Editing Donkey Kong (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}
{{disambig2|Donkey Kong's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Donkey Kong}}
{{Infobox Character
|name = Donkey Kong
|image = [[File:Donkey Kong SSBM.jpg]]
|symbol = preBrawl
|game = SSBM
|ssbgame1 = SSB
|ssbgame2 = SSBB
|ssbgame3 = SSB4
|ssbgame4 = SSBU
|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]
|tier = C-
|tierPAL = F
|ranking = 16
|rankingPAL = 17
}}
'''Donkey Kong''' ({{ja|ドンキーコング|Donkī Kongu}}, ''Donkey Kong''), shortened as '''DK''' on the [[victory screen]] and [[character select screen]], is a [[default character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. He returns from the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', but with faster moves and agility, as well as an improved recovery.

Donkey Kong's voice consists of modified stock animal grunts and roars, similar to his sounds in ''Super Smash Bros.'' newcomer {{SSBM|Bowser}} also uses stock sounds, but they are different from Donkey Kong's.

Donkey Kong is currently 16th out of 26 on the tier list, placing him in the C- tier. This is a moderate improvement to his previous placement in ''Smash 64'', where he was ranked 9th out of 12. Donkey Kong, being a [[heavyweight|superheavyweight]], has great endurance, powerful [[attack]]s, and long [[range]]. Donkey Kong is unusually [[speed|agile]] for his weight class, and most of his attacks are similarly swift. His solid mobility and range facilitates very long and incredibly damaging [[combo]]s, which sometimes even result in [[Zero-to-death combo|zero-to-deaths]]. Donkey Kong also wields a very fast [[Out of shield|out-of-shield]] option with [[Spinning Kong]]. This combined with his marvelous combos give Donkey Kong a devastating punish game.

Donkey Kong, however, is himself vulnerable to combos just as lethal as his own due to his large size and high falling speed, and his [[recovery]], while covering a vast  horizontal distance, fails to gain much height and offers few ways to mix up an [[edgeguarding]] opponent. 

Though considered a mediocre character for most of ''Melee'' history, Donkey Kong received significant metagame developments in the 2020s, leading to a renaissance period spearheaded by {{Sm|Junebug}}, and is now seen by many as an adequate choice in competitive play.

==Attributes==
Donkey Kong has surprisingly high speed for a character of his power and weight class. In raw characteristics, Donkey Kong boasts a fast walking speed, above-average running speed, high air speed, and high falling speed (though unlike other fast-fallers, Donkey Kong's gravity is average as opposed to above-average, with him having the lowest gravity value amongst the fast-fallers; he shares the same fall speed as the significantly lighter {{SSBM|Roy}}), aspects that lead to a short wavedash, but an average [[SHFFL]], and long, safe [[dash dance]].

Owing to his relatively high speed, Donkey Kong possesses an incredible combo game. On the ground, Donkey Kong's various tilts are all fast and can be used to start aerial combos, and in the air, Donkey Kong's fast, low-lag neutral, up, and back aerial attacks can allow him to continue attacking enemies with little penalty against him; adding to this, his high air speed can allow him to pursue enemies that have been popped up into the air. Arguably his most important combo tool, however, consists of his throwing game; despite a below-average grab range, Donkey Kong's various throws have low-knockback and low ending lag, making them excellent combo starting tools. His forward throw, known as the "cargo throw" or "cradle", is especially useful, due to its ability to easily combo into his practical air options. While carrying his opponent, Donkey Kong is free to move around the stage, allowing him to move to areas where he can more easily combo his opponents without interference from platforms or other hazards. He can also use this feature of the cargo throw to either perform a [[sacrificial KO]] by walking off the edge of the stage after cradling an enemy or throwing the enemy underneath the stage to [[stage spike]] them.

As expected for a character of his weight class, Donkey Kong also has a plethora of powerful attack options in addition to his faster, weaker offerings. All of his smash attacks can cover significant distances away from him, as well as packing significant power in order to KO opponents. Three of his aerials (back, down and forward) can be potent finishers to complement his aerial game, and his [[Giant Punch]] can easily be one of the most powerful attacks in the game if landed, though it does require a particularly good read or combo in order to be most effective.

Due to being a heavyweight with a high falling speed, Donkey Kong owns a below-average recovery. While these traits make Donkey Kong highly resilient to the upper blast line, Donkey Kong's survivability on all other blast lines is poor. [[Spinning Kong]] grants above average horizontal distance, but poor height, making [[meteor smash]]es and [[spike]]s extremely powerful against him. Owing to a lack of other options concerning his recovery, this also means that he has very poor recovery options compared to other characters; none of his specials other than Spinning Kong can reduce his falling speed to benefit recovery distance, and he cannot wall jump or use any other tactics in conjunction with Spinning Kong, and as such, he is simple to edgeguard.

Much like fellow heavyweight Bowser, Donkey Kong's various attributes can also make him very easy to combo. In addition to having among the largest raw hurtbox sizes in the game, Donkey Kong's high falling speed and weight make it easy for characters to [[chain throw]] him, as well as combo him in the air. Compounding this is Donkey Kong's poor defensive game; a large hurtbox (including a tie hurtbox) causes him to have a small [[shield]] that can easily make him vulnerable to [[shield stabbing]], and his lack of a projectile can discourage him from approaching enemies that own one. Nevertheless, in the right hands, he can be a force to be reckoned with.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
Donkey Kong has received a large mix of buffs and nerfs in his transition from ''Smash 64'' to ''Melee''. However, whether he was buffed or nerfed overall is debatable since the nerfs and buffs he received were both significant. While he has lost his previously abusable grab release, the generally faster falling speeds have given DK a new type of chaingrab against fast-falling opponents, particularly with his newly buffed cargo throw, and his new up and down throws. However, his reach has been reduced (though it remains among the best) and his power is lower as well, but many of his attacks are faster to execute. He is also more vulnerable to combos due to his faster falling speed and his overall endurance is much worse due to him being much lighter.

Regardless, Donkey Kong ranks better relative to the cast in ''Melee'' than he does in ''SSB64'', now ranking 16th out of 26 characters rather than 9th out of 12. Due to the faster mechanics, however, other characters have been given buffs in varying degrees, which has resulted in Donkey Kong still struggling to make a presence in high-level tournaments.

