DK: King of Swing
Template:Infobox DK: King of Swing is a puzzle game starring Donkey Kong for the Game Boy Advance. It is the first installment of the DK series. Its gameplay is similar to the NES game Clu Clu Land, but has been re-formatted in certain aspects to provide more of an adventure game feel. In this game, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong must quest across five worlds to win back the Jungle Jam medals that King K. Rool has stolen and scattered across the levels. The game is the first Donkey Kong franchise game developed by Paon for Nintendo, who also made the sequel, DK: Jungle Climber and the racing title Donkey Kong Barrel Blast.
Story
The game takes place during the Jungle Jam Tournament, where a huge festival held on Donkey Kong Island occurs. During the tournament, medals (which are actually DK Coins) are handed out as prizes to participants in contests like breaking barrels and jumping pegs, with the winner being crowned the hero of the jungle. King K. Rool, however, steals all the medals before the tournament commences, proclaiming himself the jungle hero. Donkey Kong pursues King K. Rool to get the medals back and restore peace to Donkey Kong Island.
Game modes
- Adventure: The main mode of the game.
- Single Jungle Jam Tournament: There are a total of twelve events that can be played in this mode. The player can choose between Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Funky Kong, the player can unlock Bubbles, Wrinkly Kong, King K. Rool, and Kritter too. The CPU uses the other characters. The first accessible events are: Climbing Race 1, Climbing Race 2, Obstable Race 1 and Attack Battle 1.
- Multiplayer Jungle Jam Tournament: The same as above, but in multiplayer with four players using the GBA Link cable.
- Extras: It features Cranky's Lectures (the tutorial from the beginning of the game), a Time Attack Mode, and Diddy Mode, which allows the player to use Diddy Kong in the place of Donkey Kong during the Adventure mode.
Diddy Mode differences
- The tutorial stage is no longer present.
- Bananas laying out in the open are no longer there; the player can only collect them by destroying enemies or crates.
- Crystal Coconuts were removed, and as a result, Bonus Barrels and the bonus stages they led to are no longer present.
- Diddy is slightly faster and jumps slightly higher than Donkey Kong.
Time Attack mode
A Time Attack appears in DK: King of Swing, where it can only be played after the player has completed the adventure mode. It can be found under the Extras menu. When the player selects the mode, they are given a list of every level, each with its only best time that the player can beat. Three other times also exist in the high scores list that the player can beat. However, beating the times are optional and do not allow the player to unlock any new mode or item.
During the mode, the player is given three hearts of life. If all three are lost, they must start the Time Attack over. Additionally, hearts can be restored if they collect ten bananas and use them for Donkey Kong's "Going Bananas" move. Unlike in adventure mode, though, the player is given no bananas to start with and must find them around the course. After the level is completed, the player's time is recorded if it beats a score on the high scores list.
Gameplay
As mentioned earlier, the gameplay is very similar to the NES game Clu Clu Land, and mainly consists of swinging across boards of pegs. However, in this game the player must climb, swing, and even shoot their way to reach the top, all the while collecting the medals. The player cannot face the boss without beating each level; once all levels have been completed, the player may face the boss at the designated boss stage. After the boss is beaten, the player may continue to the next world.
If the player chooses to collect each Crystal Coconut, hidden items concealed inside crates, boxes, nooks and crannies, or even inside enemies, Wrinkly Kong is unlocked as a player in the single player Jungle Jam Tournament. There are twenty Crystal Coconuts in all.
Controls
The controls are made to be simple: 
swings Donkey Kong left, 
swings Donkey Kong right. If the button is held down, DK will swing on a fixed spot from left to right, and vice versa for the button. If the button is lightly tapped, Donkey will go flying of in whatever direction he is pointing. To get a better aim, DK must swing about until he is facing the right way.
When on the ground, DK can walk about quite quickly using the and buttons; when they are tapped simultaneously he will lift off from the ground in a flying leap.
Donkey Kong can also Attack by holding down both the and buttons at once. DK will clutch the pegs, and slowly start to glow red; once he is totally glowing, the buttons should be released and DK will go flying off into an aerial attack.
Finally, DK can either Charge using the 
Button (uses ten bananas; restores one health unit) or Go Bananas using the 
Button (uses twenty bananas; makes DK invincible and able to leap great heights).
