Donkey Kong Island

Not to be confused with Kongo Bongo Island from the Donkey Kong Country animated series.

Donkey Kong Island
Aerial view of the Donkey Kong Island as seen in the game Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii.
Greater location(s)	DK Isles
Ruler(s)	Donkey Kong
Inhabitant(s)	Kong Family, Tiki Tak Tribe
Game(s)	Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Donkey Kong Land 2, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, Donkey Kong 64, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
First Appearance	Donkey Kong Country (for SFC/SNES) (1994)
Latest Appearance	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (for Switch) (2018)
Music Theme	Simian Segue

Donkey Kong Island, also known as DK Island and Kong Isle, is the home of the Kong Family, many of their Animal Buddies, and several of their enemies. It is also the location where many games in the Donkey Kong series take place. It debuted in the game Donkey Kong Country.

Overview and History

Donkey Kong Island has been the Kong Family's home and mainland since Cranky Kong migrated there some time after the events of the games Donkey Kong 3 and Donkey Kong '94. Cranky retired, and eventually the Kong Family branched out. Donkey Kong the Third is the current island protector and has taken various journeys across the island with Diddy Kong. The island is also the place where is usually located Donkey and Diddy Kong's treehouse, their banana hoard, and Cranky Kong's huts.

Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land

The island has taken many different forms. Originally, in the game Donkey Kong Country, it was quite diverse: it has a large jungle and mines on the bottom, pine forests above, icy mountains, a lone industrial area built by the Kremling Krew, and some caves. In the game Donkey Kong Land, there is also a larger mountain range and a city.

Donkey Kong Country 2

The Donkey Kong Island made some appearances in the game Donkey Kong Country 2. In the Super Family Computer/Super Nintendo Entertainment System version of the game, it can be seen in the background of the world maps of Gangplank Galleon and K. Rool's Keep. In the Game Boy Advance version of the same game, these appearances are not present. However, during the opening cutscene of the GBA version, Donkey and Funky Kong can be seen enjoying the beach of Donkey Kong Island. Some moments later, Donkey Kong is kidnapped by Kaptain K. Rool and his Kremling Krew using The Flying Krock airship. The remaining Kongs soon find a kidnapping note, demanding the banana hoard, and decide to go to the Crocodile Isle rescuing Donkey Kong. After the final battle against K. Rool (in Krocodile Kore), the heroes return to the Donkey Kong Island's beach where they celebrate their victory. Later, in both game versions, Donkey, Diddy and Dixie Kong witness together the Crocodile Isle to sink into the sea from a cliff on the Donkey Kong Island.

Donkey Kong Land 2

The Donkey Kong Island can also be seen in the background of the world K. Rool's Keep in the game Donkey Kong Land 2. And, in similar way to both versions of Donkey Kong Country 2, after defeating Kaptain K. Rool for good (in the Lost World), Donkey, Dixie and Diddy Kong watch the Crocodile Isle to sink again from a cliff on the Donkey Kong Island.

Donkey Kong Country 3 and Donkey Kong Land III

During the game Donkey Kong Country 3, when Donkey and Diddy Kong go missing, Dixie Kong jumps from an eastern cliff on the Donkey Kong Island to reach the waters of the Northern Kremisphere region, and search for her friends. In the game Donkey Kong Land III, it can be assumed that Dixie and Kiddy Kong use similar method to access the Northern Kremisphere again during the contest to find The Lost World.

Donkey Kong 64

In the game Donkey Kong 64, the DK Island features completely different geography and a shorter scale when compared to the previous games, with many levels taking place on both DK Island and King K. Rool's Mobile Island Fortress. However, it still kept the shape of Donkey Kong's head.

Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Donkey Kong Island later appears as the main location in the games Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, however, it now seems drastically different than in previous appearances, albeit its sheer size. The island no longer possesses the form of Donkey Kong's head, and now has a large volcano protruding from it. The majority of the locales from Donkey Kong Country still match up well, however the region known as Gorilla Glacier no longer exists, being turned into a volcano. There is also a new Cliff world which features the first sign of extinct prehistoric life on Donkey Kong Island. The island is also now teeming with ancient temples, many of which appear to be related to some ancient civilization and the Tiki Tak Tribe's resurgence. It can be speculated that the emergence of this volcano may have been what drastically altered the terrain of the island.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