===Aesthetics===
*{{change|The graphical upgrades of the Nintendo GameCube give Donkey Kong a more proportionate build. His fur is more detailed and has a more pronounced muscular physique. He now resembles [[mariowiki:File:Donkey3.jpg|his appearance]] in artwork for ''{{iw|mariowiki|Donkey Kong 64}}''.}}
*{{change|Donkey Kong's hair color on his default costume is now a darker shade of brown.}}
*{{change|His other costumes have different ties to them (black has blue; red has a slightly darker blue than the black costume; blue has purple; and green has a red tie that is very similar to the original costume, but is a little darker).}}
*{{change|The voice clips when Donkey Kong taunts and is KO'd in ''Smash 64'' are switched in ''Melee''. His voice clips are also retained from the previous game, though with better quality.}}
*{{change|Donkey Kong always faces the screen when he taunts, regardless of which direction he is currently facing.}}
**{{nerf|Donkey Kong does not move as far into the Z axis when taunting removing his head's ability to avoid projectiles.}}
*{{change|Donkey Kong's green alternate costume is now available for Free-for-all, instead of being exclusive to Team Battle. The costume also uses his normal skin color, as opposed to being green like in ''Smash 64''.}}
*{{change|Donkey Kong has a new [[helpless]] animation.}}

===Attributes===
*{{buff|Donkey Kong [[walk]]s much faster (0.8533 (25.6) → 1.2), going from the 3rd slowest out of 12 characters to the 6th fastest out of 26.}}
*{{nerf|Donkey Kong's [[initial dash]] is much slower (2 (60) → 1.6) and covers less distance.}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[traction]] is higher (0.0567 (1.7) → 0.08), making it easier for him to punish [[out of shield]].}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[jumpsquat]] is shorter (6 frames → 5).}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[air speed]] has been unchanged (1 (30) → 1). Compared with the returning veterans, however, his air speed is faster, going from the 5th slowest (JPN/US/EUR) / median (AUS) out of 12 characters to the 6th fastest out of 26.}}
*{{nerf|Donkey Kong's [[air acceleration]] is lower (0.0667 (2) → 0.04), although no longer being the slowest.}}
*{{nerf|Donkey Kong [[jump]]s significantly lower (46.1 (1383) → 37.8), although going from the 5th highest out of 12 characters to the 4th highest out of 26.}}
**{{change|Donkey Kong's [[short hop]] is catastrophically lower (34.15533 (1024.66) → 13.6), improves his ability to hit opponents low on the ground with short hop aerials, as well as his ability to quickly land and continue aerial pressure, but also hinders his ability to [[auto-cancel]] his aerials.}}
*{{change|Donkey Kong [[falling speed|fall]]s significantly faster (1.867 (56) → 2.4). This improves his vertical endurance and with the introduction of the SHFFL technique, he can make strong use of the technique due to his falling speed, but also makes him considerably more vulnerable to combos and worsens his already poor vertical recovery.}}
**{{nerf|However, Donkey Kong's [[fast fall]]ing speed has been unchanged (2.967 (89) → 2.96). The difference between his falling speed and fast falling speed is much lower (increase: 58.9% → 23.3%), which makes it more predictable when landing and gives him fewer options in the air.}}
**{{nerf|Considering that Donkey Kong's vertical endurance hasn't significantly improved from ''Smash 64'' due to his significantly lighter weight in ''Melee'', this falling speed increase hurts him overall.}}
*{{nerf|Donkey Kong's landing animation is longer (4 frames → 5).}}
**{{buff|However, his hard landing animation is shorter (8 frames → 5).}}
*{{nerf|Donkey Kong is catastrophically [[weight|lighter]] (138.095238 (0.84, JPN) / 140.963855 (0.83, NA/AUS/EUR) → 114), which drastically hinders his endurance, while still being just as vulnerable to combos as before due to his increased falling speed.}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong can throw heavy items ([[Crate]]s, [[Barrel]]s, [[Barrel Cannon]]s and [[Party Ball]]s) above and below him, which he could not do in ''Smash 64''. He also walks slightly faster and gains small amounts of [[armor]] when carrying them.}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong's new [[ground release]] animation is 10 frames shorter compared to the rest of the cast giving him a 10 frame advantage when being grab released on the ground.}}
*{{buff|Donkey Kong can now [[glide toss]] although his glide toss is fairly short.}}

===Ground attacks===
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{buff|Both hits of neutral attack have gained an additional hitbox; increasing their range.}}
**{{buff|The second hit has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 6-11 → 5-11).}}
**{{buff|The second hit deals more damage (4% → 6%).}}
**{{nerf|The first hit of neutral attack has a shorter duration (frames 5-8 → 5-7).}}
**{{nerf|The second hit has slightly higher ending lag (FAF 34 → 35).}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|Donkey Kong has a new forward tilt: an open outward hand swat. It has less startup (frame 12 → 8) and ending lag (FAF 43 → 34) compared to the previous forward tilt.}}
**{{nerf|Forward tilt deals less damage (13% (up)/12% (forward)/11% (down) → 11%/10%/9%) without full compensation on its base knockback (0 → 10) hindering its KO potential.}}
***{{buff|The move's higher base knockback combined with its lower ending lag makes it slightly less punishable on hit at lower percents.}}
**{{nerf|Forward tilt has a shorter duration (frames 12-17 → 8-11).}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt has significantly reduced ending lag (FAF 60 → 40).}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt has more startup lag with a much shorter duration (frames 4-23 → 6-11).}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt deals less damage (13% → 11%/10%/9%) and knockback (10 (base), 130 (scaling) → 40/(105/110/115)).}}
***{{buff|Up tilt's higher base knockback combined with its lower ending lag makes the move much safer on hit at lower percents no longer being dangerously punishable.}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt has less range.}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Down tilt has less startup lag (frame 11 → 6).}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has a shorter duration (frames 11-16 → 6-9).}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has more ending lag (FAF 22 → 23) now having 13 frames of cooldown (as opposed to 5).}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage (8% → 7%) and has decreased base knockback (30 → 10).}}
***{{nerf|When combined with its increased ending lag (and the changes to shields), this means that the move no longer gives DK frame advantage on shield or even on hit at lower percents; making it more punishable and greatly hindering its setup potential.}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{buff|Dash attack has less ending lag (FAF 71 → 55).}}
**{{buff|Dash attack now has a clean hit and a late hit with the clean hit dealing more knockback (120 (set), 100 (scaling) → 115 (base)/15).}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 3-26 → 9-12 (clean)/13-20 (late)).}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack deals less damage (12% → 11% (clean), 9% (late).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Donkey Kong has a new forward smash: Donkey Kong performs a powerful clap in front of him. It has less startup (frame 27 → 22) and a shorter total duration (FAF 60 → 55) compared to the previous forward smash.}}
**{{change|Forward smash no longer deals consistent damage (20% → 20%/21% (hands/arms), 19%/18% (body)).}}
***{{buff|This makes the sweetspot on his arms slightly stronger.}}
***{{nerf|However, this makes the near hitboxes weaker.}}
**{{nerf|New forward smash has less range.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash deals less knockback (20 (base), 100 (scaling) → 22/94 (hands/arms), 18/100 (body)).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has a shorter duration (frames 27-32 → 22-23) giving it more ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash can no longer be angled.}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{buff|Up smash has less startup lag (frame 16 → 14), ending lag (FAF 60 → 54) and DK's hands gain intangibility sooner (frame 14 → 12).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has less range.}}
**{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (21% → 18%) and has decreased knockback scaling (100 → 93) hindering its KO potential.}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Donkey Kong has a new down smash: He holds up his arms and punches downwards in a 90° angle, with a sweetspot hitbox located in his hands. It has less startup (frame 12 → 10) and ending lag (FAF 70 → 56) compared to his old down smash.}}
**{{buff|Down smash sends opponents at a more favorable angle (60° → 115° (hands)/98° (arms)).}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has a much shorter duration (frames 12-31 → 10-13).}}
**{{nerf|Down smash deals less damage (19% → 16% (hands)/14% (arms) with only a slight increase to its base knockback (30 → 35).}}

