1245 - Manual Transmission: Donkey Kong Country

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 to see?

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.