You've been scaling the mountain, desperately seeking enlightened chat on the Donkey Kong Universe. Welcome to DK Vine's Kongversation, where we'll teach you the ancient ways of the shared universe of games spinning out of Donkey Kong Country. Well, a quarter-century feels ancient, doesn't it? With modern Donkey Kong masters Rare and Playtonic thriving and the DK brand itself hitting its 40th anniversary this year, the Kongversation will impart to you the wisdom of Donkey Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Dinosaur Planet, Yooka-Laylee, Sea of Thieves, Everwild, and more! Your first lesson begins now: SUBSCRIBE! © 2021 File Two Productions.
The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion podcast is a must-listen for fans of Donkey Kong, Rare games, and the overall Donkey Kong universe. Hosted by the passionate and knowledgeable duo of Chad and Hyle, this podcast offers a deep dive into the world of these iconic games.
One of the best aspects of The Kongversation podcast is the genuine passion and enthusiasm that Chad and Hyle bring to each episode. As long-time fans themselves, their love for Donkey Kong and Rare games shines through in their discussions. They provide insightful analysis, share interesting trivia, and offer unique perspectives on various aspects of the games. Their deep knowledge and appreciation for the Donkey Kong universe make for engaging and enjoyable conversations.
Another highlight is the chemistry between Chad and Hyle. Their dynamic banter adds an entertaining element to the podcast, making it feel like you're listening to friends catching up on their favorite games. Their lighthearted approach and humor create a fun atmosphere that keeps listeners engaged.
However, it's worth noting that some listeners may find the occasional use of inappropriate language or topics off-putting. While there has been an improvement in recent episodes to keep the show cleaner, it may still be a deterrent for those seeking a more family-friendly podcast experience.
In conclusion, The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion podcast is a delightful listen for fans of Donkey Kong, Rare games, and anyone interested in diving deeper into these beloved franchises. With its passionate hosts, engaging discussions, and humorous tone, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective on the world of Donkey Kong. While it may not be suitable for all audiences due to occasional mature content, it remains one of the best podcasts out there for those who appreciate the nostalgia and charm of Rareware games.
The Kongversation takes a brief vacation from the Donkey Kong Bananza hype to focus on another 3D platformer coming out in 2025: Yooka-Replaylee! It's been some time since we caught up with Playtonic's enhanced remaster, so we discuss all of the additions, improvements, and surprises announced thus far! Plus: Is there room in our hearts for both Bananza and Replaylee?
The DKU Draft is back, but doubled up with a twist! Hyle, Jeff, and Mitchell are once again drafting 15 games from across the shared universe of Donkey Kong and Rare... but all 15 games drafted last year are now off the table! Which also-rans will comprise the Second Bananas? Then, who will be picked when the three teams also draft 15 CHARACTERS from the DKU?
The beloved setting of Donkey Kong Country 3 and Donkey Kong Land III, the Northern Kremisphere, appears on the Fossil Maps in Donkey Kong Bananza. Naturally, we have quite a bit to say about this. How far will we dig into the possible implications?
The Kongversation takes listener calls about Donkey Kong Bananza! From excitement to concern, Hyle and Cameron dig deep to address some of the hottest-button Bananza issues in DK fandom!
Trying to peel away from Donkey Kong Bananza, the Kongversation finally discusses Mario Kart World in length! But we are the Kongversation, so we're addressing all of the Donkey Kong stuff in the game. Namely, how World seems to finally be hitting the gas to actually be competitive with Diddy Kong Racing, our thoughts on new and returning DK-related tracks, and how we think the other Kongs will eventually show up!
A couple of days after Donkey Kong Bananza's reveal, Hyle and Josh sit down to discuss their in-depth thoughts on the first new, standalone Donkey Kong in 11 years, the first new 3D Donkey Kong in 25 years, and the beginning of Donkey Kong's new era under Nintendo EPD!
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Malik discuss their initial thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World... and the reveal of Nintendo EPD's long-in-development Donkey Kong game!
