Lanky Kong | |
Lanky Kong's artwork from the game Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64.
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Residence(s) | Donkey Kong Island |
Family | Kong Family ("Twisted twig on a distant branch of the family tree"[1], and non-biological distant cousin) Manky Kongs (highly suspected relation) |
Species | Kong |
Sub-Species | Orangutan |
Gender | Male
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Powers/Abilities | Arm elasticity, Trombone, Body Inflation |
Enemies | King K. Rool, Kremling Krew |
Game(s) | Donkey Kong 64, Donkey Kong Country 3 (for GBA) (cameo), Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (cameo), Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (cameo), Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (cameo) |
First Appearance | Donkey Kong 64 (1999) |
Latest Appearance | Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (physically) (2007), Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (as a spirit) (2018) |
Voice Actor/Actress | Chris Sutherland (in DK 64), Kentaro Tone (2007) |
Lanky Kong is an orangutan Kong and an ally of the Kong Family. He is described as "a twisted twig on a distant branch of the family tree"[1] and non-biological distant cousin. He, along with Tiny and Chunky Kong, first appeared in Donkey Kong 64. He was voiced by Kentaro Tone in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, but was previously voiced by Chris Sutherland in Donkey Kong 64.
Because of his name and orange fur, he bears a resemblance to the Manky Kongs, which is a clan he may be related to. Despite his lack of style, grace, and him having a funny face, he has the longest arms of any Kong in the Donkey Kong series.
Biography[]
Quest for the Golden Bananas[]
In Donkey Kong 64, Lanky is one of the many Kongs imprisoned by the Kremling Krew at the start of the game. Lanky is found in the Llama's temple inside the level Angry Aztec, Donkey Kong, and his Coconut Shooter are needed to release Lanky from his imprisonment by the Kremlings.
Once Lanky is released, he can collect blue bananas, blue Banana Coins and Blueprints. Lanky Kong fights the boss of Gloomy Galleon, Puftoss. Once he defeats him, he gains one of the keys to K. Lumsy's cage. Also in this level Lanky can transform himself into Enguarde the Swordfish. In Fungi Forest, he has to race against a rabbit twice to gain a Golden Banana. Lanky Kong also starts off the fight against the boss of Creepy Castle, King Kut Out, though all the other Kongs are available from the Tag Barrel throughout the fight.
During the final battle against King K. Rool, Lanky has to make use of his great reach to activate a switch and then a barrel with a banana appears, Lanky next has to throw the barrel so the banana comes out and make use of the Trombone Tremor to make King K. Rool fall with a banana. In one of the cut-scenes, Lanky appears at Hideout Helm and starts walking around the walls with two Kremlings going after him. In the end, a Kremling tries to walk on the wall and falls.
Throughout the game, Lanky gains a variety of bizarre abilities from drinking Cranky Kong's various potions or buying from Funky and Candy. His first individual ability is Baboon Balloon, while the second is OrangStand, and the third one is OrangSprint. Lanky's weapon is the Grape Shooter. His instrument is trombone; with this, he can use the Trombone Tremor. Aside from this, he can learn Simian Slam, Super Simian Slam, and Super Duper Simian Slam, which all the Kongs use. Lanky is the only character that can transform into Enguarde, similar to Donkey Kong being the only character that can transform into Rambi.
Spin-Off Appearances[]
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast[]
After eight years of not appearing in games, except for cameo appearances, Lanky Kong makes a return as a playable character in the racing game Donkey Kong Barrel Blast for Nintendo Wii. In this game, he is an unlockable character. In it, he is considerably powerful and is assigned a Klump as his rival. He has top speed, medium boost, and poor agility. As all playable characters, he had the ability to do the ability known as Wild Moves.
In the Single Race cut-scene, he can be seen, along with Donkey, Tiny and Dixie, standing in front of their rivals, Kass, Kalypso, Klump, and Kritter. His bongos are blue with white parts, which resemble the colors of his clothes. This marks his debut in spin-off games. This game was his first appearance in the Wii console.
- Stats:
- Boost: ☆☆
- Speed: ☆☆☆☆1/2
- Agility: ☆
Other appearances[]
Donkey Kong Country 3 for GBA[]
Lanky briefly appears in one of Funky Kong's minigames in the Game Boy Advance version of the game Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!. During one of the challenges at the Funky's Rentals, he is found in the water, along with other Kongs, and has to be protected from being taken away by boats with Kremlings on them.
Super Smash Bros. series[]
Although he did not appear in Super Smash Bros. Melee, there is a reference to Lanky on the Kongo Jungle stage, as the DK Rap plays, after Tiny Kong's part, Lanky is mentioned. But in the sequel, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate his verse of the rap was removed, along with Chunky Kong's verse.
