Donkey Kong's Identity Crisis

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D-K! Donkey Kong is... nowhere. What the heck is going on with Donkey Kong these days? Since this is the largest crisis of my life, I decided to explore Donkey Kong since his inception and ask the age old question - how did he learn to tie a tie?
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[@-Unidentified_Comment-]

I think we’re all forgetting the one true depiction of Donkey Kong in a game which is in Punch Out Wii. Who knew that a secret cameo in a completely different franchise would be the one to give him the most personality.

[@MixmasterCorn]

I was just about to comment that

[@dylpickle_z]

wtf mixmaster corn sighting

[@doomgirl5341]

That's the DK I think of when someone say "think of a monkey"

[@moosesues8887]

I mean it’s Mario when characters aren’t playable they either are in npc mode standing around doing nothing or only appear at the end of the game

[@DarthEnderX]

I didn't forget...I kept waiting for it...

[@SpaceCase100]

My dad looks like Donkey Kong.

[@aldippy0]

nuh uh

[@dasheiten]

Good to know, will this be on the test later?

[@CyberYeast75]

Is he black?

[@bigcooltony437]

I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult

[@Ozzymandius1]

@@thatonespooder1513 was it at least in a funny way?

[@ediblecharcoal4855]

I love Alax' editing style cuz it's literally what goes on in my brain. From the random repeating sound bytes to frank ocean to the random scoobydoo persona part, it's a mess and I love it

[@relaxalax]

I try to best accurately depict my really weird brain, thank you.

[@cloudmonkey6952]

Adhd moment

[@malcolmcotie5918]

​@relaxalax telethon how you make scary

[@S0ME_GUY]

So you telling me we been waiting 7 years for a new album, and Frank has been in your head the whole time?

[@KingExalted]

Some people’s brains is pretty much either random memes on repeat or an entire vaporwave aesthetic

[@indigofenix00]

My thoughts on Donkey Kong is that he straddles a weird line between "epic" and "goofy" that is REALLY hard to get right. The Country games present some of the most astonishingly beautiful environments and atmospheric music the SNES was capable of, and Returns followed in its footsteps, yet both were chock full of slapstick comedy. Even 64, which emphasized the cartoon goofiness, still boasted the sheer size of its worlds, unparalleled by any games of its time (according to many, to its detriment). Undercutting all of this is the "wild beast" personality that occasionally surges back. He's frequently depicted with supersimian strength, smashing K Rool through the roof of his flying fortress with a single blow or smashing the moon out of orbit. The Jungle Beat series is even ambiguous on his "heroism" and presents him more as a territorial wild animal defending his territory against rival apes. Once this side of his personality is established, his territorial, animal nature becomes apparent in other games; he is rarely motivated to do anything until someone invades HIS island. At the heart of the Country series is an environmentalist tone. His main foes are the industrialist Kremlings, whose factories are contrasted against the pristine beauty of the natural environment that is depicted with all of the fidelity the game system is capable of showing. The PLAYER is made to feel what is at stake in the clash between Industry and the Wild. Yet DK doesn't really seem to care about any of that. He's equally willing to throw down with any other challengers to his position as the king of the jungle, whether they are actually "evil" or not. The Country games tell a story of beautiful Nature vs ugly Industry, but the Kong himself, as a true representative of Nature, is simply a beast defending his territory and family - a beast who happens to have the power necessary to fight the power of Industry, but a beast nonetheless. This rant went on a bit longer than I planned. Anyway, my point is that the reason DK's tone is so hard to pin down is because his games and his character are two completely different things. The games present a grand narrative of Nature vs Technology, but take the Kong out of this narrative, throw him into Mario spin-offs, and you're basically left with...gorilla. Because that's what he is. An ape who just wants to enjoy life and is willing to smash anything that gets in the way of him doing that.

