Cranky Kong
From RWP Wiki
Cranky Kong is a major recurring character in the Donkey Kong series.
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Biography
Cranky Kong appears as an aged old gorilla. According to game lore, Cranky is in fact the original Donkey Kong that appeared in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game developed by Nintendo. Cranky is known for his constant complaints and yearning for the "good old days," as well as breaking the fourth wall. He appears to think that today's video games are too complex for their own good, and feels they were better off in his prime. He appears to have some scientific knowledge, as he is able to brew potions that give the other Kongs new abilities (as seen in Donkey Kong 64). He is married to Wrinkly Kong and is DK's father.
In the Games
Donkey Kong Country
In Donkey Kong Country, Cranky appears in his various cabins in each world. At his cabins, he rants to Donkey and Diddy Kong about the Donkey Kong arcade days and occasionally gives valuable gameplay tips. He also appears in the game's ending, deriding the player and boasting about how he could have finished DKC in less than an hour without dying.
In the Game Boy Advance version of DKC, Cranky also appears after every boss is defeated and talks to DK and Diddy.
Donkey Kong Land
In Donkey Kong Land, Cranky plays a large role in the plot of the game. He claims that the success of Donkey Kong Country was due purely to its fancy pre-rendered graphics, rather than its gameplay. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong become fed up and claim that people liked DKC for more than its graphics, and that it's "just plain fun." Cranky then calls them out on this, challenging them to do the same on a graphically limited system like the Game Boy and see then if it succeeds as well. After Donkey and Diddy agree, Cranky Kong calls up King K. Rool and tells him to have his Kremling Krew steal the Kong's Banana Hoard once again, only hiding the bananas in new places around the island.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Cranky appears in the various Monkey Museums he has set up around Crocodile Isle. Here, Diddy and Dixie Kong can buy various hints and tips from him for a few Banana Coins each. He will also rank Diddy Kong's status as a video game hero compared to Mario, Yoshi, and Link, based on how many DK Coins the player collects.
In the Game Boy Advance version of DKC2, Cranky's Monkey Museum also includes a racing minigame involving a new Animal Buddy, "Expresso II". The player can find various golden feathers hidden around the game's levels and use them to power up Expresso II for this race. Cranky also appears after every boss is defeated to talk to Diddy and Dixie.
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, Cranky appears as the opponent of Swanky's Sideshow minigame. Dixie and Kiddy Kong must beat the boastful old man in a target test in order to earn prizes from Swanky. He also appears in the game's ending after Dixie and Kiddy defeat Baron K. Roolenstein.
In the Game Boy Advance version of DKC3, Cranky's role is significantly different from the original version. Here, he has set up various training dojos around the Northern Kremisphere (all in places that previously held Wrinkly's Save Caves in the original version). Here, after paying Cranky, the player can actually play as him in a short minigame where he must deflect miniature Bristles with a shield. So far, this marks Cranky's only playable appearance in a Rare-made Donkey Kong game.
Donkey Kong 64
In Donkey Kong 64, Cranky appears to have gotten into chemistry, as in every world he appears in his laboratory with various potions for the Kongs that give them new abilities to use (for a price of a few Banana Coins each).
Donkey Kong Country Returns
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, Cranky runs a shop on Donkey Kong Island where Donkey and Diddy can purchase Extra Life Balloons and health upgrades in exchange for Banana Coins.
Relations with other characters
- Donkey Kong: He is Donkey Kong's father. Cranky sees DK as not being a true video game hero and seems constantly disappointed with him.
- Wrinkly Kong: He is married to Wrinkly, although their marriage seems to have soured over time.
