What’s Next for the Mario Movies? Part 1: Donkey Kong’s Country

On the streets of Brooklyn, a fight has broken out between the prime primate Donkey Kong and the merciless King of the Koopas, Bowser. The two heavyweights exchange fists and claws on the mean streets – and while it seems DK has the upper hand, Bowser moves with an almost otherworldly force against the prince of DK Island.

As DK tries to fight back, an extremely monstrous Bowser lands unrelenting blows on the great ape eventually causing DK to fall to the ground. The Koopa King grabs DK by the neck and holds him up declaring his victory. As DK looks down at Bowser’s eerie pupilless eyes, the Koopa King opens his maw readying a blast of fire and right as he’s about to let loose… DK awakes.

DK looks around his treehouse trying to gather his thoughts, when his eyes settle on a framed newspaper. The cover image displays him and his Mushroom Kingdom companions standing triumphant after the defeat of Bowser; it’s been a few weeks since that monumental day and the sight fills DK’s heart with ease before it suddenly floods with doubt.

While it’s true that they had won the war, Donkey Kong, the supposed secret weapon and super star of the Kong army, lost the battle. It’s a fact that not many people tend to remember, the overwhelming joy the denizens of the Mushroom World felt at the fall of the tyrant quickly overshadowed the moment when DK failed to take down Bowser, but DK remembers.

Is it possible that being top banana his whole life left him woefully unprepared to face an actual threat to his kingdom? Had Mario not been there to pick up the slack, there’s no telling what would have happened to his beloved home or his father, Cranky. These thoughts have plagued DK’s mind since that day and he responds the same way he always does – by trying to ignore them. After all, it’s not like another Island threatening foe is slowly making their way there…

Meanwhile an entire legion of Kremling ships sails across the sea. We see the crew of crocs going about their ship work and the stink of evil hangs thick in the air. Eventually we see a massive shadow move to the head of the ship, the leader of this mighty crew. The Kommander opens his map, uses his claw to trace the path the ships are taking to DK Isle, and lets out a wicked laugh.

The next morning DK is called by his father to an important meeting, as he makes his way to the palace he’s stopped by a young Kong by the name of Diddy and his girlfriend Dixie.

DK knew Diddy somewhat well, he was the number one member of his fan-club, the one who cheered the loudest at all of his fights, the one who asked for the most autographs. That was the extent of their relationship though, an idol and their appreciator, nevertheless DK hoped talking with the young Kong would put him in better spirits.

Diddy went off on a crazed fanboy rant, praising DK for his efforts in thwarting Bowser. He even goes on to praise DK for letting that mustachioed human win their big fight, how generous DK was to make that tiny man feel like the big winner as well as offering the Kong army to aid the Mushroom Kingdom. This didn’t help DK feel better at all.

Sensing the awkward tension, Dixie nudges her boyfriend out of his trance and sweetly tells him to cut to the chase. Dixie was also a fan of DK’s – every Kong was – but truthfully, she only attended his fights to see Diddy’s face light up with excitement. While she loves how passionate Diddy could be about DK, she also wishes he could see the great Hero inside himself.

Diddy, remembering the point of the conversation, shows DK a new invention he created under the tutelage of his mentor, Funky Kong: a rocket-barrel jetpack, which he quickly tries to demonstrate it to DK. Diddy claims that while he’s not as strong as DK, he hopes he could use gadgets to become even half the hero his idol is.

Unfortunately for Diddy, the jetpack backfires and leaves him, DK, and Dixie covered in soot. Diddy quickly tries to apologize, and while DK says it’s fine and that it was only a mistake, it’s obvious to Dixie that he’s annoyed. DK then excuses himself from the conversation and tells Diddy to try and rely on his own strengths instead of machines, something that Diddy takes to heart and irritates Dixie.

As DK makes his way to Cranky’s palace he can’t help but think about his little admirer. The kid definitely has potential, but if he keeps using those machines as a crutch he’ll never get far. While the Kongs obviously have technology of their own, like karts, DK never felt he needed his kart to be a champ. Of course, DK really wasn’t feeling like a champ at all, but hopefully talking to Cranky would raise his spirits. That thought had seemed absolutely foreign to him before, but after the fight with Bowser the old ape has uncharacteristically warmed up to his son.