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

Honestly, yeah! There's an old story about how when Retro made DKC Returns, they had all of the gorilla-like moves you'd expect. Great strength and agility and whatnot. And Miamoto took a look at it and told them to give DK a functionality where he just blew air on stuff, something goofy. Because DK was lacking some of that whimsy that's key to his character. It's part of that fine character line between goofy and epic, I think.

[@JTheFool]

God, someone finally put it into words. The Donkey Kong series is so much more nuanced than people expect, but it's so hard to articulate why. Thank you, I'm gonna use this to explain DKC to people now.

[@GottaFistDemAll]

I guess to be fair for Jungle Beat's wild animalistic of DK the game's manual actually explains about a celestial moon god informing DK about some incoming danger and he must overcome neighboring islands to defeat the evil Cactus King to free them. The whole concept of Nature vs Industrialist doesn't truly holds up because Donkey Kong and his friends have no quims or issues with embracing tech and the construction factories. Cranky Kong and Funky Kong both are the biggest examples; Cranky using science in DK64 and Funky is the overall inventor, mechanic, weapons specialist, etc. The cartoons may or may not be consistent with the games, but they have a barrel manufacturing workplace.

[@sonfrieza]

Somebody from Nintendo needs to see this comment, because I think you somehow understand it better than any of them

[@kirbythe64]

Donkey Kong shows up everywhere in your life despite getting no new games

[@randomnpc445]

I love the commitment to the bit of including the DK screaming clip in every single video, no matter the content, no matter the context. Obviously it makes more sense to have it show up here but I still laugh when I see it.

[@weird751]

Honestly Alex, I never realized how much I missed your content until you returned from your hiatus. Keep up the good work!

[@riahisama]

Just like Metroid one day Nintendo will realize that DK prints money

[@Chaos89P]

Maybe it's because both print more dollars and euros that they do yen?

[@orangeslash1667]

@@Chaos89P The problem is that Retro Studio's is too busy making Metroid Prime 4. Which is taking forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ho-ohkaos7272]

Ok but the Skylanders version of Donkey Kong was like the best mix of all 3 of like his eras cause his moveset referenced this arcade games, rhythm games, and country. They put a lot of effort to make him feel recognizable no matter what era of Donkey Kong you grew up with...

[@umi_grumz]

Diddy Kong is in the supercharged Barrel Blaster too

[@OnyxisI5024]

@@umi_grumzand he’s in the soul gem

[@FireSonosuke]

Everyone always asks "Who is Donkey Kong?" but no one ever asks "Whatever happened to DK Jr.?"

[@bulbakingdoot3514]

He went out for milk and never came back

[@orsonzedd]

HE's still around, he's the Donkey Kong everyone loves, he just grew up and has to wear a tie now because everything is business causal but they're lying and it's strictly busines

[@vicenzogames5535]

Hes probably in New Donk City

[@fan.of.nintendo]

He IS Donkey Kong

[@kylegonewild]

Cranky Kong is the original DK from the 1981 arcade game.

[@masonmcmahon512]

What’s weird is how DK is either Cranky’s son or grandson depending on the time of day, it bothers me to no end and I’m probably the only one to care.

[@BlueAmpharos]

I thought only King of Swing has Cranky call him his son with him referring to him as his grandson in every other game? The Mario movie made him his son though.

[@goozygunk8687]

🦧🦍🦍🦍🦧

[@Mr__Jack]

No you’re not the only one. I like the interpretation of DK being Cranky’s son because that solves the problem with him being his grandson: where is DK Jr.? I like the idea of Rare’s DK being a grown up Jr. instead of him being this brand new character while Jr.’s been out getting milk and cigarettes for the last 30 years

[@moosesues8887]

The marioverse server cares

[@Mario87456]

@@Mr__JackTrue I don’t know WHY they can’t just say that Cranky Kong is Donkey Kong’s father and that Donkey Kong is Donkey Kong Jr. all grown up why must Nintendo continue being stupid here. Besides Donkey Kong Jr. isn’t coming back anytime soon.

