Editing Donkey Kong (SSBB)

{{ArticleIcons|brawl=y}}

|name = Donkey Kong

|image = [[File:Donkey Kong SSBB.jpg|250px]]

|game = SSBB

|ssbgame1 = SSB

|ssbgame2 = SSBM

|ssbgame3 = SSB4

|tier = D

|ranking = 21

'''Donkey Kong''' ({{ja|ドンキーコング|Donkī Kongu}}, ''Donkey Kong'') is a character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. He was first shown very briefly at the [[E3]] 2007 press conference. Rather than utilizing the recycled animal sounds from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' or being voiced by Grant Kirkhope or Takashi Nagasako (who voiced Donkey Kong starting with ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Power Tennis}}''), Donkey Kong now uses modified tiger sounds sourced from the ''The Best of Saul Zaents Film Center'' CD included with Sound Ideas' ''Amadeus Sound Library''.

 

Donkey Kong is currently ranked 21st out of 38 on the [[tier list]] in the mid tier. This is a slight improvement over his ranking in ''[[Melee]]'', where he is ranked 16th out of 26 in the lower mid tier. Donkey Kong possesses a combination of incredible power with many great finishers (especially in his [[smash attack]]s), and incredible [[reach]] in his attacks. Along with this power and reach combination, Donkey Kong possesses remarkably good mobility for a character of his size, and many fast attacks (such as his [[back aerial]] and [[tilt]]s). Additionally, Donkey Kong possesses by far the greatest horizontal endurance with his great [[weight]] and [[Spinning Kong]] [[momentum cancelling#Horizontal momentum cancelling|momentum cancelling]], as well as one of the strongest vertical endurances, and a [[recovery]] that gains great horizontal distance while protecting Donkey Kong's sides, making him one of the hardest characters to KO. Donkey Kong's incredible weight is a double-edged sword, however; while it makes him incredibly difficult to KO, it also makes him incredibly easy to [[combo]], [[juggle]], and [[chain throw]], including making him vulnerable to [[infinite]] and zero to death chain grabs (most notoriously from {{SSBB|King Dedede}}). Additional problems of Donkey Kong include most of his attacks having heavy ending [[lag]] (making it easy to [[punish]] most of his attacks if he misses), being very vulnerable to [[meteor smash]] gimps due to his recovery gaining very little vertical distance, his undersized [[shield]] leaving him heavily vulnerable to [[shield stabbing]], and lack of a [[projectile]], which when combined with his very large size and aforementioned shield issue, gives Donkey Kong almost no means of dealing with [[camp]]ing. While his [[roll]]s and [[air dodge]] are about average, his [[sidestep]] is the second slowest, after {{SSBB|Bowser}}. Overall, while Donkey Kong sports good [[matchup]]s against lower-tiered characters that lack tools to deal with his power, he heavily struggles against higher-tiered characters that can chain grab him, and has achieved average [[tournament]] results over the game's competitive lifespan.

Donkey Kong is a very [[Weight#SSBB_Weight_Ranking|heavy]] character with very powerful attacks, great attack range, and high [[knockback]] capabilities. Despite these pros, Donkey Kong lacks projectiles and a reliable way to deal with them, which makes his moveset and style of approach unvaried. He is one of the fastest heavyweight characters; his movement speed is above average: fast running, fast walking, fast air speed, and very high initial [[jump]]. Donkey Kong's weight helps him stay alive longer, though he is a big target and has very poor vertical recovery, but extremely long horizontal recovery. He can even use Spinning Kong to [[momentum cancel]] knockback from an attack that would even KO {{SSBB|Bowser}}, {{SSBB|Snake}}, or {{SSBB|King Dedede}}. Despite his extremely long horizontal recovery, it is vulnerable to disjointed attacks and has poor vertical height which means even weak meteor smashes can be devastating, though it's hard to edge guard without a disjointed attack due its initial invincibility frames. Combining his impressive weight and good horizontal recovery with good [[directional influence]], he will be extremely hard to KO.