Eventually DK makes it to Cranky’s throne room where he informs DK that since Bowser has been defeated and the Mushroom Kingdom is experiencing an era of unprecedented peace, he wants to retire let his son take charge. Cranky says that DK’s actions during the battle with Bowser impressed him deeply and he knows the Kong Kingdom will be in good hands with his son at the head. DK is extremely anxious at the thought of becoming king of the island given his recent bout with self-doubt but manages to put on a brave face and humbly accept the position.

Cranky says that his retirement party and DK’s coronation will come at the end of the week, but before he ascends the throne, he wants to tell DK the secret of the Kong Kingdom’s history. Simultaneously, some of K.Rool’s krew ask the titanic monarch why he’s so obsessed with finding the Kongs and the captain tells his men the story of how the Kremlings lost their homeland. The scene would cut between both Cranky and K.Rool as they tell the story offering both sides perspective on the events.

Many years ago, DK Island was shared between the Kongs and Kremlings. The mystical golden bananas that grew on the island blessed their early ancestors with supernatural abilities far beyond other apes and reptiles. While both groups gained enhanced intelligence and strength the amount they gained varied by species. The Kongs gained more strength and became stewards of the island with an affinity for nature. The Kremlings gained more intelligence and became the innovators of the island with an affinity for technology. The Kremlings actually created the large factory on the island which the used to construct ships, barrels, and tools of defense.

Eventually, tensions started to rise between the Kongs and the Kremlings. The Kremlings wanted to expand their mechanization of the island further, something the Kongs were firmly against. Cranky claims the Kremlings were fools who were willing to throw the balance of nature down the drain for lazy conveniences. K. Rool, on the contrary, says the Kongs were the short-sighted idiots for not wanting to expand their territory.

Tensions came to a boil one day when the leader of the Kremlings suggested a new invention to the Kong leader, one so outrageous that all mentions of it’s true nature were wiped from Kong history. All that was known about the mystery invention was that it was an afront to nature and the Kongs staunchly opposed its creation. This was the straw that broke the Gobi’s back as disputes between the two tribes erupted into all-out war.

The Kongs raw strength and athleticism was pitted against the Kremlings’ militaristic machines. After many long-fought battles (and the Kongs utilizing the natural terrain of the island to their advantage) the Kremlings were pushed back to the sea and off the island entirely. The Kongs erupted in celebration, taking pride that they successful protected the natural order.

After much searching, the Kremlings would stumble upon another lush island, which they would rename to Crocodile Isle. Both societies would flourish in the coming years. The Kongs would repurpose the Kremlings old factories to manufacture karts instead of tools of war, and the Kremlings would quickly develop Crocodile Isle to create incredible advancements in weaponry. Unfortunately for the Kremlings, their rapid expansion left Crocodile Isle nearly unable to sustain life and that is why K.Rool wants to reclaim DK Island. After finishing his tale, the Kremlings are filled with renewed vigor to take back what’s rightfully theirs.

DK is taken aback by this revelation, obviously he had heard of the Kremlings and their war with the Kongs during his days at Kong Kollege, but he wasn’t aware of their shared history. Cranky explains to DK that he is telling him this now because he’s heard rumblings that the Kremlings will return and while he personally doubts the rumors he wants to be prepared. In Cranky’s mind, should the Kremlings return, it’d be best for them to see the Kong leader as the strong, young DK rather than the frail Cranky.

DK, once again, accepts the honor – even if this news terrifies him even more. Not only was he going to be leader, but an enemy he never faced before may return? He tries to calm himself by reasoning that these rumors are just that, rumors. Even if these rumors are true, history shows that raw strength was enough to best the Kremling’s brains so everything should be fine. As DK leaves, Cranky tells him to not let anyone know about the rumors he’s heard as to keep the other Kongs from worrying.

The week passes and Cranky’s retirement and DK’s coronation is here, everyone on DK Island is atwitter with anticipation, especially Diddy. Having taken DK’s advice to heart, the young chimp spent the last week lifting weights and running laps in hopes to get as pumped as his hero, completely ignoring his jetpack. Dixie, however, secretly fixed up the pack behind Diddy’s back and brought it along to the celebration in hopes of showing DK that the future of the island doesn’t lie purely in brute strength.

