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The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion
The staff of DK Vine discuss the Donkey Kong Universe in their weekly podcast! Part news-of-the-day discussion and part nostalgic celebration, the Kongversation centers around Rare's shared universe ...
Om podden
The staff of DK Vine discuss the Donkey Kong Universe in their weekly podcast! Part news-of-the-day discussion and part nostalgic celebration, the Kongversation centers around Rare’s shared universe that began with Donkey Kong Country. Join us as we cover the latest from Rare, Playtonic, and Nintendo: Donkey Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Sea of Thieves, Yooka-Laylee, and more!
The podcast The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion is created by www.DKVine.com. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Avsnitt
1249 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)
23 december 2024 |
213 min
2004 was a year in flux for Donkey Kong as the franchise swung between its past and future, with one of the most memorable and successful new releases of the year being... Donkey Kong Country 2? Hyle and Cameron break down the brilliant, thrilling, surprising, and occasionally infuriating changes the Game Boy Advance remake made to the beloved adventure on Crocodile Isle!
1248 - Banjo-Tooie: A Game for Rare Sickos
16 december 2024 |
196 min
The Geek Critique returns to the Kongversation to help Hyle grapple with a newly relevant question now that Banjo-Tooie is on Nintendo Switch Online: What is it about the game that's historically kept it from clicking with fans of even the original Banjo-Kazooie, or inspired rabid devotion that eclipses all else? With NSO making it easier than ever to get into it and helping to mitigate the issues for the former, Hyle believes he has an answer for the latter. Banjo-Tooie is the ultimate game for Rare sickos!
1247 - The Donkey Kong Land Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch
9 december 2024 |
145 min
All three Donkey Kong Land games have finally arrived on Nintendo Switch Online! Hyle and Malik discuss why these counterparts to the classic Donkey Kong Country titles are so important to DK fanatics of the 1990s, then share some obscure or little-discussed Donkey Kong Land trivia!
1246 - 25 Years of Donkey Kong 64
2 december 2024 |
176 min
Donkey Kong 64 turned 25 years old on November 22, 2024. Celebrated DK64 fan and annual 101% streamer of the game Courtney joins the show to discuss the Kongs' sole 3D platforming adventure (thus far), the complicated position it holds within the fandom, and how the Donkey Kong 64 Randomizer has breathed life into it for a new generation! (Unlike Wrinkly Kong.)
1245 - Manual Transmission: Donkey Kong Country
25 november 2024 |
153 min
What made Donkey Kong Country such a unique, groundbreaking cultural event for Nintendo fans in 1994? Yes, it was the graphics, music, sound, and game design. But as Hyle and Dustin argue, it was also the instruction booklet's unique sense of humor. The Kongversation opens up Dan Owsen's manual masterpiece!
1244 - 30 Years of Donkey Kong Country
21 november 2024 |
140 min
Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine on the 30th anniversary of Donkey Kong Country's release in the Americas, Hyle and Malik reflect on three decades of DKC dominance!
1243 - Tiers of a Kong: Donkey Kong Country
18 november 2024 |
168 min
The original Donkey Kong Country introduced or reinvented several all-time classic video game characters. But out of the 17 core, singular characters in the game, where do they rank? Hyle and Jeff put the Kongs, Animal Buddies, and Bosses of DKC through Tier Maker to see how they stack up to each other... using only the criteria of their performance and presentation in that very first game!
Mini 034 - Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Direct
12 november 2024 |
53 min
Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine after the first ever Donkey Kong-themed Nintendo Direct, Hyle and Josh discuss Shigeru Miyamoto's walkabout in Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World!
1242 - Destination DKU: Vine Valley
11 november 2024 |
137 min
Escape to a tranquil forested valley in the foothills of Donkey Kong Island. A dense temperate grove of pines, ape-eating plantlife, and cascading lakes of spiders. You don't need to be a vulture to appreciate the culture of the trees and the towns within Vine Valley!
1241 - The DKU at EGX x MCM Comic Con
4 november 2024 |
120 min
EGX x MCM Comic Con was held in London during the last weekend of October with three big DKU-related panels and playable demos of the upcoming Yooka-Replaylee and Dunk Dunk (also featuring playable Yooka and Laylee). DK Vine correspondent Dray was on the scene and they're now on the Kongversation to talk about the 30 Years of Donkey Kong Country panel, news from Playtonic, and the latest from Rare!
1240 - Super Mario Party Jamboree First Impressions
28 oktober 2024 |
115 min
It's the third Mario Party game on the Nintendo Switch. It's the second in a row that excludes Diddy Kong. It's a series that Hyle and David long burned out on. And yet... is it their favorite Mario Party in 25 years? Either they're full of hot air or there's plenty to explore in Super Mario Party Jamboree for even the most jaded Mario Party cynic!
Mini 033 - Craig Duncan's Xbox Game Studios
27 oktober 2024 |
39 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss Rare's Craig Duncan's promotion to head of Xbox Game Studios and Joe Neate and Jim Horth's taking over operations at Rare. We also weigh what that means for the future of the studio and its beloved properties!
Mini 032 - Banjo-Tooie on the Nintendo Switch
22 oktober 2024 |
46 min
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several days, you know that Banjo-Tooie is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. Hyle and Dustin discuss the surprising announcement that took Rare and DKU fandom off-guard and also what this means for the rest of Rare's Nintendo library!
1239 - Sea of Thieves: Season Thirteen
14 oktober 2024 |
146 min
Was the long-awaited return of Captain Flameheart in Sea of Thieves a flaming inferno or but a smoldering cinder? Hyle and Jeff discuss Season 13 of Sea of Thieves, which saw the inclusion of the Burning Blade World Event, Skeleton Camps, and... Ellie the elephant? Just a little clickbait for the algorithm there. We're having a good time.
1238 - The Nintendo Museum
7 oktober 2024 |
106 min
DK Vine has not been to the new Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan. But we have plenty to SAY about the new Nintendo Museum! Specifically, all of the surprising Donkey Kong Universe inclusions and references found within its two stories... including Diddy Kong Racing and Banjo-Kazooie!
1237 - Spotlight: Donkey Konga
30 september 2024 |
187 min
20 years later, Hyle and Dustin PANsplain the DK Bongos and the Donkey Kong series' brief but defining turn toward rhythm games with the Spotlight episode on the original Donkey Konga!
1236 - Game Pitch: Swanky Kong's Pizza Buffet
23 september 2024 |
133 min
In the first Kongversation "Game Pitch" episode, Hyle, Jeff, and Dustin lay out their unified vision for a new Donkey Kong-related title that would propel a once-forgotten supporting character with renewed cultural cache to unimagined heights: Swanky Kong's Pizza Buffet!
1235 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2024
19 september 2024 |
192 min
Hyle and Malik bid fair winds to Stinky Ape Summer 2024 with a LIVE Talk Like a Pirate Day episode! First broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, it's a discussion on every single pirate Kremling from off of Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong Land 2. Why are the Kremling Kuthroats the best video game antagonists in history?
Mini 031 - Super Mario Party Jamboree at PAX West
16 september 2024 |
27 min
Super Mario Party Jamboree was playable at PAX West, which coincided with the announcement that Pauline would be making her Mario Party debut in the game. Coincidentally, DK Vine's resident Pauline simp was on hand to give us some show floor first impressions!
1234 - Interview: Paul Machacek
9 september 2024 |
102 min
It's Mr. Machacek! Rare's longest-tenured employee joins the Kongversation to trade in the QA for some Q and As and discuss his storied career. From programming Donkey Kong Land and It's Mr Pants to devising Stop 'N' Swop across Rare's N64 titles, we get to the heart (and into the pants) of some long-standing rumors and misconceptions from the last 36 years!
1233 - Bestia-Rare-y: Gnawties
2 september 2024 |
186 min
Leave it to the Kongversation to spend three hours talking about the beaver. The Gnawty, that is. The very first enemy seen in the Donkey Kong Country series. A hapless rodent for all seasons in Banjo-Kazooie! And a right bother in Donkey Kong 64. Are Gnawties iconic, or are they just a dam joke?
1232 - 25 Years of DK Vine
26 augusti 2024 |
199 min
It's DK Vine's silver jubilee! First broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine on August 22, 2024, Hyle and Mitchell reflect on how a Donkey Kong and Rare website founded in 1999 has stubbornly refused to die. Featuring messages from the DK Vine staff and friends of the show, it's a celebration of the enduring power and communal bonds of fandom!
1231 - Destination DKU: Willow Woods
19 augusti 2024 |
178 min
To better understand where Conker ended up, we need to first understand where he came from. Hyle and Dustin explore his hometown of Willow Woods, as seen in Conker's Pocket Tales, and piece together how it fits in with the lands of Bad Fur Day and the rest of the Donkey Kong Universe!
1230 - Deal of the Art: Diddy Kong
12 augusti 2024 |
209 min
30 years ago, an iconic video game character was born in the English Midlands, becoming Rare's breakout star and growing to be an adopted Nintendo mainstay standing alongside their homegrown favorites. Hyle and Cameron discuss the design evolution of Diddy Kong, from his earliest days as a new look for Donkey Kong Jr. to his status as a Video Game Hero today!
1229 - Listup: Top 10 DKU Games!
5 augusti 2024 |
174 min
Hyle and Jeff "Listup" their top 10 Donkey Kong Universe games! Which elite titles from the past 30 years made their lists? Why did some controversial picks make the cut, while some widely beloved entries fail to reach the tiptop of the Tiptup? Hopefully, neither of the hosts is too Tanktup to make their case!
1228 - Donkey Kong Country in Summer of ‘94
29 juli 2024 |
119 min
Which period of time is the least discussed from the height of Donkey Kong Country Mania? The months before Donkey Kong Country Mania! The Kongversation goes back 30 years to the summer of 1994 when Nintendo of America announced DKC, and their whole new attitude, to the world at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show!
1227 - Sea of Thieves: Season Twelve
22 juli 2024 |
141 min
Season of Thieves: Season 12 introduced new tools and mechanics, some a long time coming, that further evolved Rare's bestselling pirate adventure. However, as the gameplay possibilities expanded, the game's narrative integrity degraded. Welcome to the Sea of Thieves season where ghost parents used a magic sword off-screen to remember their daughter's arm!
1226 - Character Witness: Expresso
15 juli 2024 |
182 min
Expresso the ostrich has never reached the stature of Rambi, Squawks, or Enguarde in the menagerie of Animal Buddies in the Donkey Kong series. But he's come close. And despite being mostly known for the original Donkey Kong Country, he's had one of the more diverse and storied careers out of not just the Buddies, but all DK characters! The Kongversation explores the adventures of Expresso: the journey into the clouds of Donkey Kong Land, participating in underground Kremling ostrich racing, and that time he wound up in the Banjo-Kazooie series!
1225 - Surviving DKU Game Droughts
8 juli 2024 |
294 min
The Donkey Kong Universe has been in a severe game drought since 2019, but it's been even longer if you've been counting since the last original, standalone Donkey Kong game (10 years) or the last Banjo-Kazooie title (16 years). How does a diehard fanatic of any or all of these franchises cope? Hyle is joined by Josh Wallen from off of the Geek Critique to discuss historical methods he's used in the off-months in the 1990s, as well as highlighting some modern games that might quench your thirst!
1224 - Stinky Ape Summer 2024 Call Sack!
1 juli 2024 |
112 min
We answer some of the calls we've received on the DK Vine Hotline (1-202-630-VINE) over the summer game announcement season concerning Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Yooka-Replaylee, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and more!
1223 - Spotlight: Sabre Wulf
24 juni 2024 |
165 min
Celebrating 20 years, Rare's overlooked and underappreciated Game Boy Advance gem Sabre Wulf followed up Sabreman's revival in Banjo-Tooie with a sprawling, innovative adventure unlike anything else in the GBA library. Hyle is joined by gaming collector and handheld aficionado Freezer to discuss one of the DKU's more obscure branches!
Mini 030 - Forever Entertainment S.A.?
20 juni 2024 |
29 min
We discuss the recent 30-second ad for the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion to Super Nintendo World!
1222 - Stinky Ape Summer 2024: Nintendo Direct
18 juni 2024 |
91 min
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Dustin discuss today's Nintendo Direct and the surprisingly logical decision it announced: the definitive version of Donkey Kong Country Returns!
1221 - Stinky Ape Summer 2024: Playtonic
13 juni 2024 |
99 min
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle is joined by the Cartoon Gamer for a robust and lively chat on all things Yooka-Replaylee, Playtonic's recently announced enhanced remaster of the original Yooka-Laylee!
1220 - Stinky Ape Summer 2024: Xbox Showcase
9 juni 2024 |
74 min
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, DK Vine discusses the 2024 Xbox Showcase! While lacking any grand Banjo-Kazooie revival announcement or even an update on Everwild, we did get the expected Sea of Thieves trailer... and the surprise trailer for another long-awaited Rare franchise reboot.
1219 - Stinky Ape Summer 2024 Kickoff!
7 juni 2024 |
136 min
Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, DK Vine kicks off its Stinky Ape Summer by discussing what's possibly on deck concerning Rare and Donkey Kong in the upcoming game showcases from Xbox and Nintendo... and what was just revealed by Playtonic in the form of Yooka-Replaylee!
1218 - Diddy Kong Racing Spinoffs We Wanted (and Never Got)
3 juni 2024 |
145 min
Diddy Kong Racing upended Donkey Kong Country fandom in 1997 by setting itself up as a backdoor pilot for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie and Conker franchises. This created a lot of expectations for the rest of the cast. Hyle and Jeff reflect on all of the Diddy Kong Racing spinoffs we wanted... and some that came close to existing!
1217 - Spotlight: Mario vs. Donkey Kong
27 maj 2024 |
133 min
The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, which received a Nintendo Switch remake earlier this year, has turned 20! While controversial within corners of the Donkey Kong fandom, the series has endured for two decades with numerous sequels. Resident Mario vs. Donkey Kong enthusiast I.M. Gibbon joins noted skeptic Hyle to discuss the history of Donkey Kong Arcade Era revivals, how it led us here, and the game's unique place in both the Mario and DK franchises!
1216 - Remembering E3 2004
20 maj 2024 |
270 min
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." There was one Dickens of an E3 that contained enough Donkey Kong Universe games for two cities... and wildly divergent moods toward the futures of Nintendo and Rare. The Kongversation remembers E3 2004 from DK Vine's rhythm-pounded, neon-bathed, live and reloaded perspective!
1215 - Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World Uncovered
13 maj 2024 |
136 min
The Kongversation catches up with all the latest news and updates on the Donkey Kong Country half of Super Nintendo World! While the expansion has been delayed until the end of the year in Japan, Universal Orlando has fully revealed its existence for next year's Epic Universe. This includes new details, never-before-revealed specifics, and a fresh international identity for a certain Donkey Kong character.
1214 - The DKU Draft 2024 Analysis
11 maj 2024 |
76 min
The results are in! DK Vine's Patrons (https://www.patreon.com/dkvine) have voted on who drafted the best library of DKU games on the DKU Draft 2024 Special. Hyle and Jeff analyze the politics of DKU fandom and what went into drafting the winning team (as well as the losing two)!
1213 - Sea of Thieves: Season Eleven
6 maj 2024 |
124 min
We get into all of the features, both exciting and controversial, of the Shmegoobagooba's Season 11! Yes, welcome to Worm Week. Rare's doubled it! Number go up :)
1212 - The DKU Draft 2024 Special
29 april 2024 |
107 min
Inspired by the NFL Draft, the Kongversation sits down Hyle, Jeff, and Mitchell to each draft five Donkey Kong Universe video games for their respective teams. With a mad scramble to recruit the favorites, it quickly becomes a mad scramble of gamesmanship and heartbreak. Which captain will score the superior DKU library?
1211 - Gibb Cribs: Banjo's House
22 april 2024 |
180 min
One of the most iconic and enduring locations in the Donkey Kong Universe, Banjo's comfy country cottage tucked away in Spiral Mountain has been the starting point of nearly every adventure he and Kazooie have embarked on since 1998. Hyle and Dustin break down the history, and the hidden secrets, of this charming bear den!
1210 - New Animated Film Based on the World of Super Mario Bros. Speculation Center
15 april 2024 |
116 min
Nintendo and Illumination have announced they're releasing "a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros." in 2026. The question that naturally arises with such odd phrasing is, will this be a direct sequel to the previous film or the purported Donkey Kong spinoff? The Kongversation champs some popcorn and slanders some Hollywood stars in our debate over the nature of Nintendo's next blockbuster film!
1209 - Attack of the Call Sack!
8 april 2024 |
191 min
The Kongversation once again opens up the Call Sack! Our listeners called the DK Vine Hotline at 1-202-630-VINE to prompt us on what to discuss across the wide Donkey Kong Universe!
1208 - DKU Architects: Gregg Mayles
1 april 2024 |
192 min
In DKU Architects, the Kongversation examines the creative philosophies behind the minds that helped shape the Donkey Kong Universe. Up first is the design brilliance of Gregg Mayles, the creative juggernaut at Rare who lent his talents to Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, Sea of Thieves, and more!
1207 - Character Witness: Tiptup
29 mars 2024 |
179 min
Hey, it's Tiptup! Believe it or not, Diddy Kong Racing's speedy turtle, who would go on to become a minor character in the Banjo-Kazooie series, was once one of Rare's most popular characters. Learn about the fervent late 1990s devotion to the maestro as we explore his life history on the Kongversation!
1206 - Stop 'N' Swop: A Magnification
27 mars 2024 |
130 min
Why do a fourth episode on Stop 'N' Swop? What more could possibly be said for the fabled scrapped feature that would have connected Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Banjo-Tooie, and at least three more of Rare's N64 titles? Steve from off of Rare Gamer is back to take it to the fridge, freezer, or shower!
1205 - Super Mario Bros. 2 and the Donkey Kong Country Fan
22 mars 2024 |
265 min
The Kongversation discussing a Super Mario Bros. game? What? Why? Because it takes one of the world's biggest Donkey Kong Country fans, as well as one of the world's biggest Sonic the Hedgehog fans, to talk about the virtues of the most maligned and misunderstood entry in the Super Mario series. Hyle and Josh Wallen chat about Super Mario Bros. 2!
1204 - Sea of Thieves: Season Ten
18 mars 2024 |
137 min
The Kongversation catches up with Sea of Thieves' final months of 2023 with the three big new features added to the game: Guilds, the Skull of Siren Song, and Safer Seas!
1203 - 10 Years of Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
15 mars 2024 |
206 min
The most recent new, standalone Donkey Kong game is now one decade old. It's a dubious, depressing milestone for any DK fan, but Hyle's joined by The Cartoon Gamer, Malik, to help look on the bright side of things and warm the cold sensation of 10 years wandering the frozen tundra!
1202 - Surprises under Every Tree
11 mars 2024 |
120 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss Rare's sudden, surprising multiplatform spread across Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation consoles! Between five more titles arriving on Nintendo Switch Online and Sea of Thieves coming to PlayStation 5, what does the future hold for the rest of Rare's past and present?
1201 - Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Switch) First Impressions
8 mars 2024 |
132 min
The Kongversation kicks off its 12th season! After discussing some news about DK Vine up front, Hyle and Dustin get into their thoughts on the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. While the original is controversial in certain corners of Donkey Kong fandom, does the remake hit any differently 20 years later?
1147 - New Year's Forecast 2024
31 december 2023 |
107 min
DK Vine rings in 2024 for the UK while ringing out Season 11 of the podcast. What does 2024 look like for the Donkey Kong Universe, specifically the Donkey Kong franchise, Banjo-Kazooie, and Yooka-Laylee?
Mini 029 - The New Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World Ad
30 december 2023 |
35 min
We discuss the recent 30-second ad for the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion to Super Nintendo World!
Mini 028 - Extra Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze Chat!
28 december 2023 |
27 min
Following up on the Spotlight episode for 2003's browser game, Hyle and Josh are back with some surprising revelations about Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze and Skyworks Technologies, Inc., the studio behind the magic! Be sure to watch the YouTube version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00vNYtO3T78 for the full effect!
1146 - Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island
18 december 2023 |
177 min
2023 saw a unique video game crossover when the world of LucasArts' Monkey Island, the classic point-and-click adventure series, crossed over with Rare's shared universe in Sea of Thieves. Stalwart Rare diehard Hyle is joined by Monkey Island fanatic Dustin and Sea of Thieves expert Jeff to break down all three installments of "The Legend of Monkey Island" and determine if it was the middle ground to win us all over!
