TheDonkey Kongseries has been a staple of side-scrolling platformers for years.
Part of what makes it special is its characters and their unique abilities.
The Donkey Kong games would not be what they are without giving special thanks to the Animal Buddies.
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The Animal Buddies are friends of the Kongs.
Hes key to avoiding enemies and finding the secrets scattered across the level.
The former is even used in a boss battle against a very curious waterfall creature.
In it, Donkey and Diddy Kong traverse on high, rickety walkways.
Winky is very fast and able to jump super high.
Besides this level, Winky is in three others.
7Rattly The Rattlesnake
Its hard to find snakes creepy when theyre as cute as Rattly.
As previously mentioned, he replaces Winky the Frog in Donkey Kong Country 2.
Despite his name, he actually has no rattle on the end of his body.
He also lets the Kongs jump extremely high when riding him.
6Clapper The Seal
Clapper the Seal is a really unique case in the world of Donkey Kong.
He is one of just two Animal Buddies that appears multiple times throughout a level.
He is also one of a few that you do not control.
Instead, you jump on his back to help control the water.
He is able to turn lava into water for the Kongs to traverse safely through.
He also makes a very cute seal noise when jumped on.
And dont worry, no seals were harmed!
First off, though, a special shoutout goes to his eight sneakered legs.
When hes not being a fashion icon, Squitter can fire webs at enemies to kill them.
He can also create webbed platforms to climb while the Kongs ride him.
He is extremely useful in getting to hard-to-reach places and avoiding enemies if youre in a tight spot.
4Expresso the Ostrich
Like Squitter, Expresso also wears a pair of fashionable sneakers.
Similar to his real-life counterpart, Expresso is very fast, agile, and can fly short distances.
In his first role, he guides Donkey and Diddy Kong through a dark cave using a lantern.
Later on in the series, he carries a Kong around and this allows you to fly.
He can also shoot projectiles to harm most enemies.
2Rambi The Rhinoceros
Rambi is perhaps the most iconic and well recognized of all the Animal Buddies.
He appears in the very first stage of Donkey Kong Country and is loved for how versatile he is.
Hes also able to break through boulders and secret entrances to play various bonus games.
Rambi is vulnerable to fire, however, so be sure to watch out for any flame-flinging foes.
1Enguarde the Swordfish
Enguarde the Swordfish is known for his swashbuckling ways under the sea.
He is the only way the Kongs can attack enemies while underwater.
He is quick and also has a powerful and fast-moving charge-up attack that can blast through multiple enemies.
Enguarde is also utilized in a boss battle in Donkey Kong Country 3.
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