As you can expect, the festivities are cut short. K.Rool and his Kremlings descend on the festivities and quickly capture Cranky. K.Rool introduces himself to his hated rival and explains to the Kongs that he is the descendant of the great Kremling Kommander who was excised off of the island all those years ago. The King and his Krew are here to reclaim the island and decided to strike now after hearing that the Kongs were recovering from a war. Diddy, ever the fanboy, boasts that they didn’t need to recover from the war as DK took care of their enemies easily just like he’ll take care of K.Rool! Looking to test the new leader of the Kongs, K.Rool decides to sic his krew on DK and quickly overwhelm him.

To DK’s surprise, the Kremlings weren’t as weak as Cranky had made them sound – he especially had a difficult time with the bulky Klump and ripped Krusha. The Kongs are terrified to see their champion being trounced so quickly and when DK falls, K.rool commands his Krew to attack the rest. Even if DK had lost, it was clear to K.Rool he’d prove to be a handful if he kept him there. Thinking quickly, K.Rool (ever a lover of the dramatic) commands some of his kritters to stuff DK in a barrel cannon and launch him out to sea. Diddy quickly gives chase to the kritters with Dixie following closely behind.

Back at the Kremlings ship, the kritters are busy stuffing DK’s barrel with as much TNT that can fit, the crooked crocs itching to make a sea monkey out of DK. Before they can launch, Diddy charges in haphazardly and starts trying to use his improved skills to save his idol. While he actually is able to hold his own decently well against the kritters, the tide quickly turns when back up is called for and Klump and Krusha show up. The two brutes easily overpower Diddy and, not being too bright, stuff him in the barrel with DK.

Dixie plays the battle much smarter. Opting to use Diddy’s now functional jetpack to fly above the krew into the ship’s sails and sending sandbags falling down on their heads. She, too, is taken down when K.Rool’s wicked parrot Screech sneaks up on her from behind. Like the others, she’s stuffed in the barrel. Our heroes now subdued, the Kremlings light the fuse and send the trio blasting far off into the distance, eventually splashing down in the water off the coast of the Fruit Kingdoms.

Coming to upon the impact with the water, DK quickly gathers up the smaller Kongs and swims to shore. Taking assessment, all three are uninjured but Diddy’s jetpack was once again damaged in the splashdown – though Diddy doesn’t believe it ever worked despite Dixie’s assertions. They realize that if they’re going to make it back home, they have to work together, something Diddy is over the moon about.

Back on DK Island, K.Rool has rounded up the Kongs and commands his krew to cut down all the trees on the island, taking the golden banana and having the wood carved up into tikis. Cranky mocks K.Rool’s actions from his cage, saying it’ll take more than a few funny trinkets to break the spirit of the mighty Kongs. K.Rool reveals that this is no mere trinket: while the Kongs wiped the history of that secret invention that splintered their two factions long ago, the Kremlings passed that story down the generations, hoping that one day a leader would arise that could make it reality.

K.Rool mashes some of the golden banana up and places the resulting mush into the top of the tiki’s head. He then places a lid on top of the tiki and places it on a metal table where Kremlings in lab coats await, one whose hand is on a giant switch. Cranky pleads with K.Rool to reconsider: even if the old ape doesn’t know what the mad King is about to do, he is certain it is nothing but trouble. The lever is pulled and electricity is sent coursing through the wooden body of the tiki, the whole room quickly smelling of toasted banana. As the electricity flies, the unassuming tiki twitches and floats to life. This was the secret invention of the Kremling’s: a perversion of nature and technology, the Tiki-Tak!

Cranky is still confused as to what this funny floating idol could be useful for, something K.Rool is quick to demonstrate. He has the first wooden soldier fly to one of the pens where the unruly Kongs are being held. Funky Kong steps forward and starts mocking the Tiki-Tak and in turn he is bombarded with flashing lights from the Tiki-Tak’s eyes and a hypnotic dance from its wooden body. Almost instantly, the once proud and boisterous Kong is now in complete service to the Tiki-Tak – and, by extension, K.Rool.

