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'''Kongs''' (also known as '''Apes''' in production literature for the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' television series]])<ref>{{cite|title=''Computer Animation: A Whole New World''|date=1998|publisher=Rockport Publishers|page=87|isbn=1564963772}}</ref> are sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, with the [[Donkey Kong|eponymous character]] himself being one. They are capable of actions such as speech and building houses and typically wear clothing, though the amount varies drastically with the individual, with Donkey Kong himself wearing only a tie, while many others wear full outfits. Kongs seem to be native to [[Donkey Kong Island]], and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilian [[Kremling]] race. While most of them share the surname "Kong," they do not all appear to be directly related to one another. Kongs can resemble any number of real-life primates, with Donkey Kong, [[Funky Kong]], and several others resembling gorillas; [[Diddy Kong]] resembling a monkey; [[Dixie Kong]] and [[Tiny Kong]] resembling chimpanzees; and [[Lanky Kong]] resembling an orangutan.
'''Kongs''' (also known as '''Apes''' in production literature for the [[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' television series]])<ref>{{cite|title=''Computer Animation: A Whole New World''|date=1998|publisher=Rockport Publishers|page=87|isbn=1564963772}}</ref> are sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, with the [[Donkey Kong|eponymous character]] himself being one. They are capable of actions such as speech and building houses and typically wear clothing, though the amount varies drastically with the individual, with Donkey Kong himself wearing only a tie, while many others wear full outfits. Kongs seem to be native to [[Donkey Kong Island]], and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilian [[Kremling]] race. While most of them share the surname "Kong," they do not all appear to be directly related to one another. Kongs can resemble any number of real-life primates, with Donkey Kong, [[Funky Kong]], and several others resembling gorillas; [[Diddy Kong]] resembling a monkey; [[Dixie Kong]] and [[Tiny Kong]] resembling chimpanzees; and [[Lanky Kong]] resembling an orangutan.


Generic names of various real-life types of primates, such as "monkeys," "chimps," "gorillas," and "apes," are used fairly interchangeably to describe Kongs, especially in earlier media such as ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' and the ''Donkey Kong Country'' cartoon, which never refer to Kongs as such outside their individual names. However, the term "baboon" seems to be reserved as an insult, potentially due to it sounding similar to the word "buffoon," and is even used against other species, such as [[Cranky Kong]] using it against [[Krusha (character)|Krusha]] in "[[From Zero to Hero]]." Despite this, Kongs are their own species separate from apes.<ref>{{cite|author=KRoolKountry|date=January 15, 2024|url=x.com/KRoolKountry/status/1747120247826702486|title=Just a reminder that Donkey Kong is not an ape—he is a Kong. However, “going ape” is a phrase that can be used for Kongs as well!|publisher=X|accessdate=February 15, 2024}}</ref>
Generic names of various real-life types of primates, such as "monkeys," "chimps," "gorillas," and "apes," are used fairly interchangeably to describe Kongs, especially in earlier media such as ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' and the ''Donkey Kong Country'' cartoon, which never refer to Kongs as such outside their individual names. However, the term "baboon" seems to be reserved as an insult, potentially due to it sounding similar to the word "buffoon," and is even used against other species, such as [[Cranky Kong]] using it against [[Krusha]] in "[[From Zero to Hero]]." Despite this, Kongs are their own species separate from apes.<ref>{{cite|author=KRoolKountry|date=January 15, 2024|url=x.com/KRoolKountry/status/1747120247826702486|title=Just a reminder that Donkey Kong is not an ape—he is a Kong. However, “going ape” is a phrase that can be used for Kongs as well!|publisher=X|accessdate=February 15, 2024}}</ref>


The word "Kong" is a Japanese slang word for "gorilla."<ref>{{cite|author=De Maria, Rusel, and Wilson, Johnny L.|date=December 18, 2003|title=''High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games''|format=2nd edition|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|isbn=9780072231724|language=en}}</ref>
The word "Kong" is a Japanese slang word for "gorilla."<ref>{{cite|author=De Maria, Rusel, and Wilson, Johnny L.|date=December 18, 2003|title=''High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games''|format=2nd edition|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|isbn=9780072231724|language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:01, August 7, 2024

It has been requested that this article be rewritten. Reason: Include better coverage of The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Kong
Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong
The main Kongs of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: clockwise from top, Donkey Kong, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, and Diddy Kong
First appearance Donkey Kong (1981)
Latest appearance Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (2024)
Variants
Relatives
Notable members
“I'm the king of the Kong, the simian Don Juan.”
Diddy Kong, "Kong for a Day"

Kongs (also known as Apes in production literature for the Donkey Kong Country television series)[1] are sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the Donkey Kong franchise, with the eponymous character himself being one. They are capable of actions such as speech and building houses and typically wear clothing, though the amount varies drastically with the individual, with Donkey Kong himself wearing only a tie, while many others wear full outfits. Kongs seem to be native to Donkey Kong Island, and they share an animosity with much of the crocodilian Kremling race. While most of them share the surname "Kong," they do not all appear to be directly related to one another. Kongs can resemble any number of real-life primates, with Donkey Kong, Funky Kong, and several others resembling gorillas; Diddy Kong resembling a monkey; Dixie Kong and Tiny Kong resembling chimpanzees; and Lanky Kong resembling an orangutan.