The latest appearance of the Donkey Kong Island is as the sixth world in the game Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Here, the island keeps similar form seen in the two previous games, Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. During the opening cutscene of the game, the Kongs are reunited for celebrating Donkey Kong's birthday in his treehouse. The party is interrupted by the Snowmad fleet which uses magic for summoning an ice dragon. Strong winds blow the primates far away, the dragon covers the island in snow, and the Snowmads take over the location. Some time later, after traversing five islands, the Kongs are able to return to the Donkey Kong Island. The entire island is covered in thick snow, making barrel cannons the only viable transportation method through it. Each regular level of the island is based on worlds from the previous two games, adding snow and ice themes to them. After defeating Lord Fredrik and the Snowmads, the heroes use his magic horn to restore the Donkey Kong Island's original climate.

Donkey Kong Country animated series

The Donkey Kong Island does not appear in the Donkey Kong Country animated series based on the game of the same name. Instead, the setting of the animated series is called Kongo Bongo Island, and it resembles a crescent island (similar to a banana) rather than the likeness of Donkey Kong's head. Both islands are considered different places. However, the Kongo Bongo Island possesses the White Mountains, a snow montainous location similar to the world Gorilla Glacier of the Donkey Kong Island in the game Donkey Kong Country.

Profiles

Donkey Kong Country

"You'll find a wide variety of ecosystems in Donkey Kong Country. Though the island itself is mainly tropical, there are great pine forest pm the slopes of snowcapped peaks. The mountain are riddled with mines, tunnels and caves. Surrounding the island are many tropical lagoons full of reefs and colorful fish. Following are general descriptions of each area."

—Donkey Kong Country Instruction Booklet (SNES version), page 20

Donkey Kong Country Returns

"Donkey Kong Island was a peaceful place where a banana-loving ape could enjoy himself. However, the Tikis have come and taken away all of Donkey Kong's bananas. In order to defeat the Tikis and get back his bananas, Donkey Kong, with the help of Diddy Kong, will have to traverse eight different worlds and drive the Tikis from the island. Donkey Kong Island is full of items, hidden collectibles, and lots of adventure. There are places to jump, things to climb, and areas to explore. Of course, there are also lots of enemies that will try to prevent Donkey Kong from saving his bananas. It is important to learn about the island and what it contains, or the Tikis will take over and Donkey Kong Island will no longer be a home to its namesake."

—Donkey Kong Country Returns Player's Guide, page 16

List of Locations

The overworld map of the Donkey Kong Island as seen in the game Donkey Kong Country for SFC/SNES.

Donkey Kong Country

• Kongo Jungle
• Monkey Mines
• Vine Valley
• Gorilla Glacier
• Kremkroc Industries Inc.
• Chimp Caverns

Donkey Kong Land

• Gangplank Galleon Ahoy!
• Kremlantis
• Monkey Mountains and Chimpanzee Clouds

Donkey Kong 64

• Jungle Japes
• Angry Aztec
• Fungi Forest
• Crystal Caves
• King Kruiser II (after crashing down)

Diddy Kong Racing DS

• Thunder Cove
• Meandering Mount
• Splashdown Pass
• Strangled Shrine

Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

• Jungle
• Beach
• Ruins
• Cave
• Forest
• Cliff
• Factory
• Volcano
• Golden Temple
• Cloud (only in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D)

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

• 6-1 Homecoming Hijinxs
• 6-2 Seashore War
• 6-3 Aqueduct Assault
• 6-4 Blurry Flurry
• 6-5 Forest Folly
• 6-6 Cliffside Slide
• 6-7 Frozen Frenzy
• 6-8 Meltdown Mayhem
• 6-Boss Volcano Dome
• 6-A Dynamite Dash
• 6-B Icicle Arsenal
• 6-K Slippy Spikes

Gallery

Donkey Kong Island Screenshots

The overworld map of the Donkey Kong Island depicting the Gangplank Galleon, as seen in the game Donkey Kong Country for SFC/SNES.

The overworld map of the Donkey Kong Island as seen in the game Donkey Kong Country for GBC. Notice the small islands at the western side of the map, exclusive to this version and being featured during the minigame Crosshair Cranky.

Donkey Kong Island's background artwork from the canceled game Diddy Kong Pilot.

The overworld map of the Donkey Kong Island as seen in the game Donkey Kong Country for GBA.

