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The Forgotten Heroism Of Diddy Kong

Designing For

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Designing For is a series which looks at one specific theme in gaming, and analyzes a what makes it stand out. In this episode, we look at the career of Diddy Kong - his humble origins, how he grew to be as big a star as gaming had seen during his heyday, his fall from grace, and how everything ties into his characterization of learning how to be a true video game hero.

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Patreon: Patreon: designingfor

Twitter: Twitter: Designing4Games

Discord: Discord: discord

Director/Writer/Voice Over/Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong (Twitter: pyrrhickong)

Video Editing/Additional Direction/Script Editing/Live Action: AuthorMan (authorman)

Thumbnail & Custom Diddy Art: Altermentality
Twitter: altermentality

Script Editing & Fact Checking: DKVine
https://dkvine.com/

"Rare Respite" by Patrick Burns via OCRemix - Serious Monkey Business: 1-04 Rare Respite...

Intro Animation By: @tarvouldsquest

Intro Theme By: SoundCloud: tracks

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Also check out our episode on King K. Rool, and how his portrayal in Super Smash Bros. furthers his characterization through his parallels to and rivalry with Donkey Kong - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's King K. Rool ...

Or our episode on another little buddy, Pikachu, and how he acts as a perfect support unit for his trainer to make himself the perfect mascot for the Pokemon series - Pikachu: The Perfect Mascot -- Peak Design

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Footage/Images Used:

SSC Fall Fest Wii U Winners Quarters - MVD... ~ SSC Fall Fest Wii U Winners Quarters - MVD (Diddy Kong) Vs. Spargo (Cloud) Smash 4 Tournament
CEO 2016 Smash 4 - Ksev (Fox) Vs. DNG | Ni... ~ CEO 2016 Smash 4 - Ksev (Fox) Vs. DNG | Nietono (Diddy Kong) SSB4 Tournament - Smash Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - King K. Rool ... ~ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - King K. Rool Reveal Trailer
Whose Toes Are Those? ~ Whose Toes Are Those?
DK: Jungle Climber Walkthrough - Wormhole,... ~ DK: Jungle Climber Walkthrough - Wormhole, Final Boss & Ending (100%)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle - Donkey Ko... ~ Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle - Donkey Kong Adventure - E3 2018 Trailer
Donkey Kong Country Returns | Part 2 - "Hu... ~ Donkey Kong Country Returns | Part 2 - "Hug me, Mugly!"
Mario Party 9 - Boss Battle - Diddy's Bana... ~ Mario Party 9 - Boss Battle - Diddy's Banana Blast
Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Intro Opening HD ~ Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Intro Opening HD
Rare Announcement of joining Microsoft ~ Rare Announcement of joining Microsoft
Smash Con 2017 Brawl - ADHD (Diddy Kong) V... ~ Smash Con 2017 Brawl - ADHD (Diddy Kong) Vs. NRG | Nairo (Metaknight) SSBB GF
Video ~ Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Commercial
Monkey! ~ Monkey!
sometimes foreshadowing is relatively obvious ~ sometimes foreshadowing is relatively obvious
Rikku:Monkey! ~ Rikku:Monkey!
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze – Meet... ~ Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze – Meet the Kongs: Diddy Kong – Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Everyone is h... ~ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Everyone is here!
Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS) - All Charact... ~ Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS) - All Character Post-Hole Animations
DKC Exposed: The Making of Donkey Kong Cou... ~ DKC Exposed: The Making of Donkey Kong Country - Promotional VHS
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour 100% Walkthroug... ~ Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour 100% Walkthrough Part 20: Character Match Vs. Diddy Kong
Donkey Kong Country 2 Diddy's Kong Quest J... ~ Donkey Kong Country 2 Diddy's Kong Quest JPN Commercial 2
Donkey Kong Country 2 commercial 1995 ~ Donkey Kong Country 2 commercial 1995
Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance Ve... ~ Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance Version) USA Commercial
Donkey Kong Racing - Trailer - GC ~ Donkey Kong Racing - Trailer - GC
Diddy Kong Racing "A Wild Racing Adventure... ~ Diddy Kong Racing "A Wild Racing Adventure" (Nintendo 64\N64\ Short & Full Commercial) Full HD
Video ~ DKC Returns - World 6
Video ~ DKC Returns - World 7 Part 1
Mario Strikers Charged Football - All Cha... ~ Mario Strikers Charged Football - All Character Mega Strikes
Donkey Kong Country Returns Diddy's Jetpack ~ Donkey Kong Country Returns Diddy's Jetpack

20 Comments

@TJ-Henry-Yoshi 4 years ago

Diddy Kong is the hero of a forgotten era whose super stardom would be cut short by a rare occurrence. He took over the role of poster child for what would become the best singleplayer kart racer of all time. While I may have forgotten his heroism, all it takes is a single small reminder to make me fall in love with this little guy all over again.