===Aerial attacks===
*{{nerf|Neutral, forward and down aerials all [[auto-cancel]] later (frame 30 → 39 (neutral), frame 36 → 60 (forward), frame 30 → 50 (down)) and can no longer auto-cancel in a short hop.}}
**{{nerf|When combined with the weakening of [[L-canceling]] and the changes to shields, this considerably hinders the combo and shield pressuring potential of all of DK's aerials.}}
*{{buff|Back and up aerials auto-cancel earlier (frame 36 → 20 (back), frame 21 → 13 (up)).}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 39).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-29 → 10-26).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more landing lag (16 frames → 20).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial deals less damage (15% → 12% (clean), 12% → 10% (late)) hindering its KO potential.}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{change|Forward aerial now has an early hit and a late hit. The early hit functions identically to the previous arm hitboxes while the late hit is a meteor smash like the previous hand hitbox albeit with some changes.}}
**{{buff|The late hit has altered knockback compared to the previous meteor smash hitbox (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 50/80) making it stronger overall especially at lower percents.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has significantly increased startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 8-15 → 25-26 (clean)/27-29 (late)) becomming realisticly reactable.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a new animation which is longer than the previous one (49 frames → 59). This increases the move's total duration (FAF 50 → 60) as well as the amount of time the move cannot auto-cancel and the amount of time DK cannot grab the ledge after using the move.}}
***{{buff|However, the move has less ending lag overall due to its increased startup lag (now having 30 frames of cooldown instead of 34).}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has double the amount of landing lag (15 frames → 30).}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial no longer has an initial or a late auto-cancel window. As a result, the move will not auto-cancel until its animation has finished which removes the move's ability to auto-cancel while the hitboxes are out and generally makes the move much worse upon landing when combined with its higher landing lag.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has less range.}}
**{{nerf|The late hit's angle has been altered, now sending opponents straight down (-70° → 270°). When combined with the aforementioned changes to its landing lag as well as the weakening of L-canceling and the introduction of [[meteor canceling]]; this significantly hinders the move's utility on stage as well as its reliability off stage.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{buff|Donkey Kong has a new back aerial, he kicks backwards with his right foot. It has slightly reduced startup lag (frame 8 → 7), and much less ending lag (FAF 60 → 32).}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial has a much shorter duration (frames 8-13 (clean)/14-35 (late) → 7-8/9-15).}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial has less range especially vertically.}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage (15% → 13% (clean), 10% → 9% (late)).}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{buff|Donkey Kong has a new up aerial: a swinging headbutt. This new up aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 38).}}
**{{buff|Up aerial has less landing lag (41 frames → 25).}}
**{{buff|Up aerial hits above DK sooner.}}
**{{buff|Up aerial deals more damage (12% → 14%) and has increased knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 32/90), making it much more useful at lower percents as well as improving its KO potential.}}
**{{change|Up aerial's angle has been altered (110° → 90°).}}
***{{buff|This improves its KO potential as well as its ability to lead into itself.}}
***{{nerf|However, this hinders its combo potential into DK's horizontal moves as well as its set up potential.}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has significantly reduced range.}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has more startup lag with a much shorter duration (frames 3-20 → 6-8).}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{change|Donkey Kong has a new down aerial: he slams down his right foot.}}
**{{buff|Down aerial deals more damage (13% (clean), 10% (late) → 16% (foot), 13% (body)) and has increased base knockback (15 → 38/20).}}
**{{buff|Down aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 55) and landing lag (41 frames → 31).}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has significantly increased startup lag (frame 6 → 18).}}
***{{nerf|Down aerial has a much shorter duration due to no longer having a late hit (frames 6-29 → 18-23).}}
***{{nerf|Despite the removal of the late hit, down aerial still has a weaker sourspot which is situated on Donkey Kong's body.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial's angle has been altered (-90° → 270°) which along with the introduction of meteor-canceling; significantly hinders its reliability.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has less range.}}

===Throws/other attacks===
*[[Grab]]s:
**{{buff|As with all returning veterans, DK now has a pummel, up throw and down throw giving him more options out of a grab.}}
**{{nerf|DK's grab range was reduced, going from the longest non-tether grab in ''Smash 64'' to below average in ''Melee''. His grabs also have more startup lag (frame 6 → 8 (standing), 10 (dash)) and ending lag (FAF 16 → 31 (standing), 41 (dash)).}}
*[[Forward throw]] (cargo throw):
**{{nerf|DK's opponent will no longer take damage when he picks them up with forward throw (6% → 0%).}}
**{{buff|DK's opponent will now take 10% if they escape from his forward throw.}}
***{{nerf|However, Donkey Kong himself will also take 10% damage if the opponent escapes from his forward throw.}}
**{{nerf|Due to DK's worse grab combined with the universally increased falling speeds, DK's [[Infinite throw trap]] has effectively been removed.}}
**{{buff|DK has received a (separate) back throw, an up throw and a down throw from his forward throw, giving DK more options to combo or KO.}}
**{{nerf|The introduction of wall [[tech]]ing has significantly hindered forward throw's stage spiking capabilities.}}
***{{nerf|Additionally due to DK's increased falling speed and worse vertical recovery, he can no longer recover from stage spiking his opponent unless they hit him.}}
**Cargo forward throw:
***{{change|DK releases opponents earlier from Cargo forward throw (frame 18 → 15).}}
***{{nerf|Cargo forward throw deals less knockback (70 (base), 80 (scaling) → 80/50) and sends opponents at a less favorable angle (45° → 55°).}}
*[[Back throw]]:
**{{change|Back throw is now weight dependent.}}
**{{nerf|Back throw deals less damage (18% → 10%) and knockback (80 (base), 70 (scaling) → 60/65) drastically hindering its KO potential (no longer being the strongest back throw).}}
**{{nerf|DK releases opponents later from back throw (frame 9 → 14) and it has much more ending lag (FAF 22 → 40).}}
*[[Edge attack]]s:
**{{buff|Under 100% edge attack has a new animation. This animation decreases its ending lag (FAF 60 → 55) and allows the move to hit opponents that are standing directly near the ledge.}}
**{{buff|Under 100% edge attack deals 2% more damage (6% → 8%).}}
**{{nerf|Under 100% edge attack has less intangibility (frames 1-10 → 1-5), a shorter duration (frames 9-18 → 9-16) and slightly less range.}}
**{{buff|Over 100% edge attack has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 49-54 → 37-50), less ending lag (FAF 90 → 70), more range and deals 4% more damage (6% → 10%).}}
**{{nerf|Over 100% edge attack has less intangibility (frames 1-50 → 1-34).}}
**{{nerf|Edge attacks have less set knockback (100 → 90).}}

