The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion

Hey, remember that time Tiny Kong encountered a mermaid in Donkey Kong 64? That was kind of stupid. It didn't fit the Donkey Kong Universe. OR DID IT? Historic folklore intertwined with further in-game mythology over the next 24 years says otherwise! DK Vine sells out to Disney by analyzing the little mermaids (and little mermen and oh-so-precious sirens) of Rare's shared universe!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has reignited a debate for the ages (and a debate about the aged). Is Cranky Kong the father or grandfather of the current Donkey Kong? And does that make the current Donkey Kong an adult Donkey Kong Jr. or his son? And where does Baby Donkey Kong fit into this mess? The Kongversation recounts the complicated, sometimes contradictory history of Cranky and Donkey's relat...

Rare's beloved classic website, Rarewhere, has turned 25! The Kongversation takes a look back at what made this particular corporate website so special for the fandom, why it continues to influence us today, and all the ways it influenced the lore and our understanding of the shared Rare universe!

The Kongversation discusses the four new Donkey Kong sets coming to LEGO Super Mario! The surprises, the references, and even the hidden lore of the upcoming expansion to the sprawling toy series!

It's another spoiler-filled episode on the Super Mario Bros. Movie as Hyle is joined by The Cartoon Gamer himself, MALIK! They're opening the show up to our listeners, who have called in to ask for our opinions on the role of the Kongs in the movie, the potential possibilities for the Donkey Kong film, and much more!

Go back to World 1 for episode 1111 and learn all about the home of Donkey Kong and most of his friends and family: the Kongo Jungle! The Kongversation gets into the weeds on this audio expedition, discussing the real-world influences of the iconic locale and uncovering inane minutiae like where the tennis courts in Mario Tennis games are located and what is actually the true source of the Kongo R...

What's up, Colin? What's up, LADIES? Hyle and Jeff discuss the surreal experience of Funky Kong appearing on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update!

With a renewed interest in every Kong both famous and obscure, the public wants to know everything there is to know about Swanky Kong! Luckily, DK Vine indeed knows everything there is to know about the gaudy gorilla game show host. Hyle and Dustin welcome Swanky to our own version of "This Is Your Life"... Character Witness!

Broadcast live on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine, it's our massive four-person, four-hour roundtable discussion of the Super Mario Bros. Movie! We spoil everything by getting into all of the film's triumphs and flaws... and all of that Donkey Kong content.

In our third episode on the legendary scrapped Stop 'N' Swop feature, Steve from off of Rare Gamer returns to discuss even more details that have recently been unearthed! What do Banjo-Kazooie cartridges emit in their search for compatible games? How would Banjo-Kazooie have connected to Donkey Kong 64, and what does it have to do with Crystal Caves and the mystery pillar in Creepy Castle? We fina...

Very specific rumors have begun spreading across the Internet about the abandoned Donkey Kong game from 2016 that DK Vine and the Kongversation have alluded to in the past. In this episode, we finally divulge everything we know about the missing link in DK history!

Sea of Thieves pulled a beloved game developer from the abyss and went on to become their biggest success in over 35 years. On this episode of the Kongversation, Hyle is joined by Rare community stalwart Jeph Pérez to discuss how the legendary studio's make-or-break reinvention overcame critical odds to find a massive worldwide audience, the transformative legacy the game has already left behind,...

A brief chat about this suddenly exciting era of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Donkey Kong Universe fans, where Wave 4 of the Booster Course Pass has brought us two Kong-related tracks with the possibility of a brand new one on the horizon... and the inclusion of at least one more Kong.

Hyle and Jeff chat about the most recent Sea of Thieves season, which introduced the on-demand ship-to-ship battles as part of the Battle for the Sea of Thieves. They also detail all of the DKU connections from the past four months (great for Hyle!), as well as Rare completely kneecapping the name of Jeff's blog (sucks for Jeff!).

Broadcast LIVE earlier tonight on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/dkvine), Hyle and Cameron give their thoughts on the final trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as some surprising reveals from the Japanese website! Hear the exact moment we found out that another Kong has surfaced!

CLIVE! WRENCH! Come on over and hear our first full post-game discussion on Clive 'N' Wrench! The new indie 3D platformer has gotten a somewhat mixed reaction, yet it's already picked up a devoted following among aficionados of the genre. Hyle and Cameron share their thoughts on the first four worlds (and the DKU connections therein)!

In this brief time betwixt the full-length and final trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Hyle and Jeff have a Kongversation about all of the little bits of news relating to Donkey and Cranky Kong's appearance in the film. Their voices! DK Island's portrayal! Leaked merchandise! We also take a detour to Brooklyn to discuss the film's nostalgia-heavy marketing!

A Nintendo Direct lacking significant Donkey Kong Universe news is usually not a reason for DK Vine to celebrate, but Hyle and Dustin explain how the February 2023 presentation sneakily laid out several promising developments for the future of the Kongs!

The Kongversation kicks off its second decade by talking with someone who knows a thing or two about time: Rob Wass, the architect behind the upcoming 3D platformer (and certified DKU adventure) Clive 'N' Wrench!

DK Vine rings out 2022 for the birthplace of the Donkey Kong Universe while ringing in the new of 2023. What will the year ahead look like for Donkey Kong, Rare, and Playtonic?

In the final DKU Tribunal Special Session of the season, Hyle and Dustin relitigate the case for Kameo: Element of Power's inclusion in the Donkey Kong Universe! Has Rare's 2005 Xbox 360 launch title been hiding a firm character-based connection to the DKU all along?

A narrative has begun to take hold in online discourse claiming that the Nintendo 64 was an outright failure. And while this might be true in Japan, it's not speaking to the full story around the world. Josh Wallen from off of the Geek Critique returns to defend the most powerful console of the mid-1990s!

Hyle and Cameron discuss the multitude of changes Mario Kart Tour's gone through in 2022! From the removal of the controversial gacha system and the addition of Balloon Battle all the way to the new Donkey Kong-related karts and tracks... and the possibility that new content in the game may finally be winding down (before we even get Cranky Kong, Brash Bear, and Glow in the Dark Lube Funky Kong).

In a special LIVE episode of the Kongversation broadcast on Twitch, Hyle and Cameron give their full thoughts on the full-length trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie featuring Donkey and Cranky Kong! They also dive into all of the Kong cameos from the trailer and poster, and break down how the Kongs will drive the plot of the film!

Sea of Thieves: Season Seven introduced captaincy and the ability to own (and name!) your own ship, finally giving DK Vine its long-awaited Dreadfully Evil. With a 'THE' on the crest and everything. Fight us. But don't, because we'll sink you. Except for when kraken makes inky from its stinky while we're diving shipwrecks. We discuss all of the Adventures and more from the just-wrapped Season Seve...