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

Rare's DK was the best DK. Not only did they redefine him as a cool, laidback, fun-loving defender of DK Island, but they also gave him a world, a cast of characters, atmosphere, and, well... everything. Nintendo actively spitting on Rare's legacy never made sense to me... but, then again, if Phil Tossell is to be believed, then Nintendo grew jealous of Rare, which was likely a motivating factor in them refusing the Stamper Bros.' offer and giving Rare the boot. If Paper Mario has taught us anything, Nintendo can be REALLY petty.

[@ethanschoenwald9201]

You hit the nail right on the head

[@Mr_bukowski4435]

I dunno why but his movie design is my favorite because it combines the expressiveness of the 64 era but also the simplicity of the NES/GB era

[@ToadTasticadventures]

6:40 This is the funniest shit I have ever seen in years

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

The _"ookey"_ DK 64 voice is honestly the best one. Like, I got no nostalgic connection to those games, but damn if it doesn't crack me up every time.

[@1gnore_me.]

jungle beat is one of those games nobody talks about, but whenever it's brought up everyone who's played it immediately gets excited. probably one of the most under-appreciated games nintendo has ever made.

[@igxrdon7]

Donkey Kong really needs a new standalone game to push his design in the right direction

[@SilentOnion]

Dk64 2

[@kosmic_overlord]

he needs a super Mario wonder of his own

[@orangeslash1667]

@@kosmic_overlord I recommend Yooka-Laylee the Impossible Lair, and Kaze the Wild Masks, their based on DKC.

[@buttersddragon]

what we NEED is donkey kong 64 remastered as good as super mario rpg seems to be

[@orangeslash1667]

@@buttersddragon I think DK 64 is disliked now a days due to the backtracking.

[@Sjono]

DK64 had the definitive voice acting for the entire series

[@BlueAmpharos]

5:40 Actually, Cranky always calls Donkey Kong his grandson as early as the first Donkey Kong Country. He's only Cranky's song in the movie... which ultimately doesn't matter because they ignore the entire history Mario had with him anyway except they referenced Wrecking Crew meaning Mario's previous job history in construction was still intact, but that's its own thing. So this means Donkey Kong Jr. had a son, which would be the modern DK and... we have no idea what happened to Jr if he died or is somewhere else in the world or what it's never explained.

[@Benja04]

Well actually, Cranky calls Dk his son in "Donkey Kong 64" and the Mario Movie in the Dk section of the film lifts a lot from 'DK64' so they also took the fact that Dk was Cranky's son from that game for the Movie! Also Donkey Kong Jr. being modern DK'S father makes no sense, because we see DK Jr. in "Donkey Kong" for the Gameboy, "Mario Tennis" N64, & "Mario Kart: Double Dash" both DK Jr. and Modern DK are seen together and DK Jr. is still a small baby/kid kong, no way his DK father!

[@BlueAmpharos]

@@Benja04 The kart and sports titles also have baby versions of Mario characters so we can't really use them to determine continuity. I checked though and you're right about him calling him his son in DK64. Though with Donkey Kong's and Cranky's comparitive ages, we don't know their actual age but modern DK is likely a full adult or at least close to it. Read that originally it was going to be DK and DK Jr. but Nintendo didn't like the idea of the new DK being the same one from the arcade game so Rare had to change DK Jr. to Diddy Kong. Still though, he's referred to as his grandson more often than his son, but it turns out in Tropical Freeze Nintendo or Retro decided to simply call Cranky "his elder" now so I don't think even Nintendo has a clear answer on their family tree.

[@memeelfman324]

@@Benja04you do know It’s the old dk in the game boy game and not modern Dk

[@ShurikanBlade]

5:16 I CANT BELIEVE ALAX SAW A RAT AND DIDNT DO THE JOKE??? THIS IS NOT THE REAL ALAX?