1145 - Donkey Kong Country at Super Nintendo World Exposed
11 december 2023 |
214 min
Universal Studios Japan has unveiled many of the details for the upcoming expansion to Super Nintendo World entitled Donkey Kong Country. DK Vine discusses all of the major news and ramifications of the biggest Donkey Kong story of the decade!
1144 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze
7 december 2023 |
144 min
Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze was a 2003 browser game licensed by Nintendo to promote Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy Advance on the Candystand.com website. Explore the history and surprisingly intricate lore of the DK game the general public never knew existed!
1143 - DK Vine Performance Review
3 december 2023 |
140 min
Hyle's about a month into his journey as the world's first self-employed Donkey Kong journalist. But where are the checks and balances? What professional can hold him accountable? Mitchell Wolfe returns to the podcast to give Hyle his DK Vine performance review!
1142 - Spotlight: Mario Kart Double Dash!!
22 november 2023 |
240 min
We were going to do a two-hour episode but then we realized we had to DOUBLE IT!! The Kongversation looks back at Mario Kart Double Dash!! and the GameCube racer's many triumphs, notorious frustrations, and unique place in Mario Kart history!
1141 - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass Wave 6 First Impressions
13 november 2023 |
135 min
The moment we had given up on more than once has finally come to (Booster Course) pass: Diddy Kong is in Mario Kart 8! Along with Funky Kong's addition, the biggest hindrance towards DK fans embracing the most recent console iteration of the series has been resolved. Hyle and Cameron share their initial thoughts on finally getting to play a nine-and-a-half-year-old game with slightly different primates!
1140 - Diddy Kong Racing for Game Boy Color and Dino Island for Nintendo 64
6 november 2023 |
138 min
Travel back to Rare's Manor House, circa early 1998, as a recently uncovered document reveals a previously unknown game and new details about the origins of another. Explore what could have been for the Diddy Kong Racing cast in the immediate aftermath of their hit N64 racing game!
1139 - 20 Years of Grabbed by the Ghoulies
31 oktober 2023 |
169 min
Grabbed by the Ghoulies is a brilliant entry in Rare's shared universe and one of our favorite titles. But their Xbox debut has been dismissed and maligned by mainstream gamers since its release in 2003. What's the disconnect between the two sides? Altermentality returns to the podcast to discuss exactly why Ghoulies has grabbed true believers for two decades and counting!
1138 - A New Era for DK Vine
26 oktober 2023 |
121 min
DK Vine enters a new era! Broadcast live on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle's joined by Josh from off of the Geek Critique to discuss what's ahead for DK Vine as the hub for Donkey Kong Universe fandom in the weeks, months, and hopefully years to come!
1137 - Sea of Thieves: Season Nine
17 oktober 2023 |
172 min
Sea of Thieves' Season Nine was its longest yet. Stretched out over seven months, it was intended to be a lowkey series of updates focused on quality-of-life improvements that, due to delays for future content, bore the weight of much of Rare's 2023. However, it wasn't without its charms! Hyle and Jeff check in with Rare's ongoing pirate adventure!
1136 - Destination DKU: Autumn Heights
9 oktober 2023 |
189 min
It's autumn! Crisp air, pumpkin-flavored beverages and desserts, and all the cider your supple little cheeks can swallow. And what better place to spend the fall than the island in the Rare Archipelago most associated with it? Hyle and Dustin celebrate Oktoberfest in Autumn Heights!
Mini 027 - Mario Kart Tour's Last Vibes
2 oktober 2023 |
31 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss the end of new content in Mario Kart Tour, the strange melancholy of it, and what it and the end of the Booster Course Pass could mean for the future of Mario Kart!
1135 - Why Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge Still Matters
25 september 2023 |
193 min
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge. Overlooked. Dismissed. Forgotten. And... vitally important to the history of Banjo-Kazooie? Hyle and Dustin honor the Game Boy Advance midquel in light of its 20th anniversary, examining why the underrated gem means so much to the hardcore Banjo-Kazooie and DKU fandoms!
1134 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2023
19 september 2023 |
81 min
Stinky Ape Summer comes to a close with our annual Talk Like a Pirate Day episode! This time, Hyle and Dustin pick up a discussion they started back in June about Rare, Rare's legacy, and how they could do a better job in honoring it. The answer? Put Captain Blackeye in Sea of Thieves!
1133 - September 2023 Nintendo Direct
18 september 2023 |
161 min
Broadcasted live on DK Vine's Twitch channel at https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Josh from off of the Geek Critique discuss the September 2023 Nintendo Direct! From a leak that unnecessarily raised expectations to a nine-year drama ending in victory, few Nintendo Directs ran the full gamut of emotions for Donkey Kong fans!
1132 - Making Peace with the Donkey Kong Country Cartoon
11 september 2023 |
142 min
Having recently passed the 25th anniversary of the infamous Donkey Kong Country cartoon's premiere in his native United States, Hyle comes to terms with the adaptation that many fans love and that he's historically loathed. The Cartoon Gamer joins the show to discuss with him how his feelings have softened over the years and why he now respects its place in history. (Mostly!)
1131 - Charles Martinet's Last Laugh
28 augusti 2023 |
70 min
The Kongversation reflects on Charles Martinet's surprise retirement from voice acting in Mario games. What's the hardcore Donkey Kong fanatic perspective on the loss of his frienemy's familiar mouth sounds?
1130 - Everything We Know about the Donkey Kong Country Theme Park
21 augusti 2023 |
143 min
An entire episode of the Kongversation centered on the upcoming Donkey Kong Country section of Super Nintendo World in Osaka and Orlando! Hyle and Dustin break down everything that's known and leaked about the little slice of Kongo Jungle, including all the twists and turns of the minecart coaster!
1129 - Spotlight: Mario Golf Toadstool Tour
14 augusti 2023 |
137 min
Why is Camelot's second console Mario Golf game so beloved by a subset of Donkey Kong Universe fans? Hyle and David discuss the legacy of Toadstool Tour in light of its 20th anniversary, including Diddy's playable debut in a game not developed by Rare. We also delve into the history of DK Vine's infamous "prosthetic golfing fingers" rationale, pinpointing the precise date and time Hyle vomited out the most ludicrous piece of fanon bile ever committed to the Internet.
1128 - LEGO Super Mario: Donkey Kong Expansion Sets First Impressions
7 augusti 2023 |
111 min
The Donkey Kong sub-series for LEGO Super Mario has arrived! Hyle shares his first impressions with Dustin, full of amusing anecdotes about building the characters and playsets, navigating the LEGO Super Mario app, and trying to figure out the all-important question: IS IT CANON?
1127 - The Romance of the Video Game Hype Cycle
31 juli 2023 |
243 min
The Geek Critique is back on the Kongversation for a lengthy discussion about the most magical time for a fan of a video game series. No, not when you're playing a new game. Before that. The time between the official reveal and release, when your brain centers on this one monumental target of upcoming excitement. Being that it's now been a decade since Donkey Kong fans got to experience this, we look back at some of our personal favorite hype cycles from the DKU's history!
1126 - How Would You Revive Conker?
26 juli 2023 |
125 min
Everyone has ideas for a new Donkey Kong or Banjo-Kazooie game, but what about the third pillar of the DKU? Being a more auteur-driven series, most people have written Conker off as a dead franchise. But what if it indeed got a new full-length game? In a unique Kongversation, three DK Vine staffers with wildly contrasting opinions on where to take the peeing squirrel all convene for a wild and messy panel debate!
Mini 026 - Donkey Kong's Dokan Holiday
24 juli 2023 |
29 min
A reconciling of the drama surrounding the "mob_dk" nonsense for Mario Kart Tour and, by extension, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! The hope brought about by the data-mining of a new Donkey Kong track earlier this year affirmed the belief that Diddy Kong was coming to the Booster Course Pass... and now it's turned out to be something completely different. Where do DK fans (Donkey Kong, not dokan) currently stand with the Mario Karts?
1125 - Character Witness: Squawks
17 juli 2023 |
202 min
Squawk! How did the most minor regular character in Donkey Kong Country become one of the most beloved and essential characters in the entire Donkey Kong Universe? It's a fascinating tale of Rare's development philosophies and never letting a character go to waste. It's the tale of Squawks the parrot! Bwark!
1124 - Indiana Jones and the DKU
10 juli 2023 |
76 min
In honor of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the Kongversation looks at the very real impact the original trilogy had on the development of the DKU, specifically in how Rare reconceptualized the Kongs for Donkey Kong Country. Anything goes when it comes to lifting traits and set pieces from the classic films!
1123 - 25 Years of Banjo-Kazooie
3 juli 2023 |
237 min
Banjo-Kazooie has Beak Bombed the quarter-century mark! The Kongversation celebrates with a massive chat about the game's enduring legacy, how the series continues to make new fans despite the lack of new titles, how it's maintained its sibling relationship with Donkey Kong, and, of course, our hopes for its future!
Mini 025 - Donkey Kong's Roman Holiday
1 juli 2023 |
51 min
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Apparently, that means swinging a sharp sword around while driving a go-kart. Hyle and Cameron have a Kongversation about the new costumed Donkey Kong variant in Mario Kart Tour while also discussing some dispiriting rumors about what may (or may not) be ahead for the Kong cast in both Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe!
1122 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)
26 juni 2023 |
203 min
The Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country has turned 20 years old in June of 2023! But why does an "inferior" version of DKC deserve a long Spotlight episode and the respect of Donkey Kong fandom? Hyle and Dustin discuss why the GBA version might actually be the most crucial game in DK's history after Miyamoto's original arcade game and the SNES DKC!
1121 - "Not E3" 2023 Nintendo
21 juni 2023 |
131 min
Broadcast LIVE on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle is joined by Josh Wallen from off of the Geek Critique to discuss Nintendo's big June 2023 Direct! Did we get the new Donkey Kong game? Nope! Was Diddy announced for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Nope! Were there any cool DKU Nintendo Switch Online titles revealed? Nope! So why is Hyle feeling so good about Donkey Kong's future?
1120 - Interview: The Krew Of "Return to Krocodile Isle"
19 juni 2023 |
110 min
A discussion about the Donkey Kong Country cartoon on DK Vine's Kongversation? Hold your loved ones tight and say goodbye to all you hold dear! Hyle and Cameron sit down with the key creative minds behind the surprise animated short that reunited the cast of the classic animated series. How did they recruit them? What was it like blending them into a more games-accurate version of the DKU? And what vile things did they get Richard Yearwood to say that didn't make the cut?
1119 - "Not E3" 2023 Xbox
11 juni 2023 |
93 min
Broadcast LIVE on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Dustin are back with thoughts on the 2023 Xbox Showcase! What did we think about Rare's announcement for the big green digital presentation? We also pause to acknowledge the fact that it's been ten years since Tropical Freeze's reveal, reflecting on the heaviness that comes with being a Rare and DKU fan. Why is it so gosh darn hard compared to every other comparable video game studio and franchise?
1118 - "Not E3" 2023 Preview
10 juni 2023 |
122 min
Broadcast LIVE on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Dustin kick off Stinky Ape Summer and the game announcement season with a look at the Donkey Kong Universe's chances over the next three months. Less blind predictions and more a State of the Union of our fandom, we speak our concerns and express our hopes on everything Yooka-Laylee and Playtonic, Rare's franchises both new and old, and Donkey Kong (naturally).
1117 - Spotlight: Mario Kart Super Circuit
5 juni 2023 |
145 min
The most overlooked Mario Kart? The most underrated Mario Kart? Or a middling compromise between Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64? The Kongversation looks back at the first handheld Mario Kart game that bridged the divide between the Nintendo 64 and GameCube eras and also launched the Game Boy Advance!
1116 - Bestia-Rare-y: Merfolk
29 maj 2023 |
108 min
Hey, remember that time Tiny Kong encountered a mermaid in Donkey Kong 64? That was kind of stupid. It didn't fit the Donkey Kong Universe. OR DID IT? Historic folklore intertwined with further in-game mythology over the next 24 years says otherwise! DK Vine sells out to Disney by analyzing the little mermaids (and little mermen and oh-so-precious sirens) of Rare's shared universe!
1115 - It's All Relative: Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong
22 maj 2023 |
154 min
The Super Mario Bros. Movie has reignited a debate for the ages (and a debate about the aged). Is Cranky Kong the father or grandfather of the current Donkey Kong? And does that make the current Donkey Kong an adult Donkey Kong Jr. or his son? And where does Baby Donkey Kong fit into this mess? The Kongversation recounts the complicated, sometimes contradictory history of Cranky and Donkey's relationship!
1114 - 25 Years of Rarewhere
15 maj 2023 |
214 min
Rare's beloved classic website, Rarewhere, has turned 25! The Kongversation takes a look back at what made this particular corporate website so special for the fandom, why it continues to influence us today, and all the ways it influenced the lore and our understanding of the shared Rare universe!
1113 - Here Comes LEGO Donkey Kong!
8 maj 2023 |
155 min
The Kongversation discusses the four new Donkey Kong sets coming to LEGO Super Mario! The surprises, the references, and even the hidden lore of the upcoming expansion to the sprawling toy series!
1112 - Call Sack: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
2 maj 2023 |
118 min
It's another spoiler-filled episode on the Super Mario Bros. Movie as Hyle is joined by The Cartoon Gamer himself, MALIK! They're opening the show up to our listeners, who have called in to ask for our opinions on the role of the Kongs in the movie, the potential possibilities for the Donkey Kong film, and much more!
1111 - Destination DKU: Kongo Jungle
26 april 2023 |
123 min
Go back to World 1 for episode 1111 and learn all about the home of Donkey Kong and most of his friends and family: the Kongo Jungle! The Kongversation gets into the weeds on this audio expedition, discussing the real-world influences of the iconic locale and uncovering inane minutiae like where the tennis courts in Mario Tennis games are located and what is actually the true source of the Kongo River. Hyle took extra cocaine for this one! (It is not a product of the Kongo Jungle.)
Mini 024 - Funky Kong on Saturday Night Live
20 april 2023 |
31 min
What's up, Colin? What's up, LADIES? Hyle and Jeff discuss the surreal experience of Funky Kong appearing on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update!
1110 - Character Witness: Swanky Kong
17 april 2023 |
159 min
With a renewed interest in every Kong both famous and obscure, the public wants to know everything there is to know about Swanky Kong! Luckily, DK Vine indeed knows everything there is to know about the gaudy gorilla game show host. Hyle and Dustin welcome Swanky to our own version of "This Is Your Life"... Character Witness!
1109 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie: A Film Critique
10 april 2023 |
248 min
Broadcast live on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine, it's our massive four-person, four-hour roundtable discussion of the Super Mario Bros. Movie! We spoil everything by getting into all of the film's triumphs and flaws... and all of that Donkey Kong content.
1108 - Stop 'N' Swop: A Summation
3 april 2023 |
88 min
In our third episode on the legendary scrapped Stop 'N' Swop feature, Steve from off of Rare Gamer returns to discuss even more details that have recently been unearthed! What do Banjo-Kazooie cartridges emit in their search for compatible games? How would Banjo-Kazooie have connected to Donkey Kong 64, and what does it have to do with Crystal Caves and the mystery pillar in Creepy Castle? We finally have some tangible answers!
1107 - Donkey Kong: The Lost Years
27 mars 2023 |
155 min
Very specific rumors have begun spreading across the Internet about the abandoned Donkey Kong game from 2016 that DK Vine and the Kongversation have alluded to in the past. In this episode, we finally divulge everything we know about the missing link in DK history!
1106 - 5 Years of Sea of Thieves
20 mars 2023 |
121 min
Sea of Thieves pulled a beloved game developer from the abyss and went on to become their biggest success in over 35 years. On this episode of the Kongversation, Hyle is joined by Rare community stalwart Jeph Pérez to discuss how the legendary studio's make-or-break reinvention overcame critical odds to find a massive worldwide audience, the transformative legacy the game has already left behind, and what we hope from it in the future!
Mini 023 - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's New Vibes
17 mars 2023 |
34 min
A brief chat about this suddenly exciting era of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Donkey Kong Universe fans, where Wave 4 of the Booster Course Pass has brought us two Kong-related tracks with the possibility of a brand new one on the horizon... and the inclusion of at least one more Kong.
1105 - Sea of Thieves: Season Eight
13 mars 2023 |
90 min
Hyle and Jeff chat about the most recent Sea of Thieves season, which introduced the on-demand ship-to-ship battles as part of the Battle for the Sea of Thieves. They also detail all of the DKU connections from the past four months (great for Hyle!), as well as Rare completely kneecapping the name of Jeff's blog (sucks for Jeff!).
Mini 022 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie Final Trailer
9 mars 2023 |
40 min
Broadcast LIVE earlier tonight on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/dkvine), Hyle and Cameron give their thoughts on the final trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as some surprising reveals from the Japanese website! Hear the exact moment we found out that another Kong has surfaced!
1104 - Clive 'N' Wrench First Impressions
6 mars 2023 |
153 min
CLIVE! WRENCH! Come on over and hear our first full post-game discussion on Clive 'N' Wrench! The new indie 3D platformer has gotten a somewhat mixed reaction, yet it's already picked up a devoted following among aficionados of the genre. Hyle and Cameron share their thoughts on the first four worlds (and the DKU connections therein)!
1103 - Super Mario Bros. Movie Miscellany
27 februari 2023 |
99 min
In this brief time betwixt the full-length and final trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Hyle and Jeff have a Kongversation about all of the little bits of news relating to Donkey and Cranky Kong's appearance in the film. Their voices! DK Island's portrayal! Leaked merchandise! We also take a detour to Brooklyn to discuss the film's nostalgia-heavy marketing!
1102 - February 2023 Nintendo Direct
20 februari 2023 |
115 min
A Nintendo Direct lacking significant Donkey Kong Universe news is usually not a reason for DK Vine to celebrate, but Hyle and Dustin explain how the February 2023 presentation sneakily laid out several promising developments for the future of the Kongs!
1101 - Interview: Rob Wass of Clive 'N' Wrench
13 februari 2023 |
54 min
The Kongversation kicks off its second decade by talking with someone who knows a thing or two about time: Rob Wass, the architect behind the upcoming 3D platformer (and certified DKU adventure) Clive 'N' Wrench!
1045 - New Year's Forecast 2023
31 december 2022 |
82 min
DK Vine rings out 2022 for the birthplace of the Donkey Kong Universe while ringing in the new of 2023. What will the year ahead look like for Donkey Kong, Rare, and Playtonic?
1044 - DKU Tribunal Special Session: Kameo: Elements of Power
30 december 2022 |
110 min
In the final DKU Tribunal Special Session of the season, Hyle and Dustin relitigate the case for Kameo: Element of Power's inclusion in the Donkey Kong Universe! Has Rare's 2005 Xbox 360 launch title been hiding a firm character-based connection to the DKU all along?
1043 - In Defense of the Nintendo 64
19 december 2022 |
150 min
A narrative has begun to take hold in online discourse claiming that the Nintendo 64 was an outright failure. And while this might be true in Japan, it's not speaking to the full story around the world. Josh Wallen from off of the Geek Critique returns to defend the most powerful console of the mid-1990s!
Mini 021 - Mario Kart Tour's New Vibes
14 december 2022 |
50 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss the multitude of changes Mario Kart Tour's gone through in 2022! From the removal of the controversial gacha system and the addition of Balloon Battle all the way to the new Donkey Kong-related karts and tracks... and the possibility that new content in the game may finally be winding down (before we even get Cranky Kong, Brash Bear, and Glow in the Dark Lube Funky Kong).
1042 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie Full Trailer
1 december 2022 |
160 min
In a special LIVE episode of the Kongversation broadcast on Twitch, Hyle and Cameron give their full thoughts on the full-length trailer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie featuring Donkey and Cranky Kong! They also dive into all of the Kong cameos from the trailer and poster, and break down how the Kongs will drive the plot of the film!
1041 - Sea of Thieves: Season Seven
30 november 2022 |
162 min
Sea of Thieves: Season Seven introduced captaincy and the ability to own (and name!) your own ship, finally giving DK Vine its long-awaited Dreadfully Evil. With a 'THE' on the crest and everything. Fight us. But don't, because we'll sink you. Except for when kraken makes inky from its stinky while we're diving shipwrecks. We discuss all of the Adventures and more from the just-wrapped Season Seven!
