DK Vine

@dkvine.com

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For over 25 years, the premier source for Donkey Kong Country and Rare's shared universe! Home of the Kongversation podcast. Posts by Hyle! Contact me at hyle@dkvine.com. http://www.dkvine.com

Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong, and a solitary banana are visible in the otherwise complete darkness of Blackout Basement. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Country.
Walrus Banjo talks to Captain Blubber on the Salty Hippo in Treasure Trove Cove. “Sure, we’ll find it for you.” Screenshot from Banjo-Kazooie (Super Pocket Rare Edition).
The key art for the Kongversation's "Destination DKU: Treasure Trove Cove" episode. The Salty Hippo, a small pirate ship with one remaining mast, is beached within the water pool at the center of Treasure Trove Cove.
The Great Fox approaches the planet Corneria. Screenshot from Star Fox (2026).
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) reacts in astonishment upon seeing a familiar figure in a spaceship corridor. "It's not possible." Screen grab from the Avengers: Doomsday trailer.
Yooka stares at three chickens in Tribalstack Tropics in the Super Yooka-Laylee Kart Time Trial Playtest.
The pirate Captain Cussin' Russel sits on a stool in a cavern within the Sea of the Damned. Crewmate Ragin' Reigle holds a lantern up behind him as the monkey Pepito Kong and a dog holding a ring of keys in its mouth investigate two skeletons on the ground. Screenshot from Sea of Thieves.
Donkey Kong & Pauline stand on an old pad from Donkey Kong 64 with the DK insignia on it, now scuffed and covered in green moss. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
My Switch/Switch 2 play activity, showing only 320 hours for Donkey Kong Bananza. I guess the game is a bit of a turd.
The key art to the Kongversation's "Mario Kart Tour's Last Ride" Mini episode. Funky Kong (driving the Rambi Runner), the Mii of DK Vine's Hyle in the Donkey Kong Mii Racing Suit (driving the Barrel Train), Donkey Kong Jr. (SNES) (driving the DK Jumbo), and Diddy Kong (driving the Gold Train) race on DK Mountain.
"King K. Rool Is Back!" from the Donkey Kong Bananza soundtrack on the mobile version of Nintendo Music.
Banjo & Kazooie stand underneath the lighthouse at the top of Treasure Trove Cove. Screenshot from Banjo-Kazooie.
The statue of Ellie the elephant perched on a rock next to the rear waterfall on Donkey Kong Island. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong, in his Elephant Bananza form, leaps across Sublayer 903 of Tempest Layer as lightning begins to strike in front of him. Pauline is on his back, dressed as Luigi. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Statues of Enguarde, Expresso, Rattly, and Ellie overlooking the shore on DK Island. A massive space exists between Expresso and Rattly, suggesting room for two more statues. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Funky Kong (driving the Rambi Runner), Donkey Kong (Gladiator) (driving the Chrome DK Jumbo), Dixie Kong (driving the Banana Master), the Mii of DK Vine's Hyle in the Donkey Kong Mii Racing Suit (driving the Barrel Train), Diddy Kong (driving the Gold Train), and Donkey Kong Jr. (SNES) (driving the DK Jumbo) begin to race on the New York Minute course intersecting with Broadway. "Donkey Kong: The Best Musical" is performing at a theater directly ahead. Cropped screenshot from Mario Kart Tour.
"Hey DK VINE team, We loved seeing how you've built the DKU community — from pixel-perfect merch to fan-run forums. For your next pop-up or store zone, what if the machines themselves *felt* like DKU? Not just branded stickers on generic hardware — but: • Custom shell colors matching Cranky Kong's browns or DK's reds • UI screens with your exact fonts, sprites, and banana-yellow accent lighting • Quick graphic swaps for seasonal drops (no retooling needed) All backed by our in-house design + sample team — so your vision ships fast, not as a compromise. No heavy specs needed. Just tell us: Which DKU character or scene would you bring to life first?"
The Seasick Squirrel, a brigantine, sails near the Sea Dog's Tavern as the sun rises on the Sea of Thieves. Screenshot from Sea of Thieves.
The key art to the Kongversation's "45 Years of Donkey Kong" episode. Donkey Kong (in his Girded Trousers) and Pauline (in the Lady's Dress and wig) stand in front of an enormous 8-Bit DK fossil in the Fossil Museum of Groove Layer.