Cranky reels in horror at the realization of what the plan of those ancient Kremlings truly was. To expand their kingdom, they intended to bend the minds of all enemies to their will, desecrating both nature and technology. The hypnotized Funky is quickly put to work helping the Kremlings chop down more trees, gather more bananas, and make more Tiki-Taks. Cranky hopes that somewhere out there his son is alright and that he’ll return to set things right.

At this point in the film, our heroic trio sets out on an adventure across multiple islands, running into various memorable locations, enemies, and animal buddies along the way. You can also certainly expect an action set-piece on a runaway minecart, possibly an encounter with Squiddicus from DKC Returns, and maybe some vague copyright-dodging references to other Rare characters like Banjo and Conker.

The dynamic between the three is quickly set in place, DK tries to show Diddy the “right” way to do things, Diddy tries and fails, Dixie chides DK. DK is constantly impressed with Diddy and Dixie’s feats on their journey, but true to his stubborn namesake he forbids himself from expressing it. Diddy and Dixie in turn tend to see DK’s softer side and start to relax more around him.

While this goes on, K.Rool’s collection of Tiki-Taks expands and he amasses an army that could easily overtake the nearby islands, but his eyes are on a much bigger prize: The Mushroom Kingdom. If he could take that prime real estate for himself, he would ensure that the Kremling dynasty would reign forever more – but to do that, he’d need a much bigger tiki. He works the mind-controlled Kongs ragged making a giant Tiki-Tak that will herald the end of the Kremlings’ fall to obscurity. All the while, Cranky is left powerless, only able to watch as his beautiful island is stripped of its resources.

Eventually, the trio is able to make it back to the shores of DK Island thanks to the help of a friendly swordfish named Enguarde. As the team approaches the jungle, DK finds himself awash with fear – not for himself or his reputation, but for his new found friends. DK has truly grown to care for the two young Kongs over the course of the journey and the thought that he might not be strong enough to protect them fills him with dread. As Diddy and Dixie are hyped to make a plan to save their home, DK makes a desperate move.

He snatches up his friends and seals them inside barrels. He attaches the barrels to Enguarde and tells the fish to swim and take the two far away, someplace where they’ll be safe. He promises the two that if he’s successful he’ll come and get them, but if he never shows then they should make a new life for themselves and take care of each other. The two chimps loudly protest as a concerned looking Enguarde swims them back out to sea. DK, holding back tears, rushes into the jungle to keep his promise.

As Diddy and Dixie are dragged out to sea, Diddy is actually able to break out of his barrel prison and Dixie tells him to free her. Diddy however, doesn’t move. When Dixie asks him what’s wrong, the young Kong explains that he believes this was a test from DK. A test to see if the two were strong enough to handle the Kremling army, and he was! After all the doubting, Diddy had proven that was strong enough that he was worthy to be DK’s friend… no, comrade.

Dixie tells him he’s being crazy, that his idolization of DK has left him unable to see the jungle for the trees. DK wasn’t testing them; he was scared for them. Diddy laughs, there’s no way the great Donkey Kong would ever be scared, and neither will he. Jumping into the water, he swims for the shore and yells back that if Dixie is strong enough to get out, she should come catch up and if not, he’ll come find her. Leaving behind someone he cares about in the name of protecting them, has he gone too far? Of course not! His Hero DK did the same thing and he’s never wrong!

Back in the heart of DK Island, DK discovers that he was very wrong to come alone. The Kremlings and hypnotized Kongs quickly swarm him and bring him before K.Rool. The Kaptain admits that he’d hoped DK would survive his flight as he relished having both him and his father witness the fall of their precious island together. K.Rool directs his captive audience’s attention to the massive tiki before him (slowly but surely) being filled with golden banana mush. K.Rool’s greatest creation, Tiki-Tong, was nearly complete! Once the titanic totem was sparked to life, he would ride atop its head to the Mushroom Kingdom where all its residents would bear witness to a hypnotic lightshow, securing his victory forever!

“Not so fast!” a small voice shrieks from the trees. K.Rool and DK turn to see young Diddy standing confidently on a branch, to the shock of DK. Diddy launches himself into the fray, not caring for his own safety, all the while asking for DK to watch him. DK realizes in horror that Diddy has learned all the wrong lessons from him. He desperately shouts to try and get him to run, but it’s too late.