1040 - Why Diddy Kong Racing Still Matters
22 november 2022 |
131 min
It's the Silver (Coin) Anniversary of Diddy Kong Racing! As the keystone of the Donkey Kong Universe turns 25, Hyle and Matt discuss why the game still wields such a huge influence over our fandom!
1039 - Video Game Rentals in the Age of Blockbuster Video
14 november 2022 |
104 min
A nostalgic trip to the movie rental store as Hyle and Mitchell reminisce about the golden age of renting video games from Blockbuster Video!
1038 - The Mushroom Kingdom, Donkey Kong Island, and the Multiverse
7 november 2022 |
128 min
Inspired by several recent events relating to both Super Mario and Donkey Kong, Hyle and Dustin take an evenhanded look at the long and controversial debate about whether or not Mario's Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong's Donkey Kong Island share the same physical world!
1037 - SKELETONS
31 oktober 2022 |
101 min
Recorded and broadcast live on the afternoon of Halloween, Hyle and Jeff discuss the surprisingly consistent lore for animated skeletons across the Donkey Kong Universe!
1036 - Destination DKU: Witchyworld
27 oktober 2022 |
151 min
Steal some money from your mother's purse and take a trip to Witchyworld, the Isle O'Hags' biggest tourist destination! Just in time for Halloween, Hyle and Dustin guide you through the park's thrills and hidden wonders!
1035 - Spotlight: Star Fox Adventures (part 3)
21 oktober 2022 |
157 min
The final installment of our Star Fox Adventures retrospective sees us discuss some of the more memorable moments of the game, as well as the incredible soundtrack and memorable voice acting, before we process what it was like loving a critically divisive game that marked the end of the Rare/Nintendo partnership.
Mini 020 - Diddy Kong in Mario Strikers: Battle League!
17 oktober 2022 |
25 min
We give our quick thoughts on the official addition of Diddy Kong (and Pauline) in the latest update to Mario Strikers: Battle League!
1034 - Spotlight: Star Fox Adventures (part 2)
11 oktober 2022 |
205 min
The second part of our Star Fox Adventures retrospective goes in-depth into the characters, story, and lore of this forgotten corner of the Lylat System. Who are the Krazoa? What happened with Andross on Krystal's home planet? Which Dinosaurs are the most racist? We leave no WarpStone left unturned!
Mini 019 - The Super Mario Bros. Movie Teaser Trailer
6 oktober 2022 |
57 min
While both buzzed on the alcohols, Hyle and Jeff give their GROUNDBREAKING thoughts on the Super Mario Bros. Movie teaser trailer, which did not have Donkey or Cranky Kong in it. It didn't even have any ass in it, which is what most of our listeners pony up to the bar for here at the Coyote Ugly. But anyway, it's a kid's movie and we're adults with some serious opinions.
1033 - Spotlight: Star Fox Adventures (part 1)
3 oktober 2022 |
141 min
We kick off our Spotlight series on Star Fox Adventures by beginning in 1997 with the launch of both Diddy Kong Racing and Star Fox 64, explaining how the follow-up projects to both would run parallel, intersect, and finally merge to become a single project under Rare... their last console game for Nintendo.
1032 - 20 Years of the Rare Buyout
26 september 2022 |
185 min
Do you remember the 24th of September? Yes, the day when our Earth was blown away by the wind into the fire of change. The day when Rare was purchased by Microsoft. On the 20th anniversary, the Kongversation reflects on the highs, lows, and ultimate acceptance of Rare leaving Nintendo... and how despite the odds, the Donkey Kong Universe has persevered.
1031 - Interview: Chris Allcock II (Talk WITH a Pirate Day 2022)
19 september 2022 |
73 min
At the conclusion of Stinky Ape Summer, Chris Allcock of Rare fame returns to the Kongversation to discuss what went into writing "Sea of Thieves: Heart of Fire," the newest novel set in Rare's universe!
1030 - September 2022 Nintendo Direct
17 september 2022 |
71 min
The oft-rumored Nintendo Direct that we've simultaneously longed for and feared for the past three months finally happened this past week. The Kongversation discusses the return of Diddy Kong, Pierce Brosnan, the 1 vs. 3 Mini-Game Tree, and hand-wringing about the future of Donkey Kong!
1029 - Sea of Thieves: Heart of Fire: A Literary Analysis
12 september 2022 |
90 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss the new Sea of Thieves novel, "Sea of Thieves: Heart of Fire" by Chris Allcock! The second full-length novel set in the shared Rare universe is an emotional nautical parable about overcoming trauma, finding where you belong, skeletons being kooky, and a DILF with a mustache who makes the shipwrights go weak in their hulls.
1028 - Was Destroying Crocodile Isle a Mistake?
5 september 2022 |
84 min
Was destroying Crocodile Isle a mistake? Not from an in-universe perspective, as we're sure Diddy is still haunted by the nightmares of that fateful day. We're asking if incinerating the Kremling homeland gave us decades worth of plot fallout at the expense of one of the most interesting locations in the Donkey Kong Universe!
1027 - Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair: To the Impossible Lair
29 augusti 2022 |
127 min
Beloved Kongversation co-host Joe Mudd returns to the show to help us round out our multi-year discussion on Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair! We talk about some of the highlights from the last areas of Playtonic's masterpiece, the stress of the Impossible Lair itself, and break down both twist-filled endings!
Mini 018 - More RareRacers Discussion!
22 augusti 2022 |
41 min
We can't put a pin in our Kongversations about Fangamer's RareRacers products. Not when there are TWO pins to discuss!
1026 - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tour's Inbreeding
15 augusti 2022 |
160 min
With both excitement and criticism around Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass, two of DK Vine's resident Mario Kart Tour players, Hyle and Cameron, take a look at the interesting interplay between the two concurrent Mario Kart titles. Does upscaling a mobile game's tracks to double a celebrated console game's content really work?
1025 - Banjo-Kazooie and Conker in Summer of ‘97
8 augusti 2022 |
120 min
Take a trip back in time 25 years to a curious three months in Donkey Kong Universe fandom... before the Donkey Kong Universe was even conceptualized! When Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Quest were first announced instead of Donkey Kong's big Nintendo 64 game, there were hurt and confused feelings. But could there somehow be a connection between the three? We know how the story ended, but this is the seldom-remembered prologue!
1024 - Sea of Thieves: Season Six
1 augusti 2022 |
175 min
Stretching from March 10th to the first week of August, Sea of Thieves' Season Six was a long period full of murder, mayhem, ghost houses, disco tornadoes, and methodical shaming of Hyle and Jeff's work and self-esteem. Catch up on what you've missed in Rare's ongoing omni-prequel!
1023 - Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure (Outrageously Belated) First Impressions
25 juli 2022 |
188 min
It's also finally here! Altermentality joins Hyle once more for yet another much-delayed discussion on Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, this time for the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC! But more than just DLC, it's actually a lovingly-crafted Donkey Kong game that, in this vast desert of Kongtent, any DK fan thirsty for some Kong juice would be wise (or Kirkhope) to lap up!
1022 - Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Outrageously Belated) First Impressions
18 juli 2022 |
155 min
It's finally here! Altermentality joins Hyle for a much-delayed discussion on Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle! In the first of two episodes, we recap the long history of Mario RPGs and how they led us to Kingdom Battle. We then chat about how the base game struck us, specifically as Donkey Kong and Rare fans!
1021 - Gibb Cribs: Donkey Kong's Treehouses
11 juli 2022 |
242 min
Have you ever wondered how Donkey Kong lives? No, no. I mean, have you ever REALLY WONDERED how this tie-wearing, banana-hoarding gorilla spends his days when he's not adventuring or racing Mario? The Kongversation takes a comprehensive four-hour tour of each of Donkey Kong's treehouses and the homes that are often said to belong to him but probably don't. Think of it as the ultimate Airbnb experience!
1020 - Mario Strikers: Battle League First Impressions
5 juli 2022 |
75 min
It's the return of Mario Strikers! But where's Diddy? Where are the Kritter goalies? Where's the rest of the content? The Kongversation analyzes Battle League from the perspective of the bewildered Donkey Kong fan!
1019 - DKU Tribunal Special Session: Killer Instinct
27 juni 2022 |
169 min
In the second special Tribunal episode this season, Hyle and Cameron reinvestigate the case of the 2013 reboot of Killer Instinct. We've questioned whether it's part of the shared universe of Donkey Kong in the past, but the results were inconclusive. So what's changed now? And how exactly does it connect to Banjo-Kazooie, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, and the Xbox One hoverboarding game Bleeding Edge?
1018 - "Not E3" 2022 Wish Show
24 juni 2022 |
136 min
Well, this is weird. Hyle and Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen imagine a fantasy E3 where almost everything breaks DK Vine's way. A week full of DKU announcements and surprises across the entire spectrum of studios and franchises. Escape from the dreary world to a fantasy haunted spider hotel where your E3 wishes actually come true!
1017 - "Not E3" 2022 Xbox
12 juni 2022 |
77 min
A weekend of rumors snowballing like some sort of ursine mammal transformed on the ice side of a volcanic island lead to... disappointment! What else? Hyle and Jeff talk about Bear Hikes, bears taking a hike, and the genuinely exciting Sea of Thieves update announced at today's Xbox presentation!
1016 - "Not E3" 2022 Preview
10 juni 2022 |
107 min
Welcome to the E3 of the mind. With no official show this year but the potential for game announcements, DK Vine's "Not E3" 2022 will combine the thrills of gaming's annual event with the uncertainty of every other time of the year. On this live kickoff episode, we speculate what may be shown DKU-wise from Rare, Nintendo, and Playtonic!
1015 - Character Witness: Rambi
6 juni 2022 |
165 min
Is Donkey Kong's beloved rhinoceros companion named after Bambi or Rambo? This is about the only thing we DON'T discuss in this episode that delves into the ins, the outs, and the outs made ins by Rambi smashing through walls!
1014 - Level Name Limbo!
30 maj 2022 |
158 min
What makes the level names of the Donkey Kong Country and Land series so memorable? Hyle and Matt have a lovely little chat about the poetry of the map screen, including our favorites and some memorable interpretations across multiple languages!
1013 - Extraterrestrials of the Donkey Kong Universe
23 maj 2022 |
199 min
I'm the key figure in an ongoing government charade, the plot to conceal the truth about the existence of extraterrestrials in the Donkey Kong Universe. It's a global conspiracy, actually, with key players in the highest levels of power, that reaches down into the lives of every monkey, bear, and squirrel on this planet. So, of course, no one believes me. I'm an annoyance to my superiors, a joke to my peers. They call me Spooky, Spooky Hyle, who played Donkey Kong Country when he was just a kid and who now chases after little green men with a Pro Controller, shouting to the heavens or to anyone who will listen that the fix is in, that the sky is falling, and when it hits it's gonna be the shit-storm of all time.
1012 - Did Donkey Konga Hurt the Brand?
16 maj 2022 |
155 min
Did Donkey Konga hurt the public's perception of Donkey Kong in the West? That's the claim that former Nintendo of America COO Reggie Fils-Aimé has made, so it's time for DK Vine to partner with the Geek Critique to look back on the most divisive time in DK fandom! Josh Wallen is in the co-host chair!
1011 - Destination DKU: Juicy Jungle
9 maj 2022 |
203 min
In the juiciest episode of the Kongversation ever recorded, Hyle and Dustin book a ticket to the eco-friendly island factory of Juicy Jungle! More than just Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze's fifth world, it's a location steeped in the lore of Donkey Kong and the DKU. Make like a pig and lap up these audio juices with your ears!
Mini 017 - April 2022 Fangamer Rare Merchandise Roundup
2 maj 2022 |
54 min
The return of RareRacers, plus general geeking out over the existence of Great Mighty Poo, Rareware, and DKU merchandise!
https://www.fangamer.com/collections/rare
1010 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)
25 april 2022 |
170 min
Released on the same day as Banjo-Tooie and effectively replaced only two-and-a-half years later with another remake, the Game Boy Color version of Donkey Kong Country is a relatively forgotten curiosity in DKU canon. But we? We sort of love it. The Kongversation puts the Spotlight on a game where you can't even properly display spotlights: DKC GBC!
1009 - 5 Years of Yooka-Laylee
18 april 2022 |
135 min
Yooka-Laylee has turned five! Hyle and Dustin celebrate the Yooka-Layleeversary by looking back at how the presence of Playtonic Games has boosted Donkey Kong Universe fandom over the last half-decade. Plus, we also speculate and share what we'd like to see from them next!
1008 - Jitsu Squad First Impressions
10 april 2022 |
71 min
The Kongversation discusses the newest DKU Cameo Game, Jitsu Squad! It's an indie 2-D beat 'em up/1990s martial arts pastiche with guest appearances by Yooka, Laylee, and Rextro Sixtyfourus! Master Ramen requests that you listen. Master Ramen also reminds you that you can't hear the podcast if you can't stop laughing at his name.
1007 - Deal of the Art: Conker
3 april 2022 |
151 min
For a character with relatively few games, Conker's had some dramatic tweaks to his art style and presentation throughout the years. The Kongversation discusses the evolution of Conker's look (and his world) from marshmallow fingers to football head!
1006 - Bestia-Rare-y: Jinjos
27 mars 2022 |
173 min
JINJO! Hyle and Malik get into all of the hidden lore and history of the Jinjo species from off of the Banjo-Kazooie series!
1005 - Women of the Donkey Kong Universe
20 mars 2022 |
195 min
For Women's History Month, Hyle is joined by Gibbon and Courtney "Altermentality" Svatek to look at the ladies of the Donkey Kong Universe! From quiet trailblazers like Dixie Kong and Kazooie to those who caused flooding on the path (Candy Kong, Berri), it's an expansive look at some of our favorites across the DK series, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Dinosaur Planet, Yooka-Laylee, and more!
Additional reading: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/03/08/xbox-celebrates-international-womens-day-2022
1004 - Rarenaissance Rarespective
13 mars 2022 |
132 min
The Rarenaissance era, which we've been living in for the past eight years, has seen the embers of Rare reignite across the games and studios of the Donkey Kong Universe. As the era nears its end and we prepare to embark on what's next, Hyle and Mitchell reflect on the last near-decade of the DKU!
1003 - Sea of Thieves: Season Five
6 mars 2022 |
147 min
Happy holidays! Hyle and Jeff discuss the holiday season, and a season of change, in Sea of Thieves. As Season Five winds down, we look back at sitting down, talk about eating pounds of rat, question who's the true star of loads, and review the introduction of Belle and the Shrouded Islands adventure!
1002 - The Slush Fun'd: Sabre Wulf
27 februari 2022 |
185 min
Let's guzzle some tea and have another chat about Sabre Wulf! Hyle has revived his DK Vine Forum series "The Slush Fun'd" to chronicle his experiences playing the Game Boy Advance cult classic, and he and Dustin will delve into all of his findings and theories, including the game's timeline placement in the DKU and a grand unifying theory between it, Donkey Kong Land, Conker's Pocket Tales, Donkey Kong 64, Banjo-Tooie, Mario Super Sluggers, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Sea of Thieves, and... Imhotep for the Commodore 64?
Mini 016 - Banjo-Kazooie on the Nintendo Switch
20 februari 2022 |
58 min
We give our quick thoughts on Banjo-Kazooie on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The performance, the differences, and the joy of having the Nintendo 64 version available once again!
1001 - DKU Tribunal Special Session: Sabre Wulf
13 februari 2022 |
101 min
In the first of several special Tribunal episodes throughout the season, Hyle and the gang set out to reexamine if Sabre Wulf for the Game Boy Advance should be considered part of the shared universe of Donkey Kong. It's a twisty, convoluted journey into how shared universes have evolved in the popular imagination over the past 50 years, DK Vine's own rules on the subject, and how it all relates to the weird case of a 2004 GBA game about an old British man getting chased by a wolf.
934 - New Year's Forecast 2022
31 december 2021 |
60 min
It's a special LIVE New Year's Forecast 2022! Hyle and Gibbon look into the ORB to see what the year ahead may entail for the Donkey Kong Universe, and then they usher in 2022 for the homeland of Rare and Playtonic!
933 - Imagining the Dream Rare Racing Game!
30 december 2021 |
120 min
Inspired by the fervor that Fangamer's RareRacers pins caused, Hyle, Cameron, and Jeff sit down to discuss all of the various shapes and sizes that a new Rare racing game could take and what we would most like to see. Got milk?
932 - Dinosaur Planet: Fallen Kingdom
23 december 2021 |
184 min
Since our discussion of the Dinosaur Planet ROM, even more of it has been uncovered. In fact, we now have an entire view of the game's storyline and shocking twists, some of which differ quite a bit from Star Fox Adventures. Steve from off of Rare Gamer returns to discuss the alternate reality that could have been!
931 - Sea of Thieves: Season Four
9 december 2021 |
100 min
In the Kongversation's last Sea of Thieves recap of the year, Hyle and Jeff look back at Season Four of Rare's ongoing pirate prequel, which explored the underwater kingdom of the Sirens, saw Halloween and Thanksgiving-inspired events, and... introduced Kremlings?
930 - Demon Turf First Impressions
3 december 2021 |
88 min
The Kongversation discusses all of the big news about Playtonic's ambitious plans before focusing on Demon Turf, the new Hell-based 3D platformer published by Playtonic Friends and featuring an appearance by Yooka and Laylee!
929 - Mario Party Superstars First Impressions
14 november 2021 |
103 min
DK Vine's love/hate relationship with the Mario Party franchise has been well-documented on the Kongversation and elsewhere, so what happens when we get a Mario Party "greatest hits" package that focuses heavily on nostalgia for the Nintendo 64 trilogy? We discuss and debate the return to Mushroom Village, as well as all of the Kong-based representation in the game!
928 - AfterSmash
4 november 2021 |
143 min
Our journey with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has come to an end. Hyle and Mitchell sentimentally reflect on one of the wildest content cycles for any game we've ever covered. We also ponder what could possibly be next for the Smash franchise!
927 - RareRacers
19 oktober 2021 |
121 min
The Kongversation geeks out over Fangamer's new RareRacers merchandise line, kicking off with Banjo and the first-ever Timber the tiger merchandise!
926 - It's Always Sunny in Donkey Kong Country
9 oktober 2021 |
206 min
The Kongversation connects the dots and lays out the case for why Donkey Kong Country fans should be happy, seeing as how we're on the verge of the greatest time for the franchise since the 1990s. Featuring insights on the purported new game, the movie, and the just-announced theme park! Co-starring Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen!
925 - September 2021 Nintendo Direct
28 september 2021 |
117 min
DK Vine teams with The Cartoon Gamer to have a Kongversation about the big DKU stories of the September 2021 Nintendo Direct: Banjo-Kazooie on the Nintendo Switch and Seth Rogen and Fred Armisen as Donkey and Cranky Kong in Illumination's Super Mario movie!
924 - Sea of Thieves: Season Three A Pirate's Life (Talk Like a Pirate Day 2021)
19 september 2021 |
258 min
The Kongversation navigates a four-hour voyage across the waters of chat as we discuss the epic crossover between Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean and Rare's shared universe. Spoilers ahoy!
923 - Interview: D.M. Cumbo II
12 september 2021 |
138 min
D.M. Cumbo, the mind behind Dreamprism Press and the author and artist of Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone, joins us once again on the Kongversation for a chat about the creation of the graphic novel, collaborating with Playtonic, and why you should VOTE FART.
922 - Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone: A Literary Analysis
5 september 2021 |
112 min
In honor of the Grand Tome Edition available now at Limited Run Games (https://www.limitedrungames.com/products/yooka-laylee-and-the-kracklestone-graphic-novel), the Kongversation tackles the official Yooka-Laylee graphic novel, Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone! How did the work change the way Hyle and Cameron view Yooka-Laylee, and why is it worth the time of any longtime fan of the DKU?
921 - Interview: Kev Bayliss and David Wise
22 augusti 2021 |
59 min
The Kongversation is joined by two fathers of the Donkey Kong Universe: the designer of the modern Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, Kev Bayliss, and legendary composer David Wise. They're on the podcast to chat about their careers (including Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong Racing, and Star Fox Adventures) and also their new venture: DK Creations Ltd. and the multi-media comic experience SALAMANDOS!
