The Tanooki » Donkey Kong

Super Mario munnys inspire awe, terror

Holly Green — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:10:59 +0000

Okay, so these munnys, custom hand painted to show the darker side of video games, aren’t all Mario inspired. All the same, I wouldn’t fall asleep with my back to them at night. Creepin’ a bit.

Check out more of the artist OSKUNK’s custom work, including hand painted consoles, over at Blogspot.

Flickr

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Cooking Mario? Check out this custom Mario apron!
Homemade Super Mario mosaics (sans Tanooki)
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Meet the Munnies – the Mario Munnies!

DK! Donkey Kong cupcakes are here

Holly Green — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:17:50 +0000

I am, if you’ll pardon the express, going ape for these. It’s too bad they aren’t banana flavored. Missed opportunity! All the same, these Donkey Kong themed cupcakes by Australia-based culinary crafter Kylie Cakes, are chimply adorable.

Flickr

Steve Wiebe making three attempts at Donkey Kong record

Christian Ponte — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:00:10 +0000

Hey everyone! Christian here, and I’m about to cover Steve Wiebe’s shots at reclaiming the world record in Donkey Kong. Starting at 3:30 p.m. CT, Wiebe will be making three 90-minute attempts to beat Hank Chien’s recent record of 1,068,000 from right here in Chicago at the Logan Hardware arcade.

Do you think Wiebe will become the “King of Kong” again today? I’ll be right there covering the event for the rest of the afternoon and evening, hopefully posting updates after the break and on my Twitter account. Check back later!

3:30pm Start time…
4:30 – They’ve finished verifying the machine, looks like he’s starting!
4:43 – 101,300 and counting! Check my Twitter for photos!
4:55 – 200,200 and counting, still first attempt.
5:09 – 306,100!
5:25 – 420,000, still going strong. Everyone’s been chanting Wiebe’s name.
5:30 – For those wondering, he’s got one more life after this one. Check my Twitter for pics you can see for yourself.
5:42 – 537,400, that’s halfway to the world record!
5:53 – 622,600.
6:04 – 707,600, still first attempt.
6:17 – Lost a life, down to his last. 805,800…
6:27 – Game Over. 872,600. Second attempt coming in a bit.
6:44 – Still break time. Met a few of you awesome Tanooki readers.
7:16 – Sounds like we’re going to get started again soon…
7:30 – Attempt #2, here we go!
7:42 – Lost a life, 64,300.
7:47 – Attempt #3 now underway!
8:00 – 113,500.
8:16 – 210,700, all lives still intact!
8:29 – 306,100 with all lives intact!
8:32 – Two lives lost, 330,100.
8:37 – Last life, 358,800…
8:42 – Game Over at 378,400. Steve’s signing autographs now. Check my Twitter for a boob-signing pic.
8:50 – Alright, everyone — signing off for now. I’ll post better pics an videos when I get home!

Come see Steve Wiebe break his own Donkey Kong record in Chicago

Christian Ponte — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:30:45 +0000

Current Donkey Kong record-holder Steve Wiebe will be attempting to be his own high score at the re-opening of Logan Hardware store in Chicago, IL on Saturday, January 15th, 2011. As of September, his current world record is 1,064,500.

Prior to his record-breaking attempts, he’ll be teaching a class called DK101, basically explaining how to play Donkey Kong. Apparently, it’s not as straight-forward as you think, so it’ll cost you $12 to register for the class and learn the secrets. Of course, if you’ve spent all your quarters at the arcade or just want to come watch Steve play the game, you can just come see any of his three record-breaking attempts for free.

Location and times can be found at the hardware store’s official site linked below. Seeing as this is taking place right in The Tanooki’s own backyard, any of you going might possibly run into me there. Heck, I’ll try and drag along Matt to this thing while I’m at it.

Logon Hardware
via Joystiq

Nintendo plays hide-and-seek with Donkey Kong’s teeth

Jason Leavey — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:02:10 +0000

Each and every character in Nintendo’s popular pack of franchise favorites has transformed with the times, often sporting new attire, updated body dimensions and slightly different facial features. After all, Mario today only has a slight resemblance to his former 8-bit self. Donkey Kong, however, is one of the only characters to seemingly have the ability to gain, and lose a certain body part, literally by the minute. Which part, you ask? His teeth!

Pictured above, DK proudly reveals his pronounced set of pearly-whites to the camera, in a press photo he and Diddy took for their upcoming Wii adventure Donkey Kong Country Returns. In the photo below, from the same photo shoot, Donkey’s noticeably sans teeth. What gives?

This trend is much more common than you think. Throughout his life span, Donkey has been pictured with and without his dormant dentures. And you know what? DK actually comes across as a lot more likable. Less malicious, less angry.

Ahhh! The teeth are back. This image, a screengrab from the new Wii game, shows his terrifying bottom row of chompers.

And now they’re gone! Even in his Super Nintendo days, Donkey’s teeth could magically invert themselves. Or maybe he never had teeth prior to his days on Wii?

Wrong! His original presentation in the 8-bit days of Donkey Kong featured the simian with a large set of monkey molars. Unless he’s just chewing on three health packs.