Characters
Playable characters
- Starting characters
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong is the first Kong to be playable in Adventure Mode. He is also available in the Jungle Jam Tournament mode. In the Jungle Jam Tournament mode, Donkey Kong is the most balanced character statistically-wise, as his jump and attack abilities are at 3/5 apiece. |
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Diddy Kong | Diddy reappears as Donkey Kong's buddy. He is available to play as in Adventure Mode, after the player defeats King K. Rool as Donkey Kong. Diddy is also a playable character in the Jungle Jam Tournament mode. His jump ability is high at a 4/5 due to his weight. However, this negatively affects his attack ability, as it is only at a 2/5. |
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Dixie Kong | Dixie Kong is Diddy Kong's girlfriend. She is playable in the Jungle Jam Tournament mode. Her apparent feather-like weight results in her jump ability being maxed out at a 5/5. However, her attacking ability is as weak as possible, as it sits at a 1/5. |
| File:DKkingosfwingFunkykong sprite.PNG | Funky Kong | Funky Kong makes his first appearance in any game as a playable character. He is the fourth and final starting character in the Jungle Jam Tournament mode. He prefers the attack-based contests, as his attacking ability ranks at a 4/5, while his jumping is at 2/5. These stats are exact opposite to Diddy's. |
- Unlockable characters
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Kremling | Kremling appears as an unlockable playable character. He is simply a Kritter, but the game refers to him as "Kremling". Kremling is unlocked when the player earns 6 Gold Medals in the Jungle Jam Tournament. This game marks the first time where a Kritter is a playable character. His stats are exactly like Donkey Kong's: 3/3 jump, 3/3 attack. |
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Wrinkly Kong | Wrinkly Kong is available to play as in Jungle Jam Tournament mode after the player collects all 20 of the Crystal Coconuts while playing as Donkey Kong in Adventure Mode. This game marks the first and only time Wrinkly is a playable character in any game. It is also the first time she appears as a ghost. Because of her weightlessness, Wrinkly's jump ability is maxed out at 5/5, tying her with Dixie Kong for the best jump rating. Her attack is weak, as it is only a 2/5. |
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King K. Rool | King K. Rool appears as the final boss in Adventure Mode. Upon earning 12 Gold Medals in the Jungle Jam Tournament, he is also available as a playable character in the Jungle Jam. This marks his first game as a playable character. He is the strongest character in the game with an attack rating of 5/5. His jump, however, is extremely weak, as it only ranks 1/5. |
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Bubbles | Bubbles is unlocked after the player completes Diddy Mode while collecting all 24 Medals. She makes her first and only appearance in a Donkey Kong game. Her stats are the most balanced out of any character, as her jump and attack rate a 4/5 each. |
Supporting characters
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Cranky Kong | Cranky Kong returns as Donkey Kong's grandfather and mentor. His main role is to preside in Cranky's Lectures, where he teaches Donkey Kong the controls for the game and gives a couple of tips. |
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Candy Kong | Candy Kong's appearance in DK: King of Swing is extremely minimal, as she only appears in the opening cutscene in which King K. Rool crashes the Jungle Jam Tournament and in the final cutscene in which Donkey Kong has returned with the Medals. |
Enemies
Normal enemies
| Image | Name | Description | First level appearance | Last level appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Click-Clack | Click-Clacks are found on peg boards. They are invulnerable to frontal attacks due to their claws. When they detect Donkey or Diddy Kong in the area, they follow the Kong while making a clicking noise, making their pattern of attack changeable. | Cactus Woods | Cactus Woods |
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Flipflap | Flipflaps are blue bats that appear mostly in cave levels. They fly above peg boards or hover low to the ground. Their attack pattern includes flying left to right or up and down. | Contraption Cave | Kremling Kamp |
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Flitter | Flitters are blue dragonflies that are common in the Jungle World. Like Flipflaps, their pattern of attack is either flying left to right or up and down. | Banana Bungalow | Cactus Woods |
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Kremling | Besides appearing as an unlockable, playable character, Kremlings (Kritters) are extremely common enemies found throughout the game, as they are found in every world. They can be found throwing rocks, pulling peg switches, or jumping from peg to peg. | Contraption Cave | K. Kruizer III Hull |
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Lockjaw | Lockjaws make their return to the Donkey Kong series after a decently long hiatus. They retain their red-orange color and biting attack, and are commonly encountered in underwater levels. If a Lockjaw sees one of the Kongs, it will do a biting call then charge towards the Kong. | Risky Reef | Underwater Ruins |
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Mini-Necky | Mini-Neckies also return to the Donkey Kong series after a brief absence. These vultures retain their trademark coconut spit attack and can also attack via a swoop. They are commonly seen in the Wild West World. | Necky's Canyon | Booster Barrel Skyway |
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Neek | Neeks can be found climbing on peg boards in cave-themed levels. When near Donkey or Diddy Kong, they make a squeaking noise. | Contraption Cave | Madcap Mine |
| File:Pointe.png | Powan | Powans are ghosts that are only seen in the level Ship of Souls. They attack Donkey or Diddy by approaching them. If visible, the Powan exerts harm to the Kong. They are only able to be defeated when they are invisible, but their silhouettes are still perceivable. | Ship of Souls | Ship of Souls |
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Shuri | Shuris are starfish that are only found in underwater levels. They have no fixed movement, as they just bounce off the wall. | Risky Reef | Underwater Ruins |
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Zinger | Zingers reappear as one of the most common enemies in the Donkey Kong series. These bees can be heard buzzing as they move up and down or side to side. They can only be defeated by an attack to their front, as they have stingers and spikes on their back. | Cactus Woods | Booster Barrel Skyway |
Bosses
| Image | Name | Description | Level Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
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Congazuma | This Kremling statue is the game's first boss. It attacks Donkey Kong by jumping around towards him. Its jump, however, can only go so high, and can be dodged if Donkey Kong positions himself on the peg boards above. The statue is defeated when Donkey Kong performs four simple Attacks on it by holding down and simultaneously.