920 - Dr. Mario World, Nintendo, and Game Preservation
17 augusti 2021 |
79 min
With the news that Nintendo is shutting down Dr. Mario World, rendering it inaccessible to play, the Kongversation takes a look at the history of Nintendo games that are lost to time, the Donkey Kong Universe's close calls over the years, and Nintendo's practices with game preservation compared to Xbox and others.
919 - Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 First Impressions
8 augusti 2021 |
94 min
It's a game that came out in November of 2019 set in the summer of 2020 that didn't actually happen until August of 2021. In this episode, Hyle and David discuss the stupid continuity ramifications of Donkey Kong being an Olympic athlete in every sport!
918 - Character Witness: Banjo Bear
1 augusti 2021 |
184 min
Who's the most stand-up, solid dude in the Donkey Kong Universe? Not that piece of trash Conker! The Kongversation makes the case for Banjo, a bluegrass-loving hillbilly with cosmopolitan tastes, an enormous heart, and only light manslaughter charges.
Mini 015 - Pirates of the Caribbean 1 - 5: A Film Critique
22 juli 2021 |
73 min
Hyle watched all five "Pirates of the Caribbean" films for the first time in order to have proper context for Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life. He has opinions, so Jeff will be the Ebert to his Siskel in the Kongversation's first-ever Film Critique!
917 - Sea of Thieves: Season Two
16 juli 2021 |
116 min
Hyle and Jeff discuss everything Season Two brought to Sea of Thieves and some things it didn't, including disguising yourself as a barrel, Forts of Fortune, and the sweet creamy taste of squirrel milk. Press play to find out which is which!
916 - 40 Years of Donkey Kong
10 juli 2021 |
236 min
The Donkey Kong franchise has turned 40! To celebrate, DK Vine's LIVE Kongversation (originally broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine) honors the last four decades, and every era, of Donkey Kong. To help with the festivities, several notable names behind DK's storied legacy even drop in with their warmest regards!
915 - Mario Golf: Super Rush First Impressions
2 juli 2021 |
88 min
Hyle's been suffering from deliberating insomnia for nearing two weeks, so he spends the first episode back from E3 railing against Space Jam, for some reason. He also discusses Mario Golf: Super Rush, which has been getting mixed reviews across mainstream gaming sites. What does DK Vine think, and how much of it comes down to the glistening perfection of Donkey Kong soaking wet in the rain?
914 - E3 2021 Wrap Up
18 juni 2021 |
96 min
E3 2021 is over. All of the games have been revealed. All that's left is a summer of perpetual longing. To help find closure, an exhausted Hyle is joined by Cameron and Gibbon to bring things full circle on a LIVE Kongversation (broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine) on the Friday after E3!
913 - E3 2021 Nintendo
15 juni 2021 |
143 min
Hyle is drunk. Jeff is drunk. Mitchell is sober, although he's drunk on power. Nintendo's E3 was a disappointment for Donkey Kong fans, but DK Vine tries to make the best of it on a LIVE Kongversation (broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine) covering the Nintendo Direct!
912 - E3 2021 Xbox
13 juni 2021 |
113 min
Captain Jack Sparrow has joined the DKU. The bizarre (and robust) crossover between Sea of Thieves and Pirates of the Caribbean takes over E3 Sunday and the LIVE Kongversation (broadcast on https://twitch.tv/dkvine) for the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase!
911 - E3 2021 Preview
11 juni 2021 |
126 min
E3 is here! E3 is at home! On our LIVE E3 preview (broadcast on E3 Friday on https://twitch.tv/dkvine), Hyle and a panel of DK Viners discuss what the all-digital return of the biggest gaming event of the year might yield for the Donkey Kong Universe. The new Donkey Kong game? A second or THIRD Donkey Kong game? Everwild? Banjo-Kazooie? BACONHEADZ? Nothing is too ludicrous to speculate on!
910 - Reappraising Mario Kart Tour
10 juni 2021 |
110 min
The Kongversation has been historically negative about Mario Kart Tour. But recently, Hyle and Jeff got upgraded phones and have been able to give the game a fairer shot, discovering the hidden joys not immediately apparent to anyone afraid their phone is going to catch on fire halfway through a race. Also, Hyle spent $39.99 on Dixie Kong and feels the need to defend his choice.
909 - Crash Team Racing, DK, and the Celebration of Characters
4 juni 2021 |
145 min
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, as well as other recent entries in the Crash Bandicoot series, embraced the full history of the franchise's extensive characters and lore. Donkey Kong, on the other hand, has been whittled down to eight core characters. Come share the plight of the DK fan with Hyle and Jeff!
908 - Remembering E3 2001
28 maj 2021 |
172 min
E3 fever is in the air, but we just passed the 20th anniversary of an E3 that still hasn't been cured for Donkey Kong Universe fans. Hyle and Cameron reminiscence about the magical pandemic of DKU games at E3 2001!
907 - Heard Any Good Rumors Lately?
18 maj 2021 |
185 min
Well, the rumors are out now. Is Nintendo EPD working on a Donkey Kong game? Hyle finally discusses everything he knows (mostly) with Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen before they speculate about what this potential game might entail!
906 - Stop 'N' Swop: A Revelation
13 maj 2021 |
99 min
Rare Gamer's Steve returns to the Kongversation to discuss even more about Stop 'N' Swop! Two days after our last episode on the subject, Rare employee and Stop 'N' Swop architect Paul Machacek revealed even more secrets about the fabled connectivity between Rare's N64 games, including a secret ending to Donkey Kong 64 and exactly how and when Nintendo killed the plan!
Mini 014 - Hair Where Before There Was No Hair
25 april 2021 |
35 min
Have you heard about Diddy Kong's old render made new by becoming a bit hairier? You've probably heard about it since it's been all over the news sites and social media the past week. But is there any burning fur coming from all of this smoke? DK Vine weighs in on what this could mean!
905 - Sea of Thieves: Season One
22 april 2021 |
157 min
Hyle and Jeff discuss Sea of Thieves' new season structure and why the recent changes made to the game make it more accessible than ever... and why old-school Rare fans who still haven't gotten on board may want to finally grab hold of that ship ladder!
904 - Spotlight: Conker's Bad Fur Day (part 3)
15 april 2021 |
224 min
Our Conker's Bad Fur Day retrospective ends in bloodshed and regret, as these things often do, as we discuss the night portions and multiplayer of the game! Conker faces the darkness in Spooky, It's War, and Heist, then we face our callers for nearly an hour!
903 - Spotlight: Conker's Bad Fur Day (part 2)
4 april 2021 |
225 min
How about some chat you little twat? On the second part of our Conker's Bad Fur Day Spotlight series, we discuss the opening Chapters of the game, all taking place during the chaste wholesomeness of the daytime. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Bloopie the dinosaur.
902 - Spotlight: Conker's Bad Fur Day (part 1)
19 mars 2021 |
158 min
One year shy of the legal drinking age in the Cock and Plucker, Conker's Bad Fur Day has turned 20! On the first installment of our patented Spotlight series, the Kongversation follows the long, winding road from the cute and cuddly 'nice' Conker's Quest to the poo-swimming, urine-guzzling 'nasty' of Conker's Bad Fur Day!
901 - The Dinosaur Planet ROM
9 mars 2021 |
178 min
The Kongversation begins a new season of episodes by discussing the leaked Dinosaur Planet Nintendo 64 ROM! Before it moved to the GameCube, before it became Star Fox Adventures... but not before Fox McCloud joined the game!
831 - New Year's Forecast 2021
27 januari 2021 |
56 min
The Kongversation looks ahead at what 2021 will bring for the Donkey Kong Universe, including DK's 40th anniversary, what Rare and Playtonic are up to, and the usual bit of Smash chat!
830 - Stop 'N' Swop: A History
20 januari 2021 |
177 min
Featuring Steve from off of Rare Gamer, it's the audio history of Stop 'N' Swop! The notorious abandoned feature would have linked Banjo-Kazooie with not only Banjo-Tooie, but Donkey Kong 64 and other Rare games to bring the Ice Key and ? Eggs across Rare's shared universe! We discuss what we know, what went wrong, and the immeasurable legacy it's left across both Rare and Playtonic!
829 - Spotlight: Banjo-Tooie (part 3)
17 januari 2021 |
273 min
In the final part of our Banjo-Tooie retrospective, we discuss the last five worlds of the game: Terrydactyland, Grunty Industries, Hailfire Peaks, and Cloud Cuckooland, as well as the finale in Cauldron Keep!
828 - Spotlight: Banjo-Tooie (part 2)
23 december 2020 |
213 min
In the second part of our Banjo-Tooie retrospective, we discuss Spiral Mountain and the Isle O'Hags, followed by the first four worlds of the game: Mayahem Temple, Glitter Gulch Mine, Witchyworld, and Jolly Roger's Lagoon!
827 - Spotlight: Banjo-Tooie (part 1)
10 december 2020 |
200 min
The Kongversation finally tackles the mammoth, sprawling sequel to Banjo-Kazooie in the first part of our mammoth, sprawling retrospective in honor of its 20th anniversary! To kick things off, Hyle and Cameron discuss the plot and characters, as well as the hype surrounding the game before its release!
826 - Mighty Fight Federation First Impressions
24 november 2020 |
98 min
Yooka and Laylee have been added as playable characters to the 3D arena fighter Mighty Fight Federation! We give our first in-depth thoughts on the game, plus we discuss what it adds to Playtonic lore!
825 - The Playtonic Invasion
14 november 2020 |
94 min
Playtonic has recently Infinity Inked deals for cameo appearances of their characters in several indie titles, bringing a diverse lineup of games into the DKU. On this episode, we discuss all of the ones announced thus far!
824 - Fearbringers Part 2: The New Blood
31 oktober 2020 |
119 min
Recorded live during DK Vine's "Not Halloween" Scream-A-Ganza, Hyle and Jeff take Season 3's Fearbringers episode up to the lab and revive it with a bolt of lightning to discuss the last five years of fright in the Donkey Kong Universe!
823 - Yet Another Sea of Thieves Catch-Up
27 oktober 2020 |
133 min
Before the October update, Hyle and Jeff discuss the summer that was in Sea of Thieves! Captain Flameheart's growing incursion on the waters, plus ancient treasure vaults and pissing dogs!
822 - A Eulogy for Nintendo Handhelds
12 oktober 2020 |
176 min
Nintendo has announced that they're ceasing production on the 3DS, signaling the end of 31 years of full-fledged secondary handhelds that sat parallel to the main consoles. The Kongversation takes a nostalgic look back at them all, with a specific focus on the Donkey Kong Universe landmarks along the way.
821 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2020
19 september 2020 |
138 min
Broadcast live on www.twitch.tv/dkvine, our annual Talk Like a Pirate Day episode sees the Kongversation ranking the top 10 pirates across the entire Donkey Kong Universe!
Mini 013 - Donkey Kong Jr. in Mario Kart Tour?
17 september 2020 |
43 min
What the arrival of a retro-tinged Donkey Kong Jr. in Mario Kart Tour means for the past, present, and future of Donkey Kong continuity!
820 - The Banjo-Kazooie Iceberg (?)
10 september 2020 |
159 min
What the hell is the Banjo-Kazooie iceberg? It's this, apparently: https://dkvine.com/kongversation/bk_iceberg.png HOW DEEP DOES IT GO? Hyle and Mitchell discuss every item on it, elaborating on and debunking the forbidden knowledge of the Banjo-Kazooie series!
819 - Battletoads First Impressions
25 augusti 2020 |
151 min
Hyle's joined by Dustin Jackson to discuss our (spoiler-filled and filled diaper) thoughts on the new Battletoad's Act One! Plus, the all-important question for DK Vine: is the game part of the DKU?
818 - The Super Donkey Leak
9 augusti 2020 |
90 min
In the midst of all of the leakin' and L-is-Realin' over at Nintendo, a surprise early version of Yoshi's Island labeled "Super Donkey" has flown (literally) under the radar. The Kongversation discusses why this might be a long-forgotten attempt at reviving Donkey Kong months before Nintendo's fateful meeting with Rare!
Mini 012 - Everwild Eternals Trailer
2 augusti 2020 |
52 min
Hyle and Jeff discuss the new trailer for Rare's upcoming Everwild game!
817 - Interview: Chris Allcock of Rare Ltd. Fame
25 juli 2020 |
87 min
A longtime staffer at Rare, Chris Allcock left the studio in 2017 to pursue a freelance writing career... which meant writing for Rare. Helping shape the lore of numerous games, he's recently written the official Sea of Thieves novel "Athena's Fortune." He's now on our podcast. We will ask him questions. He will answer.
816 - Why Donkey Kong Land Still Matters
17 juli 2020 |
145 min
25 years after its release, Donkey Kong Land's impact on the DKU is as strong as ever. Come on a journey with Hyle and Jeff as they discuss how Donkey Kong Land is covertly one of the most impactful games in the canon!
815 - Another Sea of Thieves Catch-Up
10 juli 2020 |
203 min
It's another Sea of Thieves catch-up! Recorded at the onset of the most recent update, Hyle and Jeff discuss everything added to the game from February through May, including the Heart of Fire Tall Tale and the progression of the Flameheart arc. Also, an update on Jeff's grandpa.
Mini 011 - Diddy Kong in Mario Kart 64?
21 juni 2020 |
42 min
Has Diddy Kong really been the bus driver on Toad's Turnpike in Mario Kart 64 this whole time? A possible overlooked Easter egg is debated by Hyle and Malik "The Cartoon Gamer" McLeod!
813 - "Not E3" 2020: The State of Xbox
14 juni 2020 |
120 min
Streamed live during Day 2 of DK Vine's "Not E3" Stream-A-Ganza, it's an E3 Xbox episode without the E3! What is the state of the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and, with it, Rare, Sea of Thieves, and... Banjo-Kazooie?
812 - "Not E3" 2020: The State of Nintendo
14 juni 2020 |
118 min
Streamed live during Day 1 of DK Vine's "Not E3" Stream-A-Ganza, it's an E3 Nintendo episode without the E3! What is the state of the Switch, and, with it, Donkey Kong, Star Fox, and... Banjo-Kazooie?
814 - "Not E3" 2020: The State of E3
14 juni 2020 |
120 min
Streamed live during Day 3 of DK Vine's "Not E3" Stream-A-Ganza, it's an E3 episode without the E3! What is the state of the hallowed annual gaming event now that we've had our first year without it since 1994? Featuring Jeff, Jeff's candlelight, Jeff's buzzing generator, Jeff's grandfather, Jeff's grandfather's oxygen machine, and the demon that claimed them all.
811 - Sea of Thieves: Athena's Fortune: A Literary Analysis
6 juni 2020 |
188 min
We discuss the Sea of Thieves novel "Athena's Fortune" by Chris Allcock! An official tie-in that's canon with the game, it explores the history of the Pirate Lord, the discovery of the Sea of Thieves, and the foundation of piracy across the shared Rare universe.
810 - Funky Dixie Land
29 maj 2020 |
93 min
Reactions to Funky and Dixie Kong being added to Mario Kart Tour. How should one react when a moment that should thrill you happens in a game you don't much care for?
809 - The Forgotten Diddy Kong Racing
14 maj 2020 |
158 min
Diddy Kong Racing is forgotten. Well, not by those of us who were there in 1997, or those who had N64s after their heyday, or those who are students of history. But to the general gaming populace and younger Nintendo fans? It's barely a footnote. And, as a result, the actual history of the Donkey Kong Universe is blurred. Hyle and Jeff discuss how we got here, the complicated legal rights of Diddy Kong Racing, and what steps could be taken by both Nintendo and Microsoft to bring it back!
808 - Spotlight: Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)
7 maj 2020 |
187 min
Finally! It's the Spotlight episode for Mario Golf (Game Boy Color), the RPG counterpart to the Nintendo 64 classic. Kid! Joe! Sherry! Azalea! And, for a few brief seconds, Donkey Kong! It's one of DK Vine's favorite Cameo Games... and one of our favorite games, period. Well, until Kiddy's Kitties knocks it off the list.
807 - Generations
17 april 2020 |
158 min
When the culture around a series changes, either through a new creative direction or evolving popular tastes, an older generation of fans is usually left feeling cold. It eventually happens to every fandom, and Donkey Kong is no exception. Neither is Sonic the Hedgehog, and that's why Hyle is joined by Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen to discuss the war between generations (and why it's inevitably silly).
806 - Top 10 Happiest Moments in DKU Fandom
5 april 2020 |
183 min
Happy thoughts! To keep our minds off of distressing times, Hyle and Jeff count down the top 10 happiest moments in Donkey Kong Universe fandom. Game reveals, surprising moments, and E3s and Nintendo Directs that put us on the moon. So that we may better punch it, naturally!
805 - The Future of Donkey Kong
21 mars 2020 |
142 min
The here and now is a confusing, scary, uncertain place to be. So let's live in the future! In this episode, Hyle and Jeff examine the trajectory the Donkey Kong franchise seems to be on and attempt to figure out what this means for the next game... or even the next several games!
804 - Character Witness: Mr. Patch
12 mars 2020 |
132 min
After we recorded a roughly six-hour commentary on Playtonic's Yooka-Laylee commentaries last season, we posed a challenge to our audience. Who among you would be the first to record a roughly six-hour commentary on our commentaries on Playtonic's commentaries? Just Andre was the one who answered the call, and so we must record the Kongversation topic of his choosing: the life story of Banjo-Tooie boss Mr. Patch.
803 - Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair: To Paywall 5
6 mars 2020 |
131 min
We continue our discussion of Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair! Spoilers on everything up to the fifth Trowzer Paywall (around Chapter 14). Please note that Hyle and Cameron are both bees in the game.
802 - Sea of Thieves Catch-Up
26 februari 2020 |
165 min
What's been going on in Sea of Thieves since it was last discussed on the show? Too much! The "omni-prequel" to nearly every Rare franchise ever continues to expand and evolve in both gameplay and lore, even becoming a full-fledged follow-up to a classic Ultimate: Play the Game franchise. But Hyle and Jeff are cranky old men and first want to discuss how annoying Superbowl commercials are, apparently.
801 - DK Vine at MAGFest 2020
18 februari 2020 |
115 min
A new season of the Kongversation kicks off with a recounting of our experiences hosting DK Vine's first-ever convention panel at MAGFest in January! What was it like unleashing the Donkey Kong Universe on unsuspecting attendees?
735 - New Year's Forecast 2020
31 december 2019 |
124 min
The Kongversation wraps up 2019 with the announcement of another silly season-wide contest, then looks back at the amazing year for the Donkey Kong Universe. Then, we get-a-predicting for what we'll see from Playtonic, Rare, and Donkey Kong in 2020!
734 - Interview: Grant Kirkhope
11 december 2019 |
63 min
The voice of Donkey Kong. The composer of more games than we can name. Grant Kirkhope finally comes to the Kongversation to discuss how it felt becoming the first western composer in Super Smash Bros., farts, bathroom etiquette with Shigeru Miyamoto, whether or not he'd write for another Banjo-Kazooie, and why his rendition of Donkey Kong sounds like an ape having an orgasm.
733 - Why Donkey Kong 64 Still Matters
28 november 2019 |
208 min
20 years on, The Kongversation looks at the legacy of Donkey Kong 64 and how an arguably flawed Donkey Kong game (and an even more flawed 3D platformer) still resonates with people. Yes, this one is expanded length.
732 - Rare at X019
19 november 2019 |
103 min
Rare finally showed off their mysterious new game at X019: Everwild! Hyle and Jeff give their thoughts on the trailer and what their hopes for the game are, as well as discussing the other Rare news (and scorpions) coming out of the show!
731 - Interview: Chris Sutherland II
17 november 2019 |
59 min
Playtonic's Chris Sutherland returns to the Kongversation! Last time, it was before the Yooka-Laylee Kickstarter campaign had even been announced. This time, with it and Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair both released, we discuss his experiences developing them, what's on the horizon for Playtonic, and then get him to do more of the silly voices he's so well-known for.
730 - Dr. Mario World First Impressions
12 november 2019 |
93 min
Take a pill each time you hear befuddlement about the medical credentials of Mario and Donkey Kong characters during this one. I think you'll have unpleasant stomach bleeding by the end.
