Ground Pound

"When in doubt, pound! Or jump. Or blow. Or whatever. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

—Cranky Kong

The "Hand Slap" move in SSBB.

The Ground Pound, also known as the "Hand Slap'", is a move introduced in Donkey Kong Country. It is Donkey Kong's signature attack, which initially was a simple overhead slap to the ground, and can only be done while on the ground.

History

Donkey Kong Country

In DKC, the move would defeat most regular enemies, and even reward a free Banana for it. In the Japanese version of the game, a banana bunch is rewarded for every third enemy hand slapped, including Krushas (despite them being immune damage-wise). Aside from defeating most foes for a free banana, it could unearth secret bonuses in certain spots of the ground, notably on top of trees, which usually also gives bananas.

Super Smash Bros. series

Main article: SmashWiki's article on Hand Slap

The Ground Pound, called Hand Slap in the Smash Bros. series, has been featured in all four games. It is Donkey Kong's down special move. When the move is used, Donkey Kong beats down on the ground at a fast rate and creates short shockwaves and an earthquake effect, damaging anyone nearby. Many find it effective to beat the "Multi-man Melee/Brawl.

Donkey Kong Country Returns

The Ground Pound move is back in action in Donkey Kong Country Returns, this time with a more major role. Now aside from Donkey Kong exclusively using it, Diddy Kong has a variation of the move, called "Peanut Pound". The move allows them to access new areas, defeat certain foes, and break certain blocks or the box holding Rambi.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

The Ground Pound move makes a return in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, as well as Diddy Kong's variation, Peanut Pound. It functions identically to the way it did in Donkey Kong Country Returns.

References

Special Moves in Smash Bros.
Donkey Kong	Neutral	Giant Punch
	Side	Headbutt
	Up	Spinning Kong
	Down	Ground Pound
	Final Smash	Konga Beat
Diddy Kong	Neutral	Peanut Popgun
	Side	Monkey Flip
	Up	Rocketbarrel Boost
	Down	Banana Peel
	Final Smash	Rocketbarrel Barrage