River Raft

Donkey Kong Country 3 had a fully distinct aesthetic to it from its predecessors, using a new engine and heavily altered graphics. The game likewise featured Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong getting around through the use of a large inflatable raft.

This stage will represent this game as a whole, setting the action on top of Dixie and Kiddy’s raft, sized up to accommodate the battle, as if drifts down the river, the locations and buildings of the Northern Kremisphere passing by in the distance.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mspjf4cACiY

Minecart Madness

Speaking of minecarts, one of the most memorable recurring level themes throughout the games are the minecart levels, where in Donkey and Diddy, or whoever you’re playing as, will pile into a cart and navigate a complex roller coaster ride of a course.

This stage will recreate one of those levels. It will take place entirely on a giant minecart with room enough for the fighters as it winds its way through a maze of tracks, often going over jumps and forcing fighters to move to new carts along the way.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2y12kv-n-o

Gloomy Gulch

One common level-theme often brought up by those who talk about the game’s revolutionary graphics style is the underwater levels, large, winding mazes full of realistic images of coral and seaweed.

This stage will capture the spirit of these levels. Much like Cheep Cheep Lagoon, the stage will have a unique physics engine that will let the characters swim around a bit. The stage will take place on a large platform that will navigate its way through one of these levels as common underwater enemies swim through.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPpVplHiDE

Kiddy Kong

While the series was struggling a bit to get off the ground after its pilot, a third game was produced with a bit of a reworked engine and slightly lacking graphics after the first two games. The story starred Dixie Kong, setting out to rescue both Donkey and Diddy, accompanied by her baby cousin she was stuck babysitting.

This is Kiddy Kong, Dixie’s companion throughout the game. Kiddy is big and lumbering, with unbridled strength he hasn’t learned to manage yet, complementing Dixie’s floaty qualities. He wouldn’t prove very popular, and as such, wouldn’t appear again throughout the series.

As a fighter, he will be big and slow with a massive amount of strength behind him. His moves will pull exclusively from Donkey Kong Country 3, specifically anything unique to that game and his own personal abilities.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause

Dixie Kong

The first Donkey Kong Country proved a rampant success and a major stepping stone in gaming’s journey on its way to the jump to 3D and more realistic graphics. A sequel was developed and released a year later, this time starring Diddy Kong as he and his girlfriend journeyed to rescue a captured Donkey Kong from Kaptain K. Rool.

This girlfriend is Dixie Kong, a little chimp with a pink beret and a blonde ponytail she can spin at high speeds and use to fly. Over the course of their adventure, these two would work together to overcome any obstacle, Dixie becoming popular enough to take the lead in the later second sequel.

As a fighter, Dixie will be light and floaty as she was to complement Diddy’s speedier playstyle. Her moveset will pull from this game, its sequel, and her later appearances in games like Tropical Freeze.

Likelihood rating: Strong

King K. Rool

All the Kremlings defeated, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong make their way onto the deck of the Kremling ship, the Gangplank Galleon and face off with their leader, a large rotund Kremling wearing a red cape and a golden crown upon his head.

This is King K. Rool, the primary villain of the Donkey Kong series and king of the Kremling crew. He will crop up time and time again, sometimes in new guises such as Kaptain K. Rool and Baron K. Roolenstein. Sadly though, he seems to have dropped off the map a bit in favor of new villains.

As a fighter, he will be both strong and fast, with good defense thanks to his ironclad belly. His moveset will pull from all of his various boss battles throughout the game, both as King K. Rool and his two alter egos.

Likelihood rating: Already in

Donkey Kong Country Handhelds

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY HANDHELDS

Today, let's cover the handheld remakes of the first three Donkey Kong Country games. These mostly fall in line with the Super Mario Advance games, being more or less faithful recreations with just a few changeups here and there. For instance, Donkey Kong Country now has new intro and ending cutscenes, a few of the bosses have some upgrades, and a few modes like Time Attack and Hero Mode have been added. 

Donkey Kong Country 2 likewise has upgraded cutscenes, a few added minigames and modes, and a whole new boss: a giant fire-breathing Kremling named Kerozene. Donkey Kong Country 3 has a brand new area called Pacifica, complete with a new boss called Kroctopus, and a few new Brothers Bear and Banana Birds.