729 - Destination DKU: Gloomy Gulch
31 oktober 2019 |
164 min
It's a scary stroll through everyone's favorite elevated haunted forest for crocodile people: Gloomy Gulch! In the very first Destination DKU episode, Hyle is joined by Playtonic's Daley "Kong" Johnson to discuss the beloved Donkey Kong Country 2 world!
728 - Have You Forgotten?: The Nintendo Power Supplies Catalog (part 3)
26 oktober 2019 |
207 min
Because we promised it, here it is: another deep-dive into the Nintendo Power catalogs of the 1990s. Come be amazed with us at the weird merchandise and the even weirder descriptions. You can even listen to this while you're pounding it out in the gym!
727 - Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair: To Paywall 3
22 oktober 2019 |
149 min
We begin our intensive and thorough discussion of Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair! Spoilers on everything up to the third Trowzer Paywall (around Chapter 8). Please note that Hyle and Jeff are both bees in the game.
726 - Mario Kart Tour First Impressions
15 oktober 2019 |
102 min
Take a shot each time you hear an exasperated sigh during this one. I think you'll be pleasantly alcohol poisoned by the end.
Mini 010 - Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair First Impressions
3 oktober 2019 |
42 min
We've played Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair early! Here are our first, spoiler-free thoughts on the new 2D platformer from Playtonic.
725 - Interview: Gavin Price of Playtonic
27 september 2019 |
52 min
Gavin Price, Managing Director and Creative Lead of Playtonic Games, joins us on the Kongversation! With a little over a week before the release of the studio's Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (https://www.playtonicgames.com/yooka-laylee-and-the-impossible-lair-pre-orders-live/), Gavin opens up about the inspirations behind their second game, lessons learned from the original Yooka-Laylee, and his plans to evolve the lore of the universe. He also vends us some tasty clues about the future of Playtonic!
724 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2019
19 september 2019 |
145 min
On the seventh annual Talk Like a Pirate Day episode, Hyle and Jeff abstain from talking like pirates (for the most part). They do, however, finally make a ruling on Sea of Thieves' place in the tapestry of the shared universe of Rare and Donkey Kong. PK! Pepito Kong! PK! Pepito Kong is here!
723 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Banjo-Kazooie First Impressions
18 september 2019 |
225 min
Banjo-Kazooie are now in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Mitchell Wolfe, who has been with the Kongversation's Ultimate journey from the start, returns to the show to discuss this seismic moment in the Donkey Kong Universe.
722 - Spotlight: Mario Golf
15 september 2019 |
90 min
Camelot's first Mario Golf game, Mario Golf, is 20 years old! Not to be confused with Camelot's second Mario Golf game, Mario Golf, which turns 20 next month.
721 - 20 Years of DK Vine
22 augusti 2019 |
174 min
20 years of fan culture. 20 years of like-minded weirdos. 20 years of DK Vine. Hyle, Matt, and numerous figures from the community look back on the past two decades.
720 - Donkey Kong Island at Universal Orlando
9 augusti 2019 |
116 min
Hyle and Jeff talk more about the upcoming Donkey Kong Island attraction at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe. Mine Cart Madness! Funky's Fly 'n' Buy! Ellie the elephant! All that, plus the bones of Benedict Cumberbatch!
719 - Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Update First Impressions
21 juli 2019 |
192 min
It's another episode about a big Sea of Thieves update, but this one is different. Sea of Thieves' Anniversary Update is more akin to Sea of Thieves II (The Legend of Curly's Shores of Gold), dramatically enriching the game and making it the fully fleshed-out experience it was always destined to be. Hyle and Jeff discuss all the big changes, but mostly use the time to chat about the brilliant Tall Tales.
718 - Banjo-Kazooie are Raring to Go!
6 juli 2019 |
247 min
So here it is. A mind-blistering four-hour podcast about Banjo, Kazooie and their inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I hope this satisfies you as much as it broke me.
717 - E3 2019 Wrap Up
26 juni 2019 |
150 min
E3 is over, but what happened on the show floor? Hyle and Jeff talk about the games they played and the encounters they made along the way. Oh yes. We did. WE BROUGHT BACK THE SPIDERS.
716 - E3 2019 Nintendo
16 juni 2019 |
133 min
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Mitchell and Cameron's teeming frustration with Hyle's sleep deprived musings. Recorded over two nights and one morning, from Tuesday June 11th to Thursday June 13th, this episode captures the unfolding experience of Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct and the seismic reveal of Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
715 - E3 2019 Playtonic
11 juni 2019 |
97 min
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Jeff dress like a trash monster. This past Friday, Playtonic finally unveiled their second game: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. A Donkey Kong Country-inspired 2D platformer with a 3D, top-down overworld, it scratches so many itches that our bodies were writhing about with. Bee-lieve it.
714 - E3 2019 Microsoft
10 juni 2019 |
148 min
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Hyle's hair stick up on end for hours! Now then: the 2019 Xbox Briefing. What happened? Where was Rare? What the hell, Keanu Reeves? Go to hell, camera jib obscuring our view! Yes, the DK Vine Love Shack team was live in the audience, and we've got anecdotes! Oh, do we ever.
713 - E3 2019 Preview
6 juni 2019 |
111 min
Hyle and Mitchell preview E3 2019 and everything we think we'll plausibly see (and some things we just hope to see) from Playtonic, Rare, Donkey Kong... and a certain bear and bird in a certain fighting game. Yep. Barter Bear and Parry the Parallel Bird in Clayfighter.
712 - The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup
5 juni 2019 |
71 min
Spinning out of the Conker's Other Bad Day discussion last episode, Hyle is joined once again by I.M. Gibbon to discuss the newest project from Chris Seavor: The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup. It's a bit of a breather before E3 2019 madness begins!
711 - The Other Death of Conker the Squirrel
28 maj 2019 |
138 min
Episode number aside, the only similarity this one has with the famed convenience store chain is the amount of rodent hair. We're talking extensively about the now-revealed plot for Chris Seavor's long-lost planned sequel to Conker's Bad Fur Day, Conker's OTHER Bad Day. Featuring shocking resurrections! Surprising deaths! Salacious double-crossing! And, as always, a sloppy supply of shit.
710 - This Podcast Isn't Fresh Enough For Today
20 maj 2019 |
140 min
On this episode, Hyle reflects on the mistakes of his and DK Vine's past. This leads to a discussion on how the infamous quote supposedly given by Donkey Kong Jungle Beat's Yoshiaki Koizumi about the Donkey Kong Country characters not being "fresh enough for today" was actually mistranslated. Like most of the game, apparently! Featuring I.M. Gibbon of https://www.dkgirder.com
709 - The Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentaries (part 2)
13 maj 2019 |
202 min
It continues! Hyle and Mitchell won't be Flappy Flighting over any details, as we complete the Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentary discussion with Moodymaze Marsh, Capital Cashino, Galleon Galaxy, and the climatic battle with Capital B. Those who manage to endure the duration will also be dealt a challenge that you can't refuse!
708 - The Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentaries (part 1)
6 maj 2019 |
190 min
Playtonic recently completed their Developer Commentary series, where they discussed the development process and what went into the creation of each world. Since we also discuss things here on the Kongversation, we decided to discuss them discussing the development process and what went into the creation of each world. We also use the opportunity to reflect on where we are with Yooka-Laylee two years after its release, and Mitchell uses the opportunity to fix the air conditioning in his attic.
707 - Every Day is Earth Day
22 april 2019 |
119 min
Happy Earth Day! What? You're listening to this episode in October? That doesn't matter! EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY! And on this episode of the Kongversation, Hyle and Shane discuss the ecological messages of the Donkey Kong Universe and what we can learn from those games to better improve the health of our own island. Uh, which is Earth. Because, like, it floats in space and stuff.
706 - DKU SackDown!
8 april 2019 |
143 min
The Smackdown has been layeth, but now our Call Sack is overfloweth! It's time for put a towel on the floor and sop up the spillage. Hyle and David answer numerous listener calls about a wide range of topics across the Donkey Kong Universe, Rare, and Playtonic spectrum!
705 - Sea of Thieves: Shrouded Spoils First Impressions + Anniversary Update
29 mars 2019 |
150 min
On this episode, Hyle and Jeff reflect on one year of Sea of Thieves, focusing specifically on the major updates recently made to the game: Shrouded Spoils from last November and the Anniversary Update dropping next month. That's all well and good, but the question most Kongversation listeners probably have is, "How is it that Sea of Thieves isn't part of the Donkey Kong Universe yet?" Then hit play and start listening: we might have found a way to rock that boat.
704 - Follow-Up Appointment: Donkey Kong VB
21 mars 2019 |
114 min
On this episode, someone DIES. Also dying? Our long-held understanding of what the Donkey Kong game in development for the Virtual Boy was going to be! In a follow-up appointment from episode 335, Hyle and Cameron pull out the red-and-black visor and blast off to Space World for a new round of information on the ever-so-brief Virtual Boy project at Rare. What was it if it wasn't a port of Donkey Kong Country 2?
703 - DKU Unsolved Mysteries
28 februari 2019 |
148 min
On this episode, the true name of the screaming madman at the beginning of every Kongversation is revealed! But that got us thinking about mysteries still left unsolved, namely the ones of the Donkey Kong Universe. From dangling cliffhangers to in-game oddities, Hyle and Jeff try to get to (and in) the bottom of some of their favorites!
702 - Talkin' It Up: The Rs (Retro and Rare)
13 februari 2019 |
159 min
There's suddenly loads of news to discuss when it comes to our favorite Rs: Retro Studios and Rare Ltd! Retro is officially making Metroid Prime 4. What happened there? Hyle brings on the closest thing to a "resident Metroid expert" he knows, Josh Wallen from off of The Geek Critique, to discuss the tortured history of both Metroid Prime 4 and Retro's last five years. Then, Phil Spencer is dropping serious hints (i.e. blatantly stating) that Rare is developing a new game alongside continued Sea of Thieves updates. What could it be? Could it be related to Xbox Live coming to Nintendo Switch? No.
701 - Spotlight: Mario Party
1 februari 2019 |
185 min
The original Mario Party is now 20 years old! On the first episode of 2019, Hyle and Malik party like it's 1999 all over again. That means worry about Y2K, debate whether Stone Cold Steve Austin or Goldberg is the superior wrestler, and put bandages on our massive hand blisters.
638 - New Year's Forecast 2019
31 december 2018 |
78 min
It's a twisting bender of a season ender as Hyle goes on a tour of DK Vine staffers to discuss the monumental year that was, as well as what the coming year could be for Donkey Kong, Rare, and Playtonic.
637 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate First Impressions (part 2)
29 december 2018 |
151 min
On the second part, Hyle and Mitchell have a (mostly spoiler-free) discussion of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's World of Light, while trying to look into the crystal ball (or is that the Krystal Assist Trophy?) at the still-to-be-revealed DLC fighters. What did the data miners find that suggests a Donkey Kong Universe connection?
636 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate First Impressions (part 1)
23 december 2018 |
182 min
It's time. On this first of two episodes, we discuss nearly everything related to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. K. Rool! Classic Mode! Spirits! The gameplay! The options! Has Super Smash Bros. Ultimate cured DK Vine's Smashphobia? On the next episode: World of Light!
635 - Sea of Thieves Vol. 1: A Literary Analysis
13 december 2018 |
99 min
While we formulate our opinions on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for our gigantic First Impressions episodes, take a breather with this episode about the Sea of Thieves comic book series. Canon with the universe of the games, we discuss the characters and plot before setting our sights on what other Donkey Kong Universe properties would make for compelling comics.
634 - We Need To Talk About Banjo-Threeie
4 december 2018 |
114 min
Banjo-Threeie. The widely-bandied about name for the next Banjo-Kazooie game. Fans are demanding it. Everyone has their own ideas about how to do it. So what approach do you take? The Kongversation has some ideas. Maybe after this episode, you will too!
633 - Sea of Thieves: Forsaken Shores First Impressions
18 november 2018 |
121 min
Now that Sea of Thieves' third major content update has ceased its violent eruptions, Hyle and Jeff discuss everything it added to the game. Also, a look ahead at Shrouded Spoils and The Arena!
632 - Grinched
9 november 2018 |
174 min
For a wondrous week, everything made sense. Banjo-Kazooie were in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! As was Geno, Shadow the Hedgehog, and other fan favorite characters. Then it all came crashing down (and it hurt inside) with an actual Smash Direct. On this episode, Hyle and Mitchell discuss the infamous "Grinch leak", the delusion they were both under, and their thoughts on the final Direct before the game's launch. Also: who will be among the final five DLC fighters?
631 - The Puppet Master
31 oktober 2018 |
90 min
Puppet maker Grunt has been a part of the Donkey Kong and Rare fan community for years. He's always had a healthy appreciation for the baddies of the Donkey Kong Universe, so, for Halloween, Hyle's invited him on the show to discuss his work, his love for all things villainous, and the still-burgeoning excitement for K. Rool's return. Check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/TransfatylvaniaFilms
630 - Super Mario Party First Impressions
29 oktober 2018 |
110 min
In the Kongversation's entire history, we've never done an episode about Mario Party. Now that, arguably, the biggest Mario Party game since the original is out, and features a playable Donkey and Diddy, we felt it was time to change that. For the first half, it's a retrospective on why a series we once loved drove us to apathy and then disgust. For the second half, we examine whether Super Mario Party has turned us, and the series, around.
629 - Interview: D.M. Cumbo of Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone
20 oktober 2018 |
74 min
Joining the Kongversation for a special episode is D.M. Cumbo, creator of "Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone", the crowd-funded, Playtonic-authorized graphic novel continuation of the game. Hyle and Cameron run through all manner of topics in this wide-ranging interview; how the project originated, the creative process, and the evolving nature of video game expanded universes. After listening, check out the Kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dreamprismpress/yooka-laylee-and-the-kracklestone
628 - Brawlout First Impressions
7 oktober 2018 |
132 min
You might have heard about Brawlout, that indie Smash Bros.-inspired game by Angry Mob Games. You might not have heard that Yooka-Laylee have been added to the game as fighters. Seeing as how Brawlout is now Donkey Kong Universe, on this episode Hyle and Shane discuss all of the ramifications: where it fits within the lore, what it means for Yooka and Laylee's world, and how the game did Swanky Kong dirty.
627 - Character Witness: Bottles
26 september 2018 |
130 min
Life! Death! Resurrection! Marital turmoil! Artifact smuggling! Top gun cockpit piloting! Which video game character exemplifies all this and more? Why, it's obviously the short-sighted mole from off of Banjo-Kazooie. Recorded during Hurricane Florence, the added element of danger makes this episode EXTRA SEXY. Just how old Worm Breath likes it!
626 - Spotlight: Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge
21 september 2018 |
108 min
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge has turned 15! The Game Boy Advance midquel set between Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie is beloved by some and dismissed by others, but DK Vine has always had nothing but adulation for its bizarre ways. Go back in time with us to 2003 as we pick up our GBAs and go back in time to 1998, so that we may go back in time to 1978.
625 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2018
19 september 2018 |
108 min
For a special Talk Like a Pirate Day episode, go back in time to witness the very first attempt at a Kongversation "podcast" in the Russell family. Discover that the more things change throughout the years, the more they stay the lame...
624 - Sea of Thieves: Cursed Sails First Impressions
31 augusti 2018 |
157 min
The second major in-game event for Sea of Thieves, Cursed Sails, has now been raised. Following their completion of the story and all nine battles, Hyle and Jeff discuss what it's added to the ever-evolving tapestry of Sea of Thieves.
623 - A D. Ream Come True
17 augusti 2018 |
97 min
Not content with leaving the K. Rool in Smash discussion to just the previous episode of the Kongversation, Hyle invites Thomas and Eric, the "Kremling Kampaigners", to the show for even more geeking out. How do the pair now feel knowing they were partially responsible for this revival of the beloved character?
622 - King K. Rool Comes Aboard!
11 augusti 2018 |
211 min
On Wednesday the 8th of August, it happened. Or rather... it Kaptained. King K. Rool was announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Hyle and Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen try to collect themselves for the most momentous event in Donkey Kong Country fandom since Returns was announced some eight years ago.
621 - Shark Week Counterprogramming
28 juli 2018 |
110 min
Tired of the sorry state of Shark Week, Hyle sets out to fix things by offering his own shark-based programming in the form of a Kongversation episode. He and David talk about the sharks of the Donkey Kong Universe, getting into some heated debates about the science behind Snacker, what exactly a Chomps entails, and other pressing maritime issues. Yeah, I don't think Discovery Channel is going to be very worried.
620 - Mario Tennis Aces First Impressions
20 juli 2018 |
108 min
Mario Tennis Aces is the newest from Camelot Software Planning, but it's also their best game in years. From the perspective of Donkey Kong and Rare diehards, the Kongversation takes a look at what makes Mario Tennis Aces so magical.
619 - Why Banjo-Kazooie Still Matters
1 juli 2018 |
119 min
Banjo-Kazooie turns 20! As we already did our Banjo-Kazooie Spotlight episode back in Season 1, let's instead focus on B-K's enduring legacy. Why does a 3D platformer released two years in the Nintendo 64's lifespan still resonate so strongly with gamers and developers today? Hyle and Jeff, as well as numerous Kongversation listeners, weigh in with their opinion!
618 - E3 2018 Wrap Up
25 juni 2018 |
134 min
E3 is over and done, but we still have a bunch of exclusive thoughts and experiences from the show to share. Since Kongversation famous Kongversation caller Mametchi was at E3, we thought we'd also have him on to do the same. What happened when Mametchi met Rare? What happened when Sea of Thieves stormed Skull and Bones? What about when Hyle and Grant Kirkhope saw each other again? All this and a plethora of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate discussion, because this will be our life until the game's release.
617 - E3 2018 Nintendo
12 juni 2018 |
119 min
Continuing our E3 2018 journeys, Nintendo's relatively underwhelming Nintendo Direct didn't dissuade us from giving the new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate a chance. We played it on the show floor, with Mitchell going competitive and Hyle doing non-competitive. What do we think? Do we think any more newcomers will make it in? And, most importantly, what would the characters of The Office (U.S.) think of the Shrek movies?
616 - E3 2018 Microsoft
10 juni 2018 |
111 min
Hyle and Mitchell attended the Xbox Briefing today as the Sea of Thieves content updates for the rest of the summer were revealed, as well as the revival of Battletoads for 2019. Also included in the episode is the annual discussion of our E3 lodging, as well as a surprising discussion about the OTHER games Xbox had to offer. Which one did we irrationally hate? TUNE IN TO FIND OUT!
614 - Sea of Thieves: The Hungering Deep First Impressions
9 juni 2018 |
133 min
The first major in-game event for Sea of Thieves, The Hungering Deep, launched on May 22nd. After spending an amazing eight hours playing it last Saturday, Hyle and Cameron report back here with their experiences.
615 - E3 2018 Preview
9 juni 2018 |
89 min
It's looking to be a fairly substantial year for the Donkey Kong Universe at E3. With confirmed appearances by both Donkey Kong and Rare, Playtonic keeping mum about potential announcements, and the eternal mystery of what Retro is up to, Hyle and his E3 2018 cohort, Mitchell Wolfe from off of Super Jump, look at what DKU fans can expect this time around.
613 - Super NES Classic First Impressions and N64 Classic Speculation Center
5 juni 2018 |
165 min
With news that Nintendo has filed a trademark for the Nintendo 64 Classic mini console, Hyle once again invited Josh Wallen from off of The Geek Critique on the show to have a Kongversation about both the Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic and the Nintendo 64 Classic... and how the latter would even be possible without the majority of Rare's titles.
612 - Yooka-Laylee (Switch) First Impressions
28 maj 2018 |
92 min
Now that Hyle has a Switch, he's finally turning his attention to the Donkey Kong Universe-centric games he has yet to pick up. Before any potential Yooka-Laylee DLC hits, that means he's first got to try out the Switch port of Yooka-Laylee. Done in-house by Playtonic over the better part of 2017, does it give Nintendo fans a worthwhile experience? Furthermore, have our opinions on Yooka-Laylee changed now that the game has been out for more than a year?
611 - Hot Newz, Cold Rumorz
19 maj 2018 |
120 min
Did you know that Retro Studios is working on a spiritual Diddy Kong Racing successor starring Star Fox characters and featuring one or more cameos from the Kongs? You did? Of course, because it's CRAZY E3 RUMOR SEASON. Even in the face of potential malarkey, we do have some real news to report: Playtonic preparing to unload some new Yooka-Laylee content, Rare doing the same with Sea of Thieves, the sad end of Nosy Crow's app division, Diddy potentially sneaking in Mario Tennis Aces after all, and a non-story about Nintendo getting a new president or something.
