Donkey Kong

Although he previously spent his time pestering Mario in numerous ways, Donkey Kong has somewhat abandoned this mischievous

lifestyle to become a hero in his own right. He lives in a wooden cabin within the jungles of the DK Isles, a mountainous country in the shape of his own head. In this region he lives in the company of his many friends, a large group of which is comprised of primates ("Kongs") and other animals. Most notable is his young chimpanzee friend Diddy Kong, who idolizes him and wishes to be a hero just like him (which has indeed come true, since he has later starred in several of his own games). DK is often seen pursuing his various hobbies, which include doing push-ups, dancing to his boom box, or playing bongo drums, which he seems to have quite a talent for.

Donkey Kong's life, although usually comfortable, can get surprisingly hectic at times due to a rival faction of reptilian creatures (known as "kremlings") who also live on Donkey Kong Island and cause trouble for the Kongs, seeming to be engaged in a turf war with them. They are led by a psychotic despot named King K. Rool who despises DK and wants nothing more than to see him and his friends miserable.

[edit] Chronology

Prior to his appearance as a protagonist in the Donkey Kong Country games for the SNES, DK was the sole antagonist in the 1981 arcade game bearing his name. The storyline for this game was very thin, portraying DK as just a large, mischievous gorilla who escaped from a zoo. He pestered Mario (then called Jumpman, a carpenter) by kidnapping his then-girlfriend Pauline and taking her to the top of a construction site where he rained barrels on Mario's head as he gave chase. Mario eventually rescued Pauline and trapped DK in a cage, where he was hauled back to the zoo. The game had three levels to it (separate versions had been made) that the player had to complete in order to win. In the sequel