Although he can has excellent endurance courtesy of his high weight, he is quite vulnerable to attacks due to his large size, which is not helped by the fact that he has a tie hurtbox. His large size and heavy weight also leaves him open to many chain grabs (e.g. {{SSBB|King Dedede}}'s infinite chain grab without a wall, which cannot be escaped from), except Bowser's ground releases. Though given his attack range and speed, it can be difficult for characters with short-ranged grabs like the {{SSBB|Ice Climbers}} to grab him to begin with. His Headbutt attack allows him to get a free attack on the opponent, as many of his follow-up attacks have low startup time, and it also does very high damage to shields. His fully charged Giant Punch also heavily damages shields, and the [[armor]] it grants may allow him to trade KO moves with an opponent and survive. Even his grounded [[Spinning Kong]] does high damage to opponents or shields. Having three high shield damage attacks he can give high shield pressure. Donkey Kong has numerous KO options and no problems doing so: all of his smash attacks are powerful, with his [[up smash|up]] & [[down smash]]es coming out very fast; [[up aerial]] can compensate for a missed [[edge-guard]], three reliable [[meteor smash]]es, [[back aerial]] & [[back throw|throw]], Giant Punch (10 charges is actually more powerful than fully charged, but doesn't have armor) and the cargo [[stage spike]].

He can counter any ground grab releases because of his unique extremely short grab release animation, making him escape from release lag 10 frames earlier than any other character does and being immune to Bowser's grab release game with the addition of only Snake and Yoshi being able to force him to jump break from grabs. Donkey Kong also has a large grab range with powerful throws, and he is even able to chain-grab some characters. DK can infinite-Cargo release Lucas and Ness, and he can KO characters in low damage percentages when using the Cargo stage-spike. Donkey Kong can also perform [[Sacrificial KO|Kongocide]], although it has limited utility. Overall, Donkey Kong relies on his great power and range to limit opponent's approaches.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==

In the transition from ''Melee'' to ''Brawl'', Donkey Kong was heavily buffed overall. He has been improved in several aspects, including his mobility, endurance potential, power, recovery, and range.

 

 

Overall, DK is a stronger character than he was in ''Melee'' although he still struggles against much of the cast.

*{{change|Like all characters, Donkey Kong has received a massive boost in quality, having brighter and more detailed fur. In addition, he gains his current appearance from ''Mario Party 4'' onward.}}

*{{change|Donkey Kong has received new voice clips, though there are still stock sound effects.}}

*{{change|Donkey Kong no longer uses his [[stun]] voice clip when waking out of [[asleep|sleep]] status.}}

*{{change|Another carrorober from his current appearance, Donkey Kong's teeth are yellow-ish white instead of white.}}

*{{buff|The introduction of [[buffering]] has made it easier for Donkey Kong to punish his opponents after they grounded [[grab release]] him despite his animation being one frame longer.}}

*{{nerf|The changes to aerial grab releases hinders Donkey Kong as it makes him more susceptible to followups as he travels in an unfavourable arc. While DK usually cannot be forced air released on the ground, DK himself lacks air release followups on most characters including {{SSBB|Squirtle}} and {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} due to his his lengthy grab release animation and lack of a move with enough speed and range to follow up, while his above-average mobility isn't good enough to compensate.}}

*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[air speed]] is faster (1 → 1.081).}}

*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[air acceleration]] is higher (0.04 → 0.06).}}

*[[Neutral attack]]:

**{{buff|The second hit has increased base knockback (0 → 40). The first hit has a new hitbox which launches opponents towards Donkey Kong (361° → 140°) improving its range and [[jab cancel]]ing potential.}}

**{{nerf|The second hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 5-11 → 6-11).}}

*[[Forward tilt]]:

**{{buff|Forward tilt now grants [[intangibility]] to DK's arm.}}

**{{buff|The up angled variant deals more damage (11% → 12%), giving Donkey Kong another quick KO move under 150%.}}

**{{buff|The down angled variant has a 15% chance to [[trip]] opponents.}}

**{{buff|Up tilt has less startup lag and a longer duration (frames 6-11 → 5-11). It also has slightly less ending lag (FAF 40 → 39).}}

**{{buff|It now has a 40% chance to [[trip]] opponents.}}

**{{buff|DK now vocalizes during the first frame of his [[dash attack]]. While this may seem insignificant, it allows him to mix his opponents up with a dash attack, a [[boost grab]] or a DACUS to throw his opponents off.}}

*[[Forward smash]]:

**{{buff|Forward smash's sweetspots have increased base knockback (22 → 30). Its hitbox sizes has also been increased (4.8u/5.6u/3.408u/2.4u → 6.4u/6.8u/4.3u/3u).}}

**{{nerf|Its hitlag multiplier has been significantly increased (1.0x → 1.4x), making it somewhat safer on shield, but easier to SDI, especially consider the increased hitlag overall from ''Melee'' to ''Brawl.'' The opponent can also SDI his forward smash to lessen its knockback, despite it being increased from ''Melee.''}}

*[[Up smash]]:

**{{buff|The universally decreased falling speeds and the slightly altered knockback formula have improved up smash's KO potential. It can also hit grounded opponents much easier as its hitbox size has been increased (7u → 9.5u) and it has less ending lag (FAF 54 → 50).}}

*[[Down smash]]:

**{{buff|Down smash's sweetspot deals more damage (16% → 17%).}}

**{{buff|Its hitboxes lasts a slightly longer duration (4 frames → 5) and its size has been significantly increased (4.8u/3.6u → 7u/4.5u).}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less landing lag (20 frames → 15) and can now [[auto-cancel]] in a short hop due to DK's slower falling speed/gravity. It also has increased base knockback (0 → 20 (clean), 10 (late)) improving the clean hit's KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|It deals less damage (12% → 11% (clean), 10% → 8% (late)).}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial's sweetspot deals increased knockback growth (80 → 85) and can trip opponents if they don't take enough knockback to leave the ground. It's also superior for edgeguarding due to the meteor cancel changes and being much safer to use offstage due to DK's slower falling speed/gravity.}}

**{{nerf|Its late hit has received a sourspot that launches at the [[Sakurai angle]] and deals less base knockback (50 → 30).}}

*[[Back aerial]]:

**{{buff|Back aerial can now be performed twice in a single short hop. It also has increased base knockback (10 → 20 (clean), 0 → 10 (late)), a longer duration (frames 7-15 → 7-16) and slightly more range. It also greatly benefits from the introduction of [[reverse aerial rush]] significantly improving its approach potential.}}

**{{nerf|Its late hit deals slightly less damage (9% → 8%).}}

*[[Up aerial]]:

**{{buff|Up aerial has a longer duration (frames 6-8 → 6-9) and less landing lag (25 frames → 22). The universally decreased falling speeds also improves its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Down aerial's sweetspot can trip opponents if they don't take enough knockback to leave the ground. It's also superior for edgeguarding due to the meteor cancel changes and being much safer to use offstage due to DK's slower falling speed/gravity.}}

**{{buff|Grab range is higher, going from below-average in ''Melee'' to being the 4th longest reaching non-tether grab in ''Brawl''.}}

**{{buff|Cargo [[forward throw]] launches opponents at a higher angle (55° → 60°).}}

**{{buff|Donkey Kong's lowered falling speed combined with an improved vertical recovery makes it much safer to [[stage spike]] an opponent with the cargo back and down throws.}}

**{{nerf|An opponent takes 4% less damage if they break free from Donkey Kong's forward throw (10% → 6%).}}

**{{nerf|Slow edge attack has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 37-50 → 38-41).}}

*[[Giant Punch]]:

