5 Memorable Moments From the Donkey Kong Country Series

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The Donkey Kong Country series is iconic. Although the character is owned by Nintendo, its reboot, headed up by UK-based developer Rare, is when Donkey Kong arguably came into his own identity.

For those unaware, Donkey Kong was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s high-profile game designer and producer, in 1981. Although the Ape had seen big success, the franchise was dormant by the time the 1990s came around. It wasn’t until the release of platformer Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo console in 1994 that the ape saw a huge resurgence.

Since then, plenty of games in the DK Country series have been released, with the latest, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, being re-released for the Nintendo Switch next week, developed by Retro Studios. The game initially appeared on the Wii U in 2010, followed by a port for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. This new version includes some graphical upgrades, as well as a new, easier difficulty mode, with co-op mode able to be used with one Joy-Con.

To mark the upcoming port’s release, we’re highlighting five moments from the Donkey Kong Country series below to help you re-acquaint yourself with it. It’s one of the biggest upcoming Nintendo Switch games in 2025 and kicks off the year nicely. Whether the game will arrive on Switch 2 remains to be seen after the announcement finally arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • The first Donkey Kong Country game first came out on the SNES in 1994, developed by Rare.
  • Donkey Kong first made his debut in 1981 with the self-titled arcade game.
  • The Donkey Kong Country series has total sales of around 35 million worldwide.
  • Super Nintendo World, a theme park at Universal Studios in Hollywood, USA, and Japan, has recently expanded to include a Donkey Kong Land.
  • Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is available on 16 January for the Nintendo Switch.

5 Memorable Moments From Donkey Kong Country

Playing the First Level of Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country's graphics were unlike anything else seen at the time.
Donkey Kong Country’s graphics were unlike anything else seen at the time. Source: Daryl Baxter via Techopedia

Before Donkey Kong Country’s release on the SNES in 1994, players wondered if the pre-rendered art style showcased in preview articles via magazines was just hype. However, once the game emerged and players began the first level, Jungle Hijynxs, those fears were swiftly allayed.

Straight away, the fantastic graphics were there for all to see, and players could also hear the iconic theme, ‘DK Island Swing’, a tune heard in subsequent games in the Donkey Kong Country series, throughout the level. Suddenly players are controlling Donkey or Diddy Kong through the jungle, collecting the ‘KONG’ letters and the bananas spread across the level. Not only did this quell any doubts about the game’s art style, but it was also the introduction to its gameplay, and the music, which, composed by David Wise, all set the standard for the series.

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Facing the Secret Boss Battle in Donkey Kong Country 2

Krocodile Kore offered a new challenge for the sequel
Krocodile Kore offered a new challenge for the sequel. Source: Daryl Baxter via Techopedia

Donkey Kong Country 2, released in 1995, introduced the concept of a secret world, which was accessible by collecting ‘Kremkoins’ at the end of a bonus level of each standard world. Although there were five levels to access, this secret world also featured the true boss of the game, again featuring the game’s antagonist, Kaptain K. Rool, but in a new level called Krocodile Kore.

Fighting him here is more straightforward than facing K. Rool in normal circumstances, as he only requires one hit to be beaten. However, players need to watch out for the purple orbs, as this swaps the directional controls the other way around. Once you defeat K. Rool, however, you get the true ending and a Video Game Hero Coin.

Hearing the DK Rap From Donkey Kong 64

The DK Rap is arguably the most memorable thing about Donkey Kong 64.
The DK Rap is arguably the most memorable thing about Donkey Kong 64. Source: Daryl Baxter via Techopedia

The DK Rap is an infamous tune that debuted in Donkey Kong 64 on the Nintendo 64 way back in 1999. Conceived by designer George Andreas and composed by Grant Kirkhope, the verses, all voiced by Andreas, Kirkhope, and several other staff members from Rare at the time, describe the five playable characters in the game. This includes Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong.

The rap stands out for its clunky lyrics and awkward delivery, such as “Finally, he’s here for you. It’s the last member of the DK crew! This Kong’s so strong, it isn’t funny!” Totaling three and a half minutes, the DK Rap has been featured in other games, such as Donkey Konga, a rhythm-themed spinoff, and the fighting series Super Smash Bros. The song has earned a spot on several ‘so bad it’s good’ lists, with Kirkhope reflecting that he enjoys how fans consider the DK Rap as a funny, cult classic rather than anything else.

Playing Donkey Kong Land for the First Time

Donkey Kong Land was impressive for its time, considering the hardware it launched on
Donkey Kong Land was impressive for its time, considering the hardware it launched on. Source: Daryl Baxter via Techopedia

Originally conceived as a Donkey Kong Country port, Donkey Kong Land was another surprise for players when it was released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1995. It kept the same art style and great gameplay as the Donkey Kong Country series on the SNES but on the go. Donkey Kong Land was developed in a year, all thanks to programmer Paul Machacek at Rare, who managed to do the Herculean task of porting most of the assets from Donkey Kong Country into a smaller size for the Game Boy without much issue.

The music, composed by David Wise and Graeme Norgate, is also another surprise, easily on par with Donkey Kong Country’s soundtrack. Subsequent sequels would also take inspiration from later Donkey Kong Country games on the SNES, but the first Land entry showcases how well Rare carried over the gameplay and music tropes into a smaller, 8-bit handheld.

Facing Mirror Mode in Donkey Kong Country Returns

Facing Mirror Mode in Donkey Kong Country Returns

Spoilers for those who are about to play Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on Switch, but get ready for Mirror Mode. To access it, players must first collect eight orbs found in Key Temples across the game, which are also found by collecting the ‘KONG’ letters. Once done, the hidden world, called the ‘Golden Temple’, is made available, which consists of just one level.

After this is beaten, Mirror Mode is accessible, which is essentially an ‘Ultra Hard’ difficulty mode for the entire game. Here, every level is flipped, Diddy Kong is unavailable, and any inventory items and Donkey Kong has just one heart. It’s a hard slog, but completing this mode gives you some additional images in the Gallery and that long-awaited 200% completion.

The Bottom Line

The Donkey Kong Country series shows no signs of stopping since the first game’s debut in 1994. With over 35 million sold worldwide, players love how the games showcase new ways to control Kong and his family throughout the many levels that the games offer.

From riding animals and minecarts to playing co-op with friends and family, the series has become an iconic franchise for Nintendo and players alike, showcasing how fun it is to complete the games and obtain the collectible in fun and surprising ways.

Nintendo has also made sure to let players know, via a trailer, that most of the Country games can now be played on the Switch. Some games, like the Donkey Kong Land trilogy, are available to play via the Nintendo Online service; there’s no better time to re-acquaint yourself with the series as Donkey Kong Country Returns HD arrives next week.

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Daryl Baxter
Gaming Writer
Daryl Baxter
Gaming Writer

Daryl Baxter is a writer and published author of two books so far — 'The Making of Tomb Raider' and '50 Years of Boss Fights.’ He’s been writing for over a decade and has been featured at Techopedia, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, SUPERJUMP, iMore, The Radio Times, and more. He also hosts a gaming podcast called PAL KEYS, as well as has a fortnightly newsletter called 'Springboard.’