[@grubby_tuesdays]

0:09 brought a tear to my eyes. Truly the funny dk sound Edit: 6:40 THE DOUBLE FUNNY

[@Citadel_Station_AI_666]

i think alax's editing style is one of my personal favorites, next to caddicarus' and scott's styles

[@Xenon_XTH]

The editing style is kinda like Sr. Loco's style

[@Chaos89P]

I've heard that both formers have some YTP energy. Haven't seen that being said about Scott's.

[@softnwet1600]

Okay but the GBA Mario vs DK is actually a banger title. Nothing like what it ended up as, and a good platformer !

[@legoboy7107]

Yeah, it's basically the sequel to Donkey Kong on the Gameboy.

[@SmokeTheHorsehog]

I never really found any of DK's designs uncanny until now, but I always found some of them to look very derpy. The spinning DKC model, especially.

[@cedenoa001]

13:42 Red Mist Donkey Kong

[@stanstanstan2597]

Thank you for feeding my Donkey Kong addiction, Alax. Donkey Kong related media is to me as bananas are to our lord and savior Donkey Kong. I’m developing a hoard. Also, on the topic of what may come next for DK, there was a seemingly cancelled game you may have heard of called Donkey Kong Freedom in development between Nintendo and Vicarious Visions. There’s some really fascinating information out there about it.

[@realkingofantarctica]

In an alternate timeline, Donkey Kong went on to become the premiere rhythm game franchise, giving enough attention to the genre that it would ultimately lead to the Chorus Kids' inclusion in Smash Ultimate.

[@TonyGunk135]

Hey Alax, I've been going through a tough time in my life rn but your videos always manage to cheer me up. Just wanted to say thank you for being you and uploading these amazing videos. Been a long time fan :)

[@cachulistar]

2 things about this video: 1) 5:43 DK from DKC is not Jr. but the son of DK JR. 2) The volume is all over the place on this video, especially when you're on first plane, you're voice volume goes WAY louder than the voice you use when off the screen.

[@TGVBT640]

11:32 “ubortidala” “OOAOAOOAAEEE 👹👹👹👺👺👺😈😈😈”

[@adamcarr5997]

I thought it said “they’re 40 dollars “

[@nikkothegoblin]

Man since you returned it's been nothing but bangers. Glad to have you again and hope you're living your best life!

[@mustard_96]

5:31 you know if you’re bored you can imagine a Donkey Kong in your head and rotate it for free

[@pandie_cube]

The editing is so all over the place yet unexpected I love it 🤣. Also DK definitely deserves another return since Tropical Freeze 🙌

[@brianv9242]

Your editing style is so unique and its a big reason I look forward to your videos no matter what the video is about. Keep it up man, this channel is a gem.

[@yggdrasilsaltar]

i got bored earlier this year and riding off the mario movie decided to binge the entire donkey kong platformer saga (including the rabbids dlc because it was great) and it made me appreciate the stupid ape alot more. he’s definitely coming back. very, very, soon.

[@DrySharpie]

6:49 I too love the Dk scream sound effect. Thank you for using such a sound. Joy fills me once more

[@saiyangoomba1244]

One of the few youtube videos I watched in a while that made me audibly laugh through the whole thing. I love your editing and humor dude!

[@Intrinsety]

RelaxAlex is like Scott The Woz if Scott The Woz wasn't Scott The Woz but was still definitely Scott The Woz

[@yvendous]

You said "rats" without any dragonforce and I think your therapist would be therapleased

[@doritochip2760]

i would be happy with like 3 videos a year with how much i love your vids they are so well done and genuinely funny!

[@killmadz7]

1:55 holy shit that was clean. amazing as always my man

[@SpaceLobster21]

I love the chaotic editing in this XD Alax, your videos are entertaining af please keep doing this XD (also I grew up with one of the Mario vs Donkey Kong games, it had a level editor before mario maker was a thing so that was really cool)

[@LARAUJO_0]

1:23 That's what the Teletoon logo used to look like???