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Congazuma's Castle |
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Fire Necky | This fiery Necky's method of attack is spitting out flames, which shortly crystallize into rocks, at Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong hit Fire Necky with these rocks a total of seven times, while avoiding contact with its flames. | Fire Necky's Nest |
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Davy Bones | This undead eel emerges from one of six holes towards Donkey Kong, then swims around him for a few seconds. Donkey Kong must grab the peg at the tip of its tail and swing it into spikes which are found on the edges of the holes. Its method of attack is repeated until its defeat. | Davy Bones' Locker |
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Sassy Squatch | Sassy Squatch breaks through a surface of ice to first encounter Donkey Kong. It chases him up a series of pegs, where two bombs are waiting at the end. These bombs can be thrown into its mouth in order to cause damage. Once a bomb enters its mouth, Sassy Squatch shoots out crystallized pegs from its mouth, which shortly melt into climbable obstacles for Donkey Kong to climb up and escape its subsequent pursuit. This process is repeated until the snow monster is defeated. | Sassy Squatch's Lair |
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King K. Rool | In the final duel of the game, Donkey Kong must race K. Rool in a Climbing Race. If Donkey Kong wins, the king challenges him to an Attack Battle, which, if won, ultimately defeats the Kremling king and ends the game. | King K. Rool |
Worlds
| Levels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jungle World | ||
| Level | Medal | Type of level |
| Banana Bungalow | none | Jungle |
| Tropical Treetops | Bronze | Jungle |
| Contraption Cave | Bronze | Cave |
| Puzzling Pyramid | Silver | Pyramid |
| BOSS LEVEL: Congazuma's Castle | Gold | Pyramid |
| Wild West World | ||
| Level | Medal | Type of level |
| Necky's Canyon | Silver | Desert |
| Cactus Woods | Silver | Cactus |
| Treacherous Twister | Bronze | Desert |
| Madcap Mine | Bronze | Mines |
| BOSS LEVEL: Fire Necky's Nest | Gold | Desert |
| Aqua World | ||
| Level | Medal | Type of level |
| Risky Reef | Bronze | Underwater |
| Lockjaw Falls | Bronze | Waterfalls |
| Kremling Kamp | Silver | Ship |
| Ship of Souls | Silver | Ship |
| BOSS LEVEL: Davy Bones' Locker | Gold | Underwater |
| Ice World | ||
| Level | Medal | Type of level |
| Cold Cold Forest | Silver | Forest |
| Raging Ravine | Silver | Ice |
| Underwater Ruins | Bronze | Underwater |
| Ice Castle | Gold | Ice |
| BOSS LEVEL: Sassy Squatch's Lair | Gold | Ice |
| K. Kruizer III | ||
| Level | Medal | Type of level |
| Booster Barrel Skyway | Bronze | Sky |
| K. Kruizer III Artillery | Silver | Gunship |
| K. Kruizer III Hull | Gold | Gunship |
| K. Kruizer III Engine | Gold | Gunship |
| BOSS LEVEL: King K. Rool | Gold | Gunship |
Items and objects
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Banana | Bananas are common items that appear in every level. Each single banana adds one to Donkey Kong's stash, which could be used for Going Bananas or for replenishing health. |
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Banana Bunch | Banana Bunches are found in most levels and add a total of five bananas to Donkey Kong's stash. |
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10 Bananas | A bunch of ten bananas is more rare than the other bananas, but are found in levels after breaking open barrels or crates. One bunch of ten bananas can restore one full heart of health. |
  
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DK Medals | DK Medals appear in each level besides Banana Bungalow. They can be found in Bonus Areas or inside of barrels or crates. The gold variants are awarded after defeating a boss. |
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Crystal Coconut | Crystal Coconuts are found in each level. They are usually found in similar spots to the DK Medal, and can also be obtained by defeating an enemy. |
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Tire | Tires are common objects that can be bounced off, helping Donkey Kong reach high places that would not be reachable otherwise. |
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Rock | Rocks are common items that are used to damage enemies or destroy breakable walls. |
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Bomb | Bombs are items that can break open obstacles or destroy enemies. They detonate withinin approximately five seconds and will cause one heart of damage to Donkey Kong if he holds onto it for too long. |
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Mine | Mines are spiked objects that are common obstacles throughout some levels. They cause Donkey Kong one heart of damage if he makes contact with them. Mines can also move around, too. |
  
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Cannons | Cannons are objects that are encountered in the levels on the K. Kruizer III. They shoot fireballs at Donkey Kong in an attempt to cause damage to his health. Some cannons rotate towards the direction of Donkey Kong while others stay in the same position. |