Donkey Kong Island's eastern cliff at the left, as seen in the initial location of the game Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! for SFC/SNES.

DK Island's exterior view from a distance, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

A frozen Donkey Kong Island as seen in the overworld map of the game Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

DK Island appearing very briefly during King K. Rool's Blast-O-Matic Final Smash attack as seen in the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch.

Level Locations in Donkey Kong 64

Entrance lobby to the level Jungle Japes, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

Entrance lobby to the level Angry Aztec, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

Entrance lobby to the level Fungi Forest, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

Entrance lobby to the level Crystal Caves, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

Entrance to the boss level King Kruiser II, after the airship crashing down on the beach of the DK Island, as seen in the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.

Music Themes

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Title	Description	Composer(s)	Game(s)
Simian Segue	World maps theme from the game.	David Wise	Donkey Kong Country
Simian Segue	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the Donkey Kong Island's overworld map from both games.	Minako Hamano Masaru Tajima Shinji Ushiroda Daisuke Matsuoka	Donkey Kong Country Returns Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Jungle	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the first world map from both games.
Beach	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the second world map from both games.
Ruins	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the third world map from both games.
Cave	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the fourth world map from both games.
Forest	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the fifth world map from both games.
Cliff	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the sixth world map from both games.
Factory	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the seventh world map from both games.
Volcano	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the eighth world map from both games.
Golden Temple	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the Golden Temple gateway map from both games.
Simian Segue	Arrangement of Simian Segue used in the world maps from the game.	David Wise	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Names in Other Languages

• Donkey Kong Island/DK Island:

Language	Name	Meaning/Translation
French	Île de Donkey Kong	Donkey Kong's Island
German	Donkey Kong-Insel	Donkey Kong Island
Italian	Isola Donkey Kong	Donkey Kong Island
Japanese	DKアイランド DK Airando	DK Island
Spanish	Isla de Donkey Kong	Donkey Kong's Island

• Kong Isle:

Language	Name	Meaning/Translation
French	Île Kong	Kong Isle
German	Kong-Insel	Kong Isle
Italian	Isola Kong	Kong Isle
Spanish	Isla Kong	Kong Isle

Trivia

• In the Japanese version of the game Donkey Kong Country for Super Family Computer, known as Super Donkey Kong, the Donkey Kong icon appearing over the treehouse, in the overworld map of Donkey Kong Island, is no longer present, like in the North American and European versions of the same game for SNES.
• In the SFC/SNES and GBA versions of the game Donkey Kong Country, the Donkey Kong Island can be seen in the background of the boss stage Gang-Plank Galleon. However, the island is not visible in the background of the same stage of the GBC version of the same game.
• The Donkey Kong Island also makes a cameo in beach-themed racing courses in the 2003 build of the canceled game Diddy Kong Pilot. The island's appearance is similar to the version from the game Donkey Kong Country (see Donkey Kong Island Screenshots in the Gallery section above).
• In the first world of the game DK: King of Swing, the Jungle World, there is a treehouse next to the location of the level Banana Bungalow. If the treehouse is the same one seen in the Donkey Kong Island, owned by Donkey and Diddy Kong, it can be argued that this location is related to the island.
• In the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch, the DK Island can be seen briefly during King K. Rool's Final Smash attack (see Donkey Kong Island Screenshots in the Gallery section above) where the villain uses the Blast-O-Matic machine on his Mobile Island Fortress, from the game Donkey Kong 64, to explode the island. This new depiction of the DK Island is shaped like Donkey Kong's head, and it tries to blend the designs seen in the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy games and Donkey Kong 64. Besides Donkey and Diddy Kong's treehouse appearing above an elevated cliff, the island lacks any distinctive locations from the mentioned games.
• Lore wise, there is not clear explanation for the Donkey Kong Island changing its appearance and size between games, notably between the original Donkey Kong Country games, Donkey Kong 64, and later Donkey Kong Country games. For real life reasons, it would be different developers taking liberties for creating new designs and locations for the same island in their respective games. It is assumed that these developers are taking gameplay and design into more consideration over keeping consistency between all games depicting the Donkey Kong Island.
  • That said, sharing the name "Donkey Kong Island"/"DK Island" just implies that the island present in the mentioned games is the exact same location. It can be speculated that settings in different islands sharing the same name would explain the drastic alterations between multiple games.