Generic names of various real-life types of primates, such as "monkeys," "chimps," "gorillas," and "apes," are used fairly interchangeably to describe Kongs, especially in earlier media such as Saturday Supercade and the Donkey Kong Country cartoon, which never refer to Kongs as such outside their individual names. However, the term "baboon" seems to be reserved as an insult, potentially due to it sounding similar to the word "buffoon," and is even used against other species, such as Cranky Kong using it against Krusha in "From Zero to Hero." Despite this, Kongs are their own species separate from apes.[2]

The word "Kong" is a Japanese slang word for "gorilla."[3]

Kong Family

DK emblem
Donkey Kong's emblem

The Kong Family[4] (alternatively Kong family),[5] also known as the Donkey Kong Family[6] or Kong Klan,[7] and the DK Crew[8][9] (alternatively DK Krew)[10] are the main group of Kongs, being Donkey Kong's family and close friends. The patriarch of the family is Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong. In the Donkey Kong franchise of video games, members of the Kong Family are either playable characters or supporting characters that aid the main heroes on their journey, although they also receive help from allies outside the family, including the Animal Friends and the Kremling K. Lumsy.

The family often uses the initials "DK" as a symbol, which most often represents Donkey Kong. It is seen on Donkey Kong's tie, DK Barrels, DK Coins, the Level Flags, DK Spaces, and various other objects around Donkey Kong Island. The symbol is also used in the Super Smash Bros. series, although in this context, it is used as the logo for the Donkey Kong franchise in general instead of just the Kong Family members (since King K. Rool and Klaptraps also use it).

According to Gregg Mayles, the characters were loosely intended to be an actual family, but the extended relations were left deliberately vague by the release of Donkey Kong Country due to uncanny details such as Diddy Kong having a tail and Candy Kong looking humanoid, as more priority was put in diversifying the designs rather than fitting it into a cohesive family tree background.[11]

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese コングファミリー[?]
Kongu Famirī
Kong Family
Catalan Família Kong (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)[?] Kong Family
Chinese (simplified) 刚家族[?]
Gāng Jiāzú
Kong Family
Chinese (traditional) 剛家族[?]
Gāng Jiāzú
Kong Family
French Famille Kong[?] Kong Family
German Kong-Familie[?] Kong Family
Italian Famiglia Kong[?] Kong Family
Spanish Familia Kong[?] Kong Family

List of Kongs

Donkey Kong's family

In addition, Donkey Kong Jr. has a relative referred to as Uncle Julius, albeit he has not been shown to be a part of the Kong clan.

Dixie Kong's family

  • Dixie Kong – Diddy Kong's girlfriend, Tiny Kong's older sister, Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
  • Tiny Kong – Dixie Kong's younger sister, Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin.
  • Chunky Kong – Kiddy Kong's older brother, Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.
  • Kiddy Kong – Chunky Kong's younger brother, Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin.

Other members

Evil Kongs

Robotic Kongs

Kong species

Unused Kongs

Gallery

Kong Family

Group

Emblem

Other Kongs

Miscellaneous

Trivia

References

  1. ^ 1998. Computer Animation: A Whole New World. Rockport Publishers. ISBN 1564963772. Page 87.
  2. ^ KRoolKountry (January 15, 2024). Just a reminder that Donkey Kong is not an ape—he is a Kong. However, “going ape” is a phrase that can be used for Kongs as well!. X. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ De Maria, Rusel, and Wilson, Johnny L. (December 18, 2003). High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games (2nd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill/Osborne (English). ISBN 9780072231724.
  4. ^ 1995. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Instruction Booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 21.
  5. ^ "Have you been to see the other members of the Kong family? They're not as useful as me of course, but they might be able to help." – Cranky Kong. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
  6. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 5.
  7. ^ Munson, Terry and Paul Shinoda (1996). Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 8.
  8. ^ "He's the first member of the DK crew!" – DK Rap singer. Donkey Kong 64.
  9. ^ "The DK Crew came to his tropical paradise for a little R&R." – Narrator. DK: Jungle Climber.
  10. ^ The back of the box art for Donkey Kong Country 2 for the Game Boy Advance.
  11. ^ GameXplain (November 16, 2019). Talking with Rare's Creative Director for DKC's 25th Anniversary! (Cut Content, Wario Plot, & More) (27:06). YouTube (English). Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "Yes, but it's no ordinary one though! It was Cranky's great grandfather's! I can't let it go for less than 50 coins." – Bazaar. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!.
  13. ^ "A newcomer to the Kong clan and the joker of the pack. I haven't a clue whom he's related to—must be some distant cousin or something." – Cranky Kong (1999). Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America. Page 8.
  14. ^ "The well-mannered giant gorilla is, in the truest sense of the word, a great guy, and sticks to Lanky, his uncle once-removed." – Chunky Kong bio. German Donkey Kong 64 website.
  15. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 29.
  16. ^ Proto:Banjo-Pilot/Diddy Kong Pilot 2001 § Story Text. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved April 23, 2024.