Helicopter Spin
- “Girl heroes in video games, pah. I can't believe it! The main character should be really muscle-bound and carry a gun, not twirl their hair round!”
- —Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
The Helicopter Spin, also called the Ponytail Spin[1] (alternatively written as pony tail spin),[2] is an ability performed by Dixie Kong in the Donkey Kong Country series and Donkey Kong Land series. It is first used by her in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, followed by Donkey Kong Land 2, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, Donkey Kong Land III, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
Since Dixie cannot cartwheel like Diddy or roll like Donkey Kong and Kiddy, Dixie uses her ponytail to spin into enemies instead. She primarily uses the Helicopter Spin while in midair, allowing her to safely move across gaps and other stage hazards; this move effectively slows her descent. Dixie performs the move by whirling her ponytail around in a circular motion, hence the ability name. In Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong Country 3, if Dixie is accompanied by Diddy or Kiddy, respectively, her partner Kong rolls in the air while she uses a Helicopter Spin.
In a few cases, Dixie's Helicopter Spin is required for crossing certain large gaps that the other Kongs cannot do so alone. For instance, in Donkey Kong Country 3 at the start of Stampede Sprint, there is a large divide that can be crossed only via her Helicopter Spin. The ability is sometimes used to more easily reach a Bonus Barrel. For example, in Donkey Kong Country 2 in Mainbrace Mayhem, while Diddy can perform a cartwheel to reach the Bonus Barrel, Dixie's Helicopter Spin lowers the risk of Diddy missing a jump and losing a life.
In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the Helicopter Spin allows Dixie to gain a small boost in altitude, even while riding on Donkey Kong.
In the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy, the player can press 
to have Dixie perform a Helicopter Spin. In the Donkey Kong Land games, this is accomplished by pressing 
, and the Game Boy Advance versions also require 
.
In Donkey Kong 64, Tiny Kong uses a similar move for gliding, known as the Pony Tail Twirl. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Donkey Kong uses a similar move as his recovery, Spinning Kong, where he spins to briefly propel himself into the air.
Profiles
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- “Dixie Kong can spin her ponytail and lift Donkey Kong into the air for a short time.”
- —Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze manual[page number needed]
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian | Elicottero di Dixie[3][4] | Dixie's helicopter | |
| L'"effetto elicottero" di Dixie[5] | Dixie's "helicopter effect/style" | ||
| Volteggio[6][7] | Glide/Hover | ||
| Elicasalto[8] | Propeller-jump |
References
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Wii U Virtual Console electronic manual. Tab 2: "Controls".
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Wii U Virtual Console electronic manual. Tab 2: "Controls".
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Spanish-Italian manual. Page 40.
- ^ Donkey Kong Land 2 Italian manual. Page 12.
- ^ Donkey Kong Land III Spanish-Italian manual. Page 42.
- ^ Nintendo (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2 European manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 110.
- ^ Nintendo (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3 European manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 108.
- ^ Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Italian e-manual. Page 13.