That's about it! Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Mario: handstand, jump, crouch, spin, spin on bar, hammer, spring, key, pick up and throw

Donkey Kong: punch, barrel, stomp, jack, grow giant, throw enemies

Donkey Kong Jr.: hop, throw switches

Pauline

Birdo: Robirdo

All characters appearing in SMB2, SMW, SMW2, and SMB3

All characters appearing in the DKC series

Stages:

Construction Site

Big City

Forest

Ship

Jungle

Desert

Airplane

Iceberg

Rocky-Valley

All stages appearing in SMB2, SMW, SMW2, and SMB3

All stages appearing in DKC series

Thanks for reading! Next up, let's cover Super Mario 64 DS!

Character Sheet: Kiddy Kong (DK Main Series)

KIDDY KONG

Here we, here we, here we go! So they're finally here, a-smashing for you. If you know their moves, you can join in too. Put your hands together if you want to clap, as we take you through this monkey roster:

1. Donkey Kong (Revision 1)
2. Diddy Kong
3. Dixie Kong
4. King K. Rool
5. Cranky Kong
6. Funky Kong
7. Tiny Kong
8. Lanky Kong
9. Chunky Kong
10. Kiddy Kong
11. Kritter
12. Krusha
13. Klump
14. Tucks
15. Tiki Tong
16. Lord Fredrik

And now it's time to tackle Kiddy Kong, who seems to be, as far as I can tell, everyone's least favorite Kong. Me, personally, I always thought he was a cute kid, who had a fun dynamic with Dixie, so maybe I just don't see it. Either way, Kiddy is Chunky's little brother and Dixie's cousin, who she's tasked with babysitting during her adventure in Country 3, resulting in her taking him into several situations a baby ought not to be in.

In contrast to Dixie, Kiddy was large and strong in kind of a reverse to the Donkey/Diddy dynamic in the first game. As the only main character unique to Country 3, he can act as a representative of anything unique to that game in particular, whatever that may be. The barrel rocket is first seem in that game, so there's that. He also had a penchant for throwing giant rocks, and had the boat and plane supplied by Funky to work with. And as Chunky's brother, I suppose we can also take some loose inspiration from him, but certainly not the whole moveset.

So, here's what we've got:

Standard B: Boulder
Since Kiddy was known for chucking rocks as well as his brother, it makes sense for this move to remain, though maybe he would use slightly smaller rocks than Chunky would.

Side B: Ellie the Elephant
One of the main Animal Buddies unique to Country 3 that doesn't appear in many other games, it could make sense for her to show up in his moveset, especially since her main skill was lifted from Rambi, and we only really need one charging heavyweight for our Assist Trophy roster. She could charge forward with Kiddy clinging to her, maybe spraying with her trunk as she does so.

Up B: Barrel Rocket
Kiddy would use the rocket first used in this game to fly up high into the sky. The player would have some limited control over the direction of the rocket, though the intense speed makes it difficult.

Down B: Hovercraft
This one makes use of the Hovercraft supplied by Funky, though it functions more based on Kiddy's childlike personality rather than Funky's laidback surfer chill. Kiddy would pop out the hovercraft and bounce up and down on it excitedly, splashing water everywhere.

Final Smash: Banana Bird Queen
This one takes reference from the final cutscene of Country 3, where Dixie and Kiddy return all of the queen's babies to her, freeing her from the magical barrier holding her in place, after which she hunts down K. Rool and drops a giant egg on top of him. So basically, the Queen would appear in the sky, fly around above the stage for a bit, and finally drop a massive egg on top of the stage, that Kiddy would then sit on top of.

Entrance: Bursts out of a barrel

Taunts: Whatever you include, it has to feature that clueless, open-mouthed smile that he does.

Thanks for reading! Next up, it's time to move on to the complicated set of characters that is the Kremlings!

Character Sheet: King K. Rool (DK Main Series)

KING K. ROOL

Here we, here we, here we go! So they're finally here, a-smashing for you. If you know their moves, you can join in too. Put your hands together if you want to clap, as we take you through this monkey roster:

1. Donkey Kong (Revision 1)
2. Diddy Kong
3. Dixie Kong
4. King K. Rool
5. Cranky Kong
6. Funky Kong
7. Tiny Kong
8. Lanky Kong
9. Chunky Kong
10. Kiddy Kong
11. Kritter
12. Krusha
13. Klump
14. Tucks
15. Tiki Tong
16. Lord Fredrik

King K. Rool is the main villain of the Donkey Kong franchise, or at least he was up until the Retro Studios games. He appears as a king in the first Country game while fighting on a pirate ship, and in the second, he appears as a pirate captain while fighting in a . . . castle? Huh? I think we got something confused here. He then appears as a mad scientist in the third game, and returns to his king form for Donkey Kong 64 (though he dons a boxer outfit for the final battle).