P.S: I'm so sorry for the loss of your little buddy. I share your grief with the sad passing of my father a couple weeks ago

@FlackNCoke 4 years ago

I’d love a Mario/DK crossover game where Luigi and Diddy have to team up to save their player 1s.

@TBoneTony 4 years ago

Diddy Kong is RARE in Kong form.

After Microsoft brought RARE, that is when Diddy Kong became almost like any Kong instead of his own character.

@dinglepuss8594 4 years ago

Diddy is like the internal manifestation of Rares soul.

@thorkner 3 years ago

Diddy Kong was so popular in the 90s that Nintendo of America was using him in their promotional materials more than Mario. There was talk that Diddy would replace Mario as Nintendo’s mascot.

@922sunshine 2 years ago

Rest in peace to Buddy, I am sorry for your loss of Buddy. Also, Diddy Kong is one of my favourite Donkey Kong/Mario characters.

@PkKirby 4 years ago

Finally someone giving this spectacular simian the praise he deserves. He is one of THE best video game protagonists with a resume that makes most others look inferior. We're talking the main character of one of the greatest 2D Platformers ever, main character of the best N64 kart racer, High or Top tier in EVERY Smash game he's been in, and an overall likable and fun-loving personality.

You can't go wrong with this Kong, he's the full package. I am PRAYING that the rumored DK game is announced soon, cause with Mario Sports and Mario Kart leaving Diddy at the door, we need to see the monkey back in action!

Thanks for giving my favorite video game character a comprehensive breakdown, it's what the little guy deserves.

@Magic_Ice 4 years ago

Oh Diddy Kong, how I’ve waited so long for your real return for so Diddy Long.

@therealseanw.stewart2071 4 years ago (edited)

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest is truly a masterpiece. Even by today's standards. Quite possibly the most ingeniously-designed platformer ever made.
Well done but dude, your editing style is like a fever dream.

@cruisinobscurae3274 3 years ago

You are the rare game commentator/critic who sees that gameplay = narrative.

@orsonzedd 3 years ago

Sonic: Wait I was supposed to pick up coins?
Mario: Wait if you put the coins in the levels why didn't you just save Donkey Kong yourself?
Cranky: I don't need to take sass from a guy with no college education.
Mario: I'm literally a medical doctor.
Cranky: Welcome to the club, what do you want? A medal?
Sonic: Kind of yeah.

@SuperGoomba10 4 years ago

Definitely have a new level of respect for Diddy, that's for sure.

Also, rest in peace, Buddy. :(

@ethandement3921 4 years ago

Commenting before watching: Donkey Kong cleared his island of the invaders. Diddy DESTROYED their homeland!

@DuskProWrestling 4 years ago

"Study the mind behind the monkey" I love this channel so much

@ApocalypticJoker 3 years ago

Diddy was the S.H.I.T (Simian Hero in Training)

@DaNintendude 4 years ago

Despite Diddy's recent "coin-flip" of appearances in Mario spin-offs, I really do think he's gonna come back strong someday.

On the Mario Portal website, Diddy Kong is one of the characters listed in the characters section. And that section is limited to mostly just the main characters of the Mario series. Yet he's right there alongside Donkey Kong.
And he also got his own Mario Series Amiibo. Something Bowser Jr never even got!

Nintendo recognizes his importance, and he's gonna return to the spotlight someday.

@Mister_Clean 4 years ago (edited)

So what you're saying is... Diddy is smaller, faster... and stronger, too?

@QuickPair-u2z 10 months ago

5:37 Love how DK hyped him up

@AshironDerigarStudios 2 years ago

i didnt expect to cry watching a video game review but it hit me like a truck at the end. Same adorable white fluff a bit larger, had him for 18 years, i got him when i was almost 8, Lifes been so lonely without him by my side

@beatziegraham6928 4 years ago

I love how your K Rool voice sounds like a darker version of his cartoon version. Reminds me of Robotniks voice from Sonic SATAM compared to the adventures of sonic the hedgehog.

I also hope that the original 3 DKC games (or at least the first game) gets a remake someday.