History of Donkey Kong (1981 - 2020) | Documentary

Please support this channel on Patreon: / nick930
A full history of the Donkey Kong franchise - with a heavy focus on the DK Country titles. From the origins of Nintendo as a video game company in the 1980s through to the most recent Switch remaster of Tropical Freeze, this documentary covers it all!
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Donkey Kong Country 2 by learning about how this incredible franchise came to be!
This video details each and every mainline entry, breaking down their development history, gameplay features, visual design, critical reception, all backed with each game's original soundtrack and sound effects.
Like this content? Support the creator! Become a patron and unlock early access to new videos, behind the scenes details, and exclusive discord access!
Patreon: / nick930
Your support is incredibly helpful!
All of this footage was recorded live on my Twitch channel. You can check me out every Tuesday & Thursday on Twitch to get a sneak peek at upcoming documentaries!
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/nick930
#DonkeyKong #Nintendo #Documentary

[@Nick930]

Thanks for tuning in guys! If you want early access to new videos, behind the scenes content, or just have your name listed at the end - consider becoming a Patron! Your help will allow me to create more documentaries on content you want to see! www.patreon.com/Nick930 This one took a lot of time to put together. Lots of really cool information about this franchise that just couldn't be neglected. Donkey Kong Country 2 is actually my first video game I've ever owned - and so I felt this franchise deserved to be spotlighted this month. Thanks for tuning in on Twitch as I recorded all the footage for these games. If you missed out - no worries! I'm going to start recording my next documentary Tuesday! www.twitch.tv/nick930

[@stardog1815]

Just sayin i think Nintendo had a sex hotel in the 60s but idk

[@Nick930]

"Love hotel" And yes, this is mentioned

[@MoviesNGames007uk]

This deserves far more views. Thanks for this video I am a huge DK fan 😊

[@matthower2711]

I'm in

[@SONGOKU02]

What is with DKC on Gameboy Color?

[@militantpacifist4087]

I wish Nintendo made one for the Switch with King K. Rool returning.

[@rayminishi689]

Tell Microsoft and Rareware that.

[@TRQDude]

@RayMinishi What's that supposed to mean?

[@stanstanstan2597]

Militant Pacifist I KNOW RIGHT

[@cartoonistaaronhazouri]

@@TRQDude I believe Microsoft and Rare own the "non Donkey Kong" stuff that was added to the games... or that would be my guess. Donkey Kong and his direct relatives are probably owned by Nintendo since all the Kong family are derivative works of the original, but K. Rool and the Kremlings are wholly original creations.

[@FelixS.]

@@cartoonistaaronhazouri K. Rool and the Kremlins are owned by Nintendo. They appeared in several games since Rares departure and K.Rool just recently was added to Smash Bros. K.Rool being copyrighted by Rare is a myth.

[@therealJakey37]

Donkey kong country returns will always be the most nostalgic, underrated and fun donkey kong country games ever. Such a fun game honestly, I remember always asking my younger brother if he would want to play on my phone and I would play on the DS.

[@silobobus3268]

Let's be honest: if it weren't for DKC, donkey kong would only be remembered as ''that old arcade game mario was introduced''.

[@MegaFinalRound]

Unless something else took over the spot that DKC had.

[@silobobus3268]

@@MegaFinalRound unlikely

[@saltservice4024]

I think the point was supposed to be, that if the original Donkey Kong arcade game never had some sort of sequel (DKC), instead DK would've just been a historical game that created a legacy for the Mario games. Fortunately we remember Donkey Kong for it's own legacy of side-scrolling games and it's very unique 3D spin-off and lesser bongo spin-off.

[@EnemyAce88]

He showed up in the original Mario Kart before this. But you're right, most people wouldn't have cared about him if he hadn't had his own wildly successful franchise.

[@paulvercetti4489]

That was Donkey Kong Jr in the original Mario Kart on the SNES. Donkey Kong was in Mario Kart 64!

[@SuperMario911]

Fantastic video! It’s about time somebody gave the series the respect it deserves. We need a new Donkey Kong Country game for Switch.

[@MoviesNGames007uk]

Remasters of the original trilogy would work with better visuals and sound.

[@mwj9080]

@@MoviesNGames007uk this needs to happen NOW!!!