610 - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze (Switch) First Impressions
15 maj 2018 |
114 min
We've unwrapped Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze (Switch, no colon)! What are our opinions on New Funky Mode, the price point, and, perhaps most importantly, where it takes place on the Donkey Kong Universe timeline? Join Hyle and Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen for a freewheeling discussion!
609 - Tales from the Sea of Thieves: A Literary Analysis
23 april 2018 |
119 min
There's a new book out, "Tales from the Sea of Thieves", that's presented as an in-universe journal from several hundred years ago. Mildewed and blood-splattered, it's as if you're holding a piece of the game world in your hands. Plus, not only does it expand and flesh out the lore of Sea of Thieves, but it also begins to tie it to the larger Donkey Kong Universe as well...
Mini 009 - Oops, All Tangents! The DC Universe
23 april 2018 |
70 min
OOPS! It's another Kongversation Mini that has nothing to do with the topic matter the show is supposed to be about! Hyle and Jeff talk the DC Comics Universe in light of Action Comics reaching 1,000 issues, DC Rebirth, and the DC Extended Universe collapsing in on itself like that time Kyle Rayner imploded the planet Oa. DON'T PRETEND LIKE YOU DIDN'T GET THAT REFERENCE.
Mini 008 - Tawkin' 'Bout Tawks
7 april 2018 |
43 min
There's a new Animal Buddy in the Switch version of Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze. Introducing Funky's personal parrot: Tawks!
608 - Sea of Thieves "First" Impressions
2 april 2018 |
150 min
Sea of Thieves is finally here! The Kongversation gives its first impressions of the game in its released form, discussing what we love and addressing the somewhat shaky critical reception. How can anyone hate on a game that lets Hyle play as the ultimate pirate beefcake he's created?
607 - Oh (Smash) Brother!
24 mars 2018 |
154 min
Before the Kongversation embarks on several Sea of Thieves-related episodes, we take care of the dirty business of Smash Bros. discussion. Now that the fifth (or sixth?) iteration of the series has been announced for the Nintendo Switch, Hyle invites Mitchell Wolfe back to the show to help him deal with the recently scabbed wound being ripped open all over again. WHY WON'T YOU LOVE K. ROOL, SAKURAI?
606 - Call Me Sack Again
19 mars 2018 |
153 min
The Kongversation gets topical. More than a dozen topics, actually. After discussing some of the recent Donkey Kong news, we open up the show to what our listeners brave enough to phone in want to talk about. Shockingly, it's not just about wanting K. Rool in Smash Bros. It's, uh, a little of that though.
605 - Character Witness: Dixie Kong
27 februari 2018 |
168 min
Dixie Kong. Video game hero. Trailblazing heroine. The second most famous woman of the 1990's to wear a beret. Dixie's in-universe life story is told here, while we also keep an eye on her constant struggles in the real world, from being ignored by marketing to her frequent multi-year hiatuses. Nevertheless, Dixie persisted. Also, how in shit's name does her hair work?
604 - Forbidden Love in the Donkey Kong Universe
19 februari 2018 |
138 min
Recorded on Valentine's Day, Hyle and Nick look at the lovelorn, lusty almost hook-ups across the Donkey Kong Universe. It's a raunch-filled evening with more sex than you can shake a stick at. Although if you really want to be successful in the ways of romance, please refrain from shaking your stick at podcast hosts.
603 - Sea of Thieves Closed Beta First Impressions
5 februari 2018 |
110 min
Hyle and Cameron discuss their experiences in the Sea of Thieves Closed Beta, which ran from January 24th through the 30th. Blissfully, it wasn't under an NDA, so we're actually able to talk about what happened! Are we still fanatical about Rare's newest release, or have ocean temperatures cooled? I realize that ocean temperatures cooling would be a good thing, but in this one specific case it would be a bad thing, so just accept the analogy and move on.
Mini 007 - #TTInSeaOfThieves
2 februari 2018 |
31 min
Before you listen, check out our YouTube video on the T.T. matter at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1jH6zDA9k. Caught up? Good. #TTInSeaOfThieves!
602 - Mario + Rabbids + Donkey Kong = Mar-a-Kongo?
28 januari 2018 |
101 min
Donkey Kong's going to be DLC in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle this spring as a playable character inside a DKC-style world, all set to some new Grant Kirkhope music. Mitchell Wolfe is back in the co-host chair to discuss the finer points of Rabbids, hard-to-pronounce Creative Directors, and the glorious return of Donkey Kong 64's helivines.
601 - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze... Returns
20 januari 2018 |
200 min
A brand new year for the Kongversation begins with a near half-decade old game! But when that game is the brilliant yet overlooked Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, is that really so bad? Hyle and TheCartoonGamer, Malik McLeod, discuss Tropical Freeze for the Switch and the all-new Funky Mode!
541 - New Year's Forecast 2018
31 december 2017 |
60 min
The season finale of the Kongversation sees us looking ahead to the distant, far off future of 2018, where we speculate (with reason) on what we'll see for Donkey Kong, Playtonic, and Sea of Thieves 'n' Rare!
540 - The DKU Tribunal Second Term
30 december 2017 |
143 min
Before the year is out, Hyle Russell and Jeff Onan reconvene to debate the legality of more games that are potentially part of the shared Donkey Kong Universe: Super Mario Odyssey, Kirby: Planet Robobot, Lunchables Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Aerial Challenge, and Super Mario Maker! Along the way, they get into extremely nerdy debates about, well, everything, up to and including the actual definition of a video game. Oh good. I was getting tired of the Internet complaining about Star Wars. Let's get even more pathetic!
539 - Spotlight: Diddy Kong Racing (part 3)
23 december 2017 |
231 min
The modes, worlds, tracks, and bosses of Diddy Kong Racing take us to the finish line of our Spotlight series, along with a contemplative look on the enduring legacy of the game. It's mostly those haystacks with eyes.
538 - Spotlight: Diddy Kong Racing (part 2)
19 december 2017 |
163 min
In the second part of the Diddy Kong Racing Spotlight, the boys discuss the surprisingly deep plot and characters of the game. Well, deep for a game where monkeys and mice race each other so they can then fight a large pig man. I'M SORRY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, DAD. Also, I don't give a crap that Apple Jacks taste nothing of apple.
537 - Spotlight: Diddy Kong Racing (part 1)
24 november 2017 |
123 min
20 years on, Hyle and Cameron reflect on perhaps the most important game ever for fans of Donkey Kong and Rare. It's the game that not only fulfilled the promise of Diddy Kong as a "Video Game Hero", but it introduced the world to Banjo, Conker, and an entire universe of characters.
536 - Character Witness: Mumbo Jumbo
16 november 2017 |
80 min
Mumbo Jumbo is a magic man who turns things into other things. He wears a funny skull and has scaly pink skin because of reasons. This is an unnecessary podcast about him.
Mini 006 - Super Mario Odyssey Continuity and the DKU
9 november 2017 |
69 min
It looks as though "the merger" was more volatile than we had thought! In this Kongversation Mini, Hyle is joined by Cameron and David to analyze if Super Mario Odyssey's New Donk City has wrecked Donkey Kong continuity, and to also initiate the discussion about whether or not it should be considered a "Donkey Kong Universe" game. Spoilers for New Donk City!
535 - Playing With Super Power: A Literary Analysis
26 oktober 2017 |
130 min
The new book from Nintendo and Prima Games chronicling the history of the Super Nintendo is the latest tome the Kongversation takes off the shelf for a Literary Analysis. This is made somewhat surreal given that DK Vine itself is featured in the book. WHO WAS FIRED FOR THAT BLUNDER?
DXXXIV - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Land III
17 oktober 2017 |
131 min
The celebration of Donkey Kong Land III is here! Weird and sloppy might be how you like your romantic interests, but is it any way to make a Donkey Kong platformer? Hyle and the elusive David Lynch are in a race against time to try and understand what the hell is going on with the concluding chapter of the Donkey Kong Land trilogy.
533 - Everyone's a Critic
5 oktober 2017 |
83 min
Spurred on by the irresponsible journalism and subsequent colorful responses that the last episode generated, the Kongversation discusses ingrained, yet unfair, criticisms of the Donkey Kong Universe from cranky fans and the grumpy gaming media. I can't wait to see what unsourced headlines this episode will be responsible for!
532 - Interview: Craig Duncan, Studio Head of Rare Ltd. (Talk WITH a Pirate Day 2017)
19 september 2017 |
81 min
On an episode with a longer title than Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie, Craig Duncan, Studio Head of Rare, joins the Kongversation for a wide-ranging interview. Everything from Sea of Thieves to Craig's (shocking!) favorite Donkey Kong game gets discussed. It's the best Kongversation interview with a Rare Studio Head that's ever been, ever ever ever, on any episode.
531 - Rare Spiritual Successors: Phase Two
15 september 2017 |
83 min
Monkeys and crocodile men seem to be back in fashion in gaming, but not in the way we've grown accustomed to. On this episode of the Kongversation, we look at the next round of games inspired by Rare's classics: FortuneFish's Kroko Bongo and Chameleon Games' Tamarin.
530 - Sonic Mania is Running Wild, Brother!
7 september 2017 |
147 min
Oh no! Sonic Mania? Has the Kongversation finally run out of Donkey Kong Universe-related topics to yammer on about? Not so fast, Barry Allen! The concept of Sonic diehards making good and churning out the best Hedgehog game in years has intrigued the Kongversation. Sonic expert Josh "The Geek Critique" Wallen and local weirdo Nick "Spuzzwick" Prol join Hyle to talk abou the joys of Sonic Mania, and how a similar philosophy could be applied to Donkey Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, and Conker.
529 - Deal of the Art
27 augusti 2017 |
212 min
For the full effect of this episode, follow along with the DK Vine Gallery at https://www.dkvine.com/games/gallery/artwork/!
Cameron leads a look at how the art style of the Donkey Kong series has evolved since Donkey Kong Country. Rare, Nintendo, Paon, and Retro have all had varying takes, but has the soul of Donkey Kong survived all these years later?
528 - Scrubbing Smash's Taint
17 augusti 2017 |
181 min
WHY? Well, that you have such an exasperated reaction should tell you why! Mitchell Wolfe returns to the Kongversation to discuss ways the stigma of Super Smash Bros. can be removed in light of the psychic scars and lingering disappointment over the most recent iteration. Don't worry: The answer isn't "put more Donkey Kong characters in the game". Although, you know, they should put more Donkey Kong characters in the game.
527 - ANIMALS
10 augusti 2017 |
212 min
It's the long-awaited sequel to the Kongversation's Season One classic, "BEARS"! In "ANIMALS", Hyle and Nick discuss the importance of Animal Buddies in the Donkey Kong series. Naturally, this includes exhaustively cataloging each and every one for over three hours. This episode is longer than the natural lifespan of some of these Buddies!
526 - Abortion Clinic: Diddy Kong Pilot
1 augusti 2017 |
125 min
Once upon a time there was going to be a Game Boy Advance follow-up to Diddy Kong Racing called Diddy Kong Pilot. After spending a few years in development hell, it eventually saw release only as a Banjo-Kazooie game called Banjo-Pilot. So what happened? Surprisingly, it's not what you think! This is the tumultuous story of Redneck Kong, K. Rool hunting for the city of El Dorado, Mario as a supporting character to Diddy Kong, and so much more!
525 - The DKU Tribunal
26 juli 2017 |
207 min
Court court court court court! Introducing the DKU Tribunal, where Hyle Russell and Jeff Onan convene to determine the legality of several games' place in the shared Donkey Kong Universe. On this episode, we examine Yooka-Laylee, Fairytale Play Theatre, Tracky Train, Mini Mario and Friends: amiibo Challenge, and the modern Killer Instinct!
524 - Yooka-Laylee: Beyond World 5
18 juli 2017 |
124 min
Beyond World 5! Or should that be... bee-yond World 5? No, and I'll ask you kindly to turn around and listen to another podcast if that's the type of wordplay you want to bring to this listening experience.
523 - Better Call Sack!
6 juli 2017 |
143 min
The crowds of E3 have dispersed, but the Kongversation's Call Sack is bulging! Let's answer all of the previously unheard listener messages on the DK Vine Hotline from March to the present. Have something you'd like to say? 1-202-630-VINE (8463)!
522 - E3 2017 Wrap Up
23 juni 2017 |
118 min
The final stories, anecdotes, and chicanery from E3 2017, as told by Hyle, Cameron, and Mitchell Wolfe!
521 - E3 2017 Nintendo
14 juni 2017 |
151 min
We discuss more E3 news from Rare and Sea of Thieves before moving on to the Big N and the Invisible DK. Never before has one character's presence been felt so much at an E3 without ever once appearing...
520 - E3 2017 Microsoft
12 juni 2017 |
73 min
From the DK Vine Party House, Hyle and Cameron talk about Sea of Thieves, the Xbox One X, and everything else worth noting from Microsoft's E3 2017 Media Briefing! In my humble opinion, it needed more Fake Paid Actors ™ .
519 - E3 2017 Preview
10 juni 2017 |
76 min
On the precipice of flying out to Los Angeles, Hyle and Cameron sit down to talk about what we're definitely going to see, what we're likely to see, what we're probably not going to see, and just what we'd like to see at gaming's premiere swap meet of international viruses.
518 - Yooka-Laylee: World 5
10 juni 2017 |
133 min
Right before E3, let's get in one last Kongversation concerning Yooka-Laylee. Joined byJosh "The Geek Critique" Wallen, we talk the outer space/pirate port mash-up Galleon Galaxy. In space, no one can hear your audio being picked up on the other person's microphone!
517 - Character Witness: Diddy Kong
2 juni 2017 |
144 min
Diddy Kong: Sidekick. Hero. Star. And, uh, back to sidekick again. This is the 23 year story of the little monkey that could, from his first appearance in Donkey Kong Country all the way to the time he rode a pony in Mario Sports Superstars. Are you in the mood? This time, you will be.
516 - Yooka-Laylee: World 4
19 maj 2017 |
156 min
This week on the Kongversation: Hyle's alcohol dependency grows! Mitchell admits that he finds gambling "interesting"! The Ape Raper is torn between love and career! How will our heroes cope with their own demons? Find out now by listening to the Kongversation!
515 - Yooka-Laylee: World 3
10 maj 2017 |
145 min
Head into the muck with Hyle and TheCartoonGamer himself, Malik McLeod! Moodymaze Marsh is one of Yooka-Laylee's most realized worlds yet. With more shopping carts and tentacles than a Japanese adult book store, this episode will ooze its way into your heart (and pants).
514 - The Most Hilarious Donkey Kong Jokes: A Literary Analysis
5 maj 2017 |
131 min
Do you like Donkey Kong? Do you like jokes? If so, then you might love this episode, where we discuss the newest book of jokes, "Donkey Kong: The Most Hilarious Donkey Kong Jokes".
513 - Yooka-Laylee: World 2
25 april 2017 |
132 min
For d-ice-cussion on Glitterglaze Glacier, Hyle is joined this episode by Geekscape reporter Adam "The_acz" Lemuz. The best thing about a world based on Disney's "Frozen"? None of the snowmen are actually voiced by Josh Gadd.
512 - Yooka-Laylee: More First Impressions and World 1
16 april 2017 |
177 min
Now that Yooka-Laylee is out, the Kongversation begins to discuss the meat of the game both tender and tough. For starters, Cameron is here to give his first impressions, while Hyle shares more thoughts he hadn't yet articulated. Warning: This episode contains Yooka-Laylee spoilers through the end of the first world!
511 - Yookan't Always Get What You Want
9 april 2017 |
87 min
Yooka-Laylee is coming out in just a couple of days, but its sprint to the finish line has been suddenly beset by a barrage of arrows being launched from fans and critics alike. On this episode, Hyle and Matt discuss the criticisms and the controversies in the final moments of Yooka's life in the womb. Should we be worried about Yooka's ultimate reception... and its quality?
Mini 005 - Yooka-Laylee First Impressions
9 april 2017 |
30 min
Hyle has gotten his hands on an early copy of Yooka-Laylee and is ready to give a spoiler free assessment of his first several hours of playing. Does it live up to the two years of hype?
Stoned Yooka-Laylee mugshot render designed by /u/Xhogar from off of reddit!
510 - Interview: Kevin Callahan
1 april 2017 |
56 min
Who is Kevin Callahan? That's the question at the heart of this long-awaited interview! The mysterious blogger who fueled the Diddy Kong Racing sequel rumors for years has finally been uncovered, and he's sitting down with Hyle and Nick for close to an hour of hard-hitting questions! Not listening to this podcast would be a "no, no, no! Wrong way!"
509 - Switch First Impressions
25 mars 2017 |
182 min
It's time to talk about our Nintendo Switch first impressions! One problem. Nobody on the DK Vine staff has thought to purchase one yet. That's why we reached out to Josh Wallen, aka The Geek Critique (https://www.geekcritique.org), to sit down with us and chat about the Pro Controllers and the Joy-Cons of the system for an epic three hour discussion.
508 - This Episode Is About Yooka-Laylee and Sea of Thieves
17 mars 2017 |
124 min
With Yooka-Laylee nearing release and revealing Sea of Thieves info coming outside of the confines of the secretive Technical Alpha, there's no time like the present to do another news roundup on both upcoming major games! Keeping it spoiler free save for what both Playtonic and Rare have officially announced, we hype ourselves up for the two new additions to the shared Rare universe. This episode will also settle the age old debate of which is more terrifying. Is it living skeletons returning from the grave or vending machines?
507 - Sack It To ME?
10 mars 2017 |
119 min
You heard beloved Donkey Kong Universe character Richard Nixon (from off of #IDARB)! It's time for another Call Sack episode, where the Kongversation takes any and all phone messages from the DK Vine Hotline. Dial 1-281-410-KONG to be on the next one! On this edition, we discuss the finer points of adult bookstore etiquette and get into the history of clowns. This all somehow relates back to Donkey Kong or Rare.
506 - DLC Returns
3 mars 2017 |
84 min
As the gaming world gets prepared to SWITCH out their soiled underwear in anticipation for Nintendo's new mulligan console, a discontented minority have already proclaimed it dead on arrival thanks to the incoming Zelda downloadable content. On this episode, Hyle and Nick examine how hyperbolic these concerns are while looking at our own history of DLC in the Donkey Kong Universe. Is DLC ever a good thing?
505 - Spotlight: Mario Kart 64
22 februari 2017 |
173 min
Everything is turning 20, and now it's Mario Kart 64's turn. At least it's not old enough to drink and drive yet! On this episode, Hyle and Cameron reflect on the very first "Cameo Game" in the Donkey Kong Universe. How was Rare's Donkey Kong treated in the hands of another developer? Less importantly, how much fun is the game itself?
504 - Orange Backer: Mametchi
11 februari 2017 |
136 min
Last year, Hyle lost a bet that he now has to make good on. The consequence? Letting notorious Kongversation caller "Mametchi" co-host an episode of the show. Yes, it's a very bizarre edition of the Kongversation! We're ostensibly here to talk about Universal Studios' upcoming Super Nintendo World park and the possibility of a Donkey Kong minecart ride, but we're really at the whims of Mametchi for this one.
503 - The Merger
2 februari 2017 |
129 min
In light of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey, the Kongversation asks if we're headed towards a full-on attempted merging of the Donkey Kong and Mario series. Hyle takes Nick on a journey through time, exploring how the wall separating the two franchises was built and how it's been slowly chipped away at over the course of 20 years. Should we be worried? Can the Donkey Kong Universe survive?
502 - Character Witness: K. Rool
25 januari 2017 |
150 min
K. Rool. He's gone from being a tossed-off parody of the typical big fat lizard boss to one of the most beloved Nintendo and Rare characters of all time. His fanbase has grown wildly over the last couple of years, but will his owners ever catch on? They will if they listen to this episode! Here's the two-and-a-half hour life story of K. Rool, from what we know about his early days all the way up to the time he put on a diaper to play baseball.
