What Mario Game is Donkey Kong In?
Donkey Kong is a character deeply intertwined with the Mario universe, appearing in a surprising number of games both as an antagonist and a playable character. While many associate him with his own franchise, Donkey Kong’s history is inseparable from Mario’s. To answer the question directly: Donkey Kong appears in many Mario games including: Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, several of the Mario Party series, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. His appearances range from being a playable character, a non-playable character, or having his own themed boards and spaces.
Donkey Kong’s Early Mario Appearances
The Beginning: Donkey Kong (1981)
It’s important to understand that Donkey Kong is the genesis of the Mario character. In the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, Mario, originally called Jumpman, is the hero tasked with rescuing his girlfriend Pauline from the clutches of the titular ape. This game not only introduced the world to Mario but also laid the foundation for the complex relationship between him and Donkey Kong. Here, Donkey Kong was portrayed as the antagonist.
Donkey Kong Jr. (1982)
This game changed the narrative slightly. In Donkey Kong Jr., the tables are turned. This time, Mario is the antagonist, having captured Donkey Kong. The player controls Donkey Kong Jr. as he attempts to rescue his father. Though Mario is in a villainous role, this is still a crucial game in understanding the shared history of both characters. This is the first game where Mario was officially called Mario.
Donkey Kong in the Mario Kart Series
A Long History of Racing
Donkey Kong has been a consistent presence in the Mario Kart series. He was not in every game, but he is a recurring character. Super Mario Kart (SNES) featured his son, Donkey Kong Jr. as a playable character. However, the modern Donkey Kong first appeared as a playable character in Mario Kart 64. Since then, he has been in almost every installment including Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, making him a staple in the racing spin-off series. He typically falls in the heavy weight class and has stats that focus on speed and power.
Donkey Kong in the Mario Party Series
From Playable to Host
Donkey Kong is a notable figure in the Mario Party series, with a nuanced presence over the various games. He is playable in the games Mario Party 1 through Mario Party 4. From Mario Party 5 onward, Donkey Kong became a non-playable character, instead hosting his own special space on the game boards, known as the DK Space. Landing on a DK Space generally triggers a beneficial event for the player, contrasting with the negative consequences of landing on a Bowser Space. He also is a boss in Mario Party 8 and has a themed board called “DK’s Treetop Temple”. He later returns as a playable character in Mario Party 10. He also has a themed board unlocked using his Amiibo in the Amiibo Party mode.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Puzzle Platforming
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a different kind of Mario game. The franchise started in 2004 on the Gameboy Advance and has seen a number of titles. This game, and its series, focuses on puzzle-platforming elements rather than traditional platforming seen in the mainline games. The story typically involves Donkey Kong causing mischief. The player, as Mario, must solve a series of puzzles to reach him. This highlights the dynamic of their rivalry in a more strategic format.
FAQs: Donkey Kong and the Mario Universe
Here are some frequently asked questions about Donkey Kong and his relationship to Mario games:
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Is Donkey Kong in every Mario Kart game?
No, while he has been in most of them, Donkey Kong was not in the original Super Mario Kart. Instead, Donkey Kong Jr. was a playable character. The modern Donkey Kong has been in almost every game since Mario Kart 64. -
Why is Donkey Kong no longer playable in some Mario Party games?
Donkey Kong was removed as a playable character in the main Mario Party modes starting in Mario Party 5 to make room for the DK Space. This space serves a positive purpose, giving players rewards when they land on it. Nintendo wanted a character space that was the opposite of Bowser’s space. He did however make a return as a playable character in Mario Party 10. -
What is the DK Space in Mario Party?
The DK Space is a special space on the Mario Party boards that is themed after Donkey Kong. When a player lands on it, they usually receive some form of benefit such as coins or stars, often in the form of a mini-game. This provides a positive counterpoint to Bowser’s negative spaces. -
Was Donkey Kong the first Mario game?
Yes and no. Technically, Donkey Kong (1981) was the first game to feature Mario as the main protagonist (though he was originally called “Jumpman”). The game does not have “Mario” in the title, but his role was established in this game. -
Did Donkey Kong create Mario?
No, in fact it’s the other way around! Legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto created Mario to be the protagonist in Donkey Kong. -
What is Mario’s full name?
Mario’s full name is officially confirmed to be Mario Mario. Miyamoto revealed it at a 30th Anniversary celebration in 2015. -
What is Luigi’s full name?
As Mario’s full name is Mario Mario this confirms Luigi’s full name to be Luigi Mario. -
Who is older, Mario or Luigi?
Mario is the older brother. The age difference between Mario and Luigi is slight. -
Who is Donkey Kong’s father?
In recent media, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Cranky Kong is depicted as Donkey Kong’s father, rather than grandfather. -
Who was Mario’s girlfriend before Princess Peach?
Pauline was Mario’s original love interest. She was the damsel in distress in Donkey Kong (1981). -
Is Donkey Kong stronger than Bowser?
While Donkey Kong is strong, he is generally considered to be outmatched by Bowser. Bowser tends to have advantages in strength and speed. -
What kind of animal is Bowser?
Bowser is a Koopa, a fictional species of anthropomorphic turtles that inhabit the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser differs greatly from other Koopas in appearance. -
How old is Peach?
While her age isn’t explicitly stated, it is often hinted that Princess Peach is around 23 years old. -
How old is Bowser?
The age of Bowser is not clear, but in reference to his son Bowser Jr’s birth year, he is said to be around 34 years old. -
Why is Donkey Kong a Mario character?
Donkey Kong is considered as much a Mario character as Mario is a Donkey Kong character. Both originated from the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, making their histories inseparable.
Conclusion
Donkey Kong’s presence in Mario games is both extensive and varied. From his role as the original antagonist, to a racing icon, to a positive force on the Mario Party boards, he has played many roles in the Mario universe. He remains a staple of the franchise and will likely continue to make appearances in Mario titles in the future. Their relationship is one of history and friendly rivalry, and it is a bond that makes the Mario universe all the more richer.