Lanky Kong appears as trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His trophy mentions his playable appearance in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast after years of not appearing in games. he also has his own sticker based on his appearance from Donkey Kong 64, it increases a throwing attack by six and can only be used by Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong.
He also appears as a trophy again in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and costs 300 Coins.
- Trophy description from the game Super Smash Bros. Brawl: "One of the more eccentric Kong friends. He's probably the most laid back of the Kongs and has many comical expressions and mannerisms. He uses his long arms to take out baddies and can walk on his hands to climb steep slopes. In the recent game Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast, Lanky appears for the first time in years."
Appearances in Other Media[]
Comics[]
Lanky Kong appeared in the comic "Donkey Kong in When the Banana Splits", were the golden bananas are stolen, again by the Kremlings. Unfortunately for King K. Rool, the Kremling he sent stole the golden bananas in bad time, as Lanky Kong and the other Kongs were home. Lanky Kong, along all the playable Kongs from Donkey Kong 64, track King K. Rool easily through the jungle and after passing all Kremling's traps and beating all the enemies, they have a final showdown against King K. Rool and the Kremling in which the Kongs win and get their golden bananas back.
He also appeared in the N-Gang comic series, but only had minor roles. In the N-Gang comic, N-Gang vs. Nintendo, he teamed up with Banjo, Kazooie, Wario, Yoshi, Peach, and Donkey Kong, to play a soccer match against the N-Gang.
These were his only appearances in comics and were also his only appearances out of games.
Profiles[]
Donkey Kong 64 Game Manuals[]
- "A newcomer to the Kong clan and the joker of the pack. I haven't a clue whom he's related to – must be some distant cousin or something. Those silly stretchy arms give him plenty of potential, but I'm sure he'll be too busy clowning around to be of much use."
- —Cranky Kong in the Donkey Kong 64 Instruction Booklet, page 7[2]
- "This knuckle-dragging Kong looks like a clown, and it's more than just a coincidence. Think of him as a twisted twig on a distant branch of the family tree. Kremlings and Klaptraps may snicker at his goofy gait as he ambles in their direction, but there's nothing funny about a hyperextended sucker punch."
- —Donkey Kong 64 Player's Guide, page 5[1]
German Donkey Kong 64 Website[]
- NAME: LANKY KONG
- OCCUPATION: STAND-UP COMEDIAN
- HOBBIES: BLOWING THE TROMBONE, MAKING UP JOKES
- FAVORITE DISH: RAISIN CAKE
- FAVORITE MOVIE: THE KONG CANON 64
- GREATEST HERO: KONGO WAALKES
"To the satisfaction of the other Kongs, Lanky has been at home on the DK islands for some time now. Originally he comes from the more distant Utan island, where relatives of the Kongs live.
The society there was much too boring and conservative for Lanky, however, so that he was attracted to the slightly chaotic members of the Kong clan.
Here he feels much more comfortable, since his constant silliness is always appreciated, especially by Chunky and Kiddy. Even a television offer could not move the enthusiastic comedian to leave the island: he has been dying to experience an exciting adventure for quite some time! As a child Lanky made a bet with a friend, who could hang on a limb the longest.
Today you can still tell by his arms that Lanky won the bet!"
Physical Appearance[]
Lanky Kong has orange fur and long arms that trail along the ground, being the only orangutan in the Kong family. He also has a red nose and bright blue eyes. He wears blue overalls, with a white shirt that is too small for him, and on his back, he has a red and white patch. The buttons on his overalls are yellow. According to the lyrics to "DK Rap", he is described as having "no style" and "no grace", and a "funny face". And indeed, his face is locked in a goofy, absent-mindset expression.
In his recent appearance in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, aside from being updated graphically he looks slightly bigger and his hair style was changed. In this game his voice sounds different. Lanky looks very similar to Manky Kongs, but unlike them, he is not a baddie.
Personality[]
One of the more eccentric, happy and joyful members of the Kong Klan similar to Diddy Kong and Kiddy Kong, Lanky has been depicted as goofy, exuberant, erratic and loud, but also has shown intelligence and competence. He is probably the most laid back of them all, stumbling with comical style and flair akin to an actual clown or a court jester. He is a little out there, but his unorthodox ways of thinking and those incredibly long arms only help to make those tense situations the Kongs find themselves in a lot easier to handle.
Powers and Abilities[]
The majority of Lanky's abilities originate from Donkey Kong 64.
- From Cranky's potions:
- Simian Slam: He can press green buttons with his face on them.
- Super Simian Slam: He can press blue buttons with his face on them.
- Super Duper Simian Slam: He can press red buttons with his face on them.