CHECK OUT THE T.T. MUSIC DANCE YOUTUBE VIDEO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx0zmIOvVI8
501 - Switchfest
18 januari 2017 |
125 min
The Kongversation returns for its fifth year to discuss Nintendo's seventh console! All the highlights of the recent reveals are discussed, but, us being the Kongversation, we naturally want to talk about one thing above all others: New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.
451 - Star Wars and the DKU
31 december 2016 |
116 min
In this scam of an episode, Hyle and Nick discuss Star Wars! Star Wars and how it relates to the Donkey Kong Universe, right? Uh, sure. That sounds like something we'd do. Let's roll with that. Rogue One spoilers ahead!
452 - New Year's Forecast 2017
31 december 2016 |
57 min
We'll meet again some sunny day! On the season finale, we take up some unresolved business from 2016 in the form of the games Tracky Train and the modern Killer Instinct. Then, we look ahead to a year in which we might all die, but we'll hopefully get some awesome games before the fallout hits us.
450 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3 (part 4)
24 december 2016 |
184 min
It all wraps up here! The final four worlds of the game (K3, Razor Ridge, KAOS Kore, and Krematoa) are extensively discussed, followed by our take on that Queen Banana Bird ending. What more could possibly be said about Donkey Kong Country 3? Find out on Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance), coming in 2025!
449 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3 (part 3)
17 december 2016 |
166 min
In the third part of Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3, Hyle and Nick discuss the first four worlds of the game! Lake Orangatanga, Kremwood Forest, Cotton-Top Cove, and Mekanos are all covered in absurd detail. Or should that be Mekanos and then Cotton-Top Cove? Should that have been Nick and then Hyle? Should we have done this episode before the last one? RELATIVITY HAS STRIPPED ALL ORDER FROM MY LIFE.
448 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3 (part 2)
5 december 2016 |
209 min
In an exhaustive three-and-a-half hour second part, Hyle and Nick discuss the plot, setting, and characters of Donkey Kong Country 3. We also get into the behind-the-scenes shift, as a new team took the reins of Donkey Kong and put their own unique touch on the mythos. It's an episode filled with big-jawed crocodiles, parallel birds, and, of course, BEARS!
447 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 3 (part 1)
27 november 2016 |
116 min
Our Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! extravaganza begins! On the first part, Hyle babysits giant toddler Nick who helps him reminiscence about the year leading up to Donkey Kong Country 3. What were the preconceptions about a third Donkey Kong Country? What was finding out all of the information like? How did one react when first confronted with the notion of the Brothers Bear? Get nostalgic for 1996 and the release of DKC3 all over again!
446 - Diddy Kong Racing Rumors Escape: The Diddy Kong Racing Adventure Pitch
20 november 2016 |
102 min
It's been over a year since the last Kevin Callahan sighting, but if we look even further backwards in time we'll learn about a different Diddy Kong Racing sequel. On this episode we discuss the studio Climax's bizarre pitch to Nintendo for Diddy Kong Racing Adventure, a GameCube fever dream featuring Diddy Kong, Banjo, Conker, Mumbo Jumbo, and Cranky Kong soaking in mud.
445 - Dialing Imperialist Western Call Sack With Glorious Red Phone From Mother Russia
13 november 2016 |
108 min
Greetings comrades! DK Vine was under assault this week by Putin-backed forces thanks to a comedic political article we ran. While the site is now almost fully restored across the board, Chad and Hyle decide to shake off the stress by opening the Call Sack and discussing a myraid of topics about Donkey Kong, Rare, and Playtonic that you the people called in with! To be on a future Call Sack episode, ring the DK Vine Hotline at 1-281-410-KONG and leave us a message!
444 - Politics in the DKU
5 november 2016 |
108 min
Are you sick of people talking politics yet? Good! Because on this episode, we talk about politics! How do campaigns, elections, and government work in the Rare Archipelago? We'll examine the systems that Donkey Kong Island, the Isle O'Hags, Willow Woods, and the rest all use to govern. If that sounds like a boring civics lesson, then don't fear! We also do a lot of cheap Bill Clinton impressions and make a lot of jokes about Donald Trump being a colossal turd of a human being!
443 - Birthdays and Aging in the DKU
29 oktober 2016 |
83 min
The realization that most DK Vine staff members and their associates have birthdays from the last week of October through November made us think of birthdays in the Donkey Kong Universe. How do ageless cartoon characters handle birthdays? Or... ARE they ageless? How DOES getting old work in the shared universe of Donkey Kong, Banjo, and Conker? Everything from Donkey Kong's canonical birthday month to Tiny Kong's puberty is discussed in this cake-laden episode!
442 - The Nintendo Switch
24 oktober 2016 |
123 min
The Nintendo NX is dead! Say hello to the Nintendo Switch, the true mastermind behind our years of speculation on Nintendo's Wii U mulligan. On this episode of the Kongversation, Hyle and Nick (and Chad, sort of!) give their first thoughts on Nintendo's initial roll out of Switch information.
441 - Salvaging Star Fox
21 oktober 2016 |
138 min
After fighting a recent illness that's kept him off his feet, Hyle stumbles out of bed with a delayed Kongversation recorded just before the unveiling of the Nintendo NX. Joined by Star Fox enthusiast Cameron Reigle, they ask what could possibly save the Star Fox franchise after the colossal failure of Star Fox Zero. Believe it or not, their answer isn't a Tricky solo game. I mean, sure, they'd support that one hundred percent, but...
440 - Shoveling the News Dump
8 oktober 2016 |
109 min
Abandoning the need to celebrate things that happened in the autumn of 1996, the Kongversation instead discusses recent news concerning both Yooka-Laylee and Shovel Knight. Included is an exclusive Yooka news report filed by a listener who played the game at Twitchcom!
439 - 20 Years of the Nintendo 64
3 oktober 2016 |
173 min
20 years after its release, Hyle throws a three-pronged claw controller to Nick to help him discuss the brilliant yet flawed legacy of the Nintendo 64. Equal parts celebration and examination, we reflect on the memorable games and complicated history of the system that led Nintendo to where it is today. Only '90s kids will understand this episode!
438 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Land 2
24 september 2016 |
151 min
20 years of Donkey Kong Land 2! On this Spotlight episode, Hyle is rejoined by the long lost Joe Mudd to discuss the most curious game in Rare's Donkey Kong-related output. Not a port, not a remake, but definitely not an original game either. What is Donkey Kong Land 2 and what sense can we make of it? It's time to raise Crocodile Isle one more time! We hope you enjoy Lockjaw's Saga...
437 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2016
19 september 2016 |
99 min
Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! On this joyous High Holy Day, Hyle crews up with Nick to speculate about what we're going to see in Sea of Thieves. I'm guessing pirates, right?
436 - Character Witness: Cranky Kong
10 september 2016 |
86 min
The Kongversation examines the life history of the Kong who started it all. We're not talking Godzilla! No, we're talking gorilla. Cranky Kong!
435 - Yooka and Thieves at gamescom
3 september 2016 |
79 min
Hyle's back from his honeymoon, still exhausted from the excessive drinking at his bachelor party (and the circumstances of his current move). Still, he's raring (and Playtonicing) to go, so join him and Chad as they discuss the recent reveals for both Yooka-Laylee and Sea of Thieves at gamescom in Cologne, Germany!
434 - Hyle's Bachelor Party
27 augusti 2016 |
230 min
Crack a beer open and think of your favorite Playtonic community manager, because it's time to celebrate Hyle's actual bachelor party! Chad rounds up an unrelenting onslaught of well-wishers to augment the unrelenting onslaught of alcohol. Fair warning... this one is a little unhinged!
433 - Inside Mr. Pants' Pants
19 augusti 2016 |
88 min
Rare recently, for some reason, revealed the secrets behind the making of It's Mr Pants. Because we're diseased individuals, this was the greatest day of our lives. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Pants (but were afraid to ask).
432 - Banjo-Poonzooie: A Literary Analysis
13 augusti 2016 |
78 min
Hyle teams with Nick this week to give an insightful perspective on the new Amazon Kindle exclusive tome "Banjo-Poonzooie: An Erotica Parody". Put the kids to bed early for this one.
431 - Yooka-Laylee Toybox First Impressions
6 augusti 2016 |
125 min
Yooka-Laylee's Toybox is here! The pre-release Steam sandbox for intrepid Kickstarter backers was distributed last week, but already controversy has erupted on the DK Vine Forum about the "tone" "of" "the" "game". Yes, we'll be discussing the character of Inept, but we'll also actually get into whether the damned thing is fun to play. You see, it turns out some people PLAY video games instead of just endlessly bitching about them online. Weird, right?
430 - Sea? C For Comic-Con!
30 juli 2016 |
89 min
With the page turned on San Diego Comic-Con for another year, Hyle is joined by DK Vine Forum members The_acz and Special Agent Ape to discuss their time at the event. They were personally at the Sea of Thieves panel hosted by Rare, as well as the Donkey Kong-related shenanigans thrown by Nintendo! Learn all about what Rare revealed for Sea of Thieves, what Donkey Kong trivia questions were being asked, and how the guys decided to steal the identities of both Chad and Hyle.
For The_acz's interview with Joe Neate from off of Rare, head over tohttps://www.geekscape.net/sdcc-2016-interview-sailing-together-with-joe-neate!
429 - Call Sack: The Purge
23 juli 2016 |
108 min
Now on the other side of E3, it's time to fully purge the Call Sack of the listener messages that have been accumulating since winter. Every topic concerning the Donkey Kong Universe, Rare, Playtonic, and Nintendo is on up for grabs as we give the show over to you at home. Would you like to call in and be on a future episode? Give us a ring at 1-281-410-KONG!
428 - E3 2016 Wrap Up (and Call Sack!)
16 juli 2016 |
126 min
The Kongversation escapes from LA! Yes, Chad and Hyle wrap up their exhaustive E3 2016 coverage with some stray anecdotes and thoughts from the time spent on the show floor (such as when they talked about ghosts with Phil Spencer). Afterwards, they wash it all down by answering long overdue listener calls!
427 - E3 2016: Our Week At Rare (part 2)
9 juli 2016 |
150 min
When last we left off, we were just entering the doors of Rare headquarters. What happened on the inside? Who did we meet? What did we see? Take our hand as we tour Rare Ltd. in the most surreal Kongversation of all time.
426 - E3 2016: Our Week At Rare (part 1)
2 juli 2016 |
134 min
Surprise! A few weeks ago we had the amazing experience of being invited to Rare Ltd. in Twycross to tour the studio, meet the staff, and play Sea of Thieves before anyone else. Here's the first chapter in the untold story of our week at Rare.
425 - E3 2016 Nintendo
27 juni 2016 |
93 min
Hyle is joined by "future DK Vine staff member" Mitchell Wolfe on this, the Nintendo episode of the Kongversation's E3 2016 specials! Mitchell was at E3 alongside Chad and Hyle and actually got to play Zelda (no small feat considering the lines). They talk a bit about that game before delving into the Donkey Kong Universe offerings for Nintendo: The new Donkey and Diddy amiibos, Mario Party Star Rush and even a bit on Yooka-Laylee and Skylanders Imaginators.
424 - E3 2016 Microsoft
15 juni 2016 |
85 min
Now that the cat's out of the bag (and the bag's in the Sea of Thieves) about us going to Rare headquarters a few weeks back, we discuss E3 2016's Microsoft Monday festivities! The big Sea of Thieves coming out party was impressive. We just didn't know that we were actually going to play a part in it...
423 - E3 2016 Preview
12 juni 2016 |
114 min
It's time once again for E3! We know Sea of Thieves and Yooka-Laylee will both make big appearances at the show, but what other surprises could be in store for the Donkey Kong Universe? We invite our listeners to call in and speculate with us in this special E3 kickoff!
422 - Yooka-Laylee News Orgy (part 2)
4 juni 2016 |
111 min
It's the second part of the Yooka-Laylee news orgy! In this episode, we try to pivot to talk about the gameplay-centric reveals in Edge Magazine, but our callers keep wanting to discuss "those" implications in the story. Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in!
421 - Yooka-Laylee News Orgy (part 1)
29 maj 2016 |
98 min
Playtonic has revealed a plethora of information on Yooka-Laylee, including the story, the supporting characters, and, oh, yeah, a certain goldfish beloved by the DK Vine community. It's time for a Yooka-Laylee news orgy!
420 - Character Witness: Funky Kong
21 maj 2016 |
88 min
It's the Kongversation season 4, episode 20! Naturally, there's only one topic we could do. It's a character history of Funky Kong! This is one dank episode. It's some good ass podcast.
419 - The Hall of Fame 2016 Town Hall!
14 maj 2016 |
92 min
Which characters should get into the DK Vine Hall of Fame Class of 2016? The debate is on, so for this episode we invited our listeners to call in to stump for their favorites. Ready to cast your ballot? Vote at www.dkvine.com/halloffame through May 21st of 2016!
418 - Retro Moves On?
7 maj 2016 |
88 min
Internet chatter has it that Retro's next game is neither Donkey Kong Country nor Metroid, but rather a completely new IP. We spend this episode trying to come to term with this news, reflecting on Retro's massive contributions to the series along the way. Will we play their new game? Who do we think will develop a DKC game next, and do we think a new DKC is even remotely likely anytime soon?
417 - Ninten(annoyed grunt)
30 april 2016 |
82 min
It's been an interesting week for fans of Nintendo. From Star Fox Zero's release (that's been contentious in the DK Vine community) to renewed rumors of a Monster Games-developed Diddy Kong Racing, it would have been enough to base an entire episode around. But then Nintendo seemed to set their entire company on fire by announcing that the NX, and Zelda, are delayed until March of next year... and the Wii U version of Zelda is the only game they're showing at E3. HUH?
Note that Hyle originally wanted the episode title "NintenD'OH!", thinking it would please classic Simpsons fan Chad. Chad argued that they should double down and go with the more obscure Simpsons reference "Ninten(annoyed grunt)". Chad won.
416 - Interview: Steve Mayles and Andy Robinson of Playtonic
23 april 2016 |
76 min
This is a big one! We sit down with legendary character designer Steve Mayles (the artist behind Dixie Kong, K. Rool, and Banjo-Kazooie) and games journalist-turned-Playtonic wordsmith Andy Robinson to discuss Yooka-Laylee! We leave no stone unturned or sacred cow untipped: Will Yooka-Laylee appear at E3? When are the backer rewards coming? Does the Nintendo NX change their plans for the Wii U version? Is there really a Playtonic/Rare rivalry? Which character was Steve hoping would appear in Smash Bros.?
415 - Hey Kids! DKU Comix!
16 april 2016 |
88 min
On this episode, Chad is forced to face the consequences of a wager made a couple of weeks ago and eat a dangerous amount of spaghetti. As a result, DK Vine staffer Nick "Spuzzwick" Prol sits in with Hyle to discuss his magnum opus called DKU Comix (www.dkvine.com/comix).
414 - What Happens When I Die?
9 april 2016 |
103 min
This week, Chad is suffering from low energy and is disinterested in everything (save for Minecraft)! Hyle is battling anxiety and succumbing to crippling panic attacks (so many Skylanders figures to buy)! Naturally, their thoughts are on only one thing: The sweet release of death. But what happens when you die? Let's took towards the Donkey Kong Universe to find out!
413 - A Brief History of Donkey Kong Universe Action Figures
2 april 2016 |
92 min
Before toys-to-life and LEGO-branded everything, kids had to get their jollies through articulated hunks of plastic called action figures. On this episode, we look at the history of Donkey Kong Universe action figures, from the original Donkey Kong figure line from 1999 all the way to Jakks Pacific's World of Nintendo series.
412 - Ape-ril Fools
1 april 2016 |
19 min
The Kongversation breaks a day early with shocking revelations about Nintendo, Diddy Kong Racing Wii U, Masahiro Sakurai and more! You won't believe your ears after you hear this one!
411 - NX Hoaxes, Rumors and Desires
27 mars 2016 |
100 min
Wrapping up a week of supposed NX leaks that turned out to be hoaxes, Hyle and Chad reflect on the brief panic on the street that resulted from the nonsense. Then they ask: What do we REALLY want out of the NX?
410 - Sackey Call Country
19 mars 2016 |
79 min
It's another episode where we clear out the Call Sack and answer your questions on a wide range of topics from across the Donkey Kong Universe! What's the old wacky gang of Kongversation listeners up to this week? If you'd like to get on the show, remember to leave a message at 1-281-410-KONG!
409 - Character Witness: Conker
12 mars 2016 |
97 min
Conker's Bad Fur Day just turned 15 years old (still far short of the 21 year legal drinking limit)! In honor of the old chap, we introduce our newest episode gimmick called Character Witness! One part biography and one part introspective psychoanalysis, we put Conker on the couch and explore how his character has evolved from his debut in Diddy Kong Racing all the way to last year's Big Reunion.
408 - What Makes a Shared Universe Great?
5 mars 2016 |
87 min
Professor X, Wolverine and Deadpool. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Balki, Urkel and Joey Gladstone. Shared universes are all the rage these days, but what makes one truly successful? Hyle forces Chad to consider his extremely nerdy passions as he compares and contrasts some of the most popular shared realities with the Donkey Kong Universe!
Mini 003 - Oops, All Tangents! The X-Files Season 10 Final Impressions (part 2)
1 mars 2016 |
44 min
Our self-indulgence ends here! Hyle and Chad face the end of the world, but luckily their ALIEN DNA keeps them safe in the face of the Cigarette Smoking Man's nefarious conspiracy of shit writing.
Mini 004 - Young Conker on HoloLens
1 mars 2016 |
40 min
It's our first on-topic Kongversation Mini! In this episode, the Kongversation invades your living room and dances on your coffee table. Oh yeah, and Chad and Hyle's heads now have the proportions of Rocky Dennis from Mask. Introducing... Young Conker!
407 - Late Winter News Headlines
28 februari 2016 |
88 min
News from across the Donkey Kong Universe has begun to pile up over the last several weeks, meaning this episode of the Kongversation is dedicated to cleaning off our front stoop. Mini-Mario and Friends: amiibo Challenge! Yooka-Laylee! Sea of Thieves! The RELEASE OF THE NINTENDO NX?
Mini 002 - Oops, All Tangents! The X-Files Season 10 Final Impressions (part 1)
24 februari 2016 |
76 min
It's another off-topic Kongversation Mini! Picking up where we left off with our First Impressions, here's part one of our take on the last chunk of The X-Files Season 10. Take some 'shrooms, kick back and let your mind take you to the nearest honky tonk for our raging bitchfest.
406 - Young Conker Rumors
20 februari 2016 |
58 min
Rumors are spreading and evidence is building that a new Conker game, cleverly titled "Young Conker", is on its way. Chad and Hyle talk about the possibilities this week, debating whether or not they even want to see this game and if a Conker prequel would even work.
405 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
13 februari 2016 |
103 min
It's universally beloved and reviled. It's the epitome of the post-Rare Buyout Era; a declaration of war against Donkey Kong Country fans and a game every Donkey Kong Country fan should play. It's a... giant chicken head on a plant stalk. Play fresh with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat!
404 - Minecraft First Impressions
6 februari 2016 |
75 min
Minecraft? We're talking about MINECRAFT? Nonsense! This is the Kongversation! How the hell does Minecraft relate to the Donkey Kong Universe? Well, a few years back several Rare Ltd. skins were offered as DLC. This allowed you to run around the game as Banjo, Conker and other cherished weirdos. Then, a few weeks ago, Chad fell in love with the game. Now that he's hip with the kids, can he convince Hyle to be the same?
403 - #IDARB First Impressions
30 januari 2016 |
83 min
#IDARB, the Xbox One indie game that's one part NBA Jam and one part futuristic soccer (packaged in an old-school gaming wrapper), is the newest game in the Donkey Kong Universe! Banjo, Kazooie, Conker, a Fudgehog and more Rare Ltd. characters have officially been added to its roster. That's all well and fine, but is the game any good? Hyle and Chad are on the case!
Mini 001 - Oops, All Tangents! The X-Files Season 10 First Impressions
26 januari 2016 |
55 min
It's the first MINI episode of the Kongversation! When news breaks, or we want to go on an off-topic rant that would be entirely unsuitable on the main show, we'll be producing these off-schedule episodes in addition to our normal weekly ones. First up, it's a tangent about the new season of The X-Files!
