Winky
WinkyDKC.png
Winky in Donkey Kong Country
Species Frog
First appearance Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (spirit cameo) (2018)
“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!”
Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet, page 25

Winky is a frog Animal Friend with a high jumping ability in Donkey Kong Country.

HistoryEdit

Donkey Kong Country seriesEdit

Donkey Kong CountryEdit

 
Winky in his featured stage, Winky's Walkway.

In Donkey Kong Country, Winky first appears in Winky's Walkway, as the main feature, and returns in Bouncy Bonanza, Millstone Mayhem, and lastly Rope Bridge Rumble, the only level not in Monkey Mines where he appears. Winky's 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. In Bonus Bonanza, Winky's animal crate appears in a small room shortly after the Star Barrel, and Winky can jump high enough to enter the last Bonus Area of the level. In Millstone Mayhem, Winky's crate is located on a pathway only reachable from using a tire. In Rope Bridge Rumble, Winky appears in the first Bonus Area, and he can be brought into the main level.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong QuestEdit

In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, a Winky figure appears in background of the Monkey Museum, labeled at a price of five dollars. Cranky also mentioned Winky and Expresso in the instruction manual by saying, "A more tragic looking bunch of useless no-hopers you'll never see! I liked Expresso and Winky--where have they gone?". Though Winky does not appear, there is another Animal Friend with a high-jumping ability, Rattly.

In the Game Boy Advance version, the Winky figure was replaced by a small Winky that hops around in a cage. Small Winkys similarly appear in the swamp-themed stages of Krem Quay, where they hop around.

Club NintendoEdit

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 64Edit

Although Winky does not appear in Donkey Kong 64, Cranky mentions him and Expresso in the instruction manual in hopes of their reappearance, "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."

Donkey Konga 3Edit

 
Some Winkys swimming outside the campgrounds in Donkey Konga 3

In Donkey Konga 3, multiple Winkys appear swimming in the waters of the campground portion of the summer background.

Super Smash Bros. seriesEdit

In the Super Smash Bros. series, Winky makes a few cameo appearances. 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 BattleEdit

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.

Other appearancesEdit

Winky makes a cameo appearance in Picross NP Vol. 8 as one of the images that must be cleared.

ProfilesEdit

Super Smash Bros. for Wii UEdit

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 spiritEdit

# Name Image Series / game Type Class Strength / effect(s) How to obtain Spirit battle
Opponent(s) Battle conditions Stage Song
154 Winky   Donkey Kong Series Support (1) Novice Foot Attack ↑ Spirit Board Greninja
  • The enemy deals damage when falling
  • The enemy has increased jump power
Mushroom Kingdom U Jungle Level (Brawl)

GalleryEdit

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Winky.

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ウィンキー
Winkī
Winky

German Winky
-
Italian Winky
-
Russian Винки
Vinki
Winky

Spanish Winky
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TriviaEdit

  • Donkey Kong Country game designer Gregg Mayles expressed a dislike of Winky as a player character, sarcastically saying "[Rattly and Winky] had rubbish controls and hits to test player skill. Good design."[1] Gregg's brother and Donkey Kong Country character designer Steve Mayles similarly stated "it was always best to never get on the frog."[2]

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ 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. Twitter. Retrieved June 27, 2017. (ScreenshotMedia:Twitter Ghoulyboy 2017-06-23 tweet Winky.png.) (Archived May 31, 2015, 04:43:31 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  2. ^ WinkySteve (June 23, 2017). Yes, it was always best to never get on the frog. Twitter. Retrieved June 27, 2017. (ScreenshotMedia:Twitter WinkySteve 2017-06-23 tweet Winky.png.) (Archived April 18, 2023, 23:58:24 UTC via Wayback Machine.)