**{{buff|Giant Punch now has [[armor]] when fully charged, it charges faster and it can now be reversed, but reversing it does not increase damage or knockback, unlike [[Falcon Punch]] and [[Warlock Punch]]. The back hit additionally has more KO potential due to the universally decreased falling speeds with a level 10 back hit being able to KO {{SSBB|King Dedede}} on {{SSBB|Final Destination}} at 50%.}}

**{{nerf|All variants of the grounded front hit deals 2% less damage (12%-30% → 10%-28%) and the fully charged version for both variants has less knockback scaling (90 → 80) hindering its KO potential and further encouraging Donkey Kong to use a level 10 Giant Punch. Additionally, the aerial variant deals less damage (12% → 8% (back uncharged), 6% (front uncharged), 17%/26% → 15%/25% (fully charged). Lastly, all variants of the front hit have a sourspot which has less knockback scaling (100/90 → 60/50).}}

**{{nerf|It has increased landing lag (7 frames → 30) due to Donkey Kong now having a landing animation while landing while helpless.}}

*[[Headbutt]]:

**{{buff|Headbutt is faster, deals more damage when on the ground and in the air (5% → 10%/8% (grounded), 10% → 14%/8% (aerial)) although its knockback was compensated (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 20/40 (grounded), 30/40 (aerial)), and DK can now also [[bury]] his opponents while he is in midair. Since buried characters now can receive knockback when buried, Headbutt can now combo more easily into Giant Punch or other attacks. It can also be used as an inferior version of {{SSBB|Mario}}'s [[cape glide]], giving DK another [[edgeguarding]] option. Its meteor hitbox is also easier to land.}}

**{{change|Donkey Kong no longer vocalizes when using [[Headbutt]].}}

*[[Spinning Kong]]:

**{{buff|Spinning Kong goes slightly farther, both horizontally and vertically. It can also be used to completely negate all momentum due to the introduction of [[momentum canceling]], and the grounded version has super armor. The aerial version also deals 3% more damage (33% → 36%).}}

***{{buff|In addition to momentum canceling, Spinning Kong is also completely immune to the "pushing effect" of attacks such as wind or water.}}

**{{buff|DK now has access to the "[https://youtu.be/O3CmvJM-Rq8 Invincicopter]" allowing him to use grounded Spinning Kong while being completely invincible.}}

**{{change|Grounded Spinning Kong's loop hitboxes deal less damage (8% → 4-5%) and knockback reducing their damage output but making them connect more reliably.}}

**{{nerf|The grounded version of Spinning Kong no longer has an initial hit with invincibility. This significantly hinders its KO potential as the new first hit comes out much slower (frame 2 → 19) and is significantly weaker dealing less damage (12% → 4/5%) and knockback (60 (base), 100 (scaling) → 50/70) and is incapable of killing opponents until beyond sudden death percents removing one of DK's best kill options. The aerial version also has more startup lag (frame 3 → 4) also meaning that he gains invincibility slightly later.}}

**{{nerf|It has increased landing lag (7 frames → 40) due to Donkey Kong now having a landing animation while landing while helpless.}}

**{{buff|[[Hand Slap]] does 3% more damage (11% → 14%) and has longer range (9.216u/9.216u/9.216u/9.216u/10.24u/10.24u/10.24u/10.24u → 13u/13u/13u/13u/13u/13u/13u/13u). It also has high base knockback and low knockback scaling, rather than set knockback (20/30 (base), 100 (scaling), 110 (set) → 82/23).}}

**{{change|Donkey Kong has received a [[Final Smash]], [[Konga Beat]]. Donkey Kong takes out the DK Bongos and plays them to the beat of "DK Island Swing", which emits shockwaves in the process. Pressing the attack button to the beat increases the size and damage of the shockwaves.}}

''For a gallery of Donkey Kong's hitboxes, see [[Donkey Kong (SSBB)/Hitboxes|here]].''

|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jyabu}}) / Upper ({{ja|アッパー|Appā}})

|ftiltname=Kongo Backhand ({{ja|コンゴバックハンド|Kongo Bakkuhando}})

|ftiltdesc=Donkey Kong quickly swats his outstretched hand. Donkey Kong's arm is intangible while the hitboxes are out, allowing it to be used safely against most other attacks. This can be aimed up or down. KOs at 148% when angled up from the center of Final Destination.