[@sqyx93]

yes

[@sharkgun]

4:24 did I just get grand dad-ed in a relax Alex video?

[@anhquantran1934]

0:08 cool dk sound effect of The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II spotted

[@anhquantran1934]

and 6:39

[@aaronmeyer3664]

I am playing Skylanders as I'm watching this video and I have Turbo Charge Donkey Kong on my desk right now. Fight me.

[@gearwyvern7884]

Unpopular opinion: Superchargers gets a lot of undeserved criticism but it's actually in the better half of the mainline series. Idk how crazy of a take this is, but I'm staying on this hill lmao

[@bobbyboof]

Brother, you're sleepin on the Smash Ultimate character model. The facial expressions are top-tier and single-handedly justify the camera feature. The same can be said for the Mario Cart series. If I had to pick between better voice acting or better facial expressions for him to express more emotion/ character, I'm going with the goofy-ass facial expressions every time.

[@jaketaller8567]

10:46 I have located the poop spoon

[@kikogeva]

Great video i really missed your more unique style of editing the most and it looks like its back

[@memeelfman324]

How to scare a Canadian 1. Idk 2. 1:24

[@Puffy404]

That offend me, great job

[@fchef8370]

Man this channel is one of the few where I get really excited whenever I see a new video.

[@arthemlieder6411]

Omg its been years since ive seen your videos, i cant believe i wasnt subscribed when i could swear i was. Glad you were recommended to me again, love your videos alax i gotta watch them through. My weekend is safed :D

[@DrCoeloCephalo]

TLDW Donkey Kong during the RareWare era had the most colorful personality and world and everything after feels so milquetoast.

[@germa9090]

Hold up. I thought OG Donkey Kong is Cranky Kong. DK Junior is the father of the Donkey Kong with the tie 👔

[@memeelfman324]

4:26 GRAND DAD

[@user-js6oe4kv5j]

I KNEW THAT WAS SIIVAGUNNER

[@segadoeswhatnintendont]

FLEENSTONES?

[@luigiboi4244]

I always love your deep dives of specific video game characters and how they evolved over the years we knew them. It really puts into perspective how someone can come so far from a wee toddler to a fully formed Adonis.

[@doom3926]

Nintendo treats Donkey Kong like Capcom treats the OG Resident Evil cast, they could never decide on what they want these characters to look like.

[@35raksO]

7:12 U welcome

[@jbpmichel]

I need to know the source of 8:00 Scooby Doo in Persona 4?! 😂

[@dadspulloutgame5611]

10:42 was this a remix of pink + white ? If so can you drop the sauce pls

[@Ygyoyu]

Ur right idk the remix but ir migjt be sped up

[@ratchetxtreme6591]

“I Shower You With coconut cream pie” - Dk

[@elijahmeilak2906]

5:40 Small correction. The DK in Donkey Kong Country isn't Donkey Kong Jr. He's Donkey Kong Jr.'s son. Cranky is the modern DK's grandfather.

[@deviousnightmare03]

Your videos are actually worth watching. KZbin shorts have taken over and honestly it's hard to watch full videos but the editing and the humour makes it worth the watch.

[@ThePonderer]

1:29 I KNOW THAT NOISE

[@Anonymouseyoutuber]

Where is it from?

[@HeisenbergFam]

14:07 Donkey being Mario's love interest is sth straight out of Tumblr fanfiction

[@Scrubermensch]

Popeye64 lmao peak comedy 8:26 JESUS MAN I ALMOST DIED WHY ARE YOU SO FUNNY? INSTA SUBBED!!!

[@x8bitpixel]

Alax has one of my favorite editing styles ever OML.

[@rosebarrett1267]

I would also play dk64 voice lines when given the aux cord! It always makes me smile. Great video alax! Excited to see what you do next :3

[@tjmoses7384]

The tie bit really got me 😂

[@EpicShaymin]

DK! DONKEY KONG! DK! DONKEY KONG IS WHO!?

