Who owns Donkey Kong?

Who Owns Donkey Kong?

Donkey Kong, a beloved video game franchise, has been a part of many gamers’ lives for decades. The question of who owns Donkey Kong has been a topic of interest for many fans and enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the history of Donkey Kong and explore who owns the rights to this iconic franchise.

History of Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, a renowned Japanese video game designer, and was first released in 1981 by Nintendo. The game was an instant success, and its popularity led to the creation of numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise. Donkey Kong’s success can be attributed to its unique gameplay, charming characters, and the rivalry between Donkey Kong and Mario, the iconic plumber.

Who Owns Donkey Kong?

The rights to Donkey Kong are owned by Nintendo, a Japanese multinational video game company. Nintendo retains the rights to all Donkey Kong characters, games, and merchandise. However, in 1984, Rare, a British video game development company, developed and published Donkey Kong Country, a platformer game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). This game was a commercial success and led to the creation of several sequels.

Rare’s Involvement

Rare’s involvement with Donkey Kong was significant, as they developed and published several games in the franchise. However, in 2002, Rare was acquired by Microsoft, and their rights to the Donkey Kong franchise were transferred to Nintendo. This meant that Nintendo retained the rights to all Donkey Kong games, characters, and merchandise.

Donkey Kong’s Family Tree

Donkey Kong’s family tree is a complex one, with multiple characters and storylines. Here is a brief overview:

• Donkey Kong: The main character of the franchise, Donkey Kong is a giant ape who has been a part of numerous games.
• Cranky Kong: Donkey Kong’s father, Cranky Kong is a recurring character in the franchise.
• Diddy Kong: Donkey Kong’s sidekick and protégé, Diddy Kong has appeared in numerous games.
• Kremlings: The main antagonists of the Donkey Kong franchise, the Kremlings are a group of crocodilian creatures.
• Taj: A minor character in the franchise, Taj is a Kremling who has appeared in several games.

Donkey Kong’s Age

Donkey Kong’s age is not explicitly stated in any game or official media. However, in the animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Donkey Kong is depicted as being around 23 years old.

Donkey Kong’s Ending

Donkey Kong, the original 1981 game, has no official ending. A programming glitch causes the game to end abruptly when the timer runs out on the 22nd level.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Nintendo owns the rights to Donkey Kong, including all characters, games, and merchandise. Rare’s involvement with the franchise was significant, but their rights were transferred to Nintendo in 2002. Donkey Kong’s family tree is complex, with multiple characters and storylines. The franchise has been a part of gaming culture for decades, and its iconic characters and gameplay continue to entertain gamers of all ages.

References

• [1] "Donkey Kong" Wikipedia page
• [2] "Rare" Wikipedia page
• [3] "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" Wikipedia page
• [4] "Donkey Kong" Nintendo website