DK: King of Swing

DK: King of Swing
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer	Paon Nintendo SPD Group No.4
Publisher	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console (Wii U)
Release date	Game Boy Advance: Template:Release Virtual Console (Wii U): Template:Release
Language(s)	English (United Kingdom) English (United States) French (France) German Spanish (Spain) Italian Japanese
Genre	Puzzle
Rating(s)	ESRB: - Everyone PEGI: - Three years and older CERO: - All ages USK: - All ages
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Format	Wii U: Digital download Game Boy Advance: Game Pak
Input	Wii U: Wii U GamePad Wii Remote (horizontal) Classic Controller Wii U Pro Controller Game Boy Advance: Gamepad
Serial code(s)	Template:Serials

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 Clu Clu Land, but it has been re-formatted in aspects to make it more similar to an adventure game. In the game, Donkey Kong must quest across five worlds to recover the Jungle Jam medals that King K. Rool has stolen and scattered across the levels. DK: King of Swing is the first game of the Donkey Kong franchise to be developed by Paon. The game would receive a sequel, DK: Jungle Climber, for the Nintendo DS in 2007.

DK: King of Swing was re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in Japan and North America in November 2014 and in Europe and Australia in January 2015.

Story

A screenshot from the intro, where K. Rool steals all the medals

The game takes place during the Jungle Jam, where a huge festival is held. During the tournament, medals are given 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 appears and steals all the medals before the tournament commences, proclaiming himself the jungle hero. Donkey Kong goes on an adventure after King K. Rool to recover the medals. After traveling through four different worlds, gaining the stolen medals dropped by K. Rool, Donkey Kong enters the final world, K. Kruizer III. At the end of the last world, Donkey Kong is confronted by K. Rool, who challenges him to both a climbing race and battle for the last medal. After defeating K. Rool, Donkey Kong leaves the location using a small, green aircraft while the King Kruizer III explodes and falls from the sky.

Gameplay

Donkey Kong climbing across some Peg Boards in the first level, Banana Bungalow

Like Clu Clu Land, the gameplay consists of Donkey Kong swinging and climbing across many pegs. Donkey Kong's goal is to climb, swing, and even blast his way to the top of the level. Donkey Kong cannot battle the world boss without completing every level prior. When Donkey Kong defeats the boss, he can continue to the next world.

There is either a bronze or a silver medal hidden in each level. In every boss level, Donkey Kong is rewarded a gold medal if he defeats the boss. Medals are usually found inside a barrel located in detours of the main path, or in hard to reach areas.

Crystal Coconuts are another collectible item in the game, and they are often hidden inside a crate, a barrel, or as a reward for completing a Bonus Barrel challenge. Sometimes, Donkey Kong must defeat an enemy to obtain the Crystal Coconut. While they are not required to complete the adventure mode, the Crystal Coconuts allow the player to unlock more content. If Donkey Kong obtains all twenty of them, the player unlocks Wrinkly Kong in the single player Jungle Jam Tournament.

After completing the game and obtaining every medal, the player unlocks the Diddy Mode, where they play as Diddy Kong during the adventure mode instead of Donkey Kong. A few things were removed from Diddy Mode, including the tutorial level, the Crystal Coconuts and thus the Bonus Barrels, and most bananas were removed except for those that can be obtained from defeating enemies or breaking crates. Diddy is able to jump higher than Donkey Kong.

Controls

The game mainly uses the and buttons, which moves Donkey Kong left and right respectively. Unlike most games, the is rarely used, except when selecting an option on the main menu or a level from the world map. While Donkey Kong is holding on a peg, the player can hold the or buttons to make him spin in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction respectively. If the player releases either button, Donkey Kong jumps in the direction that he is facing. While Donkey Kong is in midair, the player can press or to make him grab with his left or right hand respectively. When Donkey Kong is on the ground, the player can make him move quickly from left to right by pressing the respective and buttons. If they simultaneously press the buttons, Donkey Kong jumps up into the air. If the player holds down both the and buttons, Donkey Kong clutches on the pegs and builds up energy for performing a charge attack. When Donkey Kong is glowing red, the player must release the buttons to make Donkey Kong spin into a ball and charge in the direction he is facing.

By pressing the button, the player can use ten of Donkey Kong's collected bananas to restore one of his heart units. By pressing , the player can use twenty of Donkey Kong's bananas to have temporarily invincible and perform the Going Bananas move. The move also allows him to jump higher. The moves do not work if Donkey Kong does not have the necessary number to perform either move.