Sea of Thieves: Season 14 was all about MAKING MISCHIEF! From waddling around as barrels (like Klobbers in the Donkey Kong) to sneaking around (like the Sneak King in the Burger King), Hyle and Jeff recap the tumultuous, sometimes messy, often confusing, but otherwise delightful capper to Rare's 2024!
The Donkey Kong Country version of Donkey Kong, along with Diddy Kong, crossed over with Tetris for the very first in either franchise's history back in February with Tetris 99's 45th MAXIMUS CUP event. Was a complete Kongo Jungle reimagining of the classic puzzle game enough to finally convert Hyle... or at least convince him that it's nearly as good as It's Mr Pants?
Based on his appearance in the upcoming Mario Kart game for the Switch 2, as well as a new range of merchandise, it appears that Donkey Kong's design is being updated in the games. Specifically, to the design first seen in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. But put your mass hysteria about the death of Donkey Kong Country aside! DK Vine breaks down why DK's supporting cast is safe, why this is still our same guy, and why this can only mean good things for the future of the franchise!
The Kongversation is returning with the return RETURN to Returns! Donkey Kong Country Returns HD arrived in mid-January 2025 on the Nintendo Switch while riding a wave of unprecedented momentum for the Donkey Kong series. Still, the port is not without its controversies. Is Returns HD the definitive version of the thrice-released adventure?
Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, the Kongversation's season ends with our annual New Year's Forecast! Hyle and Dustin look ahead to what 2025 has in store for the DKU across Playtonic, Rare, and Nintendo! Hyle also finally goes too far and turns the entire F-Zero fandom against him, so that's fun.
In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, you could obtain a hood ornament called "The Spirit of Pants". But on this episode of the Kongversation, we argue that Mr. Pants is the true spirit of Rare. Honoring 20 years of the greatest puzzle game of all time, Hyle and Freezer examine the in-universe history of Rare's underwear mogul and television presenter who's appeared and been alluded to across their shared universe!
2004 was a year in flux for Donkey Kong as the franchise swung between its past and future, with one of the most memorable and successful new releases of the year being... Donkey Kong Country 2? Hyle and Cameron break down the brilliant, thrilling, surprising, and occasionally infuriating changes the Game Boy Advance remake made to the beloved adventure on Crocodile Isle!
The Geek Critique returns to the Kongversation to help Hyle grapple with a newly relevant question now that Banjo-Tooie is on Nintendo Switch Online: What is it about the game that's historically kept it from clicking with fans of even the original Banjo-Kazooie, or inspired rabid devotion that eclipses all else? With NSO making it easier than ever to get into it and helping to mitigate the issues for the former, Hyle believes he has an answer for the latter. Banjo-Tooie is the ultimate game for Rare sickos!
All three Donkey Kong Land games have finally arrived on Nintendo Switch Online! Hyle and Malik discuss why these counterparts to the classic Donkey Kong Country titles are so important to DK fanatics of the 1990s, then share some obscure or little-discussed Donkey Kong Land trivia!
Donkey Kong 64 turned 25 years old on November 22, 2024. Celebrated DK64 fan and annual 101% streamer of the game Courtney joins the show to discuss the Kongs' sole 3D platforming adventure (thus far), the complicated position it holds within the fandom, and how the Donkey Kong 64 Randomizer has breathed life into it for a new generation! (Unlike Wrinkly Kong.)
What made Donkey Kong Country such a unique, groundbreaking cultural event for Nintendo fans in 1994? Yes, it was the graphics, music, sound, and game design. But as Hyle and Dustin argue, it was also the instruction booklet's unique sense of humor. The Kongversation opens up Dan Owsen's manual masterpiece!
Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine on the 30th anniversary of Donkey Kong Country's release in the Americas, Hyle and Malik reflect on three decades of DKC dominance!
The original Donkey Kong Country introduced or reinvented several all-time classic video game characters. But out of the 17 core, singular characters in the game, where do they rank? Hyle and Jeff put the Kongs, Animal Buddies, and Bosses of DKC through Tier Maker to see how they stack up to each other... using only the criteria of their performance and presentation in that very first game!
Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine after the first ever Donkey Kong-themed Nintendo Direct, Hyle and Josh discuss Shigeru Miyamoto's walkabout in Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World!