[@Josh-Man]

I say slap the DKC Trilogy on Switch SNES online and put out a new game or 3quel to DKC Tropical Freeze... it's been 6 years since that came out. 😡😡

[@DemonAngels7]

I feel like we should get a Donkey Kong collection for switch all these games we're iconic in there own way

[@byeFofiko1]

im so glad DKC has finally come to the switch SNEs thing. Its is much fun!

[@Pyke64]

I still listen to the Donkey Kong Country music tracks to this day. I have such fond memories playing the SNES game, unfortunately I never owned a Wii.

[@Wykesidefruitmachine]

DKCR was released on the 2ds/3ds too. They are fairly cheap now!

[@85fabricio]

Or a wii is dirt cheap rn

[@Shookie]

@@85fabricio, I recommend you to listen to DKC soundrack in 8D. Loved it! There's even a chillout version of the soundtrack on youtube. Both are excellent additions to the brilliant soundtrack that I also listen to every now and then. Also, you can easily skip pretty much all other editions of DK games until the reboot on Switch. Tried all of them that's worth to try, and this one gives the best feel compared to its original DKC-games. :)

[@MoundN]

Check put jammin sam Miller. He plans to restore all soundtracks of the trilogy and already has restored the big bulk of em. He restores the soundtracks with the original samples to show how it would sound like in studio quality. He yesterday released the biggest anticipated request on his channel ever since he decided to restore them: mining melancholy. It's just wonderful.

[@africanizedhoneybee6808]

Wii / Wii U was Nintendos dark ages.

[@OtterloopB]

I always loved the ambience of DKC3. There was something so atmospheric about the alpine setting combined with the game's OST.

[@justinratcliffe947]

Yeah screw the haters

[@Clodd1]

What a wonderful documentary! I'm a huge fan of DK. For me, DKC 2 is the best game of all time and its OST is speechless. I wish Kremlins could return. Nintendo shouldn't sell the best studio we've seen in the gaming industry. Thank you for this video, it's really important for us fans to keep the franchise alive.

[@sayreyoung1]

brings back alot of childhood memories I used to play these games as a kid. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@militantpacifist4087]

RARE is to the Donkey Kong franchise like Retro Studios is to the Metroid Prime franchise. They were both made for each other.

[@rayminishi689]

Funny enough Retro studios made a better success with DKC Returns and Tropical Freeze than Metroid. They are now the Retro to Rareware for DKC games.

[@Josh-Man]

So true, and that's why a 3rd DKC game should have happened by now or may be in development... who knows?! Its like Nintendo is ignoring the DK IP and fanbase for not revealing a new game in development.

[@rubenestradavalencia3306]

Joshua Ayers sadly it’s really probable that it isn’t being developed by Retro Studios because of Metroid Prime 4. I wonder what was RS doing between the release of DK:TF and their inclusion on Metroid Prime 4

[@alejandromomota6934]

Joshua Ayers uh, dkc 3 is already a thing, I hate when people hate on 3 for no good reason

[@hectorcollazo8845]

Country and Prime were amazing trilogies!! Now Nintendo has another trilogy this time with Legend Of Zelda's Breath Of The Wild timeline.

[@lxSmoKy]

Do more videos like this. Big thumbs up

[@Mad_Morrison]

History of halo

[@MoviesNGames007uk]

History of Banjo Kazooie would be interesting

[@DragonMark01]

This was my First Nintendo game series i ever own and i will continue supporting the series even the other games.

[@wilito2390]

Man thanks for this video, so many memories ... nostalgia is on.. 😭

[@afterburnersfschannel2210]

Thank you for giving us an extensive insight not only into the history of DK, but also into the history of Nintendo. I wish they would make a new 3-D Donkey Kong as the new installment for Nintendo Switch, given the recent 20th anniversary of DK64.

[@roger1724]

The third Country game was my childhood... I was hooked on Donkey Kong and Kirby!

[@KronetHjort]

I always loved the original DCK games, they were often weekend rentals for me as a kid, but I have the most fond memories for DK64. I had an aunt and uncle who had a N64 Me, my siblings and our uncle would player the split-screen battle arena mode until our thumbs ached. I am always baffled to see that mode never mentioned. It was basically a DK themed Quake clone.

