How do you unlock multiplayer in Donkey Kong 64?

Unlocking Multiplayer in Donkey Kong 64: A Step-by-Step Guide

Donkey Kong 64, a platformer game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64, offers an exciting multiplayer feature that allows players to connect and play together. Unleashing this feature might seem daunting, but follow this guide to learn the simple steps to unlock it.

Direct Answer: To unlock multiplayer in Donkey Kong 64, you need to collect a single crown in the game’s Adventure Mode. Upon collecting a crown, only Donkey Kong will become playable, and other character options will be unlocked.

Before You Begin

Before diving into the multiplayer mode, you should know that the multiplayer feature in Donkey Kong 64 is limited and only available for two to four players. Additionally, the game does not include a split-screen mode or online multiplayer capabilities.

Requirements for Multiplayer

To unlock multiplayer mode, ensure you meet these requirements:

  • Advancement in Adventure Mode: Collect at least one golden crown to unlock the crown shop, where you will find additional characters.
  • Selecting the Competition Mode: Access the gameplay menu by pressing the "-" button on your controller to select the competition mode from the game’s main screen.

Unlocking Competitors

By collecting the first crown and accessing the competition mode, you will unlock Donkey Kong as the primary character. Additional characters will gradually become available as you accumulate more crowns.


Character Crows Required Unlock Code
Donkey Kong 1st Crown ** Default Character **
Diddy Kong 2nd Crown ** Up, L, Down, R buttons **

Once you’ve unlocked Donkey Kong and other characters, you can switch between playable characters using the code.

Gameplay and Party Options

Up to four players can simultaneously play together in Donkey Kong 64’s multi-player mode. You’ll have two options:

  • Monkey Smash: Face off in a battle-to-the-death mode where winning is all about being the last Kong standing.
  • Battle Arena: Climb to the top or knock down your opponents until only one remains.

Player Options and Controls

Select the character you want to play as and use the controller’s analog stick to determine the movement. The C-buttons are used for Kong-specific actions, such as throwing banana peels (C-up) or striking opponents (C-down) in the Battle Arena and Monkey Smash modes.

Additional Tips to Keep in Mind

  • Two-Player Mode: Although the game supports up to four players, you only need two controllers to unlock the multi-player mode, but all four players, including computer-controlled opponents and friends, will join a single session.
  • No Split-Screen Capabilities: Unlike other gaming titles, Donkey Kong 64 does not employ a split-screen mode when playing with multiple players connected.
  • No online Multiplayer: Don’t expect online multiplayer capabilities here, as the game remains offline, with no chance to play with others over an internet connection.

By gathering a single crown in Donkey Kong 64 and accessing the competition mode through the gameplay menu, unlocking the game’s multiplayer modes becomes accessible. Explore its features and have fun by battling friends and computer- controlled opponents in Monkey Smash and Battle Arena modes as you become the ultimate adventurer in this iconic Nintendo series.

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