Lanky Kong

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First Appearance: Donkey Kong 64

Genre(s):Platformer

Lanky Kong is a character in the Donkey Kong series of video games, and is one of the main playable characters in the 1999 Nintendo 64 game, Donkey Kong 64. He is a distant cousin to Donkey Kong and the rest of the Kong clan and is an orangutan. His representative colour throughout the game is blue and he first appears in the Angry Aztec level, locked inside a cage. It is Donkey Kong himself who must rescue him using his Coconut Cannon. He might be related to the oranguatan enemy Manky Kong from Donkey Kong Country.

Lanky has mostly a fun-loving silly behavior. Known for his incredible elastic limbs and ability to inflate himself, Lanky often achieves goals or solves problems in a most humorous way. Throughout the course of the game, in order to reach more Golden Bananas, Lanky can purchase potions and upgrades (among other things) for blue coins from Cranky Kong, Funky Kong and Candy Kong. In addition to these techniques and weapons, Funky will offer varying upgrades to Lanky's Grape Shooter - increasing its normal ammunition capacity from 50 grapes to 200, and introducing Homing Grapes. Candy can also increase the amount of times which Lanky may play the Trombone. Both characters will fill up Lanky's respective gauges if he's low on supplies when he reaches them. One of his abilities is the ability to handstand (and walk in that position) in order to climb steep surfaces. He can run at a very high speed (with the use of Crystal Coconuts), also by handstanding. This ability is particularly useful, and sometimes necessary, in timed missions and mini-games.

After a long absence, Lanky Kong reappears as a playable character in Donkey Kong Bongo Blast. He is also a collectable trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.