Donkey Kong History

A mysterious painting of Captain Blackeye hanging in Mad Monster Mansion. (Banjo-Kazooie, N64, 1998)

A mysterious painting of Captain Blackeye hanging in Mad Monster Mansion. (Banjo-Kazooie, N64, 1998)

13 years after the release of the Donkey Kong arcade cabinet, 50m, the cement factory level, becomes playable on a Nintendo console for the first time. Image shows Mario at the bottom of the 50m level, with Donkey Kong and Pauline at the top. (Donkey Kong, Game Boy, 1994)

13 years after the release of the Donkey Kong arcade cabinet, 50m, the cement factory level, becomes playable on a Nintendo console for the first time. (Donkey Kong, Game Boy, 1994)

Yooka and Laylee’s side missions in Volta-X are a rare example of lost media in the Donkey Kong universe. Since the game was de-listed from Steam and the Nintendo eShop, its servers were shut down and even those who already downloaded the game now cannot access the story mode. Yooka and Laylee are shown standing above the logos of Yooka-Laylee and Volta-X along with the words "Collab Coming Soon". (Yooka-Laylee x Volta-X promo image, 2020)

Yooka and Laylee’s side missions in Volta-X are a rare example of lost media in the Donkey Kong universe. Since the game was de-listed from Steam and the Nintendo eShop, its servers were shut down and even those who already downloaded the game now cannot access the story mode.

Donkey Kong prepares to punch Kaptain K. Rool in the face. (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, SNES, 1995)

Donkey Kong prepares to punch Kaptain K. Rool in the face. (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, SNES, 1995)

Multiple Donkey Kong duplicates are positioned behind Samus Aran to indicate that life of Earth will eventually be supplanted by AI. The word "Congratulations" also appears above them. (Super Smash Bros. Melee, NGC, 2001)

Multiple Donkey Kong duplicates are positioned behind Samus Aran to indicate that life of Earth will eventually be supplanted by AI. (Super Smash Bros. Melee, NGC, 2001)

Banjo stands inside an underwater house of glass that he built with his own two hands. (Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Xbox 360, 2012)

Banjo stands inside an underwater house of glass that he built with his own two hands. (Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Xbox 360, 2012)

Banjo and Kazooie find Grant Kirkhope’s locker at the bottom of the ocean. (Banjo-Tooie, N64, 2000)

Banjo and Kazooie find Grant Kirkhope’s locker at the bottom of the ocean. (Banjo-Tooie, N64, 2000)

One of the most beloved characters in Nintendo history, "Bear", shown on a dark background alongside his name in the game's credits. (Donkey Kong Land III, Game Boy, 1997)

One of the most beloved characters in Nintendo history.
(Donkey Kong Land III, Game Boy, 1997)

Brutey Kong prepares to attack Mario Chief while a Groopa Troopa and Arbowser with Peachtana approach. (Jake B. (Pikathorchu), Official Halo Instagram Account, 2021)

Brutey Kong prepares to attack Mario Chief while a Groopa Troopa and Arbowser with Peachtana approach. (Jake B. (Pikathorchu), Official Halo Instagram Account, 2021)

A Klump lurks in the shadows moments before the DK Rap assassination attempt. (Donkey Kong 64, N64, 1999)

A Klump lurks in the shadows moments before the DK Rap assassination attempt. (Donkey Kong 64, N64, 1999)

Swanky Kong’s incorrect name for Cranky is the same as Conker’s incorrect name for Birdy. Swanky is shown to offer Creaky and Beardy as two incorrected guesses when asking Diddy what Cranky's name is (with Diddy about to suggest 'Beardy') and Conkr is seen calling Birdy 'Beardy' too. (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, SNES, 1995) (Conker’s Bad Fur Day, N64, 2001)

Swanky Kong’s incorrect name for Cranky is the same as Conker’s incorrect name for Birdy. (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, SNES, 1995) (Conker’s Bad Fur Day, N64, 2001)

Laylee throws some shade on Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. She is seen saying "Pfft. You can't trust this lot... It'll have probably have car sections by then." (Yooka-Laylee E3 2016 Trailer)

Laylee throws some shade on Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. (Yooka-Laylee E3 2016 Trailer)

Banjo and Kazooie study a statue of Mario which they will soon destroy. The two are piloting a small flying device in Nutty Acres, with the Mario structure standing just in front of them. (Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts gameplay reveal trailer, 2008)

Banjo and Kazooie study a statue of Mario which they will soon destroy. (Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts gameplay reveal trailer, 2008)

Donkey Kong celebrates after all of his friends fall from the top of a mountain. Text on-screen reads "DK won!" and he is soon lifting his arms in the air happily. (Mario Party 3, N64, 2000)

Donkey Kong celebrates after all of his friends fall from the top of a mountain. (Mario Party 3, N64, 2000)

Even after the release of Yooka-Replaylee, Inept indicates that more content is coming to the original game. Image shoes Inept saying to Yooka and Laylee, "Bzzz... Still loading exposition... 98%" (Yooka-Laylee, Switch, 2026)

Even after the release of Yooka-Replaylee, Inept indicates that more content is coming to the original game. (Yooka-Laylee, Switch, 2026)

Every incarnation of Link to have met the Kong family in-game. An anonymous Link who plays the flute. (Tetris, NES, 1989) Cranky's Video Game Hero Link. (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, SNES, 1995) The Hero of Time. (Super Smash Bros., N64, 1999) The Hero of Twilight and The Hero of Winds. (Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Wii, 2008) The NES original Link. (NES Remix, Wii U, 2013) The Heroe of the Skies. (Mario Kart 8, Wii U, 2014) The Hero of Trains. (Super Smash Bros.,for Nintendo 3DS, 3DS, 2014) The Hero of the Wilds. (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Switch, 2018)

Every incarnation of Link to have met the Kong family in-game.