Gone again, but don’t be surprised. After taking part in some lengthy investigative research, I’ve concluded that DK has always had the ability to hide his teeth somewhere in the gum line, since his earliest days. Looking at several photos of his cranium’s cuspids, I strongly prefer my Donkey Kong in toothless form. It makes him a hell of a lot cuter. What say you, opinionated readers?

Preview the jungle beats of Donkey Kong Country Returns

Jason Leavey — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:16:43 +0000

9 days to go my simian friends, before Donkey and Diddy return for a brand new adventure. Retro Studios’ Donkey Kong Country Returns blends old and new to create a title well worth the wait, proven from the latest gameplay trailers. To quench your thirst for retro DKC, I’ve got a frothy dose of jungle jingles inspired by songs from the original SNES classic.

Listening to these songs was like being a kid on Christmas morning. I’ll admit, I’m fighting back a few tears.

Listen to an extended preview of the main theme above, and several more tracks below the break, especially my favorite: Cranky’s theme.

NintendoEverything

Nintendo trademarks phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong”

Holly Green — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Surely any child of the 90s has uttered this one before. And a more charmingly competitive catchphrase you cannot find. “It’s On Like Donkey Kong” has been officially claimed by Nintendo, who have registered a trademark for the name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to retain full ownership rights. This is all in celebration of Donkey Kong Country Returns, which releases on the Wii in a few weeks on November 21.

Why do I keep hearing this phrase in Adam Sandler’s voice? Did he actually ever say it, or is voice the default I go to when I’m reminded of the immaturity of my childhood?

Nintendo Files Official Trademark for Catchphrase ‘It’s On Like Donkey Kong’

In honor of the upcoming Nov. 21 launch of Donkey Kong Country^™ Returns for the Wii^™ console, Nintendo has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the pop-culture phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” For those unfamiliar with the term, “It’s on like Donkey Kong” is an old, popular Nintendo phrase that has a number of possible interpretations depending on how it’s used. In addition to Nintendo’s use, it has been used in popular music, television and film over the years, pointing to Donkey Kong’s status as an enduring pop-culture icon and video game superstar.

Donkey Kong^™ is one of the oldest and most recognizable video game characters. He has been a pop-culture icon since the launch of his 1981 self-titled arcade game. Donkey Kong again rose to prominence in the 1994 Super NES^™ game Donkey Kong Country. His new game, Donkey Kong Country Returns, marks his triumphant return in a new side-scrolling adventure with new challenges amid a beautiful setting. The game features the first simultaneous cooperative game-play mode for the series, with one player controlling Donkey Kong and the other controlling his agile pal, Diddy Kong^™.

On Nov. 21, It’s on like Donkey Kong^™!

Red Wii & New Super Mario Bros. bundle heading to Europe?

Jason Leavey — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:17:04 +0000

As part of Nintendo’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebration of Super Mario Bros., it appears European gamers are getting a special red Wii bundle. Unlike Japan’s previously announced red Wii, this new set will include a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a copy of Wii Sports, and will come preinstalled with the original Donkey Kong.

Seems to defeat the purpose of celebrating Mario’s 25 years by not including the special 25th anniversary edition of Super Mario Bros. like the Japanese red Wii, but it’s still a great offering for those who somehow haven’t picked up a Wii yet.

As for North American gamers? We get nothing.

GoNintendo

Billy Mitchell and his menacing mullet in tattoo form

Jason Leavey — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:27:23 +0000

Because sometimes, the former King of Kong just needs to be permanently embedded in the skin. Team Wiebe!

Break

Taio Cruz gets Donkey Kong Country Returns remix

Jason Leavey — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:31:59 +0000

We’re all pumped for this fall’s Retro Studios developed Wii title Donkey Kong Country Returns. Trailers and screenshots for the fourth entry in the Country series have everyone ready for some much needed jungle hi-jinx and barrel blasting. Especially Chad Nikolaus and Angie Griffin.

The two mega fans created a remix of Taio Cruz’s song “Dynamite,” giving it a much needed DK theme. Check out the video above.

Sounds better than the original to me!

GoNintendo

E3 2010: Hands on with Donkey Kong Country Returns

Pete Betcher — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:35:44 +0000

The Donkey Kong Country games were undeniably some of the best games to grace the SNES in the 90′s, and now for the first time since DKC3 hit store shelves it looks like gamers are about to get more of that magical formula. That is, if developer Retro Studios (Metroid Prime series) can pull it off. But can the same feeling be conjured up almost 15 years later? The team has the talent and DK has the potential, but that doesn’t guarantee anything, especially when it comes to revivals. So.. thoughts?

I spent a lot of time with DKCR, and I have to say, they are definitely on to something. In fact, they are potentially on to something huge. My time was entertaining, frequently surprising, and almost entirely positive. That is pretty good for the first glimpse of a game.