Escape to a tranquil forested valley in the foothills of Donkey Kong Island. A dense temperate grove of pines, ape-eating plantlife, and cascading lakes of spiders. You don't need to be a vulture to appreciate the culture of the trees and the towns within Vine Valley!
EGX x MCM Comic Con was held in London during the last weekend of October with three big DKU-related panels and playable demos of the upcoming Yooka-Replaylee and Dunk Dunk (also featuring playable Yooka and Laylee). DK Vine correspondent Dray was on the scene and they're now on the Kongversation to talk about the 30 Years of Donkey Kong Country panel, news from Playtonic, and the latest from Rare!
It's the third Mario Party game on the Nintendo Switch. It's the second in a row that excludes Diddy Kong. It's a series that Hyle and David long burned out on. And yet... is it their favorite Mario Party in 25 years? Either they're full of hot air or there's plenty to explore in Super Mario Party Jamboree for even the most jaded Mario Party cynic!
Hyle and Cameron discuss Rare's Craig Duncan's promotion to head of Xbox Game Studios and Joe Neate and Jim Horth's taking over operations at Rare. We also weigh what that means for the future of the studio and its beloved properties!
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several days, you know that Banjo-Tooie is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. Hyle and Dustin discuss the surprising announcement that took Rare and DKU fandom off-guard and also what this means for the rest of Rare's Nintendo library!
Was the long-awaited return of Captain Flameheart in Sea of Thieves a flaming inferno or but a smoldering cinder? Hyle and Jeff discuss Season 13 of Sea of Thieves, which saw the inclusion of the Burning Blade World Event, Skeleton Camps, and... Ellie the elephant? Just a little clickbait for the algorithm there. We're having a good time.
DK Vine has not been to the new Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan. But we have plenty to SAY about the new Nintendo Museum! Specifically, all of the surprising Donkey Kong Universe inclusions and references found within its two stories... including Diddy Kong Racing and Banjo-Kazooie!
20 years later, Hyle and Dustin PANsplain the DK Bongos and the Donkey Kong series' brief but defining turn toward rhythm games with the Spotlight episode on the original Donkey Konga!
In the first Kongversation "Game Pitch" episode, Hyle, Jeff, and Dustin lay out their unified vision for a new Donkey Kong-related title that would propel a once-forgotten supporting character with renewed cultural cache to unimagined heights: Swanky Kong's Pizza Buffet!
Hyle and Malik bid fair winds to Stinky Ape Summer 2024 with a LIVE Talk Like a Pirate Day episode! First broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, it's a discussion on every single pirate Kremling from off of Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong Land 2. Why are the Kremling Kuthroats the best video game antagonists in history?
Super Mario Party Jamboree was playable at PAX West, which coincided with the announcement that Pauline would be making her Mario Party debut in the game. Coincidentally, DK Vine's resident Pauline simp was on hand to give us some show floor first impressions!
It's Mr. Machacek! Rare's longest-tenured employee joins the Kongversation to trade in the QA for some Q and As and discuss his storied career. From programming Donkey Kong Land and It's Mr Pants to devising Stop 'N' Swop across Rare's N64 titles, we get to the heart (and into the pants) of some long-standing rumors and misconceptions from the last 36 years!
Leave it to the Kongversation to spend three hours talking about the beaver. The Gnawty, that is. The very first enemy seen in the Donkey Kong Country series. A hapless rodent for all seasons in Banjo-Kazooie! And a right bother in Donkey Kong 64. Are Gnawties iconic, or are they just a dam joke?
It's DK Vine's silver jubilee! First broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine on August 22, 2024, Hyle and Mitchell reflect on how a Donkey Kong and Rare website founded in 1999 has stubbornly refused to die. Featuring messages from the DK Vine staff and friends of the show, it's a celebration of the enduring power and communal bonds of fandom!
To better understand where Conker ended up, we need to first understand where he came from. Hyle and Dustin explore his hometown of Willow Woods, as seen in Conker's Pocket Tales, and piece together how it fits in with the lands of Bad Fur Day and the rest of the Donkey Kong Universe!