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Wooden Crate | Wooden Crates are large boxes of wood that can be broken by Donkey Kong with a simple attack. They usually take up an entire peg board, and, when broken, allow the Kong to progress up. Additionally, wooden crates represent 100 bananas in the player's stash in the bottom right of the screen. |
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Coconut | Coconuts are objects that some Mini-Neckies shoot from their mouths. They cause one heart's worth of damage to Donkey Kong if it comes into contact with him. Coconuts can be destroyed if they hit a projectile that Donkey Kong throws, such as a rock. |
Barrels
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Barrel | Standard barrels, if broken by Donkey Kong, reveal bananas or other items. Additionally, barrels represent fifty bananas in the player's stash in the bottom right of the screen. |
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Question Barrel | Question Barrels are like standard ones, where if broken they reveal something. These barrels reveal Peg Boards or activate doors. |
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Booster Barrel | Booster Barrels are barrels that act as rockets and are steered with and . They are the subject of the level Booster Barrel Skyway.
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Bonus Barrel | Bonus Barrels shoot Donkey Kong to a Bonus Area upon entering it. |
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Barrel Cannon | Barrel Cannons are enterable barrels that launch Donkey Kong in a given direction. |
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Rolling Barrel | Rolling Barrels are enterable barrels and their aims can be adjusted with the and buttons.
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Pegs
Pegs are common objects in the game that have many different variants. Each variant performs a different function and assists Donkey Kong in reaching further areas.
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Peg | Pegs are single, floating studs that the Kongs are able to grab onto. They are the most common of all Peg variants and featured in Jungle Jam Tournament Events as well. |
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Peg Board | Peg Boards are groups of pegs that the Kongs are able to climb on. They come in many different sizes, ranging from two by two pegs to five by six pegs. They are also the main obstacle in the Jungle Jam Tournament Events. |
 
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Handle Peg | Handle Pegs are wheel-like pegs that, if grabbed onto, carry Donkey Kong on a mechanism. These mechanisms run up and down or left and right. |
  
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Switch Peg | Switch Pegs can open doors or reveal new secrets if grabbed onto and pulled down with both hands. |
  
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Jack Peg | Jack Pegs are peg variants that operate mechanism if pulled down on repeatedly. They can open doors or reveal new peg boards. |
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Spinning Peg | Spinning Pegs rotate quickly either clockwise or counterclockwise. If grabbed with the correct hand, they can launch Donkey Kong high up to new areas. |
  
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Cracked Peg | Cracked Pegs are rare types of pegs that slowly fall once Donkey Kong grabs onto them. |
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Conveyor Belt | Conveyor Belts are variants of peg boards that slide Donkey Kong from up to down or side to side if he simply stays still while grabbing on it. They are common in Mine-themed levels. |
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Icy Peg Board | Icy Peg Boards are types of peg boards that are frozen over, causing the Kong to slip on it before being able to get a firm grip. They appear in the level Ice Castle |
Staff
- Main article: List of DK: King of Swing staff
Quotes
- Main article: List of DK: King of Swing quotes
Pre-release and unused content
DK: King of Swing went through some changes during its development.
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
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This screen shows five heart points, while in the final, there's only three of them. It was not possible to go beyond that number in the final release. |
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Everything in this image is the same as it is in the final game, minus the five heart points and different background. |
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This screen features explosive pegs that weren't present in the final game. |
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These spikeballs weren't found in this area in the final game. |
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This area doesn't exist in the final game. |
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:DK: King of Swing.
Media
- For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of DK: King of Swing media.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ぶらぶらドンキー[?] Burabura Donkī |
Hanging Donkey |
Trivia
- A level in Donkey Kong Country Returns is called King of Cling, a title very similar to this game.
- This game marks the first playable appearances of Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, Kritter, and King K. Rool.
- This is the first, and currently the only game were Dixie Kong does not wear her top tied.
References