First, the tasty parts. The first thing that caught my attention was the level of detail that is being pumped into the game. Everything, from the scenery to the enemies to the gameplay includes little surprises around every corner. For example, on one level the player blasts from the foreground using a series of classic blast barrels all the way into the background. The camera doesn’t fly back with the player, leaving the playable platforms in the front fully visible even while the player occupies the back portion. Its a very nice little effect that could potentially offer some compelling experiences deeper into the game. Another example, I immediately noticed that all the enemies have personalities. Some look genuinely depressed, others quite sassy, some happy and oblivious, and I instantly associated with them. I felt bad for the gloomy vultures, but had no problem bursting the bubble of the angry ones. It creates a full vibrant world that lives and breathes right down through each blade of grass. This carries over to the scenery, which can be destroyed with special events (think bonus barrels), attack you (falling pillars), or be your best friend (bridge that aids jumping in waves).

The gameplay was a bit more of a mixed bag. For the most part, it felt right. It was classic. It had some new flair. The only thing that took a bit of getting used to was the roll. It’s activated by shaking the Wiimote sharply, and I had trouble rolling precisely at first. Sure, usually it wasn’t a problem, but when I’m trying to roll off an edge, grab a golden letter, and then jump back up before falling to my death, a few milliseconds can make or break the whole shindig.

That was the only problem I had with it. I love the additions, including a simultaneous two player mode, Diddy’s jetpack, and an added health bar or sorts. That’s right, health is in. No longer is it one and done with each simian, as players get two hearts for DK and two additional hearts when Diddy is on board. The jetpack represents an added ability when Diddy is present, which takes away playing as him directly in single player mode, but opens up the door to adding other characters that give brand new abilities to the main monkey later. None of these other abilities were shown, but I directly asked a Retro worker and was given the very promising answer that “Diddy is all that is available [at e3]“. Yes please Dixie hair grappling hook. I was also told that what we saw on the show floor “is just the tip of the iceberg”.

Long story short, keep an eye on this one. It seems to be bringing Donkey Kong back into the limelight, combining the charm of DK: Jungle Beat and the classic gameplay of the DKC series, and it really works. I can’t wait to see more.

Nintendo announced Retro developed Donkey Kong Country Returns

Jason Leavey — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:22:33 +0000

Although formerly a Rare property, many were left to believe that the Donkey Kong Country series would never return. And those would be mistaken.

Nintendo has announced that Retro Studios is developing a brand new Country title, appropriately dubbed Donkey Kong Country Returns. The familiar barrel hopping, kart racing, banana catching gameplay is back, with some graphical and motion control additions. Player one controls Donkey Kong throughout the game, while a second player can take on DK’s sidekick Diddy. If in single player, when you crack open a DK barrel, Diddy Kong will join you as a sidekick. Although you can’t switch between the two, Diddy will give DK a hover ability due to his jet pack.

Take a look at the first gameplay trailer above. We got our hands on the game on the E3 showfloor earlier today. Make sure to check back for some impressions of the title soon.

E3 Rumor: New Donkey Kong to be revealed tomorrow

Jason Leavey — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:04:06 +0000

A new and enticing rumor has been fans of the Big N’s gorilla mascot quite eager for the company’s E3 press event tomorrow. Rumor has it, Retro Studios is developing a new Donkey Kong title for Wii.

That’s right folks. Donkey may be back in a new adventure title, a welcome sight considering his last non-Konga, non-bongo adventure was the mediocre Donkey Kong 64. Additionally, a NewPlayControl! version of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat released on Wii in 2009, giving fans a taste of a DK adventure on Wii.

Retro previously teased a new Wii project to IGN, claiming “I think you’ll be very excited when you find out what we’re working on.” Likely, all answers will be revealed bright and early tomorrow at 9am PST, when Nintendo showcases their latest and greatest at their press showing.

We’ll be there to bring you all the news as we hear it.

IGN

Will the real Donkey Kong master please stand up?

Christian Ponte — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:00:47 +0000

Billy Mitchell. Steve Wiebe. Hank Chien. …Eminem?

Rapper Eminem looks to be getting into the running for his own Donkey Kong. He may still have a long way to go to catch up to the world leaders (Chien boasts a score of 1,061,7000), but as you can see, he’s not too shabby – topping the high score listing on this particular machine with a score of 465,800. This pic was taken from the artist’s Twitter account, which he followed up by saying:

“To my fellow Kongers, peep the new high score. Just imagine if I had more free time…”

I’m impressed. I’m not surprised that Eminem grew up a gamer – actually, I think I knew that before. But I am surprised at how good he actually is.

Twitter
via Nintendo Life

Say hello to Hank Chien, the new King of Kong

Christian Ponte — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:34 +0000

In case you’re still wondering who in the world Hank Chien is, this might be able to help you out. The young, out-of-nowhere, new Donkey Kong record holder had a few words to say in an interview with Details.

“When I started playing, I wasn’t trying to set the world record. I had pretty much never played before in my entire life, so when I started it was just for fun… I always said that after I reached a million I was going to retire because this game was taking up way too much of my time. But with my first million-point game, I was only 12,000 points shy of the world record, so I was like, ‘I can’t retire now!’”

His current record is 1,061,700. You can click on through to read the whole interview, especially while he still holds the record. You don’t know how long it’ll be his – but you do know that Billy and Steve are coming after him.

Details
via Joystiq

The Tanooki » Donkey Kong

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