|utiltname=Spiderweb Sweep ({{ja|くもの巣はらい|Kumo no Su Harai}})

|dtiltname=Slouch Slap ({{ja|ロースラップ|Rō Surappu}}, ''Low Slap'')

|dashname=Iron Kick ({{ja|アイアンキック|Aian Kikku}})

|fsmashname=Dyna Clap ({{ja|ダイナクラップ|Daina Kurappu}})

|usmashname=Jumbo Press ({{ja|ジャンボプレス|Janbo Puresu}})

|usmashdesc=Donkey Kong claps hands above his head. Good for hitting from below a [[platform]] and a great running up smash. Both DK's arms and head cannot be hit during the middle of the attack. KOs Mario at 74% when uncharged and 43% when fully charged from the platforms on Battlefield.

|dsmashname=Twin Beat ({{ja|ツインビート|Tsuin Bīto}})

|dsmashdesc=Does a double back-handed punch by bringing his closed fists down 90˚ at both sides. Very fast, great vertical knockback and is the 3rd strongest down smash in the game, KOing at 91% when uncharged and 57% when fully charged.

|nairname=Donkey Lariat ({{ja|ドンキーラリアット|Donkī Rariatto}})

|nairdesc=Donkey Kong quickly spins with arms extended. Similar to the Spinning Kong, but much faster to execute. KOs middleweights at around 150% from the center of Final Destination.

|fairname=Hammer Knuckle ({{ja|ハンマーナックル|Hanmā Nakkuru}})

|bairname=Kong Rocket ({{ja|コングロケット|Kongu Roketto}})

|bairdesc=Donkey Kong performs a quick kick directed behind him that lingers briefly. Very fast, long ranged and strong, is an effective [[wall of pain]]. KOs Mario at 126% from the center of Final Destination.

|uairname=Air Headbutt ({{ja|エアヘッドバット|Ea Heddobatto}})

|dairname=Air Stampede ({{ja|エアスタンピード|Ea Sutanpīdo}})

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|pummelname=Grab Chop ({{ja|つかみチョップ|Tsukami Choppu}})

|fthrowname=Kong Karry ({{ja|リフティング|Rifutingu}}, ''Lifting'')

|bthrowname=Reverse Throw ({{ja|反転投げ|Hanten Nage}})

|uthrowname=Coconut Toss ({{ja|ココナッツトス|Kokonattsu Tosu}})

|dthrowname=Bottom Shoot ({{ja|ボトムシュート|Botomu Shūto}})

|dthrowdesc=Slams the opponent into the ground with his hand. Can chain grab characters like {{SSBB|Snake}}, {{SSBB|Kirby}}, {{SSBB|Squirtle}}, {{SSBB|Charizard}}, {{SSBB|King Dedede}} and much more.

|ssdesc=Donkey Kong slams his head downward. When performed on the ground, the opponent is [[buried]] and will remain submerged longer if the opponent has already taken a fair amount of damage. When performed in the air, the struck opponent is [[meteor smash]]ed if hit by the [[sweetspot]]. Can be used to "stall" Donkey Kong in the air.

|dsdesc=Donkey Kong repeatedly slaps his hands against the ground, causing earth-shaking vibrations in the process. The attack gives him some protection from opponents while grounded due to its good range, but cannot hit airborne opponents. This move cannot be used in the air and will be interrupted if Donkey Kong becomes airborne while using the move.

|fsdesc=Donkey Kong takes out a pair of bongos and begin to play them to the beat of "DK Island Swing", sending out shock-waves in the process. The attacks range and power is determined by the player's input. The player must push the attack button in succession with the song's beat in order to have greater range and power.