In his first battle, he will throw his crown forward and it will come back to him like a boomerang. He will also charge forward and jump really high before slamming back down and causing cannonballs to drop from above. As Kaptain K. Rool, he will use a blunderbuss to fire cannonballs and he can also use it to suck things back in. As Baron K. Roolenstein, he uses a propeller jetpack to fly around while shooting fireballs and controlling the robot KAOS. In 64, he has a pet Klaptrap that he often sicks on his minions. During his battle, he can create a shockwave on the ground, unleash a giant punch, throw his gloves forward, and bounce off the ropes. He of course has the Blast-o-Matic superweapon at his disposal as well.

Let's see what we've got:

Standard B: Crown Toss
Now, this is technically his side B in Ultimate, but I feel it's far more fitting as his standard, being the most iconic move he uses. He will toss his crown forward and it will come back to him like a boomerang.

Side B: Blunderbuss
He will pull out his blunderbuss from his Kaptain appearance, firing out a cannonball that will circle through the air as a projectile. He can then use the attack again to suck enemies and items toward him.

Up B: Propeller Pack
Of course, his current Up B functions in the role. His pack will appear on his back and carry him really high into the air.

Down B: Belly Counter
Now, this one's kinda difficult. I love his current Down B. His belly expanding as a counter is so in line with his character it's not even funny. However, so far there has been no evidence of the move in game and seems to have been created by the Smash Team. However, with a lack of a good alternate that doesn't seem redundant to the moves of other characters (like the shockwave), I think I'm just going to stick with it.

Final Smash: Blast-o-Matic
It's a giant superweapon capable of destroying an entire island. What else would you have it be, honestly?

Entrance: As he tends to just be waiting for you when you reach his battle, I guess him just dropping in looking smug is as decent as any other move.

Taunt: slapping his belly the way he does, biting at the screen, laughing maniacally, so on.

Thanks for reading! Now, let's cover the original Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong!

Character Sheet: Dixie Kong (DK Main Series)

DIXIE KONG

Here we, here we, here we go! So they're finally here, a-smashing for you. If you know their moves, you can join in too. Put your hands together if you want to clap, as we take you through this monkey roster:

1. Donkey Kong (Revision 1)
2. Diddy Kong
3. Dixie Kong
4. King K. Rool
5. Cranky Kong
6. Funky Kong
7. Tiny Kong
8. Lanky Kong
9. Chunky Kong
10. Kiddy Kong
11. Kritter
12. Krusha
13. Klump
14. Tucks
15. Tiki Tong
16. Lord Fredrik

Sadly, Dixie has no verse in the song, and I do not have nearly enough faith in my own songwriting abilities to come up with my own. Sorry. Dixie Kong first appeared in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest as Diddy's girlfriend and sidekick as they journeyed to rescue Donkey from Kaptain K. Rool. She later starred as the main character in Donkey Kong Country 3, but sadly did not appear for 64 or Returns. She finally returns in Tropical Freeze where she acts as one of Donkey's three sidekicks.

In the games, Dixie acts as a bit more floaty fighter than Diddy, using her hair to fly and attack opponents. Obviously this would probably be a major crux of her abilities. She has most of the same abilities from Country 2, being able to perform most of the basic mechanics, as well as being able to pick up and throw her allies. In Country 3, there are a handful of new abilities such as the boat and plane provided by Funky, and Tropical Freeze gives her a bubblegum popgun for use in battle. She can also play the guitar so that could work as well.

Let's see what we've got:

Standard B: Hair Flick
This is her most basic and standard move. Although I'm maybe a little iffy on it (after all it could function perfectly well as any one of her A attacks), I think I'm going to go with it here as it's just so iconic. (Also, can you imagine Kirby flicking the ponytail in the same way?)

Side B: Bubblegum Pop
Although I don't want it to be too much like Diddy's, chewing bubblegum has always been a part of Dixie's character in the games, meaning it works for her. Maybe she will fire it without having to charge, and the gum will then stick to the target, dealing damage.