- OranguStand: With this ability he can stand on his hands and can climb steep slopes.
- Baboon Balloon: With the help of his Kong Pad he can inflate his body like a balloon and fly a short distance.
- OranguSprint: With the help of Crystal Coconuts he can stand on his hands and run extremely fast
- Trombone Tremor: Candy Kong gifts Lanky a trombone which can defeat almost any enemy and could also make special things happen if he uses it in a Music Pad.
- Grape Shooter: Funky Kong gifts Lanky a shooter that can shoot grapes to damage enemies and to activate switches.
Quotes[]
- Donkey Kong 64
- Trapped
- "WHO'S THERE? CAN YOU COME IN HERE AND GIVE ME A HAND?"
- "PLEASE LET ME OUT. I'LL HELP YOU DEFEAT K. ROOL!"
- Freed
- "COOL MOVE, DK! I GOTTA GET SOME FRESH AIR. I'LL HELP YOU BY COLLECTING BLUE BANANAS!
COME AND FIND ME IN THE TAG BARREL!"
- "COOL MOVE, DK! I GOTTA GET SOME FRESH AIR. I'LL HELP YOU BY COLLECTING BLUE BANANAS!
- Fungi Forest intro cutscene
- "YAHOO! COME UP HERE AND GET ME, DUMMIES!"
- "GOODBYE!"
- Trapped
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Lanky Kong's exact relation to the Kong Family is unknown. It is stated by the Donkey Kong 64 Player's Guide that he is a "twisted twig on a distant branch of the family tree"[1] and a non-biological distant cousin, some people however continue to speculate. Additionally, Lanky may be a member of the orangutan-like Kong group known as Manky Kongs who are encountered as enemies in the game Donkey Kong Country. This is a logical assumption as Lanky does bear some resemblance to a Manky Kongs in appearance, name, and species.
- For an unknown reason, Lanky Kong is commonly associated with water. In the game Donkey Kong 64, his color was blue, which is the primary color for the water element. He also was the only Kong who could become Enguarde in that game, and his only boss fight by himself was against a fish in a boat. In the game Donkey Kong Country 3, his only cameo is in the water, although most Kongs appeared in the water with him. Ironically, orangutans are known to have one of the worst swimming abilities among mammals, not to mention the disliking of rain.
- According to Donkey Kong 64, Lanky currently holds the record for the longest reach in the world, and it is shown that Lanky has a remarkable reach during his final battle against King K. Rool. It is certainly much, much longer than the player can reach as Lanky throughout the rest of the game.
- Lanky Kong's rivalry with Klump in the game Donkey Kong Barrel Blast alludes to his Five-Door Temple room from the level Angry Aztec in the game Donkey Kong 64, which had several Klumps inside.
- Ironically, Lanky Kong did not appear in the game DK: King of Swing nor DK: Jungle Climber, despite having excellent climbing ability and long arms for swinging.
- On the Tag Barrel and Kong Battle Player Select screens, Lanky Kong sounds like he is saying "Mario", a reference to the parallel series since they are both in the same universe though he never met the plumber.
- Lanky Kong in video games and other media has showcased many feats.[3]
- He's known as meme "he has no style, he has no grace" from DK rap.
References[]
Kong Characters | |
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Baby Donkey Kong | Baby Kong | Bink | Bluster Kong | Cactus King | Candy Kong | Chunky Kong | Cranky Kong | Diddy Kong | Dixie Kong | Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong Jr. | Dread Kong | Eddie the Mean Old Yeti | Funky Kong | Giant Donkey Kong | Ghastly King | Karate Kong | Kiddy Kong | Kong Fu | Lanky Kong | Ninja Kong | "Redneck Kong" | Sumo Kong | Super Kong | Swanky Kong | Tiny Kong | Ultra Barrel DK | Uncle Kong | Wrinkly Kong | |
Types of Kong | |
Guerrilla/Chained Kong | Kong | Manky Kong |
Donkey Kong 64 Characters |
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Playable Characters |
Donkey Kong • Diddy Kong • Lanky Kong • Tiny Kong • Chunky Kong |
Non-Playable Characters |
Cranky Kong • Wrinkly Kong • Funky Kong • Snide • Candy Kong • K. Lumsy • Scoff • Troff • Banana Fairy Queen |
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Characters | |
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Kongs | |
Donkey Kong | Diddy Kong | Dixie Kong | Lanky Kong | Tiny Kong | Funky Kong | Wrinkly Kong | Cranky Kong | |
Kremlings | |
Kritter | Kip | Kass | Klump | Kalypso | Kludge | Kopter | King K. Rool | |
Non-Playable | |
Candy Kong |