PiChuChu
Smash Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2014
- Messages
- 40
NAME: DONKEY KONG JR.
DEBUT: DONKEY KONG JR. (Arcade, 1982)
SERIES: DONKEY KONG
(possibly even representing a new universe exclusively for Nintendo's arcade games)
NICHE: RECOGNIZABLE RETRO CHARACTER
As for other notable game appearances, Donkey Kong Jr. was one of the eight playable racers in Super Mario Kart (being replaced by Donkey Kong in all subsequent installments, although he was originally going to reappear as Donkey Kong's partner in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! before being replaced by Diddy Kong), a playable character in Mario's Tennis for the Virtual Boy, an unlockable playable character in Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64, a frequently appearing character in the Game & Watch Gallery series, and, most recently, as an 8-bit costume for Mario to wear in Super Mario Maker.
Notably, Diddy Kong was originally a redesign for Donkey Kong Jr. for Donkey Kong Country, but it was requested that Donkey Kong Jr. either retain his original appearance or the redesign become an entirely new character. As we all know, this created Diddy Kong, who went on to replace Donkey Kong Jr. completely.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Donkey Kong Junior was a trophy!
"Donkey Kong Jr. came to the rescue when Mario imprisoned his father. DK Jr.'s challenge was to collect the keys to Donkey Kong's cage, all the while dropping fruit on his enemies from high above. He was able to climb faster by using two ivy vines at once. This ape is also quite skilled at kart racing, tennis, and mathematics."
And in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, DK Jr. appeared in the form of... two stickers. His old trophy from Melee is in the game's data, however.
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, DK Jr. is completely absent.
What about the next Smash? There's no way that Donkey Kong Jr. would get in before King K. Rool, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, Funky Kong, Lanky Kong, or even Chunky Kong, right? DK Jr. hasn't played an important role in a game since Donkey Kong Jr. Math, and he's likely not going to play any important role in any game ever again.
Wait a sec - maybe not being in recent games could get him into Smash as a retro character! Considering that Mr. Game & Watch, the Ice Climbers, R.O.B., and Duck Hunt got into Smash, DK Jr. has actually got a pretty respectable chance of getting in, especially since there are so few memorable retro characters remaining that have enough potential to pull together a moveset. Heck, DK Jr. could represent Nintendo's early history as an arcade game maker and pull some moves from their other arcade games like Mario Bros.!
Could Donkey Kong Jr. somehow make it into a future Smash, perhaps as a 'surprise character' in the vein of Duck Hunt? Although a forgotten character, Donkey Kong Jr. still remains very recognizable and iconic, and has got plenty of potential to be a fun and interesting character in Smash.
MOVESETS:Since DK Jr. hasn't been seen much (or at all) lately, here's a video to help you imagine how he'd look in 3D:
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqZgEIELERs

Appearance: Donkey Kong Jr.'s look would definitely need an update if he was to appear in Smash. To distinguish him from his other, more modern Kong buddies, his 'fur' would be more orangish, and, unlike DK and Diddy, not look realistic. Instead, Donkey Kong Jr.'s appearance would more closely resemble Duck Hunt, with bright, accented colors and an overall clean, distinguished design. Finally, Donkey Kong Jr. would stand on his two feet with his arms to his side,
Size: slightly larger than Villager
(I know it seems crazy, but having DK Jr. be huge would be weird considering he's smaller than Mario in-game in Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong for the Game Boy.)

Jumps: 2
Ground Jump Height: 30.5 (Wario)
Air Speed: 1.1 (Duck Hunt, etc.)
Fall Speed: 1.8 (Roy, etc.)
Wall Jump/Wall Cling: YES, YES
Walking Speed: 1.0
Running Speed: 1.6 (Mario)
(Sorry, not giving other stats like gravity.)
Neutral A/Jab: a swiping punch with the left hand, then an uppercut with the right hand (It's similar to DK's, as it just seemed the most natural for them to share a simple jab. However, DK Jr.'s jab is very exaggerated and cartoony, with his arms slightly stretching out.)
Side-Tilt: winds up and punches (similar to Wario's; DK Jr.'s arms stretch out)
Up-Tilt: DK Jr. does a handstand (his legs stretch out)
Down-Tilt: a crouching kick (DK Jr.'s leg stretches out)
Dash Attack: a quick cartwheel forward (DK Jr. faces the screen)
Side-Tilt: winds up and punches (similar to Wario's; DK Jr.'s arms stretch out)
Up-Tilt: DK Jr. does a handstand (his legs stretch out)
Down-Tilt: a crouching kick (DK Jr.'s leg stretches out)
Dash Attack: a quick cartwheel forward (DK Jr. faces the screen)
Side-Smash: thrusts a giant golden key forwards
Up-Smash: thrusts upward with a sign (the sign contains a random number purely for aesthetics; inspired by Donkey Kong Jr. Math)
Down-Smash: a sweeping kick
Up-Smash: thrusts upward with a sign (the sign contains a random number purely for aesthetics; inspired by Donkey Kong Jr. Math)
Down-Smash: a sweeping kick
Neutral-Aerial: assumes his vine-climbing pose for a few seconds; weak damage and knockback
Forward-Air: kicks his leg out (similar to Wario's)
Back-Air: swings a pair of cherries behind himself
Up-Air: thrusts both hands into the air (similar to Ness's up-tilt; DK Jr.'s arms stretch out)
Down-Air: drops a berry below himself
Forward-Air: kicks his leg out (similar to Wario's)
Back-Air: swings a pair of cherries behind himself
Up-Air: thrusts both hands into the air (similar to Ness's up-tilt; DK Jr.'s arms stretch out)
Down-Air: drops a berry below himself
B: Super Hammer
DK Jr. slams the ground with a giant hammer. Nearby opponents that aren't hit by the hammer will be launched upwards (like how Donkey Kong's Hand Slap launches foes into the air).
Side-B: Barrel Throw
DK Jr. throws a barrel (in a fashion somewhat resembling how Kiddy Kong throws barrels) forwards that rolls along the ground. The barrels are smaller and faster while rolling than the existing item. They don't do too much other than force your opponent to approach.
Up-B: Spring Jump
A clone of Sonic and Mega Man's Spring Jump, but DK Jr. uses a spring from the arcade Donkey Kong.
Down-B: Back Flip
DK Jr. instantaneously does a back flip. Pressing A during the back flip causes DK Jr. to launch forward in a roll.
DK Jr. slams the ground with a giant hammer. Nearby opponents that aren't hit by the hammer will be launched upwards (like how Donkey Kong's Hand Slap launches foes into the air).
Side-B: Barrel Throw
DK Jr. throws a barrel (in a fashion somewhat resembling how Kiddy Kong throws barrels) forwards that rolls along the ground. The barrels are smaller and faster while rolling than the existing item. They don't do too much other than force your opponent to approach.
Up-B: Spring Jump
A clone of Sonic and Mega Man's Spring Jump, but DK Jr. uses a spring from the arcade Donkey Kong.
Down-B: Back Flip
DK Jr. instantaneously does a back flip. Pressing A during the back flip causes DK Jr. to launch forward in a roll.
Grab: a standard grab like most other characters
Pummel: slaps the opponent
Throws, Final Smash, Taunts, Victory Theme and Poses: same as in NantenJex's moveset (which is in the spoiler below)
Pummel: slaps the opponent
Throws, Final Smash, Taunts, Victory Theme and Poses: same as in NantenJex's moveset (which is in the spoiler below)
Special thanks to NantenJex of Source Gaming for moveset inspiration!
What're you waiting for? Show your support for the forgotten retro hero, Donkey Kong Junior!
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