Tag: Mario

A little bit of context

Diddy Kong and the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing Action Figure

Diddy Kong is one of the most beloved characters in the Donkey Kong franchise. He’s a small but mighty monkey with a big heart and a thirst for adventure. Diddy made his first appearance in Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994, and he’s been a fan favorite ever since¹²³. I remember getting Donkey Kong Country for Christmas that year. I was blown away by the graphics and the gameplay, but it was Diddy Kong who really stole my heart. He was so cool with his red cap, his acrobatic moves, and his trusty peanut popguns³.

Diddy Kong’s History

Diddy Kong’s creation is a fascinating story that reflects the evolution of the Donkey Kong franchise. Originally, he was conceived by Rare employee Kevin Bayliss as a redesign of Donkey Kong Jr⁴. However, Nintendo advised Rare to either revert to Donkey Kong Jr.’s original design or create an entirely new character. Rare chose the latter, and Diddy Kong was born². This decision marked a significant shift for the franchise, introducing a new generation of Kongs and paving the way for Diddy to become a star in his own right.

Diddy Kong is a young monkey who is Donkey Kong’s best friend and sidekick². He has a girlfriend named Dixie Kong². In Donkey Kong Country, which was a reboot of the Donkey Kong franchise, Diddy Kong played a crucial role in helping Donkey Kong recover their stolen banana hoard from the Kremlings⁵. While Donkey Kong was the stronger of the two, Diddy was faster and more agile, making them a formidable duo⁵.

Diddy’s desire to become a video game hero like his idol, Donkey Kong, is a recurring theme throughout the games⁶. In Donkey Kong Country, he starts as Donkey Kong’s apprentice, guarding the banana hoard⁶. However, when King K. Rool and his Kremlings attack, Diddy is captured and thrown into the jungle⁶. This event sets the stage for Diddy’s heroic journey, as he teams up with Donkey Kong to reclaim their treasure and defeat the Kremlings.

Diddy has also starred in many other titles, such as Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, where he takes on the role of the main protagonist². In this game, Diddy teams up with Dixie Kong to rescue Donkey Kong, who has been kidnapped by Kaptain K. Rool⁷. Their adventure takes them through Crocodile Isle, where they face a variety of challenges and enemies.

Diddy Kong has even made appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series, starting with Super Smash Bros. Brawl². He’s known for his agility and his unique moves, such as his peanut popguns and his rocketbarrel boost.

Diddy also starred in his own racing game, Diddy Kong Racing for the Nintendo 64². This game was unique in that it wasn’t just another Mario Kart clone. It featured a variety of vehicles, including karts, planes, and hovercrafts, and an original cast of characters⁸⁹. Interestingly, Diddy Kong Racing was originally conceived as an adventure game called Wild Cartoon Kingdom, but Nintendo influenced its development, suggesting that it be rebranded around a recognizable Nintendo character⁸.

During his adventures, Diddy has encountered a colorful cast of characters. His best friend is Donkey Kong, and his girlfriend is Dixie Kong². Other friends include Funky Kong, Candy Kong, and Cranky Kong¹⁰. Diddy’s main foes are King K. Rool and the Kremlings, who are always trying to steal the Kongs’ bananas or cause trouble on Donkey Kong Island².

Diddy Kong has also appeared in the Donkey Kong Country cartoon, which aired from 1997 to 2000¹¹. The cartoon followed the adventures of Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong, and their friends as they protected the Crystal Coconut from King K. Rool and his Kremling Krew¹¹. The show was notable for its use of motion capture technology, which was cutting-edge at the time¹². However, the cartoon differed from the games in several ways, including its animation style and its storyline¹². If you’re interested in checking out the cartoon, you can find episodes on Tubi. Some of the titles include “Bad Hair Day”, “Ape Foo Young”, and “Booty and the Beast”¹³.

Diddy Kong has even been featured in a German Club Nintendo comic called “Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens”. In this comic, Diddy lives in a skyscraper in Brooklyn with other Nintendo characters¹⁴. It’s a fun and quirky take on the character, imagining him in a completely different setting.

Rare and Nintendo

Rare, the company that created Diddy Kong, has a long and fruitful history with Nintendo¹⁵. This partnership had a significant impact on both companies and the gaming industry as a whole¹⁶¹⁷.

Rare was founded in 1982 as Ashby Computers and Graphics Limited by brothers Tim and Chris Stamper¹⁵. In their early years, they focused on developing games for the ZX Spectrum, a popular home computer in the UK¹⁸. They also partnered with various developers, releasing a large number of games for the NES and Game Boy¹⁸.

In 1994, Rare entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with Nintendo¹⁶. This partnership led to the creation of some of Nintendo’s most beloved games, including Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, and Banjo-Kazooie¹⁶. Interestingly, Rare self-published some of their games during this period, such as Diddy Kong Racing¹⁹. This arrangement allowed them to retain more creative control and potentially earn more revenue.

However, in 2002, Rare was acquired by Microsoft¹⁶. This marked the end of an era for Rare and Nintendo, but their legacy of classic games continues to be enjoyed by fans today.

The ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing Action Figure

In 1999, ToyBiz released a line of action figures based on the Diddy Kong Racing video game⁹. The Diddy Kong figure was one of the most popular in the line, and it remains a sought-after collectible today²⁰.

The figure features Diddy in his racing gear, with his signature red cap and blue overalls⁹. It’s fully articulated, allowing for a variety of poses⁹. The Diddy Kong figure comes with several accessories, including a kart, a plane with a rocking motion feature, and a banana⁹²¹.

The rarity of the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing action figure contributes to its collectibility²⁰. The figures were produced for a limited time, and they weren’t as widely distributed as some other action figure lines²². As a result, finding one in good condition can be a challenge, especially if you’re looking for a mint-on-card (MOC) version.

The value of the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing action figure varies depending on its condition. A loose, incomplete figure might be worth around $50, while a loose, complete figure could fetch around $80²². A MOC figure in mint condition could be worth $250 or more²².

Where to Buy the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing Action Figure

If you’re interested in adding this rare collectible to your collection, you can find the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing action figure on online retailers such as eBay and Amazon²³²⁴. You can also check auction sites and online toy stores.

The Future of Diddy Kong and Rare

The future of Diddy Kong and Rare is full of possibilities. While there hasn’t been a new Donkey Kong Country game in a few years, the recent release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the Nintendo Switch shows that Nintendo still has plans for the franchise². There are even rumors of a new 3D Donkey Kong game in development, which would be the first since Donkey Kong 64 in 1999²⁵.

As for Rare, the company is currently working on a new IP called Everwild²⁶. This game promises to be a unique and magical experience, with a focus on exploration and the natural world²⁶. Rare is also continuing to support Sea of Thieves, their popular pirate adventure game.

Conclusion

Diddy Kong has become an iconic character in the Donkey Kong franchise. From his humble beginnings as a redesigned Donkey Kong Jr. to his starring roles in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest and Diddy Kong Racing, he has captured the hearts of fans with his adventurous spirit, his acrobatic skills, and his unwavering loyalty to his friends.

The ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing action figure is a testament to Diddy Kong’s enduring popularity. This rare and collectible figure is a must-have for any fan of the Donkey Kong franchise.

What are your favorite Diddy Kong memories? Do you have the ToyBiz Diddy Kong Racing action figure in your collection? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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Song and Lyrics

Works cited

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