Game modes

The list of modes

• Adventure: The main mode of the game.
• Single Jungle Jam: The mode has a total of twelve events, most of which are races. The player can choose between Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Funky Kong, and they can also 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: The same as above, but in multiplayer with four players using the GBA Link Cable.
• Extras: It features Cranky's Lectures (the tutorial level), a Time Attack Mode, and Diddy Mode.

Time Attack mode

The player can unlock the Time Attack mode after completing the Adventure mode. When the player selects the mode, they are given a list of every level, each with its own best time that the player can beat. Three other times also exist in the high scores list that the player can beat. The times are optional and do not allow the player to unlock any new mode or item.

During the mode, Donkey Kong has three hearts like in the regular adventure. If he loses all three of them, the player must restart the level. Donkey Kong can still find bananas around the level, although he is not given any to start with. When Donkey Kong completes a level, the player can record their time if it beats a score on the high scores list.

Characters

Playable in all modes
Image	Name	Description	Stats
	Donkey Kong	Donkey Kong is the main protagonist and the playable character of Adventure mode. He is also playable in the Jungle Jam mode, and has the most balanced statistics of the other characters.	Jump: 3/5 Attack: 3/5
	Diddy Kong	Diddy is playable in the unlockable Diddy Mode, where the player plays as Diddy instead of Donkey Kong. Diddy is also playable in the Jungle Jam mode, where he has a high jumping ability but has a low-average attack.	Jump: 4/5 Attack: 2/5
Playable in Jungle Jam
Image	Name	Description	Stats
	Dixie Kong	Dixie Kong is Diddy Kong's girlfriend. She is one of the four starter characters of the Jungle Jam mode. Out of all the characters, Dixie has the highest jumping ability, but has the weakest attack.	Jump: 5/5 Attack: 1/5
	Funky Kong	Funky is one of the four starter characters of the Jungle Jam mode. His statistics are switched from Diddy's, as he has an average-high attack, but a low-average jumping ability.	Jump: 2/5 Attack: 4/5
Unlockable in Jungle Jam
Image	Name	Description	Stats
	Kremling	Kremling one of the unlockable characters in the mode. It is a Kritter, but is named "Kremling" in the game. The player can unlock Kremling by obtaining six gold medals in the Jungle Jam. Its statistics are the same as Donkey Kong's.	Jump: 3/5 Attack: 3/5
	Wrinkly Kong	Wrinkly Kong can be unlocked after Donkey Kong obtains all 20 Crystal Coconuts. Wrinkly is tied with Dixie for highest jump ability. She has a low-average attack power, slightly higher than that of Dixie's.	Jump: 5/5 Attack: 2/5
	King K. Rool	King K. Rool is unlocked after earning 12 gold medals in the Jungle Jam. He has a maximum attack power, but his jumping ability is very weak.	Jump: 1/5 Attack: 5/5
	Bubbles	Bubbles is unlocked after the player completes Diddy Mode from collecting all 24 medals. This is her first and only appearance in a Donkey Kong game. She has the highest balanced stats of the characters.	Jump: 4/5 Attack: 4/5
Supporting
Image	Name	Description
	Cranky Kong	Cranky Kong's main role is in Cranky's Lectures, where he teaches the controls to Donkey Kong along with providing some advice.
	Candy Kong	Candy Kong has minimal involvement in the story, only appearing in the opening, when K. Rool steals the medals, and the ending, when Donkey Kong returns with them.