Up B: Ponytail Twirl
As far as I can tell, Donkey Kong's current Up B in the games was lifted from her, as his animation almost perfectly matches her own in the games, so I think it's only fitting that the move be returned. She will spin rapidly with her ponytail, not doing as much damage as DK, but also gaining a bit more upward momentum.

Down B: Grab and Throw
A newer mechanic to Country 2, Dixie Kong can grab enemies, allies, and certain items with her ponytail and can then throw them back out as projectiles. It would work similarly to the moves given to those in Super Mario Bros. 2 with the pick up and throw, with some elements from Isabelle's fishing hook.

Final Smash: Guitar Gazump
Stolen somewhat from Diddy Kong, but considering she played the guitar first, I think it works out fine. Dixie will whip out her guitar and in a cutscene, bang out a sweet riff on it, which then launches all opponents into the air.

Entrance: Burst out of a barrel.

Taunt: Blow a bubble, play a couple of notes on her guitar, sweep her ponytail forward, so on.

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow, we'll cover the King of Kremlings himself, King K. Rool!

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 3: DIXIE KONG'S DOUBLE TROUBLE!

Donkey Kong Country 3 is the third entry in the revamped Donkey Kong franchise, once again taking the sidekick from the previous game and making them the hero of this game with their own new sidekick. The plot of this game follows Dixie Kong and her younger cousin Kiddy Kong, who she's been tasked with babysitting, as she works to rescue Donkey and Diddy, both of whom have now been kidnapped by Baron K. Roolenstein (King K. Rool in a labcoat).

Much like the previous two games, Dixie and Kiddy function on much the same mechanics as the previous games, running, jumping, picking things up and throwing them, using barrel cannons, bouncing on tires, and so on. Dixie Kong's prehensile ponytail also returns, allowing her to flick enemies and float through the air. Kiddy Kong returns the series to having a distinct physical difference in size between the two main characters, Kiddy Kong being large and strong as compared to Dixie. A few new mechanics include the ability to hang from hooks and so on, fly in a rocket barrel across great distances, and travel across the world map in a boat and plane supplied by Funky Kong. Donkey and Diddy do appear in the game, though mostly in cutscenes held captive inside the robot KAOS.

We have a few supporting characters returning this time. Cranky appears as your opponent in a mini-game run by Swanky Kong, where he and the player throw rocks at targets to win prizes. Wrinkly Kong is now retired and works out while saving your game for you. Funky Kong supplies you with the boat and plane needed to traverse the world map (meaning both can be attributed to him as well as our heroes). We are also introduced to a family of bears who run shops around the map, and a giant banana bird who will break free from her containment once you've collected enough small banana birds and will take out K. Rool for you (I smell Final Smash fodder).

A new and returning set of Animal Buddies help you out this time. Enguarde, Squitter, Squawks, and Quawks all return and function the same as they had in the previous game, with an elephant named Ellie replacing Rambi, being able to pick things up with her trunk and spit water alongside the standard charging, and Parry, a colorful bird who mimics your actions. All things considered so far, I think most of the Animal Buddies are far more suited to being Assist Trophies than fighters, especially since in game they seem to be almost the original basis for the concept of Assist Trophies as a whole.

King K. Rool dons a labcoat and jetpack this time around, calling himself Baron K. Roolenstein. During his own boss fights, he will hover around with a jetpack-propeller thing that serves as the basis of his current Up B, while throwing fireballs down at you and using electricity to zap you. In cutscenes, he is also shown controlling the robot KAOS, who initially acts as the main villain. KAOS will float around in his boss battles, blowing fire at you and spinning razor blades around its body. Eventually its head will detach and shoot lasers at you, dropping bombs from it.

The Kremlings also return, once again having completely different names for the exact same thing. Kobbles are the new Kritters, though they're suddenly called Skidda if they happen to slip on some ice, and Re-Koils are the new Kaboings. Krimps replace the Klaptraps, and Krumples are the new Krushas. Kuff n' Klouts may be the new Klumps, but they like to jump like Kaboings. Knockas replace Klobbers as the Kremlings hiding in barrels, unless they're in dynamite barrels, then they're Krackas. If they throw things from their barrels, then they're Kuchukas, and if they hang from ropes, then they're Klasps. A few new types include Koins and Koindozers who hold shields to protect them from attack, Kopters who spin propellers to fly up and down, Bazukas who carry around giant barrel launchers, and Kroc, a sniper who targets you from afar all throughout certain levels.

