Winky
| Winky | |
|---|---|
 Artwork from Donkey Kong Country | |
| Full name | Winky the Frog[1] |
| Species | Frog |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong Country (1994) |
| Latest appearance | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (spirit cameo) (2018) |
Winky is a frog Animal Friend with a high jumping ability in Donkey Kong Country.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
Winky is an ally in Donkey Kong Country. His abilities include being able to jump higher than the Kongs, which is useful for reaching collectibles such as Bananas or Extra Life Balloons, and Winky can defeat Zingers by jumping on them. Winky is first encountered in Winky's Walkway. In Bouncy Bonanza, his animal crate appears in a small room shortly after the Star Barrel. In Millstone Mayhem, Winky's crate is on a pathway reachable only by using a tire. In Rope Bridge Rumble, Winky's crate can be found in the first Bonus Area, and he can be brought into the main level.
Game designer Gregg Mayles expressed a dislike of Winky as a player character, citing poor controls.[2] Steve Mayles similarly expressed a dislike towards Winky.[3]
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]
A Winky figure appears in background of the Monkey Museum, where it is labeled at a price of five dollars, in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Cranky also mentioned Winky and Expresso in the instruction manual.[4] Winky has been replaced by another Animal Friend with a high-jumping ability, Rattly.
In the remake, the Winky figure no longer appears, though a small Winky can be seen hopping around in a cage at Cranky's Hut, as well as in the environment of swamp levels.
Club Nintendo[edit]
In the Club Nintendo comic "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24", Cranky and Kiddy Kong are briefly seen riding Winky to an airport.
Donkey Kong 64[edit]
Winky and Expresso are mentioned by Cranky in the game manual of Donkey Kong 64 in hopes for their reappearance,[5][6] similarly to Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest's manual.
Picross NP[edit]
Winky makes a cameo appearance in Picross NP Vol. 8 as one of the images that must be cleared.
Donkey Konga 3[edit]
In Donkey Konga 3, multiple Winkys appear swimming in the waters of the campground portion of the summer background.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Winky has made a few cameo appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he is mentioned in Kass' PAL trophy description. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, there is another trophy of Winky, and it can be acquired either at random in one of the game's modes, such as in Vs. matches, or by purchasing it at the trophy shop. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Winky appears as a Novice support spirit, occupying one support slot when used, and the spirit increases the power of foot-based attacks.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle[edit]
In the Donkey Kong Adventure story of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, the design of Rabbid Cranky's Croaker Disposer is based on Winky the Frog. The weapon's flavor text reads: "Whether it's Monkey Mines or monkey shines, Winky is always BOUNCING with enthusiasm.", referencing the first area in the original Donkey Kong Country where Winky can be found. The weapon is also described as an officially licensed Barrel Bolt.
Profiles[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
- Instruction booklet description:
- English (American):
You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Winky is one of the most powerful animals. He can jump higher than any of them, and with his strong legs, he can jump attack some enemies that even Donkey can't touch. Winky is fond of damp, dark places, but he is known to turn up almost anywhere![7]
- English (American):
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]
| Trophy Winky | ||
| ||
| Category: Series Related | ||
( ) Appears in:SNES Donkey Kong Country (11/1994) | ||
| () Trophy Box: 18: Animal Friends and Items
| ||
| How to unlock: Random | ||
| The Kongs have all kinds of animal friends. Mammal friends, fish friends, bird friends. Winky is a frog. He defeats those pesky Zingers by bouncing on top of them. You might worry about falling off that slippery back of his, but all concern will wash away as you are hopping through the skies. (American English) | ||
| The Kongs' Animal Friends come in all shapes and sizes. There are mammals, fish, birds... There's even a frog! Winky's high-hopping abilities make him really useful when it comes to taking out those pesky Zingers. Best of all, you don't need to worry about accidentally falling off that slippery back of his – it just never happens! (British English) | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
| Spirit #154 Winky | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
Series/game | Donkey Kong Series |
| Type | Support | |
| Slots | 1 | |
| Class | Novice | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Foot Attack ↑ | |
| How to obtain | Spirit Board | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Greninja |
| Conditions |
| |
| Stage | Mushroom Kingdom U | |
| Song | Jungle Level (Brawl) |
Gallery[edit]
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Winky.
Sprite from Donkey Kong Country
Sprite from Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)
Sprite from Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ウィンキー[?] Winkī |
Winky | |
| German | Winky[?] | - | |
| Italian | Winky[?] | - | |
| Russian | Винки[?] Vinki |
Winky | |
| Spanish | Winky[?] | - |
Trivia[edit]
- Winky's name is derived from the British slang term for penis; Rare is known for putting innuendos in their games such as in the Banjo-Kazooie series. Its villain, Gruntilda, has her last name being Winkybunion, as revealed in Banjo-Tooie, in reference to the slang term.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ 2000. Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color) instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 16.
- ^ Ghoulyboy (June 23, 2017). They had rubbish controls and hits to test player skill. Good design. As was Squitter, that @WinkySteve scoffed at and said wouldn't work. X (English). Retrieved June 27, 2017 (Screenshot. (Archived May 31, 2021, 04:43:31 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ WinkySteve (June 23, 2017). Yes, it was always best to never get on the frog.. X (English). Retrieved June 27, 2017 (Screenshot). (Archived April 18, 2023, 23:58:24 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ "A more tragic looking bunch of useless no-hopers you'll never see! I liked Expresso and Winky--where have they gone?" – 1995. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 25.
- ^ "I just hope they've included poor old Winky and Expresso this time instead of that bone-brained rhino that always seems to get in the games." – 1999. Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 18.
- ^ 1999. Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 27.
- ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 25.
- ^ Banjo-Kazooie | Let's Play Finale | Super Beard Bros as explained by Grant Kirkhope
