Professor Chops
| Professor Chops | |
|---|---|
 Artwork from Donkey Kong Country Returns | |
| Species | Pig |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010) |
| Latest appearance | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (spirit cameo) (2018) |
- “Who is that pig anyway? And why's he wearing glasses?”
- —Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country Returns
Professor Chops is an ally in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. He is a stout, anthropomorphic pig who wears large, round glasses. His main role is providing information to the Kongs throughout their adventure.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country Returns and its Nintendo 3DS version, he is known as the tutorial pig.[1][2] As his name suggests, the tutorial pig teaches the game controls to Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, and also how to utilize some mechanics, such as climbing vines or using Rocket Barrels. However, one of the tutorial pig's main roles is marking the checkpoint when the Kongs pass it. If the Kongs lose a life after passing a checkpoint, their Red Balloon floats them back to that checkpoint. Also, if the Kongs lose eight lives in the same level, the tutorial pig pops up, either from the start or at checkpoint (depending on the Kong's progress) and allows them to use the Super Guide feature. The tutorial pig also appears during the Time Attack mode, where he holds a green flag at the start of the level. When the Kongs hit the Slot Machine Barrel at the end, the tutorial pig emerges from it holding a checkered flag.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
Professor Chops returns in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port, fulfilling nearly every role from the previous game, including gameplay tutor, checkpoint marker, and Time Attack marshal. However, he does not offer the Super Guide feature, which was omitted from the game. His checkpoint also received a redesign.
Several duplicates of Professor Chops appear in a hidden area of Mangrove Cove, tossing Banana Bunches at the Kongs, who must collect them all in order to obtain a Puzzle Piece. This is the only instance within the actual game to reveal that Professor Chops may be part of a group of anthropomorphic pigs akin to him. Several pieces of concept artwork unlockable as extras further show that the factories inside Juicy Jungle were originally intended to be inhabited and operated by pigs like Professor Chops, and one artwork even depicts a Cycladic-like town populated by such pigs.
A figurine of Professor Chops can be dispensed at random by the Capsule Toy Machine after the player beats all levels in Secret Seclusion.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Professor Chops appears in the form of a collectible item in a few games of the Super Smash Bros. series. In both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, there is a trophy of Professor Chops, unlockable in the former game by clearing all challenges on the second panel and in the latter game by purchasing it from the Trophy Shop. The trophy lists him as "Tutorial Pig," taken from his initial name, but makes note of his more recent name in the description. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Professor Chops appears as a Novice-class support spirit which, when used, occupies one support slot and increases the fighter's stamina in battle. In World of Light, the spirit is located at the south of the Light Realm, blocking the way to a treasure chest. The spirit's puppet fighter is a white Donkey Kong fought on the Kongo Falls stage; the color of Donkey Kong used for this spirit battle references the Super Kong guide from Donkey Kong Country Returns, which Professor Chops provides in that game.
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
- Prima Games guide: "This somewhat husky pig makes a return visit from the previous title as the checkpoint guide and instruction guru. In the beginning and throughout some later levels, Professor Chops will explain and reiterate control maneuvers from basic to complicated. Be sure to heed his advice, as it may be the only way through to the next section of the level. This guy will also grant you checkpoint status once, twice, and, sometimes, three times in a level. Once he waves his flag as you pass, you will return to this point if misfortune occurs and you are defeated."[3]
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Trivia Quiz (Play Nintendo): Professor Chops marks checkpoints, kicks off the level in Time Attack mode, and gives hints to help the Kongs perform certain actions, like climbing vines.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]
| Trophy Tutorial Pig | ||
3DS: Wii U: 
| ||
| Category: Series Related | ||
( ) Appears in:Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns (11/2010) Wii U Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (02/2014) | ||
| () Trophy Box: 19: Donkey Kong Country Returns
| ||
| How to unlock: (  ) Complete all challenges on the second panel( ) Purchasing it from the Trophy Shop
| ||
| A mysterious pig from Donkey Kong Country Returns, he helps out if you're having trouble. He brings in a blue-tied, silver Donkey Kong to show you how to beat the harder parts. But who is this pig anyway? He actually prefers to go by...Professor Chops! (American English) | ||
| A little pig who appears in Donkey Kong Country Returns to show you the ropes. If you're really stuck, he'll even get Super Kong to finish the level for you. "Tutorial Pig" can't be his real name, though, can it? Of course not! It's actually...Professor Chops! (British English) | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit[edit]
| Spirit #158 Professor Chops | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Series/game | Donkey Kong Series |
| Type | Support | |
| Slots | 1 | |
| Class | Novice | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Stamina ↑ | |
| How to obtain | World of Light (Light Realm) | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Donkey Kong |
| Conditions |
Rule: Banana Peel
| |
| Stage | Kongo Falls | |
| Song | Jungle Hijinxs |
Gallery[edit]
Professor Chops in a barrel
Figurine of Professor Chops from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Concept artwork of Professor Chops
Super Nintendo World keychain
Names in other languages[edit]
Tutorial Pig[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | おたすけピッグ[?] Otasuke Piggu |
Tutorial Pig | |
| Dutch | Hulpvarken[?] | Helper-Pig | |
| French | Cochon savant[?] | Savant pig | |
| German | Tutorial-Schwein[?] | Tutorial Pig | |
| Italian | Maestro maialino[?] | Piglet teacher | |
| Korean | 튜토리얼 피그[?] | Tutorial Pig | |
| Portuguese | Porco Conselheiro[?] | Adviser Pig | |
| Russian | Свин-инструктор[?] Svin-instruktor |
Pig-instructor | |
| Spanish | Cerdito consejero[?] | Adviser pig |
Professor Chops[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | チョップス Choppusu Sensei |
Professor Chops | |
| Dutch | Professor Chops[?] | - | |
| French | Professeur Chops[?] | Professor Chops | |
| German | Professor Chops[?] | - | |
| Italian | Professor Chops[?] | - | |
| Portuguese | Professor Costeleta[?] | Professor Chop | |
| Russian | Профессор Отбивнов[?] Profyessor Otbivnov |
Professor Chops | |
| Spanish | Profesor Chops[?] | Professor Chops |
References[edit]
- ^ 2010. Donkey Kong Country Returns instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 11 and 22.
- ^ 2010. Donkey Kong Country Returns instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 16 and 27.
- ^ von Esmarch, Nick, and Cory van Grier (February 21, 2024). Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Prima Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-804-16252-4. Page 11.