[@HockeyFan3000]

Excellent video. Very detailed and in-depth on its history

[@Gabriel-gs2tp]

What timing, I just pulled out my n64 to play donkey Kong yesterday

[@KirhcLasaoly]

I remember when me and my best friend used to play Donkey Kong Country Returns. We were both like 7. That was my favorite memory with him, I haven't seen him since the beginning of 2015. I wonder if my mom is friends with his mom on Facebook, but I don't think so. I think about him alot.

[@dragon-tamer7956]

I know how that feels bro. I wish the best for you, and hey.. you can do anything! 😉

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Very nostalgic seeing the early games of Donkey Kong

[@stanstanstan2597]

You’re right up there with Christopher Moon

[@JudyKlopfenstein]

don't know why Retro couldn't have Enguarde the Swordfish in Tropical Freeze

[@paulakroy2635]

for constientacy.

[@k-leb4671]

It's such a stupidly missed opportunity. It would've been fun blowing through the water stages with Enguarde, charging like Rambi does but just underwater. Also, it would've been really cool to perform some wicked high jumps out of the water, like a dolphin.

[@hectorcollazo8845]

@@k-leb4671 I agree. Enguarde is just as important as Rambi and Squawks.

[@matthewwilfong6001]

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is literally my FAVORITE game of all time!!! Never has any game been able to trigger each one of my emotions. This game is a true work of art from its beautiful graphics and fantastic platforming game play to its tear inducing music from legendary David Wise. I was pissed that it didn't get any GOTY Awards in 2014 and appalled that it still isn't being recognized in the recent Game of the Decade discussions.

[@ease3784]

The score to these games is amazing and definitely dkc3 I loved the rpg aspects

[@guiarroyos]

DKC2 was one of my only SNES cartridges at the time because they were so expensive (in my country), it quickly became a huge part of my childhood. So nostalgic!

[@SavageBlazee]

What a great tribute to the DK seris one of my favorite franchise cant wait for the next DK game

[@joester4life]

Not only is Kirby saving the dream land.. but he saves Nintendo's too.

[@Trollseeder]

Tropical Freeze's under water levels are so under rated... perhaps the absolute best water levels ever created in a platformer.

[@robhernandez6545]

I'm ready for a DK country returns 3!!!

[@Freddie7191]

At 34:01 you said Returns introduced pounding on the ground, but I'm pretty sure that was in the first Donkey Kong Country. You could get bananas or barrels in certain dark spots on the ground. I love the first game, so I'm really glad you made this.

[@Nick930]

Only if you jump on them. Not really the same type of mechanic but i get what you mean

[@alexnimon853]

@@Nick930 actually you could pound in between trees and other areas in dkc

[@TheDuckyDino]

@@Nick930 nope, DK has a special attack in the original DKC that makes him do a ground pound similar to the one in DKCR

[@DlcEnergy]

if only history class could be like this. you're really passionate about it all and really provide the entire history in regards to legalities and company decisions, etc. i was hooked. those 43 minutes flew right by. this must've taken ages to research/edit.

[@rhyanoneill1932]

The Donkey Kong Country soundtrack is epically perfect!!

[@RenanElifas]

My favorites are: DKC3, DKC: Returns, DKC: Tropical Freeze and last but not least - Barrel Blast (really had a lot of fun with this one and it was properly challenging).

[@matthower2711]

Nick930 all Donkey Kong Country video games is my favorite

[@1abe]

i didn't know i wanted this but now i do

[@fIRrEr-wk8mb]

Omg man thank you for these series! Gaming history is so timeless, the innovations year by year are mind blowing

[@WesT-ge2jh]

Tropical Freeze changed my life

[@otsu3011]

The music 💜

[@FitnessFoodCorner]

DKC Tropical Freeze definitely has deserved more praise. I loved the game and share the opinion, that this is one of the best platformers of all time.

[@PeterAtkinson]

Brilliant video! My favourite is still Donkey Long Country 2. Tropical Freeze is brilliant but 2 still has the best variety and feel of it’s platforming/ levels.

[@jimtin8754]

Loved this video. I rarely watch a video this long all the way through. Great from start to finish!