402 - Two Hacks Empty the Call Sack
23 januari 2016 |
90 min
We've let our audio mailbag fill up to critical levels over the past couple of months! In this episode, we answer YOUR calls concerning topics from across the Donkey Kong Universe. Donkey Kong Country, Smash Bros., the Nintendo NX and more are all discussed! Call the DK Vine Hotline at 1-281-410-KONG!
401 - Abortion Clinic: Dream
16 januari 2016 |
88 min
It's a new year! Let's stop looking ahead and instead turn the clocks back 20 years as we discuss the game that eventually became Banjo-Kazooie: The long-fabled Project Dream! Rare has finally divulged enough information about this oft-romanticized title, so sit back with us as we break it down and add our perspective.
353 - New Year's Forecast 2016
31 december 2015 |
74 min
It's the season finale of the Kongversation! As per tradition, Chad and Hyle, plus various DK Vine staffers, all convene to discuss the year ahead in the Donkey Kong Universe. What triumphs and disappointments await?
352 - Goldilocks and Little Bear First Impressions
26 december 2015 |
97 min
On this most festive week, let's kick back and enjoy a game for toddlers. WHAT? WHY? Well, because Nosy Crow's interactive storybook, Goldilocks and Little Bear, has some surprising connections to the Donkey Kong Universe, that's why! This is going to be our weirdest First Impressions episode yet.
351 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 2 (part 4)
19 december 2015 |
167 min
The final half of the game is discussed in exhaustive detail as Chad and Hyle reminisce about their favorite moments from Donkey Kong Country 2. A cluster of listener callers then provide us all with some definitive thoughts on this masterpiece.
LIVE! 001 - November 15, 2015
13 december 2015 |
135 min
It's the Kong-Kong-versation... LIIIIIIVE! Chad and Hyle kick off this new format by taking on a number of extraordinarily passionate listener callers in realtime! This episode is being posted on a 1-month delay, but you can get in on the real-time exclusivity by patronizing our Patreon at the $10 a month tier! The next live broadcast will be on Saturday, December 19th at 5:00 PM EST! https://www.dkvine.com/patreon
350 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 2 (part 3)
12 december 2015 |
150 min
It's the third part of our three-part Donkey Kong Country 2 retrospective! Wait, wait... let's make it a four-parter. We have so much to say about the game, we could only get through Krazy Kremland this week.
349 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 2 (part 2)
5 december 2015 |
149 min
Hyle and Chad continue their epic dissection of what makes Donkey Kong Country 2 the greatest game their feeble minds are able to comprehend. Conversationally rended to bits in this episode are the animal buddies, new Kongs, Kremlings, instruction booklet, and new game mechanics. We'll talk about the game one of these days!
348 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Country 2 (part 1)
29 november 2015 |
137 min
Here it is! The first installment of our epic three-part reminiscence fest on Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Our favorite video game of all time. The greatest platformer ever. Come sail with us to Crocodile Isle, won't you?
347 - Nintendo Directile Dysfunction
21 november 2015 |
137 min
Bill! Bill! BILL!!! Chad and Hyle simply didn't respond to the announcements, nor the bizarre sketch comedy of the latest Nintendo Direct, and only partially because neither of them is named Bill. They, along with a cabal of callers new and old, mount an expedition of the mind and spirit. The destination: a sense of peace, fulfillment, and understanding over whatever the hell it was we all just watched.
346 - The World of Banjo-Kazooie
14 november 2015 |
140 min
In anticipation of Banjo-Tooie's 15th anniversary, we take a look at the rich, interconnected world it created with the Isle O'Hags. More than that, we also examine how the Jiggy pieces of Banjo's world fit together. Where exactly is Spiral Mountain? What exactly are the worlds connected to Gruntilda's Lair? Do L.O.G. and Showdown Town RUIN EVERYTHING?
345 - What's the DEAL with Nintendo Lately?
7 november 2015 |
155 min
Ever since Nintendo's arguably underwhelming showing at E3, and the death of President Satoru Iwata, the company's actions have been... well, curious is the polite phrasing. Chad, Hyle, and a selection of callers (most of them Mametchi) attempt to unpack the past and divine the future of Nintendo Company Limited.
344 - Fearbringers
31 oktober 2015 |
135 min
Though the Donkey Kong Universe started as a series of child-friendly games, it's never shied away from the unsettling. Chad, Hyle, and a handful of callers remember and uneasily celebrate some of the creepiest moments this cartoon animal-centric series has to offer.
343 - DK Vine Sells Out
24 oktober 2015 |
112 min
So it's come to this... Patreon. DK Vine is evolving, and with this episode we're proud to usher in the new era of the site. Discover what you get by becoming a Patron and what DK Vine can become if we convince enough of you to do so. Then, in the second hour, we take listener calls and discuss some of the Donkey Kong Universe news of the day. Learn more about DK Vine on Patreon at https://dkvine.com/patreon!
342 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong Land
17 oktober 2015 |
162 min
Donkey Kong Land recently came to the Virtual Console and celebrated its 20th anniversary. Only the second-ever game in the modern Donkey Kong series and the entire Donkey Kong Universe, it didn't just ride the wave of Donkey Kong Country mania when it debuted: It helped make that wave a tsunami. So why has this classic Game Boy game been mostly forgotten by the history books? Hyle and Chad dust off their banana yellow cartridges and head back to Donkey Kong Land's four worlds for an audio trip full of nostalgia, celebration and personal revelations.
341 - Skylanders SuperChargers First Impressions
10 oktober 2015 |
120 min
The most surprising crossover of 2015 has to be Donkey Kong (and the other guy... you know, the turtle thing from Mario) appearing in Skylanders SuperChargers. Hyle, being the DKU absolutist he is, went all in on the game and its myriad of starter packs. So, how does the snobbish Donkey Kong Country fan take to a game that's commonly thought of as a cash grab for children? Surprisingly, it might be too intellectual for him...
340 - The Many Deaths of Conker the Squirrel
3 oktober 2015 |
145 min
A squirrel can have as many lives as he thinks he can get away with. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for his games. Chad, Hyle, and a few callers celebrate Rare's Conker Theme Week with a look back at the cancelled titles in his oeuvre, including the newest game to join those ranks: Project Spark: Conker's Big Reunion.
It's true what they say; You don't really know what it is you even have until it's gone. Gone. Gone.
339 - The Donkey Kong Universe Canonization Battles of 2015
26 september 2015 |
165 min
We're often asked why we consider one game part of the Donkey Kong Universe and not another. Our legal framework is simple: We cover every game that follows on from or spins out of Donkey Kong Country. Well, it USED to be simple, but we live in an ever-complicated era full of Twitter proclamations from the creators and confusing IP ownership. Join us as we discuss three games that may or may not be part of the Donkey Kong Universe, then call 1-281-410-KONG to complain!
338 - Talk Like a Pirate Day 2015
19 september 2015 |
147 min
Yarr ha-harrr, hoist the mainbrace, etcetarrrrrrrra! We take a break from Rare Replay to indulge a handful of bizarre listener calls, followed by an update on everything we (probably don't) know about Rare's upcoming pirate game, Sea of Thieves!
Call the Kongversation with your questions at 1-281-410-KONG (5664).
337 - The Fetal Days of Banjo-Kazooie
12 september 2015 |
127 min
Gregg Mayles recently released a massive amount of information on the early days of Banjo-Kazooie. That is, everything between Project Dream and the version we've come to know and adore (and have sexy dreams about). In this episode, we discuss the saucy tidbits of Banjo's development we never knew before.
Programming note: Chad's continuing to have issues with his microphone, so his audio becomes webcam about ten minutes in before reverting back near the end. We either need to get Chad a new microphone or we need to get a new Chad. Whichever is cheaper...
336 - Emptying Our Call Sack 2
6 september 2015 |
94 min
With a steady amount building up over the last several weeks, we've got no choice but to stop, drop everything, and empty our Call Sack once again! Yes, it's a listener call episode. If you'd like to participate in this nonsense, don't forget that you can contribute by phoning the DK Vine Hotline at 1-281-410-KONG. Nervous? Then have no fear, because this week's episode is sponsored by alcohol!
335 - Abortion Clinic: Donkey Kong Country 2 (Virtual Boy)
29 augusti 2015 |
148 min
In honor of the Virtual Boy's 20th anniversary, we take a look at the controversial but charming "third tier" of Nintendo in the mid-1990's. Touching upon every released game for the system, we lead up to the brief development of Rare's red and black Donkey Kong Country 2 port. Welcome to Space World. Let's go!
334 - X15 Ways to Cleave Your Canon
27 augusti 2015 |
118 min
We're once again joined by Steve from Rare Gamer (raregamer.co.uk), this time to discuss his experiences at Microsoft's X15 show in Toronto. He dug in deep with several Rare employees, but did he get any dirt? Later in the show, we get a special call from a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON concerning the canon of Rare Replay's opening musical number. WHO COULD IT BE?
Oh, it's Chris Allcock from Rare. Hi, Chris!
333 - Rare Replay First Impressions (part 2)
15 augusti 2015 |
145 min
Instead of having this be part 2 of 30, we opted instead to get in as much Rare Replay discussion as possible in this episode, touching on nearly every game. See, we could have just said "from the sublime games to the BALL-BUSTING INFURIATING ones, Rare Replay is a massive achievement and a worthy tribute to the company's storied legacy." We could have said that. We turned it into a two hour-plus podcast instead.
332 - Rare Replay First Impressions (part 1)
8 augusti 2015 |
110 min
It's a Rare Replay; let's join the fray
With opinions and nostalgic talk!
The most rambling words that you've ever heard,
We're far less skilled than Chris Allcock.
331 - Diddy Kong Racing Wii U Rumors vs. Godzilla
2 augusti 2015 |
131 min
It's the return of Kevin Callahan and new Diddy Kong Racing Wii U rumors! Before that, we discuss the latest from Rare Replay and Super Smash Bros. For, including that controversial K. Rool costume. Fake characters and fake news. Is there anything real about this week's episode?
330 - Mr. Iwata's Last Bow
25 juli 2015 |
128 min
After taking a handful of listener calls, Chad and Hyle make a borderline inappropriate tonal shift into a somber and respectful (yes, really!) conversation about the sadly deceased corporate president, game developer, and gamer Satoru Iwata, and the legacy he has left us all.
329 - MFWolfe's Comic-Caze Mission
18 juli 2015 |
108 min
Chad and Hyle are joined by Kongversation caller and DK Vine Forum member Mitchell Wolfe to discuss the Donkey Kong Universe showings at San Diego Comic-Con 2015! Mitchell was in attendance and gives his recollections from the front lines on both Rare and Nintendo's presence at the only show nerdier than E3.
328 - Emptying Our Call Sack
11 juli 2015 |
120 min
Happy Xmas (E3 is Over)! It's been a ridiculous amount of time since we checked in with our listener hotline, but there's no better time than the present. Unless that time was a few weeks ago, so we wouldn't be in this mess at all. That probably would have been a better time.
327 - E3 2015 Wrap Up
4 juli 2015 |
190 min
We put E3 2015 to bed with an orgy involving the DK Vine staff. Well, not Jeff. Learn the thoughts, opinions and reflections of Matt, Cameron, Nick and Joe as DK Vine wraps up our wildest E3 yet.
326 - E3 2015: Our Week With Rare
27 juni 2015 |
179 min
Here's the inside story of Chad and Hyle meeting close to a dozen Rare staffers, both past and present, at E3. The most surreal week ever of our years of fandom involved lengthy conversations about Rare Replay, Sea of Thieves and the entire history of Rare. This episode is a day-by-day recounting of our time with the Twycross crew, and we share everything we believe we're allowed to discuss. Is the magic really back?
325 - E3 2015 Nintendo
17 juni 2015 |
78 min
So what do we think about the old N's showings? The boys give their thoughts on Donkey Kong's starring turn in Skylanders, Star Fox Zero and the ramifications this has on continuity, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash and more! We also share our experience with Nintendo on the show floor at E3, including chance encounters in the men's room. Spicy stuff!
324 - E3 2015 Microsoft
15 juni 2015 |
86 min
The #Rarenaissance goes to the past! The #Rarenaissance takes to the seas! Rare fans unite, as Chad and Hyle are joined by Amir from Killer Instinct Central and Steve from Rare Gamer to talk about Gears of War 4! Wait, no. We're talking about Rare Replay and Sea Of Thieves, as well as the new Rare logo and return of the company's grand ethos of humor and world building. All this, plus a very special meetup we had with three Rare employees after the Microsoft event. You don't want to miss this episode!
323 - E3 2015 Preview
14 juni 2015 |
106 min
Chad and Hyle are joined by DKVine staffer Jeff Onan to discuss everything they hope to see at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo! As the trio is fond of bragging, they have become quite good at "reading the tea leaves" over the years. Prepare yourself for both well-reasoned soothsaying and wild, blind stabs in the dark. All told, this episode encompasses DKVine's final predictions for E3 in the calm that precedes the biggest gaming storm of the year!
322 - One Weak Episode One Week Before E3
6 juni 2015 |
138 min
With only a week until E3, we're scrambling to get things ready for the biggest time of the year (for a weirdo Donkey Kong website). We've got some Yooka-Laylee news to discuss at the very end of the show, but first some basic E3 pimping and lots more listener calls to plow through.
321 - We Two at E3 with Wii U and You, Too
30 maj 2015 |
132 min
An unprecedented E3 announcement leads the show (after an unnecessary David Letterman discussion), which has largely been telegraphed by this episode's title. But after their BOMBSHELL ANNOUNCEMENT, they spend the bulk of this episode plowing through the backlog of listener calls that piled up the last two weeks while we were busy shitting on nostalgic rose-tinting.
320 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong 64 (part 2)
23 maj 2015 |
155 min
Concluding our retrospective on Donkey Kong 64, we break down the worlds one-by-one... only to discover that they're doing the same to us. It's the good, the bad, and the Chunky as we have a serious discussion about what works with DK64 and what its ultimate failings are.
319 - Spotlight: Donkey Kong 64 (part 1)
16 maj 2015 |
138 min
1999 brought Chad and Hyle together for the first time, DK Vine was created, and all eyes were on a single title - Donkey Kong 64. Now they revisit the Rare N64 classic to determine whether it truly is the best game ever made, or if they were just shitty teenagers with shitty teenage opinions.
318 - Conker's Big Reunion: Episode 1 First Impressions
9 maj 2015 |
136 min
With the first completely new Conker adventure in fourteen years now part of the Donkey Kong Universe, Hyle and Chad give their verdict on Big Reunion! Plus, we give the game for free to nine lucky listeners!
317 - Yoo Talk Yooka-Laylee To Mee
2 maj 2015 |
135 min
Unless you've been living under a rock lovingly rendered by Steven Hurst, you know that Project Ukulele is now the mind-boggingly successfully funded Yooka-Laylee! Chad and Hyle discuss their thoughts on the upcoming title, whether or not it's a proper DK Universe game yet, and some unfortunate byproducts from the Internet's reaction at large.
316 - Interview: Brian Perry of Team Dakota
25 april 2015 |
55 min
Conker's back! We sit down with Brian Perry of Team Dakota, the developers behind Project Spark and Conker's Big Reunion, to get the inside scoop on how our favorite squirrel was revived and where he may be headed next.
315 - Deep Breath
18 april 2015 |
127 min
It's the calm before the storm of DLC, games, Kickstarters, and E3 occupies our collective headspaces, preventing us from functioning as productive members of society. So Chad and Hyle do the most productive thing they can think of, and clear out the call log before digging into the latest from the Wii U's Virtual Console, and everything to expect from Nintendo, Team Dakota, Playtonic, and Rare in the next two months. It's a packed one, folks.
314 - Silverbacker: Zeppelin
11 april 2015 |
93 min
DK Vine Forum member Zeppelin (aka Andy Barrett) takes over the Kongversation via his Silverbacker status! Chad and Hyle talk with him about the aesthetics of the Donkey Kong series and how presenting a realistic natural world helps set the games apart from other platformers. It's more entertaining than it sounds!
313 - April Rools Day
4 april 2015 |
135 min
It was an unusual April 1st for everyone paying attention to the latest news from Nintendo. Chad, Hyle, and a series of call-in listeners attempt to make sense of the implications for Rare, Nintendo, Banjo, Donkey Kong, and indeed, THE ENTIRE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT.
312 - It's Mr Iwata: Mobile Edition
28 mars 2015 |
130 min
After taking a bevy of calls from the Kongversation Hotline's heavy-hitters, Hyle and Chad discuss the latest in DKU news. On deck are crossover possibilities for Project Ukulele, confirmation of Mumbo Jumbo's species, and finally Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's announcement that Nintendo will begin developing games for mobile platforms. Oh, and naturally, nasal diarrhea.
311 - Rarenaissance
21 mars 2015 |
112 min
Chad and Hyle are joined by Joe Mudd to take a round of listener calls, then discuss the latest news out of Rare, Team Dakota, and Playtonic. It's a veritable Rarenaissance, and we haven't figured out a more tolerable way to describe it!
310 - Interview: Chris Sutherland
13 mars 2015 |
69 min
In this very special episode, we sit down with former Rare programmer and project director Chris Sutherland (Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Kinect Sports) to discuss his tenure in the Donkey Kong Universe and his future with the newly-formed Playtonic Games. We better act our age!
309 - Spotlight: It's Mr Pants
7 mars 2015 |
111 min
Remember It's Mr Pants? The 2004 handheld puzzle game featuring a pasty stick man in a bowler hat and red undies? Well, Chad and Hyle sure do! In this week's episode, they relive it all so you don't have to. Smile, baby!
308 - Playing It Loud
28 februari 2015 |
105 min
In one glorious day, the entire Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land trilogies arrived on the North American Nintendo eShop while Nintendo also revived their infamous "Play It Loud" slogan specifically for Donkey Kong. Yeah, we're pretty happy with life right now.
307 - New Nintendo 3DS First Impressions
21 februari 2015 |
86 min
What can we say, it's a slow news week. Chad and Hyle discuss the latest bits and bobs from Playtonic Games before delving into the fantastic New Nintendo 3DS and its not-so-fantastic name.
306 - World War Threeie
14 februari 2015 |
143 min
First there were Donkey Kong 64 2ish rumors. Then Hat in Time. Lobodestroyo. New Banjo-Kazooie rumors. Okay, okay, you get the point! So what's the big deal? Well, listen up! Because there's a new dynamic studio from the creators of Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye that's ready to kick some serious excitement into 3D platforming. IT'S PLAYTONIC GAMES!
305 - Honourable Mentions: Jet Force Gemini
7 februari 2015 |
135 min
The Kongversation introduces a new feature this week, in which we shine a spotlight on an Honourable Mention - one of the many games that was very nearly part of the larger Donkey Kong Universe. Up first is Rare's criminally overlooked 1999 classic Jet Force Gemini. Friend of the show Alastair Craig drops by to gush over this incredible game in nauseatingly positive detail.
304 - Winter Shitfuck Advisory
31 januari 2015 |
113 min
We're coming out of the most-depressing week of the year, but still waist-deep in the Winter Shitfucks. Chad and Hyle try to weather the storm of the most desolate time of the year for a Donkey Kong Universe fan by essentially goofing off and taking calls for close to two hours.
303 - Super Smash Bros. For Wii U First Impressions (part 2)
24 januari 2015 |
134 min
Part Two of Chad and Hyle's enormously controversial Super Smash Bros. for Wii U impressions continues, this time with an unapologetic fan of the game, Jeff Onan, in tow. The trio discusses some new rumors about that old chestnut Rare returning to form, take a few calls, and then dig into the meat of the show - whether Smash Bros should get a pass for ignoring its single-player fans, despite being a fantastic multiplayer experience. This one got even heateder than last week, folks.
302 - Super Smash Bros. For Wii U First Impressions (part 1)
17 januari 2015 |
140 min
We've been hyping it for two months, so let's do this thing. In PART ONE of our two-part Smash Bros. for Wii U episode, Chad and Hyle are joined by Joe to first talk about this week's Nintendo Direct before spending over an hour giving what's sure to be controversial opinions on a critical and fan darling. This one is going to get heated, folks.
301 - Wii U: Two Years Later
10 januari 2015 |
115 min
It's been two years since we gave our first impressions on the Wii U. How has the financially-maligned system shaped up in the intervening time? Chad and Hyle talk about that and can't get over the fact that Sarah Jessica Parker still looks like a horse. Welcome to another season of the Kongversation!
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.