The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion

Is this finally all that there is to know about Stop 'N' Swop? The legendary scrapped feature across Rare's Nintendo 64 library was laid bare by bear and bird creator Gregg Mayles, revealing precisely how Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Banjo-Tooie would have interacted, what the Ice Key would be used for on both Donkey Kong Island and the Isle O'Hags, and what might have been taken out of Tooi...

The Kongversation is returning with the return of the return RETURN to Returns! Donkey Kong Country Returns HD received an unexpected update in January 2026, adding enhanced graphics, resolution, and loading times for Switch 2, as well as a new Turbo Attack mode... and Dixie Kong as a playable partner character!

Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, the Kongversation's annual season-ending New Year's Forecast reckons with the monumental year we've just had for Donkey Kong... and looks at what 2026 might bring for the entire DKU!

Hyle and Jeff check back in with Sea of Thieves, giving their thoughts on the game's recently-concluded Season 17! Subtitled "Smugglers' Tide," it gave the creaky seasonal structure a much-needed refurbishment and a fresh wainscoting of storytelling. Narrative? In a DKU game? What does Sea of Thieves think it is, Donkey Kong Bananza?

The Kongversation wraps up its 2025 Donkey Kong Bananza coverage with one last look at the game's DLC! Hyle is joined by Sxips to discuss the intricacies of Emerald Rush, the monthly events that kicked off in October, the statues celebrating DK series heritage, and how the mode can serve as a bridge to the next Donkey Kong game! Note: This episode contains spoilers for the Emerald Rush DLC.

Out of the 24 (Krocodile) core, singular characters in the game, how does the cast of Donkey Kong Country 2 rank? Hyle and Jeff put the Kongs, Animal Buddies, Bosses, and other errant notables of Diddy's Kong Quest through Tier Maker to see how they stack up to each other... using only the criteria of their performance and presentation up to that point in history!

It's a Hyle and Matt chat about Rare Collection 1, the new 12-game compilation on Evercade! Featuring a dirty dozen of Ultimate Play the Game and Rare Ltd. classics, DK Vine's primary concern is the first-ever reissue of Conker's Pocket Tales. Does Conker's solo debut still hold up? Did it ever? What do we think of this format and the Evercade itself? And what future Rare Collections would we like...

Just as Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest improved on the original in numerous ways, so too did its classic instruction booklet! Once again written by Nintendo of America's Dan Owsen, with story by Rare newcomer Leigh Loveday, it's 30-plus pages of immersive table setting and subversive tablecloth pulling!

Celebrating three decades of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest! Hyle and Dustin discuss how the second Donkey Kong Country game still holds up to this day, now made ever more relevant thanks to Donkey Kong Bananza.

The Kongversation returns home to DK Island! Miles from off of KotBox joins Hyle to discuss the immaculate love letter to the Donkey Kong series in Donkey Kong Bananza's DLC capper. From the obvious references to the most obscure Easter eggs, we leave no stone unturned on DK Island! Note: This episode contains spoilers for the DK Island DLC.

From the new Getaways in Lagoon Layer all the way through the Great Harmoneel's windpipe, the Kongversation finishes discussing Donkey Kong Bananza's post-game! It's the most difficult Bananza Rehearsals, the best character resolutions, and the simple joy of harmonizing Stickerbush Symphony with a bunch of disco rocks. Note: This episode contains spoilers through the end of the post-game.

The Kongversation finally reaches Donkey Kong Bananza's post-game story! Hyle is joined by Just Andre as they return to the Ingot Isle Cave-In, exploring its evolution since Bananza's prologue and its newfound incorporation into the Underground World! Note: This episode contains spoilers through the end of Sublayer 10 in the post-game.

The Kongversation answers listener calls and comments about Donkey Kong Bananza's epic finale! We respond to your questions about the Forbidden Layer, the Planet Core, and New Donk City, including the return of K. Rool and the Kremling Krew, the lineage of the Pauline family, and much more! Note: This episode contains spoilers through the end of Bananza's main story.