===Special moves===
*[[Giant Punch]]:
**{{change|Giant Punch now has a new animation: Donkey Kong winds up his fist back instead of merely behind himself, and now performs the attack with his left arm.}}
**{{buff|Giant Punch charges faster (139 frames → 127) as DK reaches full charge with one less wind.}}
**{{buff|DK can now immediately perform uncharged Giant Punch without winding it up reducing its startup lag (frame 29 → 25).}}
**{{buff|Giant Punch has a longer duration when uncharged (frames 10-12 → 17 (back hit)/18-21 (front hit)).}}
**{{change|Uncharged Giant Punch has a new hitbox behind DK's arm which deals vertical knockback (361° → 80°).}}
**{{buff|Giant Punch has much less ending lag regardless of charge (FAF 81 → 45).}}
**{{buff|DK no longer has to windup his fully charged Giant Punch decreasing its startup lag (frame 23 → 17).}}
***{{nerf|However, this means that DK can no longer shield before using his fully charged Giant Punch to protect himself and still maintain the charge.}}
**{{nerf|Giant Punch has less range.}}
**{{nerf|Uncharged Giant Punch has more startup lag when released (frame 10 → 17).}}
**{{nerf|Giant Punch deals less damage when uncharged (14%-32% → 10%-30%) without full compensation on its base knockback (0 → 15).}}
**{{nerf|Fully charged Giant Punch now has a vertical hitting sourspot (361° → 80°) behind DK's arm which deals drastically lower damage (36% → 18% (grounded), 16% (aerial), and its knockback was barely increased (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 40/90). This drastically hinders its KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|Fully charged Giant Punch deals much less damage (36% → 30% (grounded), 27% (aerial), and knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 10/90) hindering its KO potential to the point where DK's nine wind Punch is now stronger than the fully charged variant.}}
**{{nerf|Fully charged Giant Punch no longer deals extra shield damage (12 → 0).}}
**{{nerf|Fully charged Giant Punch has a shorter duration (frames 23-30 → 17 (early)/18-21 (clean)).}}
**{{nerf|Giant Punch now leaves DK [[helpless]] when used in the air making it much riskier to use off stage despite its decreased ending lag.}}
*[[Headbutt]]:
**{{change|Donkey Kong now has a side special: Headbutt. It can [[bury]] grounded opponents, meteor smash aerial opponents and also does very high amounts of [[shield damage]].}}
*[[Spinning Kong]]:
**{{buff|Spinning Kong's grounded clean hit no longer has set knockback (100 (set), 120 (scaling) → 60 (base)/100) now being an effective KO move.}}
**{{buff|Late grounded Spinning Kong has altered knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 10/90) making it connect slightly more reliably.}}
**{{buff|Spinning Kong has less ending lag (FAF 100 → 85).}}
**{{buff|Aerial Spinning Kong has less startup lag (frame 3 → 2).}}
**{{buff|Donkey Kong can now grab ledges from behind after using Spinning Kong in the air.}}
**{{buff|Spinning Kong has less landing lag once DK enters free fall (14 frames → 7).}}
**{{change|Mid Spinning Kong has altered knockback (100 (set), 120 (scaling) → 50 (base)/70).}}
***{{buff|This improves its ability to lead into the late hit.}}
***{{nerf|However, this significantly hinders its edgeguarding potential unless at high percents and generally makes the move much more punishable if it connects.}}
**{{change|Aerial Spinning Kong has altered knockback (100 (set), 120 (scaling) → 40 (base)/80).}}
***{{buff|This improves its ability to lead into the late hit.}}
***{{nerf|However, this significantly hinders its edgeguarding potential at lower percents and generally makes the move much more punishable if it connects.}}
**{{change|Aerial Spinning Kong's mid hits deals much less knockback (100 (set), 120 (scaling) → 20 (base)/70) and it has received late hits which deals extremely low damage and knockback.}}
***{{buff|This significantly increases aerial Spinning Kong's maximum damage potential (20% → 33%).}}
***{{nerf|However, this significantly hinders its edgeguarding potential and the late hits can be escaped and punished very easily.}}
**{{nerf|Spinning Kong travels less distance both horizontally and vertically.}}
**{{nerf|Spinning Kong has less intangibility (frames 1-5 (both) → 3-5 (grounded), 2-5 (aerial)) and aerial Spinning Kong grants less intangibility to DK's arms (frames 9-48 → 11-42).}}
**{{nerf|Aerial Spinning Kong deals less damage (12% (clean), 8% (late) → 10%/5%/2%).}}
**{{nerf|Mid Spinning Kong has more startup lag (frame 9 → 19 (grounded), 11 (aerial)).}}
**{{nerf|If DK is hit out of Spinning Kong, he will now lose the charge for his Giant Punch. This only applies in NTSC versions of the game.}}
*[[Hand Slap]]:
**{{change|Hand Slap has a new animation: Donkey Kong now alternates slapping the ground with each hand without hopping, instead of slightly hopping and successively slapping both hands onto the ground as he did in ''Smash 64''.}}
**{{buff|Hand Slap deals more damage (10% → 11%) and shield damage (-4 → 1).}}
**{{buff|Hand Slap's first slap has less startup lag (frame 17 → 6) making the move loop significantly faster despite the loop starting later (frame 37 → 41).}}
***{{change|However, the move's startup animation is longer (2 frames → 13), giving it the same amount of startup lag when initiated.}}
**{{change|Hand Slap has altered knockback (0 (base), 150 (set), 100 (scaling) → 20/110/100 (hit 1), 30/110/100 (hit 2)).}}
**{{change|Hand Slap's angle has been altered (90° → 84°).}}
**{{change|There is a slightly longer gap between the two hand slaps (8 frames → 9).}}
**{{nerf|Hand Slap has lost its intangibility frames during its startup animation.}}
**{{nerf|Hand Slap has decreased range, especially behind DK.}}
**{{nerf|Hand Slap has has a much longer ending animation (5 frames → 20) which along with it looping later, gives it much more ending lag (FAF 42 → 61).}}
***{{nerf|When combined with the introduction of [[DI]] and the universal decrease to hitstun, this significantly hinders Hand Slap's combo potential, removing its ability to set up for easy and consistent KO confirms.}}

