Team up
- “Team up? I've never heard such rubbish in my life! When I played, I was on my own. I had no fancy backup!”
- —Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Teaming up is an ability in the Donkey Kong Country series, first appearing in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and returning in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! It allows one of the Kongs to piggyback on their partner. While the move slows the Kongs' movement, team up allows them to reach higher locations, items, and Bonus Barrels and to more easily defeat stronger enemies. When a Kong is thrown upward to another position, including higher areas, the lead Kong automatically follows them there. Bosses and certain enemies are not affected by team up, and using a team up throw on them results in the player losing a Kong. If a horizontally tossed Kong hits the ground, they are shown in their defeated animation. To reunite with that Kong, the lead Kong must go back to their partner. If the thrown Kong hits a hazard or gets hit by an enemy after landing on the ground, the player loses that Kong. By pressing 
, the player can have the lead Kong carry their partner, and a second time to separate the Kongs again. They can press 
to throw a Kong horizontally and also Up on 
to do so vertically.
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, the team up move is performed by Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong. This allows them to reach higher areas and to enter some Bonus Levels. While they are idle, the top Kong points in different directions: Dixie points backwards, while Diddy points forwards. Near the start of the first level, Pirate Panic, there are bananas arranged in the shape of the button for performing team up, and it instructs the player on how to use the ability. Zingers are not affected by a team up throw.
In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, if Dixie carries Kiddy Kong, her movement is slowed due to Kiddy's weight. Dixie cannot throw Kiddy far, but if she throws him upwards onto a cracked piece of the ground, it breaks open; this method is sometimes necessary to get to a Bonus Barrel. If Dixie throws Kiddy forwards, he rolls and bounces off walls, and Dixie can jump on him to perform a continuous roll until hitting an object or other surface. Kiddy can carry Dixie more easily since she is lighter. By doing a team up throw, Kiddy can throw Dixie at enemies and throw her up on otherwise unreachable areas. Buzzes, Bristles, and Kuff 'n' Klouts are the enemies not affected by a team up throw.
In the Game Boy Advance versions of Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong Country 3, the 
button is used to team up and separate the Kongs, and the 
button is used to throw a Kong. Furthermore, Donkey Kong Country 2 gives Diddy and Dixie the ability to defeat Krunchas with the team up ability by jumping on them.
Gallery
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest artwork of Dixie carrying Diddy
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest screenshot of the Kongs using team up
Donkey Kong Country 3 artwork of Kiddy carrying Dixie
Donkey Kong Country 3 artwork of Dixie carrying Kiddy
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | チームアップ[?] Chīmu Appu |
Team Up | |
| Italian | Unitevi![1] | Unite! | |
| Squadra[2] | Team (up) | ||
| Salto di coppia[3]/Lancio di coppia[4] | Couple jump/Couple toss | ||
| Forma coppia[5] | Pair up |
Trivia
- Although team up is not performed in Donkey Kong Country, there is official artwork of Donkey Kong carrying Diddy on his shoulders.
References
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Italian GIG's manual. Page 8.
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Spanish-Italian manual. Page 41.
- ^ Nintendo (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2 European manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 111.
- ^ Nintendo (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2 European manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 109.
- ^ Nintendo (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3 European manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 107.