30 years ago, an iconic video game character was born in the English Midlands, becoming Rare's breakout star and growing to be an adopted Nintendo mainstay standing alongside their homegrown favorites. Hyle and Cameron discuss the design evolution of Diddy Kong, from his earliest days as a new look for Donkey Kong Jr. to his status as a Video Game Hero today!
Hyle and Jeff "Listup" their top 10 Donkey Kong Universe games! Which elite titles from the past 30 years made their lists? Why did some controversial picks make the cut, while some widely beloved entries fail to reach the tiptop of the Tiptup? Hopefully, neither of the hosts is too Tanktup to make their case!
Which period of time is the least discussed from the height of Donkey Kong Country Mania? The months before Donkey Kong Country Mania! The Kongversation goes back 30 years to the summer of 1994 when Nintendo of America announced DKC, and their whole new attitude, to the world at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show!
Season of Thieves: Season 12 introduced new tools and mechanics, some a long time coming, that further evolved Rare's bestselling pirate adventure. However, as the gameplay possibilities expanded, the game's narrative integrity degraded. Welcome to the Sea of Thieves season where ghost parents used a magic sword off-screen to remember their daughter's arm!
Expresso the ostrich has never reached the stature of Rambi, Squawks, or Enguarde in the menagerie of Animal Buddies in the Donkey Kong series. But he's come close. And despite being mostly known for the original Donkey Kong Country, he's had one of the more diverse and storied careers out of not just the Buddies, but all DK characters! The Kongversation explores the adventures of Expresso: the journey into the clouds of Donkey Kong Land, participating in underground Kremling ostrich racing, and that time he wound up in the Banjo-Kazooie series!
The Donkey Kong Universe has been in a severe game drought since 2019, but it's been even longer if you've been counting since the last original, standalone Donkey Kong game (10 years) or the last Banjo-Kazooie title (16 years). How does a diehard fanatic of any or all of these franchises cope? Hyle is joined by Josh Wallen from off of the Geek Critique to discuss historical methods he's used in the off-months in the 1990s, as well as highlighting some modern games that might quench your thirst!
We answer some of the calls we've received on the DK Vine Hotline (1-202-630-VINE) over the summer game announcement season concerning Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Yooka-Replaylee, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and more!
Celebrating 20 years, Rare's overlooked and underappreciated Game Boy Advance gem Sabre Wulf followed up Sabreman's revival in Banjo-Tooie with a sprawling, innovative adventure unlike anything else in the GBA library. Hyle is joined by gaming collector and handheld aficionado Freezer to discuss one of the DKU's more obscure branches!
The Kongversation explores Forever Entertainment S.A., the mysterious studio behind the mask of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD!
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Dustin discuss today's Nintendo Direct and the surprisingly logical decision it announced: the definitive version of Donkey Kong Country Returns!
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle is joined by the Cartoon Gamer for a robust and lively chat on all things Yooka-Replaylee, Playtonic's recently announced enhanced remaster of the original Yooka-Laylee!
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, DK Vine discusses the 2024 Xbox Showcase! While lacking any grand Banjo-Kazooie revival announcement or even an update on Everwild, we did get the expected Sea of Thieves trailer... and the surprise trailer for another long-awaited Rare franchise reboot.
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, DK Vine kicks off its Stinky Ape Summer by discussing what's possibly on deck concerning Rare and Donkey Kong in the upcoming game showcases from Xbox and Nintendo... and what was just revealed by Playtonic in the form of Yooka-Replaylee!
Diddy Kong Racing upended Donkey Kong Country fandom in 1997 by setting itself up as a backdoor pilot for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie and Conker franchises. This created a lot of expectations for the rest of the cast. Hyle and Jeff reflect on all of the Diddy Kong Racing spinoffs we wanted... and some that came close to existing!
The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, which received a Nintendo Switch remake earlier this year, has turned 20! While controversial within corners of the Donkey Kong fandom, the series has endured for two decades with numerous sequels. Resident Mario vs. Donkey Kong enthusiast I.M. Gibbon joins noted skeptic Hyle to discuss the history of Donkey Kong Arcade Era revivals, how it led us here, and the game's unique place in both the Mario and DK franchises!
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