At long last, the Planet Core! In the longest Kongversation ever recorded, join Hyle and Courtney as they get reacquainted with the Kremling Krew, learn the origins of Us, and battle King K. Rool to the edge of creation and back. Welcome to Donkey Kong Bananza's dramatic and emotional climax! Note: This episode contains spoilers through the end of Bananza's main story.

What awaits DK and Pauline beyond Go-No-Further Gate in Donkey Kong Bananza's Forbidden Layer? At long last, is it the Banandium Root? Could it be the final confrontation with Void Kong? Or is there a far crueler discovery waiting for the heroes at the precipice of the Planet Core? The Geek Critique helps Hyle glimpse beyond the veil! Note: This episode only contains spoilers through the end of Su...

The lizard and the bat! The bees! The BUGS! Hyle is joined once more by Freezer to share their first thoughts on Yooka-Replaylee, Playtonic's overhaul of the original Yooka-Laylee. From the highs of substantial improvements in gameplay and new features to the lows of a somewhat dodgy digital launch, should you paylee for Replaylee?

Before we fight... we FEAST! The Kongversation discusses Donkey Kong Bananza's Feast Layer, a joyful theme park visit and fast food factory tour for the reunited duo of DK and Pauline. But will VoidCo's rising Muck dampen the flavor of this surrogate father-daughter night out? Note: This episode only contains spoilers through the end of Sublayer 1401.

Pauline is missing. Donkey Kong is imprisoned. Without any leads on where the Harmoneel that swallowed his partner has gone, or any clue where he himself is currently located, how will Donkey Kong possibly get his groove back? The Kongversation is joined by Pyrrhic Kong (Designing For) to harmonize the discussion on Donkey Kong Bananza's 13th world! Note: This episode only contains spoilers throug...

To help shed some light (and some snake skin) on the deepest, darkest pits of Donkey Kong Bananza's 12th world, Hyle is joined by Joy Content (Kiddy Kong Facts) to discuss Radiance Layer! Face turns abound while DK and Pauline bound with the final Bananza form, but will their bond be the radiance that's extinguished in the end? Note: This episode only contains spoilers through the end of Sublayer...

Pauline, meet Diddy and Dixie Kong! DK's present realigns with his past in Donkey Kong Bananza's Racing Layer, sending all four characters onto the track for a second go at Donkey Kong Racing! Note: This episode only contains spoilers through the end of Sublayer 1100.

Reapers Rule, apparently, but did Sea of Thieves: Season 16? Coinciding with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, the Reaper's Bones-dominated period of Rare's ongoing pirate adventure had us make Skeleton friends, turn our back on humanity, and get into intense debates about Dracula and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Kongversation gets out of the trunk and down into the junk! Hyle and the Idaho Crew's Adam go dumpster diving in Donkey Kong Bananza's Landfill Layer. Home of the Eelevators and Fractones who love being among detritus, this deceptively deep world is one Donkey Kong fan's trash... but our treasure. Note: This episode only contains spoilers through the end of Sublayer 1001.

Broadcast live at https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine on the day of the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, Hyle and Malik discuss all of the relevant Donkey Kong Universe news from the hour-long presentation! Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, Mario Tennis Fever, the absence of Donkey and Cranky from the main The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast... and the return of the Virtual Boy! Okay, that one doesn't have much to d...

The Kongversation presents "The Elephant Kong" by David (Thomas) Lynch. What happens when Donkey Kong gets a trunk, promptly inhales some junk, and strips an entire sultry spa clean? You're going to shakey-shake your body when we discuss Donkey Kong Bananza's Tempest Layer, and if you don't, you are not a human being. You... are... an... animal. Note: This episode only contains spoilers through th...

The Kongversation takes a look at Rare's 40th anniversary celebration! We discuss the surprise return of Conker's Pocket Tales, what went into Cameron and Dustin's own official art pieces, and what the studio has meant to us for the vast majority of our lives!