==Version history==
Like some other characters, Donkey Kong was slightly altered in the [[PAL]] version of ''Melee''. Donkey Kong received one beneficial change although it is not enough to drastically improve his competitive viability.

'''PAL'''
*{{buff|If Donkey Kong is hit out of Spinning Kong, he will no longer lose the charge for his Giant Punch.}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Donkey Kong's hitboxes, see [[Donkey Kong (SSBM)/Hitboxes|here]].''
[[File:DonkeyKongAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Donkey Kong's aerial attacks]]
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBM
|neutralname=Swipe ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu}}, ''Jab'')<br>Uppercut ({{ja|アッパー|Appā}}, ''Upper'')
|neutralcount=2
|neutral1dmg=4%
|neutral2dmg=6%
|neutraldesc=Performs a quick cross punch followed by an uppercut.
|ftiltname=Backhand Slap ({{ja|	コングアックス|Kongu Akkusu}}, ''Kong Axe'')
|ftiltangles=3
|ftiltupdmg=11%
|ftiltsidedmg=10%
|ftiltdowndmg=9%
|ftiltdesc=Quickly swats his outstretched hand. A good move for [[spacing]]. Can be aimed up or down.
|utiltname=Spider Web Swipe ({{ja|くもの巣はらい|Kumo no Su Harai}}, ''Spider Web Clearing'')
|utiltdmg=9-11%
|utiltdesc=Quickly swipes his hand in the air. A decent [[juggling]] move.
|dtiltname=Slouch Slap ({{ja|足もとビンタ|Ashimoto Binta}}, ''Underfoot Slap'')
|dtiltdmg=7%
|dtiltdesc=Quickly swats his hand across the ground. Very fast with long range.
|dashname=Konga Kick ({{ja|アイアンキック|Aian Kikku}}, ''Iron Kick'')
|dashdmg=11% (clean), 9% (late)
|dashdesc=Skids to a halt and does a side-kick. Has high ending lag and surprisingly short range.
|fsmashname=Kong Klap ({{ja|ダイナクラップ|Daina Kurappu}}, ''Dyna Clap'')
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|20}} (hands), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|21}} (arms), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|19}} (upper body), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}} (lower body)
|fsmashdesc=Performs a very forceful clap in front that deals high knockback. Somewhat fast with low recovery lag.
|usmashname=Ape Applause ({{ja|ジャンボプレス|Janbo Puresu}}, ''Jumbo Press'')
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}}
|usmashdesc=Claps both his hands above his head, dealing good knockback. Somewhat slow, not to mention this will not hit a grounded foe at all. DK's head and both of his arms are [[intangible]] while the hitboxes are active.
|dsmashname=Twin Beat ({{ja|ツインビート|Tsuin Bīto}})
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|16}} (hands), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|14}} (arms)
|dsmashdesc=Does a double back-handed punch by bringing both his fists down 90˚ at both sides. Very fast and deals great vertical knockback.
|nairname=Kong Whirl ({{ja|ドンキーラリアット|Donkī Rariatto}}, ''Donkey Lariat'')
|nairdmg=12% (clean), 10% (late)
|nairdesc=Quickly spins in the air with both of his arms extended. Has quick startup and small ending lag.
|fairname=Hammer Knuckle ({{ja|ハンマーナックル|Hanmā Nakkuru}})
|fairdmg=16%
|fairdesc=Puts his fists together above his head, then does a powerful ax-handle swing downwards. This move can [[meteor smash]] opponents the moment Donkey Kong swings his hands in front of his face. Resembles his midair attack from ''Donkey Kong 64''.
|bairname=Back Kick ({{ja|コングロケット|Kongu Roketto}}, ''Kong Rocket'')
|bairdmg=13% (clean), 9% (late)
|bairdesc=Performs a quick kick directed behind him that lingers briefly. A good [[edgeguarding]] move.
|uairname=Flying Headbutt ({{ja|エアヘッドバット|Ea Heddobatto}}, ''Air Headbutt'')
|uairdmg=14%
|uairdesc=Performs a quick headbutt upwards. Combos into another up aerial. Has a large [[autocancel]] window.
|dairname=Flying Stomp ({{ja|エアスタンピード|Ea Sutanpīdo}}, ''Air Stampede'')
|dairdmg=16% (foot), 13% (body)
|dairdesc=Performs a downward stomp whilst holding his arms up in a macho pose. A [[meteor smash]].
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc= Grabs with both arms. Donkey Kong notably stumbles on one leg during his dash grab.
|pummelname=Jungle Chop ({{ja|つかみチョップ|Tsukami Choppu}}, ''Grab Chop'')
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Karate chops the foe.
|fthrowname=[[Kong Karry]] ({{ja|リフティング|Rifutingu}}, ''Lifting'')
|fthrowdmg=10% (breakout), 8% (forward/backward), 7% (up), 6% (down)
|fthrowdesc=Regardless of the opponent's size, DK heaves the opponent onto his back. Then, he can perform any of the following throws listed below. One side note is that Donkey Kong will receive 10% damage if the opponents breaks free of his grab by [[button mashing]].<br/>
Forward: Tosses opponent forward.<br/>
Back: Tosses opponent behind him.<br/>
Up: Tosses opponent upwards. Its low knockback makes it his main combo throw. Can also chain grab fastfallers.<br/>
Down: Tosses opponent like a bowling ball, similar to Kiddy Kong's throwing animation in ''Donkey Kong Country 3''.
|bthrowname=Donkey Fling ({{ja|ダイレクトスルー|Dairekuto Surū}}, ''Direct Throw'')
|bthrowdmg=11%
|bthrowdesc=Swings his arm back and throws the opponent behind him.
|uthrowname=Coconut Toss ({{ja|ココナッツリフト|Kokonattsu Rifuto}}, ''Coconut Lift'')
|uthrowdmg=9%
|uthrowdesc=Throws foe upwards with one hand. Can [[chaingrab]] fastfallers, much like his cargo up throw.
|dthrowname=Simian Slam ({{ja|パイルドロップ|Pairu Doroppu}}, ''Pile Drop'')
|dthrowdmg=7%
|dthrowdesc=Violently slams the opponent into the ground with one hand. Can chaingrab.
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Gets up and swats both sides of himself.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Jumps on both his hands and kicks backwards then forwards while getting up.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=8%
|edgefdesc=Throws his rear at the opponent. Has huge range for a ledge attack.
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=10%
|edgesdesc=Climbs onto the stage and swats forward.
|nsname=Giant Punch
|nsdmg=12% (uncharged), 18%/30% (fully charged ground), 16%/27% (fully charged air)
|nsdesc=Donkey Kong winds up and thrusts out his arm as a potentially powerful attack. He can swing his arm up to 11 times, with each swing adding 2% damage. The attack itself has good range and decent speed. Donkey Kong will become [[helpless]] whenever he unleashes the punch in the air.
|ssname=Headbutt
|ssdmg=5% (ground), 10% (air)
|ssdesc=Donkey Kong slams his head downward. When performed on the ground, the opponent is [[buried]] and will remain submerged the more damage the opponent has taken. When performed in the air, this attack becomes a meteor smash. This attack can also be used to quickly break shields.
|usname=Spinning Kong
|usdmg=Ground: 12% (startup), 8% (loop early), 3% (loop late)<br/>Air: 10% (startup), 4-5% (loop early), 2% (loop late)
|usdesc=Donkey Kong twirls around like a helicopter, hitting multiple times. Has great horizontal coverage, lacking height. DK's arms are intangible during the first half of the move when used in the air. Has KO potential as a grounded move and an edgeguard. If Donkey Kong is hit during Spinning Kong's animation, his Giant Punch charge will be lost.
|dsname=Hand Slap
|dsdmg=11%
|dsdesc=Donkey Kong delivers an earth-shaking blow to the ground, sending nearby enemies skyward. It has considerable power, consistent and repetitive damage, and a large quake hitbox. This attack has [[Priority#Transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]] and will only hit grounded opponents.
}}

