Highlights

  • The 2024 remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong stays true to the original game, adding new content and modern updates while preserving the Mario and Donkey Kong dynamic.
  • The pair's confusing lore includes things like the Donkey Kong with a pointed head and red tie being the grandson of the original Donkey Kong from 1981, creating a complex family tree.
  • Mario vs. Donkey Kong's storyline adds to the confusion by making the modern DK the villain, despite his hero status in the Country series and the character teaming up with Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a weird game, especially in 2024. Not only for its unique puzzle-platformer gameplay, which sets it apart from the franchise as a whole, but for its implications within Mario's shaky lore. It's evident from concept alone that Mario vs. Donkey Kong occupies a strange place in the history of this juggernaut duo.

The 2024 remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong is very faithful, with only a few modern accommodations and a portion of new content. This preserves the interesting dynamic between Mario and Donkey Kong from the original game. The Donkey Kong featured in the game has a pointed head and a red tie, quite clearly indicative of the ape's Donkey Kong Country appearance. This is in spite of all the references to the original Donkey Kong arcade games, from many of the obstacles to the structure of the stages themselves.

Mario vs Donkey Kong Kong And The Minis
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong Is A Bizarre Part Of The Duo's History

What's interesting about the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series relying on Donkey Kong being an antagonist (as well as references to the DK arcade games) is how it gels with DK lore. The Donkey Kong with a pointed head and tie is actually the grandson of the Donkey Kong from the original 1981 Donkey Kong game. Indeed, according to the story established by 1994's Donkey Kong Country, where that 1981 Kong is said to be a younger version of the game's Cranky Kong. It's a complicated family tree that's been retconned multiple times, but it is possible to decipher.

The Original Donkey Kong History

The original story went that the arcade Donkey Kong was the grandfather of the modern Donkey Kong, who first appeared in 1994's Donkey Kong Country (which would make the protagonist of Donkey Kong Jr. modern DK's father). The grandfather Kong seen in Donkey Kong Country is called by the name 'Cranky Kong'. So the family tree goes from Cranky Kong/Arcade Donkey Kong, to Donkey Kong Jr., to Donkey Kong with a red tie and pointed head.

However, there's another twist to this plot in 1994. Predating the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong by ten years, Donkey Kong '94 was released the same year as Donkey Kong Country. This Game Boy title ports the first few levels of the arcade game onto the portable device, before presenting an additional slew of later levels that mix multiple gameplay styles. This version of DK has the design of modern DK, despite kidnapping Pauline and doing everything else Cranky Kong did in 1981. Curiously, according to a 1994 Nintendo Online article, the DK in this game is actually also Cranky Kong, even if he looks like modern DK.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong And The Super Mario Bros. Movie

If this isn't murky enough, the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series picked up from the 1994 game in making modern DK the villain, despite the Country series making him the hero—one with his own adventures unrelated to Mario. Modern DK doesn't oppose Mario, only starring alongside him in sports, Mariokart, and Mario Party titles as just another competitor. Despite all of this, the DK in Mario vs. Donkey Kong is the same ape from the Country series.

As a final level of confusion to add to Mario and DK's frenemyship, The Super Mario Bros. Movie had the two teaming up. Moreover, it decided to make modern DK the son of Cranky Kong, cutting DK Jr. out of the equation entirely. Nintendo's never been known for keeping a straight timeline with any of its franchises, but it's always a surprise to see how messy this story can get, especially considering the cultural staying-power of Donkey Kong.