 

|victory-desc=A peaceful flourish originating from ''{{s|mariowiki|Donkey Kong Country}}'' that played whenever a Kong defeated a boss or completed a {{s|mariowiki|Bonus Level}}.

|desc-up=Holds his hands above his head and shakes them.

|desc-left=Does a backflip, then holds up his arms (updated version of his "character chosen" animation in ''Super Smash Bros.'')

|desc-right=Beats his chest. (Similar to his up taunt).

|char=DK}}

:''See also: [[:Category:Donkey Kong players (SSBB)]]''

*{{Sm|Bill|Canada}} - 25th at [[Apex 2015]], 7th at [[GOML 2016]] and 13th at [[Super Smash Con 2016]].

*{{Sm|Bum|USA}} - Has set wins over {{Sm|ANTi}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, {{Sm|Nairo}} and {{Sm|ADHD}}.

*{{Sm|Cable|USA}} - Placed 13th at [[KTAR 3]], 33rd at [[Apex 2010]], 25th at [[Pound 4]] and 17th at [[Clash of the Titans 6]].

*{{Sm|Nyanko|Japan}} - While Nyanko was a great Donkey Kong in Japan, he prefers [[doubles]] over singles. Nyanko has taken a set off of {{Sm|DIO}}'s Snake and placed 1st in teams with {{Sm|Nietono}} at [[Umebura 3]].

*{{Sm|Ook|USA}} - Wins over {{Sm|Mike Haze}}, {{Sm|Ripple}}, {{Sm|Overswarm}}, {{Sm|Mister Eric}}, and {{Sm|Kirk}}

*{{Sm|Will|USA}} - The best Donkey Kong player in the world. Placed 4th at KTAR 3, 7th at WHOBO 3, 5th at [[WHOBO 4]], 25th at [[Apex 2012]] and 9th at [[SKTAR 2]]. Japanese brawl players nicknamed him "Shining Donkey kong"

Donkey Kong was initially seen as a high tier character in ''Brawl'', being ranked 10th on the first tier list. The buffs he received from his transition from ''Melee'' to ''Brawl'' made him a powerful character that could compete against a then inexperienced playerbase who didn't utilize much camping and chaingrabbing. As the metagame developed however, it became apparent that Donkey Kong's buffs were simply not enough to keep him as a high tier character, since he struggled to deal with projectile camping from the likes of {{SSBB|Snake}}, {{SSBB|Falco}} and {{SSBB|Olimar}} and was heavily vulnerable to chaingrabbing, most notoriously from {{SSBB|King Dedede}}.

==Role in [[The Subspace Emissary]]==

 

Donkey Kong and the other heroes enter [[Subspace]] and meet [[Tabuu]], who turns everyone into trophies with his [[Off Waves]]. However, {{SSBB|King Dedede}} had anticipated this and created badges that revived certain fighters back into their original form. With his team consisting of {{SSBB|Luigi}} and {{SSBB|Ness}}, Dedede rescues Donkey Kong and most of the others, although some of them were rescued by Kirby. They also recruit {{SSBB|Bowser}}, {{SSBB|Ganondorf}}, and {{SSBB|Wario}} when they learned about Tabuu. At the end of [[The Great Maze]], {{SSBB|Sonic}} shows up and helps weaken Tabuu's Off Waves so Donkey Kong and the others would be able to beat him and restore the [[World of Trophies]] to normal (except the [[Isle of the Ancients]], which was impossible to return due to the massive number of Subspace Bombs going off at once).

==In Solo Modes==

 

 

===[[Event Match]]es===

====Solo Events====

====Co-Op events====

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Brawl|Congratulations Screens]]===

Donkey Kong Congratulations Screen Classic Mode Brawl.png|Classic Mode

Donkey Kong Congratulations Screen All-Star Brawl.png|All-Star Mode

*Donkey Kong is one of only three characters that can't use their down special move in midair, the others are {{SSBB|Peach}} and {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}}, although he is capable of using Hand Slap in the air in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

[[Category:Donkey Kong (SSBB)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSBB)]]

[[es:Donkey Kong (SSBB)]]