===Stats===
'''NTSC'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 114
|rweight = 2
|dash = 1.6
|rdash = 9
|run = 1.6
|rrun = 8-10
|walk = 1.2
|rwalk = 6-10
|trac = 0.08
|rtrac = 7-13
|airfric = 0.02
|rairfric = 4-9
|air = 1
|rair = 6-9
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.02
|raddaccel = 25
|gravity = 0.1
|rgravity = 12-13
|fall = 2.4
|rfall = 4-5
|ff = 2.96
|rff = 6
|jumpsquat = 5
|rjumpsquat = 16-22
|jumpheight = 37.8
|rjumpheight = 15
|shorthop = 10.66
|rshorthop = 4
|djump = 28.968
|rdjump = 8
|ellag = 5
|rellag = 24-25
}}

'''PAL'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 114
|rweight = 2
|dash = 1.6
|rdash = 9
|run = 1.6
|rrun = 8-10
|walk = 1.2
|rwalk = 6-10
|trac = 0.08
|rtrac = 7-13
|airfric = 0.02
|rairfric = 4-9
|air = 1
|rair = 6-8
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.02
|raddaccel = 25
|gravity = 0.1
|rgravity = 12-13
|fall = 2.4
|rfall = 4-5
|ff = 2.96
|rff = 6
|jumpsquat = 5
|rjumpsquat = 16-22
|jumpheight = 37.8
|rjumpheight = 15
|shorthop = 10.66
|rshorthop = 4
|djump = 28.968
|rdjump = 8
|ellag = 5
|rellag = 24-25
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
[[File:Donkey Kong Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[Taunt]]===
{{Taunt/SSBM|char=DonkeyKong|desc=Looks at the camera, shrugs his shoulders, and then makes a confused noise.}}

===[[Idle pose]]===
{{Idle|desc=Rocks body.|image=Donkey Kong Idle Pose SSBM.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (All versions)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Donkey Kong Cheer SSBM.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Donkey - Kong!
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBM
|victory-theme=DKThemeMelee.ogg
|victory-desc=A flourish originating from ''Donkey Kong Country'' that played whenever a Kong defeated a boss or completed a bonus level.
|desc-1=Does a backflip, flexes his biceps and roars.
|desc-2=Waves his hands in a fist over his head.
|desc-3=Beats his chest and grunts.
|char=DK}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->
:''See also: [[:Category:Donkey Kong players (SSBM)]]''