[@bobbychen5642]

An informative video about my best and long forgotten boi Donkey in these days? God bless you.

[@christianstenger7280]

You should also check the recent videos from gamexplain - they celebrated 25 years of dkc with a whole bunch of great interviews with the original team including David wise

[@bobbychen5642]

@@christianstenger7280 Thanks, that is way beyond my expectation.

[@JoseGonzalez-pf7md]

I absolutely alpreciate the time you took to convey this information to us and you can tell that you loved making this video!

[@enilenis]

Such great documentaries, Nick. Even though I've seen a dozen on every game, I prefer your takes. You're not obnoxious, knowledgeable and professional. Thank you, for making these.

[@RyanBetker]

You did such an amazing job covering the history and including many fascinating facts outside the realm that somehow blended in just perfect

[@couchgamingnews9379]

that was really nice

[@Kain2k7]

I love your "History of" series. I hope you continue to create these videos. They are superb! Thanks.

[@angelsolorzano2844]

Excelent video. You shoud show this to the fine folks at DK vine, if you havent already, keep up the graet work

[@lupus32_]

Really great video! I love the level of editing and the way you narrate. It has been very entertaining to watch

[@myzticallionstallion3445]

Great vid. Thanks!

[@victorsales3850]

Awesome video, Nick! Donkey Kong is pure art!

[@DP3com]

Very good and entertaining documentary. Thank you for putting it together and posting.

[@billdemarco4436]

Love your docs! Bring them back!

[@PurpleSlays]

Thank you. One of my fav characters ever

[@wb8156]

This was a very fun watch thank you.

[@joeyp978]

Wow man. Thanks so much for the work and curation of information you did here!!

[@TheZero1312]

For the next game I want the return of the original baddies, King K.Rool and his Kremlings.

[@paulvercetti4489]

I prefered him as Kaptain K.Rool in Donkey Kong Country 2. Donkey Kong Country 2 is my favorite and was imo the best in the series and the best of all 3 of the Donkey Kong Country games. My second favorite was of course it's prequel, Donkey Kong Country leaving Donkey Kong Country 3 as my least favorite out of the S.N.E.S Donkey Kong Country Trilogy.

[@paulvercetti4489]

Why? Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was everything Donkey Kong Country was only with a lot of extra hype and amped the fuck up! I loved it's level backgrounds, the whole pirate theme was neatly done and it was just like a massively upgraded version of Donkey Kong Country and in my opinion featured the best soundtrack and game story line. That's what makes it better than Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was also a lot "cooler" than it's sequel, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble as well.

[@CatholicIrish]

Loved this documentary! Great production on it. Bravo!

[@f_x9771]

WOW, this was the best history class I have taken on the Donkey Kong Franchise! Thank you for the video!

[@kailee87]

oh man the nostalgia , i played all these from the beginning of the franchise, a pleasure

[@alistervieira2437]

Finally a review who did justice to DK3. Most people usually hate it from no reason! It is good as the second one.

[@SIX598]

The music was so gud !

[@stanstanstan2597]

All Nintendo music is good!!

[@miragevarietyproductions3361]

I have been playing the DKC trilogy on Snes ever since I was a young child and I continue to do so with devices like Retroduo and Retron 2. I also have DKC 2 and Tropical Freeze as my favorite Dkc games.

[@Fascistbeast]

Tropical Freeze on Switch is amazing 👍 Lol some levels are hard

[@rcapogarcia]

Amazing video...its 3:44 AM and I am watching this. Well done!

[@SmokeyMcPotProductions]

Great work. Looks like it took awhile to make this! Lots of information I never knew about!

[@bertschumacher2097]

Love the whole DKC series, but especially DKC2. The music by David is incredible, some songs immediatelly bring me back in time. In that time I've never seen a game with such good graphics and for a kid of 10 years old it is insanely difficult. Also, for me, the game was somewhat of a 2 player game. I was always Dixie while my brother was always Diddy.

[@tay7487]

Awesome video! I'm playing through the games for the first time now, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

[@videogameenglish5]

Great video, thank you for your hard work

[@shinbo6443]

“To start the year off right....” Such innocence, if only we knew

[@ka7al958]

Good video as always

[@sambromley7394]

Last night I randomly listened to to the DKC ost, tonight I discovered your channel. Love it.

