Donkey Kong Jr. is Cranky Kong‘s son
Cranky Kong‘s son is the iconic Donkey Kong Jr., who first appeared in the 1981 arcade classic bearing his name as he tried to rescue his trapped father from Mario‘s clutches.
Donkey Kong Jr. is a crucial part of Kong history, bridging the gap between the original Donkey Kong (now known as Cranky) and the modern Donkey Kong who leads the bunch today.
As a diehard Donkey Kong fan, I‘ve done extensive research into the Kong family lore across countless games, interviews with developers, and behind-the-scenes content. Here‘s a deep dive into Cranky Kong‘s son and the entire Kong family tree:
The Origins – Cranky Kong and Wife Wrinkly
Cranky Kong, formerly known as Donkey Kong, first burst onto the scene in the 1981 arcade title that made Mario a sensation. After kidnapping Lady (later named Pauline), Cranky was eventually defeated by the plucky plumber and fell into obscurity. He resurfaced years later as an elderly, bitter version of himself known as Cranky Kong.
According to rareware.com, Cranky married another elder Kong named Wrinkly at some point and the two had a son together – none other than Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. – Cranky‘s Son and Heir
Donkey Kong Jr. stormed onto arcade machines in 1982 with a solo title devoted to saving his trapped father (Cranky) from Mario‘s cage. DK Jr.‘s defining traits were his quick agility, acrobatic moves, and steadfast loyalty to freeing his beloved dad.
DK Jr. would appear in other 1980s games like Donkey Kong 3 and Donkey Jr. Math before fathering a son of his own – the Donkey Kong we know and love today. According to Rare‘s Scribes in a 2010 interview, DK Jr. resides happily on Donkey Kong Island enjoying his golden years.
| Character | Relation to Cranky | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Jr. | Son | Cranky‘s son, agile hero of the 1982 arcade game |
| Modern Donkey Kong | Grandson | Current star of the franchise, son of DK Jr. |
Modern Donkey Kong – Cranky‘s Grandson
The modern Donkey Kong is believed to be the son of Donkey Kong Jr., which would make him the grandson of Cranky Kong. He shares similarities with both predecessors in terms of looks, strength, speed, and agility.
However, unlike his grouchy dad and granddad he has a much more happy-go-lucky personality. He spends his days lounging, munching bananas, and occasionally battling crocodile baddies when they threaten his jungle paradise.
The Growing Kong Family Tree
Over the years across titles like Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong 64, and more, the Kong family tree has continued expanding as several new members and relatives of the main line have been introduced.
Key Members of the Expanded Kong Lineage
- Diddy Kong – Donkey Kong‘s spider monkey pal and sidekick
- Dixie Kong – Diddy‘s girlfriend who first appeared in DKC2
- Candy Kong – Grown up friend/love interest of modern Donkey Kong
- Chunky Kong – Dixie and Tiny‘s hulking cousin
- Lanky Kong – Wild and wacky orangutan relative
- Swanky Kong – Rich TV show host and apparent cousin
There are also extended family members of note like Wrinkly‘s ghost, Funky Kong the airplane pilot, and more. With over 30 years of Nintendo games, the family just seems to keep on growing!
The Kong family and friends (Mariowiki.com)
The Legacy of Cranky‘s Son – Donkey Kong Jr.
While Cranky Kong‘s glory days have passed him by, his son Donkey Kong Jr. maintains an important place in video game history as the bridge from the 1981 classic to the modern Kong we know today. Without his rescue efforts, there may never have been another Donkey Kong game again!
And through his modern heir carrying on the family name, Donkey Kong Jr.‘s legacy continues to swing and stomp its way into the future. Not bad for an old ape and his kid!