*{{Sm|BING|USA}} - Came to prominence during the Donkey Kong renaissance and is considered one of the best Donkey Kong players in the world, after Junebug. He was best known for upsetting {{Sm|Cody Schwab}} at {{Trn|Get On My Level X}}, which is considered one of the greatest upsets in ''Melee'' history, and finishing 9th at {{Trn|Nounsvitational 2024}} defeating {{Sm|aMSa}}; he was ranked 36th on the [[SSBMRank 2024]] that year. Outside of those performances, he is known for his regional performances, including winning {{Trn|Float 3}} and defeating several ranked players at these events, such as {{Sm|n0ne}} and {{Sm|Faust}}.
*{{Sm|Bum|USA}} - Gathered notoriety as the first notable Donkey Kong player during the [[Golden Age]], during a time when Donkey Kong was considered a low tier. His 4th place run at {{Trn|MLG Long Island 2007}}, where he defeated {{Sm|Isai}} and {{Sm|ChuDat}}, was not only considered the best Donkey Kong performance for decades, but also considered the first major top 8 performance from a Donkey Kong player by some sources. He placed top 8 at several other events during the Golden Age and defeated other prominent players during this time, before eventually retiring from competitive play by the late 2000s.
*{{Sm|ckyulmiqnudaetr|USA}} - Initially a {{SSBM|Fox}} player, he switched to Donkey Kong in the post-Slippi metagame and was considered the second-best Donkey Kong player during the Donkey Kong renaissance, behind Junebug, ranking 29th on [[SSBMRank 2024]] as the second-highest ranking Donkey Kong player during this time. He is best known for winning {{Trn|BODIED 7}} over several ranked players, including {{Sm|moky}}, {{Sm|Ossify}}, and {{Sm|KJH}}. In addition, he has maintained consistently strong placements at many other events, placing 9th at {{Trn|Riptide 2024}} and 13th at both {{Trn|Get On My Level X}} and {{Trn|Supernova 2024}}.
*{{Sm|Green Ranger|USA}} - The best Donkey Kong player in the world in the mid-to-late 2010s. He is known for finishing 9th at {{Trn|Fight Pitt V}} with an upset over {{Sm|Duck}}, and has found success at several other events during this time, including placing 25th at {{Trn|Super Nebulous 3}} and 49th at {{Trn|Royal Flush}}.
*{{Sm|Junebug|USA}} - The greatest and most influential Donkey Kong player of all time, having spearheaded the Donkey Kong renaissance. He has won several regionals with Donkey Kong, including {{Trn|Patchwork 2024}} and {{Trn|Xanadu Legends 500}}, along with high placements at several majors, including 3rd at {{Trn|Supernova 2024}}, the greatest Donkey Kong performance of all time, and 5th at {{Trn|Eggdog Invitational}}, which was the first time a Donkey Kong player had made top 8 at a supermajor, all the while taking sets over numerous top 20 players during this time. He is the only Donkey Kong player to ever rank in the top 20, doing so in both [[SSBMRank 2024|2024]] and [[SSBMRank 2025|2025]].
*{{Sm|Moe|Denmark}} - The best Donkey Kong player in Europe, known for placing well at various sizeable European events, such as placing 9th at {{Trn|Valhalla IV}} and 17th at {{Trn|Fête 3: By the Sea}}, the latter of which he notably defeated {{Sm|Frenzy}} 3-0. He has been the best player in Denmark for years, being ranked first in the country from 2019 to 2024, and was ranked in Europe's top 20 from 2022 to 2025.
*{{Sm|Phish-It|USA}} - The best Donkey Kong player in the world in the early 2010s. He is known for his great superregional placements such as 9th at {{Trn|Zenith 2014}}, and placing 33rd at both {{Trn|EVO 2013}} and {{Trn|The Big House 4}}, which were considered some of the best supermajor results of the character at the time.
*{{Sm|Ringler|USA}} - One of the best Donkey Kong players in the early years of the post-Slippi metagame, prior to and during the beginning of the Donkey Kong renaissance. He came to prominence after finishing 25th at {{Trn|Mainstage}} with a notable upset over {{Sm|La Luna}}. Despite relative inactivity, he's placed well at several other major events, finishing 25th at both {{Trn|Mainstage 2021}} and {{Trn|Pat's House 4}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2022}} and {{Trn|Riptide 2023}}. He has also defeated players such as {{Sm|KoDoRiN}}, {{Sm|Joshman}}, {{Sm|Westballz}}, and {{Sm|Shroomed}}.

===Tier placement and history===
Donkey Kong is currently ranked as 16th on the tier list in the C- tier, making him a situational character in high-level tournament play at first glance. This tier placing, however, is significantly better than his initial tier placings; Donkey Kong was initially viewed as a low-to-bottom tiered character in the early ''Melee'' metagame, placing at 20th/21st with Roy on the first tier list. In the next few tier lists, Donkey Kong would frequently appear at this rank, with his lowest ranking being 22nd on the fifth tier list. Much like Bowser, Donkey Kong was often derided for his large hurtbox and high falling speed, making him an easy target for combos and attacks in general, and despite his superior base speed compared to Bowser, he was regarded as too slow to keep up with many characters that were higher-tiered than him.

Eventually, devoted Donkey Kong mains began to improve the character’s metagame, notably by demonstrating that his supposed speed issues were inaccurate; players demonstrated that Donkey Kong had a surprisingly fast and powerful aerial game, and that his dash dance was also effective, especially when compounded with his unforgiving punish and throwing game. Donkey Kong would eventually rise and hover between the low and middle tiers due to this, and would maintain this tier list placing at a minimum thereafter, reinforced by the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Phish-It}} and {{Sm|Green Ranger}} in the early 2010's.

However, in 2022 and 2023, what would be referred to as a “Donkey Kong renaissance” would occur, thanks to a massive upswing in Donkey Kong's usage and a stronger level of consistency at higher level tournaments. 2023 saw the character’s strongest year yet; three Donkey Kong players placed in the top 100 of the [[SSBMRank 2023|2023 SSBMRank]], spearheaded by {{Sm|Junebug}}, who was ranked 40th due to performances such as his 13th place finish at {{Trn|The Big House 11}}, the best Donkey Kong placement in over a decade. In 2024, four different Donkey Kong players were ranked in the top 50 at one point that year, which included {{Sm|Akir}} in the half-year ranking and {{Sm|BING}} on the full-year ranking. Junebug and {{sm|ckyulmiqnudaetr}} especially scored big wins at regionals {{Trn|Patchwork 2024}} and Bodied 7 respectively, the former considered by many as DK's biggest tournament win to date. In addition, Junebug's 3rd place finish {{Trn|Supernova 2024}} marked the character's first undisputed [[List_of_major_tournaments_(SSBM)|major]] top 8. As a result of these considerable metagame developments, Donkey Kong has become a more respected threat in top-level play, and many agree his tier list placement is no longer accurate.

==In 1-P Mode==
==={{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
Donkey Kong appears in a one-on-one, as an ally, on a team with {{SSBM|Fox}}, in a giant battle, in a multi-man battle, or in the metal battle. Donkey Kong appears in {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}} or [[Jungle Japes]] except the metal battle, where he appears in {{SSBM|Battlefield}} instead.

===[[Adventure Mode]]===
Donkey Kong appears in Stage 2 of ''Melee''{{'}}s Adventure Mode, {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}, in two parts. In the first part, the player battles two tiny Donkey Kongs on Kongo Jungle stage and after they are beaten, the player will battle a giant Donkey Kong on [[Jungle Japes]].

===[[All-Star Mode]]===
Donkey Kong and his allies are fought on {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}.

===[[Event Match]]es===
Donkey Kong is featured in the following event matches:
*'''[[Event 2: Lord of the Jungle]]''': As a giant DK, the player must defeat a tiny DK in a two-stock match on {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}.
*'''[[Event 10: All-Star Match 1]]''': Donkey Kong is the second opponent to be fought in this series of staged battles. The player battles him on [[Jungle Japes]], which will transition to the next stage if Donkey Kong gets defeated. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat him along with {{SSBM|Mario}}, {{SSBM|Yoshi}}, {{SSBM|Peach}}, and {{SSBM|Bowser}}.
*'''[[Event 13: Yoshi's Egg]]''': As Yoshi, the player must protect a [[Yoshi Egg]] from {{SSBM|Fox}}, {{SSBM|Pikachu}}, and Donkey Kong for 55 seconds on [[Rainbow Cruise]]. If the egg breaks, the match will result in a failure.
*'''[[Event 25: Gargantuans]]''': A scenario designed as a homage to [[wikipedia:kaiju|kaiju movies]] and their various tropes. On the [[Fourside]] stage with unlimited time, the player plays as a giant-sized Bowser (symbolically representing {{s|wikipedia|Godzilla}}, a movie monster from Japan) with 1 stock against a giant-sized Donkey Kong (symbolically representing {{s|wikipedia|King Kong}}, a movie monster from the United States) with two stock. Two other characters on the match are a tiny Mario and a tiny Peach, who can be KOed within seconds by either Donkey Kong or Bowser.

