario Power Tennis
• "(Heya! That was some show you put on out there. Real high-level play, and in a preliminary no less! Man, Rugby Sevens is just the best! I guess there were a lot of people here watching Rugby Sevens for the first time, but everyone got really fired up! Especially me!)" – Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)
• "(The arrow markers that appear by your feet during Rugby Sevens point toward the middle of the goalpost. If you kick the ball in the direction of the arrow, it'll make it easier to score a drop goal. This is all good info if you want to rack up points!)" – Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)
• "(The crowd adores you guys, and I do too–I'd love a chance to face you in Rugby Sevens! I'll even let you know how to improve once I beat you.)" – Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)
• "(Boy, I never thought I'd lose like that! That's what I get for thinking you were small bananas. Heckuva match, though. Thanks!)" – Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U)
• "Ook ook ook! (I'm not going down easy!)" – Super Mario Party
• "Ook ookoook ook! (You're lucky we weren't climbing trees!)" – Super Mario Party
• "Ook ook ook! (Next time we meet, I won't lose!)" – Super Mario Party
• "Oook ook! Oook ook ook! (Nice meeting you! I'm Diddy Kong!)" – Super Mario Party
• "Oook ook! Oook oooook? (Mind if I come along with you?)" – Super Mario Party
• "Oook? Oook ook! (Any tree-climbing to do? I'm the best at that!)" – Super Mario Party

List of appearances

Title	Description	Original release date	System/format
Donkey Kong Country	Playable character	1994	SNES
Donkey Kong Land	Playable character	1995	Game Boy
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest	Playable character	1995	SNES
Donkey Kong Land 2	Playable character	1996	Game Boy
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!	Non-playable character	1996	SNES
Diddy Kong Racing	Playable character	1997	Nintendo 64
Donkey Kong 64	Unlockable playable character	1999	Nintendo 64
Donkey Kong Country	Playable character	2000	Game Boy Color
Donkey Kong Country	Playable character	2003	Game Boy Advance
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour	Playable character	2003	Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!	Playable character	2003	Nintendo GameCube
Donkey Konga	Playable character	2003	Nintendo GameCube
Donkey Kong Country 2	Playable character	2004	Game Boy Advance
Donkey Konga 2	Playable character	2004	Nintendo GameCube
Mario Power Tennis	Playable character	2004	Nintendo GameCube
DK: King of Swing	Unlockable playable character (main game) Default playable character (Jungle Jam mode)	2005	Game Boy Advance
Yakuman DS	Non-playable character	2005	Nintendo DS
Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku	Playable character	2005	Nintendo GameCube
Mario Superstar Baseball	Playable character	2005	Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart Arcade GP	Cameo	2005	Arcade
Donkey Kong Country 3	Non-playable character	2005	Game Boy Advance
Mario Hoops 3-on-3	Playable character	2006	Nintendo DS
Diddy Kong Racing DS	Playable character	2007	Nintendo DS
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2	Cameo	2007	Arcade
Mario Strikers Charged	Unlockable playable character	2007	Wii
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast	Playable character	2007	Wii
DK: Jungle Climber	Playable character	2007	Nintendo DS
Mario Party DS	Non-playable character	2007	Nintendo DS
Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Playable character	2008	Wii
Mario Kart Wii	Unlockable playable character	2008	Wii
Mario Super Sluggers	Playable character	2008	Wii
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis	Playable character	2009	Wii
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase	Cameo in Microgame	2009	WiiWare
Donkey Kong Country Returns	Playable character	2010	Wii
Mario Sports Mix	Playable character	2010	Wii
Fortune Street	Playable character	2011	Wii
Mario Party 9	Non-playable character	2012	Wii
Mario Tennis Open	Playable character	2012	Nintendo 3DS
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D	Playable character	2013	Nintendo 3DS
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	Playable character	2014	Wii U
Mario Golf: World Tour	Playable character	2014	Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U	Playable character	2014	Nintendo 3DS, Wii U
Mario Party 10	Cameo	2015	Wii U
Super Mario Maker	Playable character (Costume Mario)	2015	Wii U
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games	Unlockable playable character	2016	Nintendo 3DS, Wii U
Minecraft: Wii U Edition	Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-up	2016	Wii U
Mario Party: Star Rush	Unlockable playable character	2016	Nintendo 3DS
Mario Sports Superstars	Playable character	2017	Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition	Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-up	2017	Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Odyssey	Costume	2017	Nintendo Switch
Mario Party: The Top 100	Mentioned	2017	Nintendo 3DS
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	Playable character	2018	Nintendo Switch
Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition	Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-up	2018	New Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition	Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-up	2018	Nintendo Switch
Mario Tennis Aces	Playable character	2018	Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Party	Unlockable playable character	2018	Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Unlockable playable character	2018	Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart Tour	Unlockable playable character	2019	Mobile
Dr. Mario World	Unlockable playable character (update)	2019	Mobile
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020	Unlockable playable character	2019	Nintendo Switch
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics	Cameo (playing cards)	2020	Nintendo Switch
WarioWare: Get It Together!	Cameo in microgame	2021	Nintendo Switch
Mario Strikers: Battle League (version 1.2.0)	Playable character	2022	Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (version 3.0.0)	Downloadable playable character	2023 (Booster Course Pass, Wave 6)	Nintendo Switch

Voice samples

Donkey Kong 64 and Mario Golf: World Tour - Diddy Kong panicking in shock (Chris Sutherland)

File infoMedia:Diddy Kong Panicking.oga ​

Mario Power Tennis - Diddy Kong with his Barrel Jet (Katsumi Suzuki)

File infoMedia:Diddy Kong Mario Power Tennis.oga ​

Super Smash Bros. series - Diddy Kong's star KO scream

File infoMedia:Diddy Kong SSBB voice.oga ​

Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Gallery

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

• 

  Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

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  Diddy Kong Racing

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  DK: King of Swing

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  Donkey Konga 2

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  Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

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  Mario Golf: World Tour

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ディディーコング[?] Didī Kongu	Diddy Kong
Chinese (simplified)	迪迪刚[?] Dídí Gāng	Diddy Kong
Chinese (traditional)	狄狄剛[?] Dídí Gāng	Diddy Kong
French	Diddy Kong Diddy	-
German	Diddy Kong[?]	-
Italian	Diddy Kong[?]	-
Korean	디디콩[?] Didi Kong	Diddy Kong
Portuguese	Diddy Kong[?]	-
Romanian	Diddy Kong (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)[?]	-
Russian	Дидди Конг[?] Diddi Kong	Diddy Kong
Spanish	Diddy Kong[?]	-