Enemies

Image	Name	Description	First level	Last level
	Click-Clack	Click-Clacks are uncommon enemies that walk around Peg Boards. They are invulnerable to frontal attacks due to their pincers, but they can be defeated from behind. When they notice Donkey Kong in the area, they make a clicking noise and follow him.	Cactus Woods	Cactus Woods
	Flipflap	Flipflaps are blue bats that appear mostly in cave levels. They fly above Peg Boards or hover below to the ground. Their attack pattern involves them flying back and forth, either horizontally or vertically. Donkey Kong can defeat them with a charge attack.	Contraption Cave	Kremling Kamp
	Flitter	Flitters are blue dragonflies that are common in the Jungle World. They move back and forth like Flipflaps, except they do not move in a zigzag pattern. They can only be defeated from a charge attack.	Banana Bungalow	Cactus Woods
	Ghost	Ghosts are enemies that only appear in one level, Ship of Souls. They can go invisible and move through objects. If a ghost becomes visible, it can injure Donkey Kong by contact. They can only be defeated by a charge attack while they are invisible, but their silhouettes are still perceivable.	Ship of Souls	Ship of Souls
	Kremling	Kremlings are one of the most common enemies, as they are in at least one level of every world. Kremlings can do a variety of actions which include climbing around peg boards, throwing rocks, or repeatedly pulling down on a Jack Peg.	Contraption Cave	K. Kruizer III Hull
	Lockjaw	Lockjaws are another enemy that return from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. They are piranhas encountered in underwater and waterfall levels. If a Lockjaw notices Donkey Kong, it does a biting call and then charges at him. In Lockjaw Falls, they are the main and titular enemy, who attack Donkey Kong by jumping at him from the waterfalls.	Risky Reef	Underwater Ruins
	Mini-Necky	Mini-Neckys most often appear in the Wild West World, and they attack by either spitting a coconut at Donkey Kong or by swooping at him.	Necky's Canyon	Booster Barrel Skyway
	Neek	Neeks are rats who scurry around Peg Boards in cave-themed levels. They can be heard making a squeaking noise as they move around. Neeks can be defeated by a charge attack.	Contraption Cave	Madcap Mine
	Shuri	Shuris are starfish that appear in underwater levels. They have no fixed movement, as they just bounce off the wall.	Risky Reef	Underwater Ruins
	Zinger	Zingers are bees that make a buzzing sound as they move up and down or side to side. They can only be defeated from the front because of the spikes and a stinger on their back.	Cactus Woods	Booster Barrel Skyway

Bosses

Image	Name	Description
	Congazuma	Congazuma is a large Kremling statue. He is the first boss, and is fought in Congazuma's Castle. Congazuma attacks by slowly jumping toward him. Donkey Kong can attack Congazuma by performing a charge attack into him. He must do this four times to defeat Congazuma.
	Fire Necky	Fire Necky is a large Necky engulfed in flames. He is the second boss, and is fought in Fire Necky's Nest. He attacks by spitting flames which crystallize into rocks shortly after. Donkey Kong must throw seven rocks at Fire Necky to defeat him.
	Davy Bones	Davy Bones is the undead skeleton of an eel. It is the third boss, and is fought in Davy Bones' Locker. Davy Bones attacks 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 Davy Bones' tail and swing it into the spikes on the edges. When Davy Bones is hit against the spikes enough times, it is defeated.
	Sassy Squatch	Sassy Squatch is a massive sasquatch. It is the fourth boss, and is fought in Sassy Squatch's Lair, where it chases the player character up a mountain. Donkey Kong can attack Sassy Squatch by throwing bombs into its large mouth. After taking a hit, Sassy Squatch shoots out crystalized pegs for Donkey Kong to continue up to the next section. When enough bombs are thrown into Sassy Squatch's mouth, it gets defeated.
	King K. Rool	K. Rool is the fifth and final boss of the game, fought in his own level of the same name. He and Donkey Kong first engage in a Climbing Race. If Donkey Kong wins, the king challenges him to an Attack Battle. If Donkey Kong also defeats K. Rool at the attack battle, the game ends, and Donkey Kongs recovers all the medals.

Worlds and levels

There are five worlds, each with four regular levels and a boss level at the end. There are a total of 25 levels in the game.

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

Image	Name	Description
	One 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.
	Five Bananas	Banana bunches are found in most levels and add a total of five bananas to Donkey Kong's stash.
	Ten 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.
	Crystal Coconut	Crystal Coconuts are found in each level. They are usually found in similar spots to the medal, and can also be obtained by defeating an enemy.
	Medals	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.

Objects

Image	Name	Description
	Bomb	Bombs are items that can break open obstacles or destroy enemies. They detonate within approximately five seconds and will cause one heart of damage to Donkey Kong if he holds onto it for too long.
	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.
	Coconut	Coconuts are objects that some Mini-Neckys 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.
	Rock	Rocks are common items that are used to damage enemies or destroy breakable walls.
	Spike	Spikes are common obstacles throughout some levels. They cause Donkey Kong one heart of damage if he makes contact with them. Spikes can be found lining the floors, walls, or ceilings, or appear as floating balls. Floating spikes can be stationary or move in set patterns.
	Tire	Tires are common objects that can be bounced off, helping Donkey Kong reach high places that would not be reachable otherwise.
	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.

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.
	Barrel Cannon	Barrel Cannons are enterable barrels that launch Donkey Kong in a given direction.
	Bonus Barrel	Bonus Barrels shoot Donkey Kong to a Bonus Area upon entering it.
	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.
	Question Barrel	Question Barrels are like standard ones, where if broken they reveal something. These barrels reveal Peg Boards or activate doors.
	Rolling Barrel	Rolling Barrels are enterable barrels and their aims can be adjusted with the and buttons.