Video footage of Banjo-Kazooie narrated by Jon Lovitz, from the "Banjo-Kazooie: The New Adventure Begins June 29, 1998" promotional VHS. "Banjo-Kazooie... that's the name to remember. THE BEST NEW GAME SINCE DONKEY TEAMED UP WITH DIDDY."
Jumpman (Mario) climbs the 25m construction site as Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong Sr., i.e., the future Cranky Kong) rolls barrels. Lady (Pauline, a forebearer of Bananza's Pauline) screams for help on the top girder. Screenshot from Donkey Kong (Arcade Archives).
Donkey Kong (with Pauline) carries a rock across the magenta-and-cyan girders of the Arcade Country construction site in Radiance Layer. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
The key art to the Kongversation's "Super Pocket Rare Edition First Impressions" episode. Banjo & Kazooie play the Super Pocket Rare Edition by the fireplace in Banjo's house.
Donkey Kong & Pauline fall into the Great Harmoneel's psychedelic windpipe as he talks to them from within. "Wooo-hoooo! Welcome back to my mighty windpipe!" Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Crocodile Banjo is standing in front of a chest-beating Conga in Mumbo’s Mountain. Screenshot from Banjo-Kazooie on the Super Pocket Rare Edition.
Termite Banjo is standing on Banjo's bed inside his house in Spiral Mountain. Screenshot from Banjo-Kazooie on the Super Pocket Rare Edition.
Banjo & Kazooie Talon Trotting on the upper hill overlooking Banjo’s house, which is possible using the new Breegull Boost ability at the end of Banjo-Kazooie on the Super Pocket Rare Edition. Can I walk all the way to Razor Ridge?
Washing Machine Banjo sits on the bed of Nabnut and Nibblenut in Click Clock Wood’s winter, as seen in Banjo-Kazooie on the Super Pocket Rare Edition.
The pirates Brawler Allcock, Captain Cussin' Russel, Ragin' Reigle, and Dead-Eye Dray sit on stools on a Community Board built on Tribute Peak. Several blue gems are on the ground in front of them, spelling out "DK." Screenshot from Sea of Thieves.
Rare's Twitter account quote tweeitng a post DK Vine made on July 4, 2012, saying "Fact." DK Vine: "It's Independence Day. That's right, the day that Dino Domain declared its sovereignty from Dinosaur Planet. Or something."
A composite image showing the front and back of the Super Pocket Rare Edition, a Game Boy Color-shaped handheld in Kazooie red, Banjo backpack blue, and Banjo shorts yellow. The device is playing Banjo-Kazooie (Freezeezy Peak, with a Sir Slush on screen). Several screenshots of the 14 games included, such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Pocket Tales, are lined up in the background.
A pile of candy bananas from a "Donkey Kong Banana Bunch" tin.
Donkey Kong & Pauline (decked out in Lagoon Layer wear, with DK’s fur dyed a citrus hue) dive into the water in Resort Layer. Video from the special Nintendo Today! animation for July 1st.
Brentilda Winkybunion desaturated with red, glowing eyes so that her rotten, twisted soul can be on display for the world to see.
The key art to the Kongversation's "Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo First Impressions" episode. An Alarmo is shown with the Donkey Kong Bananza theme. The 12:00 PM chime features Donkey Kong (with Pauline) punching a Fractone 12 times and Diddy Kong doing his juggling routine behind DK.
The Rehearsal Challenge page for Donkey Kong Bananza in DK Challenge. "Complete the Final Rehearsal with 0 skills unlocked while the event is active."
The Wardrobe “Change Your Style” screen. Bananergy Tie, All-Natural Fur, Naked, None (no helmet), and Family Dress are all selected. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong & Pauline exiting the Wardrobe with DK wearing the Bananergy Tie and Pauline the Family Dress. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
The key art to the Kongversation's "Sea of Thieves: Season 19, a Movie, and Xbox Woes" episode. Underneath the Sea of the Damned, a school of ghostly sharks swims around a submerged lighthouse that's still shining light from its broken tower.
The Donkey Kong Bananza alarm selections on the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo. "6. Nostalgia Country" is selected.
The Dreadfully Evil, a pirate galleon, raises its sails in the gloomy waters by the Reaper's Hideout. Across the bottom, a banner reads "Watch to unlock Twitch Drops!" 75k Gold and +1 Renown can both be earned by watching. Edited screenshot from Sea of Thieves.
A screen grab of the “[Special Release] Donkey Kong Bananza” album on Nintendo Music. … “Nine tracks from the Donkey Kong Bananza game have been added as a special release. 9 tracks • 29m Lagoon Layer Canyon Layer Battle Challenge ...” “Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)” is the track currently playing.