As for our more basic enemies: Sneeks replace Neeks, Buzzes replace Zingers, Knik-Knaks replace Click-Clacks, Bristles replace Spinies, and Kocos, Nibblas, Bazzas, Bounty Basses, and Gleamin' Breams take over as the various fish species of the game. Lurchins (clams combined with urchins) and Missile Shells also fill the waters. Booty Birds are fat birds that drop items, Swoopies fly back and forth, and Karbines carry fireball-shooting cannons. Lemguins are penguins who slide on their bellies, Minkeys are little monkeys that cling to walls and throw acorns, and Nids are bouncing spiders hiding under platforms.

As for our bosses, we have Belcha, a giant barrel that spits up smaller barrels filled with Knik-Knaks; Arich, a giant spider that dangles from a web and spits poison; Squirt, a giant . . . crab? who lives behind a waterfall who spits out jets of water; Bleak, a snowman who throws snowballs and fires them from his hat; and Barbos, a giant Lurchin who spawns other Lurchins and shoots out his spikes.

Once again, the game is split up into various worlds with a handful of stages within, and though each world technically has its own theme, the stages within tend to just kinda do whatever they want. Lake Orangatanga is mostly a lakeside water-themed area, Kremwood Forest is a forest area, Cotton-Top Cove is mostly cliff and waterfall-themed worlds, Mekanos is a factory world, K3 is a snowy region, Razor Ridge is another cliff and waterfall area, KAOS Kore is a factory/castle themed area, and Krematoa is a volcano region.

Of course, bananas, barrels, coins, and tires all return, with banana birds being added in to the mix, as well as the boat and plane used by Dixie and Diddy in their travels.

All right, let's see what we've got so far:

Characters:
Donkey Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels
Diddy Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, throw Dixie, dynamite
Dixie Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, throw Diddy, dynamite, flick with hair, fly with ponytail, hang from hook, rocket barrel, boat, plane, throw rocks
Kiddy Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, hang from hook, rocket barrel, boat, plane, throw rocks
Cranky Kong: walking stick, dynamite, hints, museum, throw rocks
Candy Kong: save
Funky Kong: airplane, boat
Wrinkly Kong: college, hints, save, workout
Swanky Kong: quiz show, extra balloons, target mini-game
King K. Rool: throw crown, charge, jump high, cannonballs, blunderbuss, suck, various items, propeller jetpack, fireballs, electricity, KAOS
Kremlings/Kritter: walk forward (Klomp/Kobble), jump (Kaboing/Re-Koil), ride minecart (Krash/Klank), Krusha/Kruncha/Krumple (maybe his own), Klump/Kannon/Kuff n' Klout? (maybe his own, blunderbuss, jump), hide in barrel (Klobber/Knocka/Kracka/Kuchuka/Klasp), climb ropes (Klinger), Kutlass, Krook, Kloak, Kackle, Klubba, Koin, Kopter, Bazuka
Animal Buddies:
Rambi: charge forward, jump
Enguarde: swim, stab
Expresso: jump, run fast, glide
Winky: leap
Squawks: fly, flashlight, carry Kongs, peanuts
Rattly: bounce
Squitter: crawl, spit webs, walk on webs
Clapper: cool things
Glimmer: flashlight
Quawks: fly, carry Kongs
Ellie: charge, jump, pick up barrels, squirt water
Parry: mimic

Bosses:
Very Gnawty
Master Necky
Queen B
Really Gnawty
Dumb Drum
Master Necky Sr.
Krow
Kleever
Kudgel
King Zing
Kreepy Krow
Belcha
Arich
Squirt
Bleak
Barbos
KAOS

Stages:
Jungle Level
Forest/Trees Level
Mine/Cave Level
Underwater Level
Snow Level
Factory Level
Gangplank Galleon
Volcano Level
Theme Park Level
Ghostly Level
Bramble/Hive Level
K. Rool's Keep
Flying Krock
Cliff/Waterfall Level
KAOS Core

Items:
Barrels
Barrel Cannons
Bananas
Banana Coins
Tires
Banana Birds
Cogs
Presents
Boat
Plane

Thanks for reading! Next time, we'll cover Donkey Kong 64!