[@YouTubePremium-nl2rm]

Keep up the phenomenal work my friend!

[@bijibadness]

this is a very well-made video. congratulations on this.

[@Iridescentshard]

I love this, I wish it came back :(

[@DeadofWinter321]

I've always enjoyed DKC over Mario and LoZ. At first when Returns came out on the Wii, I was disappointed because K. Rool was nowhere to be found but I went ahead and purchased it anyway and tried it. I ended up falling in love with it. I hope Nintendo brings K. Rool back as the final boss in a future DKC game. I'm sort of hopeful since they brought him back in Smash for the Switch 🤞🏻

[@phresh07]

Donkey Kong Country 3 was my favorite, I loved the tent and beating Kranky

[@SuperGamefreak23]

This is good af good job bro 👌🏼👌🏼

[@DragonCrestPC]

Thanks for this! DK is my favorite series of all time.

[@kevinrobinson6601]

I love these "history of" videos. Great work!

[@andreweilermusic]

Thanks for this video! Donkey Kong Country was my favorite SNES game, and it still feels like "comfort food" every once and a while when I want to play through it. I'm glad the last couple games have returned to form. Mario Super Sluggers on Wii featured Kremlings and King K Rool which was amazing--I hope that returns as well in a future Mario Baseball!

[@intrigueproductions5344]

I love your documentaries!!

[@brandongotzpowers]

OMG SO MUCH MEMORIES when I had an game boy when I was young 😭😭😭

[@saraht6143]

great rundown, I really enjoyed how in-depth you went with the studios who made the donkey kong games happen ,as well as the few people behind such incredible games for that time... Toy Story , the first feature-length 3d animated film was made in 1995, so it paints a picture with dkc how groundbreaking the graphics were. This is an aside, but I kind of wished that you added sources to your video descriptions so that I could seek further reading on the topics of the video. Overall grateful that donkey kong of all nintendo characters gets a story told that does the donkey kong franchise such great justice its legacy for nintendo IP itself.

[@JackWebbMusicClub]

This was such a great Video!!!!

[@elliottryan13]

THIS VIDEO WAS OUTSTANDING!

[@dumbcrambo1265]

Excellent content. Thanks for taking me back to some great memories. I’d like to pick up some of the newer games!

[@hectorcollazo8845]

Loved this video. My personal favs are Diddy's Kong Quest and Tropical Freeze.

[@nonamenoname1942]

Greate proffecionaly done episode. I've played first ones on snes, still remember Diddy's squealing while he's sitting in a barrel))

[@NYCfrankie]

What a trip down memory lane I loved the Donkey Kong series my favorite games on SNES along with Aladdin 🎮

[@garbanzomeatball]

I fucking love Donkey Kong thank you for makin this video

[@robot5804]

this was very well put and narrated, glad to see people still caring and loving the game such as myself.

[@Nick930]

Fun fact: dkc2 is my first ever video game that ive owned. Stil play it at least once a year

[@TheBoneHeadClan]

I love these history videos of yours.

[@dlp5958]

This is why I sub! Great stuff

[@blaazepower386]

They should remaster the first Donkey kong country, or make a new 3D adventure more in line with something like Super Mario Odyssey or Galaxy

[@elenakazi4876]

THIS.

[@coreyfultz1514]

Amazing video keep it up👏👏👍👍👍💯

[@aerobicarcplays]

Amazing video, should of watched it sooner. My favorite Donkey Kong game was Donkey Kong Country 2.

[@jamesjackson6563]

I'm definitely going to super Nintendo world this summer when it opens I wonder what the donkey Kong stuff will be especially rides I want a remake to donkey Kong from the 90s all classics good video 💯

[@gookawild5543]

It's not going to be open. Thank the Wuhan Virus...

[@toooydoeur]

@@gookawild5543 🤨

[@gookawild5543]

@@toooydoeur My comment was from a year ago. Thankfully times are somewhat changing

[@diegocalderon5190]

Great Video

[@fpsfanatic9461]

This game is a timeless classic.

[@GusAbiz]

Amazing work 👏👏👏

[@SrCrosoldier]

I think this is the only 43 minutes well spent in my entire life Great video