Diddy is quickly overwhelmed and placed in the same cage with DK. K.Rool taunts the two apes and explains that their brutish strength won’t be enough to save the day this time. The mad king picks Diddy up by his neck and readies his powerful claws to deliver the final blow, when in that moment his crown is shot of his head by… a peanut?!

Dixie reveals herself from the trees, peanut popgun in hand. After Diddy had left her with Engaurde, she was able to convince the swordfish to swim her back to shore and break her free from the barrel. Instead of blindly rushing in to battle, she instead snuck around the enslaved Kongs and destroyed the tiki that had hypnotized Funky. Together, Dixie and Funky raided the workshop and pulled out all the inventions Diddy and Funky had been working on together: peanut popguns, gumball popguns, and even a spare rocket barrel jetpack.

Dixie and Funky use the inventions to quickly take out the smaller Tiki-Taks, freeing even more Kongs from K.Rool’s grasp. The Kongs in turn take up arms and start using Diddy’s inventions (as well as some they wrestle from the Kremlings) to fight for their home. Diddy is awash with joy, seeing everyone make use of his inventions. DK comforts the young Kong and apologizes for his actions, emphasizing that this was his true strength all along, but it’s a moment K.Rool quickly cuts short.

While the battle continues, Tiki-Tong is now fully operational and K.Rool quickly mounts the wooden giant and takes to the skies. Mushroom Kingdom, here he comes! The Kremlings call for their leader, to which the King cruelly shouts back that they would only slow him down and he’ll come back for them after the Mushroom Kingdom is conquered.

Acting quickly, DK and Diddy hop in another barrel cannon that Dixie launches at the escaping Tiki-Tong. Before firing, Diddy makes sure to grab some peanut popguns and his jetpack – he’s ready to make use of his gifts. As the two sail off to take down K.Rool Dixie, Cranky, and Funky rally the Kongs down below to push back the Kremlings. When it appears DK and Diddy won’t make it to Tiki-Tong, Diddy uses his jetpack and flies him and his friend the rest of the way.

The final battle begins with DK and K.Rool tasseling and Diddy staying back shooting his popguns to cover DK. As they fight, K.Rool commands Tiki-Tong to swat at the two Kongs, making the battlefield even more dangerous. Diddy takes to the skies to distract the hands while DK handles K.Rool. Eventually, the two are able to trick K.Rool into jumping up and slamming down into the middle of Tiki Tong’s head causing the lot of heroes and villains to plummet down.

On the surface, the Tiki-Taks have all been destroyed, the Kongs are freed, and the Kremlings were pushed back and sailing away on their ships. Tiki Tong and K.Rool crash down nearby on the beach. Dixie is initially concerned for Diddy and DK’s wellbeing, but her fears are alleviated when she sees a jetpacked Diddy descending with DK in tow.

An unconscious K.Rool lays on the ground and Diddy makes his way over to taunt the fallen king. Noticing a stir in the tyrant, DK quickly tosses Diddy out of the way as the Kornered King was only faking his defeat! Diddy and Dixie unload peanuts and gumballs at the King until one bullet strikes him in his swollen eye, causing him to fall to the floor, now truly spent. K.Rool laments that his plan was perfect and that the superior intellect of the Kremlings should have prevailed. DK admits that he’s probably right, but thankfully the Kongs had plenty of brains on their side, too. DK winds up his arm and punches K.Rool clear across the sea, heading straight for the fleeing Kremling ship, destroying it instantly. The last we see of K.Rool and his krew is them desperately swimming away from swarming sharks and Squiddicus, leaving just enough wiggle room for a sequel.

Flashing forward a few days, the coronation resumes, where DK makes a surprise announcement. He feels that just one Kong leading the way for the island’s future isn’t enough; it will take all types of Kongs to protect the island. As such, DK proposes the creation of the DK Crew – with him, Diddy, and Dixie as the founding members – and they’re accepting new applicants. The film ends with DK, Diddy, and Dixie all meeting and greeting the applicants. The future of the island is bright.