I agree, it worked better when Pauline was a "missing" character from the past. I do like your idea of them being related though - then Pauline would kind of tie together the Mario, Donkey Kong, and Wario series.

An historic fan theory suggested Pauline and Captain Syrup could be the same person, though this has been less popular since Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Bananza. (Donkey Kong Pauline artwork, 1994) (Wario Land: Shake It! Captain Syrup artwork, 2008)

An historic fan theory suggested Pauline and Captain Syrup could be the same person, though this has been less popular since Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Bananza. (Donkey Kong Pauline artwork, 1994) (Wario Land: Shake It! Captain Syrup artwork, 2008)

You are absolutely right - if it were easier to fit into one image, it'd be there, along with Mr Pants, Sabreman, Sea of Thieves, and the many other games that make up this rich tapestry.

The interconnected relationships of the Donkey Kong universe. A picture of the original Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Pauline, and Mario is shown connected to a picture of the modern Donkey Kong, Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky Kong, which is connected to both a picture of Diddy, Banjo, and Conker, and Diddy with Tricky. The picture of Diddy and Tricky is connected to a picture of Fox McCloud and Tricky, and the picture of Diddy, Banjo, and Conker, is connected to a picture of Banjo and Roysten, which connects to a picture of Yooka, Laylee, and Roysten, which finally connected to a picture of Beebz with Yooka and Laylee.

The interconnected relationships of the Donkey Kong universe.

Mumbo’s two xylophones. One features the Microsoft Game Studios logo, the other features the Nintendo logo. (Banjo-Kazooie, Xbox 360, 2008) (Banjo-Kazooie, N64, 1998)

Mumbo’s two xylophones. (Banjo-Kazooie, Xbox 360, 2008) (Banjo-Kazooie, N64, 1998)

Yooka is implied to have had swimming lessons from Enguarde. The description of the H2G0 tonic reads "Yooka swims faster, thanks to lessons from a friendly swordfish." Its quill bonus is listed as -0.3. (Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Switch, 2019)

Yooka is implied to have had swimming lessons from Enguarde. (Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Switch, 2019)

Every in-game NES Donkey Kong design. (Donkey Kong, NES, 1986)* (Donkey Kong 3, NES, 1986) (Tetris, NES, 1989) (NES Open Tournament Golf, NES, 1991) *the same design is also used in Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong Jr. Math

Every in-game NES Donkey Kong design. (Donkey Kong, NES, 1986)* (Donkey Kong 3, NES, 1986) (Tetris, NES, 1989) (NES Open Tournament Golf, NES, 1991)

*the same design is also used in Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong Jr. Math

Pauline ready to race in her Valentine’s Day-themed “Rose” outfit. Text around the Pauline (Rose) render reads "High-End!" and "Got it!". Her special item is shown to be a Fire Flower. (Mario Kart Tour, Mobile, 2021)

Pauline ready to race in her Valentine’s Day-themed “Rose” outfit. (Mario Kart Tour, Mobile, 2021)

Lego versions of Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, Funky, and Cranky Kong, along with Rambi, Squawks, and a Mole Miner. (Lego Super Mario - Donkey Kong Expansion Sets, 2023)

Lego versions of Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, Funky, and Cranky Kong, along with Rambi, Squawks, and a Mole Miner. (Lego Super Mario - Donkey Kong Expansion Sets, 2023)

Conker is revealed to not only have a friendship with Diddy Kong, but also Donkey Kong, with the three having met during an unseen adventure. He’s also implied to be good friends with Banjo. Text in the scan reads "Conker (Medium acceleration, medium weight, good handling, medium top speed) Another friend made by Diddy Kong on one of his endless adventures with Donkey Kong, Conker is also an exploration nut who'll jump at any chance to break free of a squirrel's less than exciting daily routine. He's eager to join up with Banjo as the bear passes through." (Diddy Kong Racing manual, 1997)

Conker is revealed to not only have a friendship with Diddy Kong, but also Donkey Kong, with the three having met during an unseen adventure. He’s also implied to be good friends with Banjo. (Diddy Kong Racing manual, 1997)

The description of the Bear & Bird Figurehead makes reference to Banjo and Kazooie’s conflict with Gruntilda. The text in the screenshot says "A mysterious bear carrying an unusual bird, believed to keep evil witches at bay." (Sea of Thieves, Xbox One, 2018)

The description of the Bear & Bird Figurehead makes reference to Banjo and Kazooie’s conflict with Gruntilda. (Sea of Thieves, Xbox One, 2018)

"I'm Donkey Kong Jr. grown up 😉"

Donkey Kong winks mischievously besides Donkey Kong Jr. pixel art. (Mario Kart World, Switch 2, 2025)

Donkey Kong winks mischievously besides Donkey Kong Jr. pixel art. (Mario Kart World, Switch 2, 2025)

Mario uses Rambi to charge through Kremlings. (Yukio Sawada, Super Mario-kun Volume 14, 1996)

Mario uses Rambi to charge through Kremlings. (Yukio Sawada, Super Mario-kun Volume 14, 1996)