===[[Congratulations screen#Super Smash Bros. Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center>
<gallery>
DonkeyKongClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode
DonkeyKongAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode
DonkeyKongAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode
</gallery>
</center>

==[[Trophies]]==
In addition to the normal trophy about Donkey Kong as a character unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} as him on any difficulty, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}} and [[All-Star Mode]] respectively as him on any difficulty. Each of the trophies can also be unlocked by playing 100, 200, and 300 versus matches respectively as Donkey Kong:

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Donkey Kong
|image=Donkey Kong Trophy Melee.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=While he now prefers the laid-back jungle lifestyle to construction site mischief, DK is often forced back into action by the Kremling Krew. The great ape is quite fast despite his burly physique, and he keeps his strength up with a steady diet of his favorite food: bananas. His one extravagance (and only piece of clothing) is a monogrammed necktie.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=Donkey Kong|release1=Arcade 1981}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Donkey Kong
|image=Donkey Kong Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=Donkey Kong is a huge target in a fight, so he hates crowds. When he's in the fray, his Giant Punch deals serious damage to multiple opponents. The big ape's Headbutt hits so hard that it temporarily buries opponents in the ground. DK is a lot faster than he looks, and he's lethal in the hands of a master.
|gamelist=:B: Giant Punch
:Smash B: Headbutt
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Donkey Kong
|image=Donkey Kong Trophy (Smash 2).png
|mode=All Star
|desc=Being the strongest simian around, DK has the upper hand once he grabs an opponent. He can even lift his foe up and make him or her an unwilling traveling companion; if DK grabs you, shake your Control Stick as fast as you can to break his grip. His Spinning Kong covers more lateral distance than vertical, so use it quickly to recover.
|gamelist=:Up & B: Spinning Kong
:Down & B: Hand Slap
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Donkey Kong|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=5|[[File:Donkey Kong Palette (SSBM).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBM|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Black}}
|{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Red}}
|{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Green}}
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SSBM Donkey Kong HQ.jpg|Official artwork of Donkey Kong
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong1.jpg|[[Jump]]ing on [[Jungle Japes]].
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong2.jpg|Using [[Spinning Kong]] on {{SSBM|Fox}} on [[Temple]].
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong3.jpg|Using [[Giant Punch]] on {{SSBM|Link}} on [[Brinstar]].
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong4.jpg|Carrying [[Ice Climbers (SSBM)|Nana]] off the stage on Temple.
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong5.jpg|[[Bury]]ing {{SSBM|Samus}} with [[Headbutt]] on Temple.
SSBMWebsiteDonkeyKong6.jpg|[[Taunt]]ing alongside {{SSBM|Bowser}} and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} on [[Yoshi's Story]].
LinkClassicMode.jpg|[[Crouch]]ing on [[Peach's Castle]].
LuigiAdventureMode.jpg|Using his [[up smash]] on [[Great Bay]].
YoshiAllStarMode.jpg|Battling a giant {{SSBM|Yoshi}} on [[Fourside]].
KirbyAllStarMode.jpg|Posing with {{SSBM|Kirby}} on {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}.
JigglypuffAllStarMode.jpg|[[Asleep|Sleeping]] next to {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} on Great Bay.
</gallery>
</center>

==Trivia==
[[File:DK grab glitch.gif|thumb|Donkey Kong abusing {{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s [[AI]].]]
[[File:DonkeyKongTPoseMelee.png|250px|thumb|Donkey Kong's infamous [[bind pose]] glitch.]]
*DK has a [[hurtbox]] attached to his necktie, which may have been placed to prevent thin projectiles or other similar attacks from missing hits due to their chances of slipping between DK's arms and ending in the empty space of his standing animation. However, it also artificially inflates his overall hurtbox in many other animations.
*Donkey Kong is the only character in the game to have an aerial attack that cannot be [[auto-cancel]]ed, being his forward aerial (auto-cancels on frame 85, but only has 60 frames in its entire attack duration). However, the coding of the move shows that it was intended to be able to, but it cannot due to a minor error caused by using the wrong type of timing function. Likewise, his up smash was supposed to interrupt on frame 40, but due to using the wrong type of timing function, it lacks IASA frames. Both of these errors were carried over in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'', though in ''SSB4'', his up smash now has IASA frames (interrupts on frame 50).
*Donkey Kong's [[Headbutt]] and the [[Poké Ball]] Pokémon [[Togepi]]'s Magnitude are the only attacks in ''Melee'' that can [[Buried|bury]] opponents.
*Donkey Kong has 3 meteor smashes, tied with {{SSBM|Roy}} and {{SSBM|Falco}} for most spikes and meteors in ''Melee''.
*Donkey Kong and {{SSBM|Peach}} are the only characters in ''Melee'' who cannot use their down special in the air.
*Whenever Donkey Kong enters the stage on certain modes in 1-P Mode (excluding Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, Event matches, and the first stage in All-Star Mode), he can be seen briefly in his [[bind pose]] position.
*If the [[Launch rate|damage ratio]] of a match is 0.5, and DK [[grab]]s, [[throw]]s, and quickly re-grabs, and cargo carries a [[Artificial intelligence|computer player]] before they touch the ground, the computer player will never break free by themselves, even if they become [[invincible]]; they can only break free when DK decides to throw them or they are affected by something (getting [[attack]]ed, changing size, and so on).
*''Melee'' is the first game where the Donkey Kong from ''Donkey Kong Country'' has visible teeth in his 3D model in-game.
*In the NTSC versions of the game, Donkey Kong is one of four characters (alongside {{SSBM|Sheik}}, {{SSBM|Samus}}, and {{SSBM|Kirby}}) whose neutral special charge is lost if hit out of at least one specific special move.
**Of these characters, only Donkey Kong received a fix addressing this issue in the PAL version.

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0904/index.html Donkey Kong's page at Smabura-Ken]
*[[smashwiki:26TP/Donkey Kong|Translation]] 
{{SSBMCharacters}}
{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}
{{Donkey Kong universe}}
[[Category:Donkey Kong (SSBM)| ]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]
[[es:Donkey Kong (SSBM)]]
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