Banjo stares in anguish at Sharkfood Island off the coast of Treasure Trove Cove on the screen of my Super Pocket Rare Edition.
Sexy Gruntilda popping up on the screen of my Super Pocket Rare Edition.
The packaging for the Super Pocket Rare Edition, balanced atop my computer with DK Vine pulled up on the monitor. Eat Rare, sleep Rare, repeat Rare.
Said rotund plumber with a mustache and goatee, tipping the brim of his hat while holding a wrench.
An excerpt of a press release for Plumber Simulator (from the makers of Electrician Simulator). It features an image of a rotund plumber with a mustache and goatee, tipping the brim of his hat while holding a wrench. "From the creators of Electrician Simulator comes Plumbing Simulator, a simulation game that puts you in the boots of a plumber running a modest business of your own. Take It Studio is announcing it today for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and PlayStation. The city's sewer network is aging, and almost every day another pipe starts to leak - or bursts under pressure. As the local plumber, you're always one phone call away from the next emergency. You'll locate the source of the problem, stop the water flow, and decide what gets replaced - and with what. Copper, steel, or plastic? Each material requires a different approach and its own set of specialized tools. Every installation is made up of small parts that can be inspected up close, dismantled, and put back together. Players will measure spaces, choose the right pipe dimensions, work with fittings and valves, and design clean, efficient pipe networks from scratch. The job will be dirty. The money won't."
The key art to the Kongversation's "Donkey Kong 64 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2" episode. K. Rool's pet Klaptrap ("Laptrap") watches Donkey Kong try to reach a Golden Banana on the viewing screen within the mechanical Crocodile Isle.
Kamek talks to Donkey Kong. Kamek: "Oh, here to lend us your aid?" Donkey Kong: "Can I decorate?" Screenshot from Super Mario Party Jamboree.
The pirate Captain Cussin' Russel lies on his stomach at the bow of the parrot-themed sloop, the Skirmishing Squawker. Jeff the Brash stands in the background as the ship moves underneath the Sea of the Damned. A submerged lighthouse is floating behind, still shining light from its broken tower.
Diddy Kong stands on an early all-black "Nintendo Ultra 64" controller, giving the thumbs up as several consoles dot the spacey horizon. Above, three cubes displaying screenshots of early N64 games are visible, with games including Super Mario 64, Super Mario Kart R, the demo of The Legend of Zelda, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, and more. Interior fold-out cover from the subscriber edition of the January 1996 issue of Nintendo Power.
Funky Kong's bulge.
The key art to the Kongversation's "DK Challenge First Impressions" episode. The toggle screen for DK Challenge, depicting classic games on the left in green (represented by a 2D illustration of Rare's Donkey Kong, circa 1995) and Donkey Kong Bananza on the right in golden yellow (represented by a render of Donkey Kong running with Pauline on his back).
A Li'l Eelevator talks to Donkey Kong & Pauline in the Heart of Gold within the Planet Core as the Great Harmoneel waits behind them. Li'l Eelevator: "You've been in Dad's windpipe? That's so cool!" Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.
The Sea of Thieves: Season 20 title screen. The Sea of Thieves logo appears over a map table in a cozy room with a fireplace. A sleeping dog, along with various papers and props related to new game features, is visible in the room.
Troff, an otherwise naked pig with pierced nipples, talks to Donkey Kong as he enters the chamber he shares with his buddy, Scoff the hippo. "Howdy, Donkey! We can help you progress through your quest." Screenshot from Donkey Kong 64.
The key art to the Kongversation's "Jeff, Dustin, and Mitchell: The Non-DKU Nintendo/Rare Draft Analysis" Other Voices special. Shadows of Diddy Kong and Banjo & Kazooie are cast on a vintage World of Nintendo section in a late 1980s department store.
A representation of Shigeru Miyamoto holds up his arms and reacts with surprise upon seeing something. Cropped screen grab from the "Maemuki Roketto-Dan" Flash animation on DK Vine in 2001.
Donkey Kong looks around as he swings on a helivine above the palm trees of Jungle Japes. Screenshot from Donkey Kong 64.
A screen-grabbed discussion between DK Vine staffers Hyle, Jeff, and Dustin. Hyle: "It's weird how DK Vine came up with bullshit names for the entire unnamed DK64 cast, but never for K. Rool's pet Klaptrap" Jeff: "Laptrap" Hyle: "Fuck" Jeff: "I just got warmed up in another server I'm on my A game" Dustin: "Holy shit"