[@andrewkerr7697]

Dude I love your thumbnails so much. Man’s got style out the wazzoo

[@volzschlittseyxavierkoopa9287]

Love this video! RIP Donkey Kong '94, though. You even used the Pauline redesign from its instruction booklet. LOL That game's a gem! Maybe some other time, eh? LOVE your stuff, mate! Thank you! 💚

[@classiccat7783]

The foreshadowing from alexsonder is amazing

[@Spooderman-sq5uj]

I’m in a lot of fuckin pain right now and on a bunch o’ painkillers so thank you Funny Bald Man for being funny and distracting

[@yaboymintz]

I know a lot of people hate on it, but the Donkey Kong Country TV show is my favorite iteration of the Donkey Kong lore.

[@danielciufo7765]

Maaaan seeing the old school Teletoon logo takes me back being born in 96! 😅 Alax ever consider doing an oldschool 90s video on retro Canadian Cartoons? Like Reboot, Monster By Mistake, Stickin’ Around etc? Would be dope!

[@ronaldmcdaddy9273]

The DK sounds video has helped me through so many bad days.

[@gladimhear]

Had to stop everything to fully absorb your beautiful video

[@sliqriq21]

I love the Editing style in this video

[@tituswaugh4367]

to be honest, out of all the iterations of donkey kong over the years, Mario movie's iteration gotta be the most ACCURATE when it comes to being between both "goofy" and "epic" (shoutout to @indigofenix00 for this one), truly the donkey kong ever.

[@JoNassRasierer]

Mfs when a monkey isnt consistent

[@Bbking1997]

My boy skipped right past touching grass and went right into swimming

[@bigpoppa8162]

Hey man, I was out in Muskoka this weekend. Had no IDEA u were Canadian. Hope to see you out on the lake then :)

[@antoniotorres1674]

I wish the canonical voice for DK was the "OK!" Era, not the beast sounds.

[@Raphotron2000]

The original DK is Cranky Kong however, d k junior is actually a different character that's so obscure they've only appeared in like a manual or a nintendo power ,but he is the actual dad of Donkey Kong

[@cuac232]

I, too, was bothered that they never used the godly DK64 voice ever again. I remember I think in the intro for Mario Power Tennis, DK hits the ball and does the DK64 voice for a single second and I LOST MY SHIT thinking they went back to using it. They did not. I searched the Mario Power Tennis intro and it's on the 2:30 mark, for anyone that's curious.

[@king6595]

You deserve more subscribers cause your editing skills alone.

[@Accel240]

I freaking love Ditchu’s style

[@adamkampen]

>the text Reboot using Rare's logo for the R "See this was a rare opportunity for Nintendo" Clever, I like it

[@Sillymanthatwearsabanana5]

surprised he never talked about the DK show after just mentioning it.

[@Stuarts_youtubepage]

You’ve mentioned Saturday super Cade Donkey Kong! Thank you lol I’ve made a video on it on my channel and thought I was the only one who remembered.

[@magnolt]

i hope donkey kong falling on a minecart on gba is a constant of all relax alax videos

[@TheBandoBandito]

Edits are always on point.

[@dead_head_man5490]

14:59 bro has serious biceps

[@Aruseus123]

It finally makes sense, every single week he retweeted the donkey Kong scream and it's been in practically every video. It makes so much sense

[@icicleditor]

I just love the Spot Holes 2 gags in this one! The jarring darkness is hilarious

[@jaytheboss2208]

I wasn’t expecting you to have arms like that 😮

[@baconaidens7733]

bros editing is always so fantastic

[@megafan2001]

You got one thing wrong however. Modern DK from DKC is actually the grandson of Cranky, being the Third of the Donkey Kong line.

[@silveramyknux241]

5:42 Modern DK is referred to as CK’s Grand child. DK Jr is CK’s child. So I think Jr is at least the parent of Modern DK.