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 events as well.
	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 events.
	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.
	Switch Peg	Switch Pegs can open doors or reveal new secrets if grabbed onto and pulled down with both hands.
	Jack Peg	Jack Pegs are peg variants that operate mechanism if pulled down on repeatedly. They can open doors or reveal new peg boards.
	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.
	Cracked Peg	Cracked Pegs are rare types of pegs that slowly fall once Donkey Kong grabs onto them.
	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.
	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

Development

While playing around with a Game Boy Advance, Paon employee Atsushi Kaneko had an idea to make a game that used the system's shoulder button to simulate the action of grabbing with one's left and right hands, being inspired by the hobby of free climbing. The Paon team made the initial pitch to Nintendo with an original character, but afterwards producer Toshiharu Izuno suggested to make it star Donkey Kong as to give the game more international appeal and because he thought Donkey Kong best conveyed the visual of a character climbing with his feet dangling. The game started development in earnest on the summer of 2003 but it took the Paon developers about half a year to create proper visuals for Donkey Kong. Nintendo heavily supervised Donkey Kong's design and portrayal, explaining to the developers that the character has a "warm image and a bit of a laid-back feel." The game was originally made for the Nintendo GameCube in mind until halfway through development after which the target system changed to the Game Boy Advance.

Reception

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Comment
Game Boy Advance	Craig Harris, IGN	7.8/10	"DK: King of Swing is a classic example of a Nintendo game attempting something that's both unique and familiar at the same time. It's a concept that could only be successful on the Game Boy Advance for its rather basic structure, but even with its simplistic design DK: King of Swing has a lot going for it. Simple L and R gameplay isn't enough to keep interest high all the way through, so it works best as a quick-shot experience."
Game Boy Advance	Frank Provo, GameSpot	7.3/10	"All told, DK: King of Swing is a unique and interesting take on the puzzle genre that people will either love or hate depending on how accepting they are of the game's innovative control scheme."
Game Boy Advance	Kristan Reed, Eurogamer	7/10	"But ignoring the entirely superfluous Jungle Jam, the single-player adventure more than makes up for it and although has arguably way too many incidences of annoying level design to get too excited about, for those with a steely mindset and a longing for something genuinely new DK: King Of Swing is a surprisingly worthwhile addition to the handheld (swinging) scene. Monkeys and bananas are still evidently doing it for us."
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
Metacritic		70
GameRankings		71.85%

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
	This screen shows five heart points, while in the final, there are only three of them. It was not possible to go beyond that number in the final release.
	Everything in this image is the same as it is in the final game, minus the five heart points and different background.
	This screen features explosive pegs that weren't present in the final game.
	These floating spikes were not found in this area in the final game.
	This area does not exist in the final game.

Profiles

Nintendo eShop description

King K. Rool has stolen the medals to be used in the Jungle Jam Tournament just as the festivities are ramping up, putting a damper to everyone's good spirits. With Cranky's blessing and techniques, Donkey Kong sets off to bring those medals back to their rightful place!

Grab, climb, and swing on pegs as you charge and bash through enemies that block your way. Collect bananas and Crystal Coconuts in the five worlds of Adventure mode, or play some puzzling levels in Single-player Jungle Jam mode.

Find those medals, and let the festivities begin!

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:DK: King of Swing.

• 

  Donkey Kong

• 

  Diddy Kong

• 

  Dixie Kong

• 

  Funky Kong

• 

  Wrinkly Kong

• 

  Cranky Kong

• 

  King K. Rool

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of DK: King of Swing media.

Theme

File infoMedia:DKKOSTitle.oga ​

Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ぶらぶらドンキー[?] Burabura Donkī	Hanging Donkey
Chinese (simplified)	摇摆森喜刚 Yáobǎi Sēnxǐgāng	Swing Donkey Kong
German	DK: King of Swing[?]	-

Trivia

• It is the first game where Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, Kritter, and King K. Rool are playable.
• It is the first and only game where Dixie Kong does not wear her top tied.
• This game was planned to release in mainland China by iQue, but left unreleased due to the huge scene of piracy in China at that time. The unreleased Chinese prototype received an ISBN, meaning it was approved for distribution despite the ban on video games from Chinese government.
• A promotional browser game was released in 2005 called DK: King of Swing -- Hurling for Distance.

External links

• Official Japanese website
• European manual