Donkey Kong (SSBM): Difference between revisions

|tierPAL = F

|ranking = 16

}}

'''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.

==Attributes==

Owing to his relatively high speed, Donkey Kong possesses a decently versatile comboing 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.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==

===Attributes===

*{{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).}}

*{{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.}}

**{{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).}}

*[[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.}}

***{{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).}}

**{{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 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.}}

**{{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 deals less damage (12% → 11% (clean), 9% (late).}}

*[[Forward smash]]:

**{{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 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|Back aerial deals less damage (15% → 13% (clean), 10% → 9% (late)).}}

*[[Up aerial]]:

**{{buff|Up aerial has less landing lag (41 frames → 25).}}

**{{buff|Up aerial hits above DK sooner.}}

***{{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 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 has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 55) and landing lag (41 frames → 31).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has significantly increased startup lag (frame 6 → 18).}}

**{{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.}}

**{{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|Cargo forward throw deals less knockback (70 (base), 80 (scaling) → 80/50) and sends opponents at a less favorable angle (45° → 55°).}}

*[[Back throw]]:

**{{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).}}

**{{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|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.}}

**{{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|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).}}

***{{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|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)).}}

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSBM

|neutralcount=2

|neutral1dmg=4%

|neutral2dmg=6%

|neutraldesc=Performs a quick cross punch followed by an uppercut.

|ftiltangles=3

|ftiltupdmg=11%

|ftiltdowndmg=9%

|ftiltdesc=Quickly swats his outstretched hand. A good move for [[spacing]]. Can be aimed up or down.

|utiltdmg=9-11%

|utiltdesc=Quickly swipes his hand in the air. A decent [[juggling]] move.

|dtiltdmg=7%

|dtiltdesc=Quickly swats his hand across the ground. Very fast with long range.

|dashdmg=11% (clean), 9% (late)

|dashdesc=Skids to a halt and does a side-kick. Has high ending lag and surprisingly short range.

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|20}} (hands), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|21}} (arms), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|19}} (upper body), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}} (lower body)

|fsmashdesc=Performs a very forceful clap that deals high knockback. Somewhat fast.

|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.

|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.

|nairdmg=12% (clean), 10% (late)

|nairdesc=Quickly spins in the air with both of his arms extended. Has quick startup and small ending lag.

|fairdmg=16%

|bairdmg=13% (clean), 9% (late)

|bairdesc=Performs a quick kick directed behind him that lingers briefly. A good [[edgeguarding]] move.

|uairdmg=14%

|uairdesc=Performs a quick headbutt upwards. Combos into another up aerial. Has a large [[autocancel]] window.

|dairdmg=16% (foot), 13% (body)

|grabdesc=

|pummeldmg=3%

|pummeldesc=Karate chops the foe.

|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/>

Up: Tosses opponent upwards. Can chain grab fastfallers.<br/>

Down: Tosses opponent like a bowling ball.

|bthrowdmg=11%

|bthrowdesc=Swings his arm back and throws the opponent behind him.

|uthrowdmg=9%

|uthrowdesc=Throws foe upwards with one hand. Can [[chaingrab]] fastfallers, much like his cargo up throw.

|dthrowdmg=7%

|dthrowdesc=Violently slams the opponent into the ground with one hand. Can chaingrab.

|usname=Spinning Kong

|usdmg=Ground: 12% (startup), 8% (loop early), 3% (loop late)<br/>Air: 10% (startup), 4-5% (loop early), 2% (loop late)

|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.

}}

===[[Announcer]] call===

===[[Taunt]]===

==In [[competitive play]]==

<!--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 -->

===Tier placement and history===

==={{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.

<center>

<gallery>

DonkeyKongAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode

</gallery>

In addition to the normal trophy about Donkey Kong as a character, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing both [[Adventure Mode|Adventure]] and [[All-Star]] modes respectively with Donkey Kong on any difficulty:

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Donkey Kong|Alternate costumes]]==

<gallery>

SSBM Donkey Kong HQ.jpg|Official artwork of Donkey Kong

</gallery>

</center>

==Trivia==

*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 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.

*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.

{{SSBMCharacters}}

{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}