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Funky Kong is a character first seen in the Donkey Kong series, though he was a minor character. Mario Kart Wii is his first appearance in a Mario Kart game. He is also playable in Mario Kart Tour during the Jungle Tour.

Funky Kong is known most by people that play Mario Kart Wii as the best character when he is on the Flame Runner. He is widely used among competitive players in Mario Kart Wii due to his very high speed stat. In fact, as of February 8th, 2022, 21 of the 32 shortcut records and 16 of the 19 non-shortcut records on the main page of the Mario Kart Wii world records website were set using Funky Kong, while the others were done using Daisy, Baby Daisy, Baby Mario, Dry Bowser, and Toadette.

Characteristics[]

Funky Kong

Funky Kong in Donkey Kong 64.

Although Funky Kong is mainly associated with his red bandana and cool-looking shades, however, this was not his first depiction in a video game. Donkey Kong 64, a game originally for the classic, old-school Nintendo 64, marked him more as a soldier than a hip-hop gangster. He had black combat boots, a dark green, camouflaged tank top shirt with matching pants and an ammunition bandoleer around his waist. He also had red sunglasses (nowhere near as cool as his shades now), and an army cap with the same camouflage design as his shirt. One thing the cool version of Funky Kong did not have was a huge RPG-7 (missile launcher) slung across his back like the Donkey Kong 64 version of him did. Funky Kong will always miss that RPG-7.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze - Funky Kong

Funky Kong in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze with his surfing board.

In Mario Kart Wii, he took on the more modern, or "funky" style of his career. He now wears blue pants that are torn off at his knees, a black belt now replaces his ammo belt, and his tank top is now white. His shades are now a dark color, and he now has a red bandana with white dots on it. His frame is very similar to Donkey Kong, and he even retains DK's classic smile. Although he had a different appearance in Donkey Kong 64, he still maintained a hip, up-to-the-minute attitude. His signature vehicle is the Jetsetter.

Game Appearances[]

Mario Kart Wii[]

Funky Kong makes his Mario Kart debut in this game. He is an unlockable heavyweight racer similar to Donkey Kong, meaning he can only choose Large karts and bikes. He is known for having the highest Speed stat of all Large racers, while he gets a small Off-Road bonus as well. He is often paired with the Flame Runner, while his signature vehicle is the Jetsetter. Although he doesn't have a personal race course in this game, he does have a Battle stage dedicated to him, known as Funky Stadium.

Mario Kart Tour[]

Funky Kong returns in Mario Kart Tour after 12 years of not being in another Mario Kart title. He is a High-End driver, whose Special Skill is the Banana Barrel. He is one of the two Spotlight drivers in the Jungle Tour along with Dixie Kong.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[]

Funky Kong makes his long awaited return to a home console Mario Kart for the first time since Mario Kart Wii as part of Wave 6 of the Booster Course Pass DLC. He is in the heavyweight class and is joined in the final wave by Diddy Kong, Pauline and Peachette. He can even be seen pulling out his famous surfboard in many of his trick animations and on the character select screen.

Other games[]

Funky Kong is not usually featured as a playable character in most Donkey Kong games, but more of a side character that helps Donkey Kong and friends along the way by giving them new abilities or equipment. One of his most famous appearances was in Donkey Kong Country 3 where he made vehicles to Diddy and Dixie Kong that help to explore the map and find collectibles. The exception is the re-release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the Switch, where he made his first playable appearance.

How to unlock[]

Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Tour
  • Purchase him from the Daily Spotlight for 100 Rubies if he appears.
  • Obtain him from the Pipe/Golden Pipe.
  • Obtain him from his Spotlight Pipe during the Jungle Tour.
  • Complete all Challenges in Summer Challenges 1 (2023)


Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

• Purchase the Booster Course Pass DLC or unlock for free with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Vehicle Gallery[]

Mario Kart Wii[]

Home Course[]

Staff Ghost Tracks[]

* - Retro track

Gallery[]

Mario Kart Wii racers
Small Baby MarioBaby LuigiBaby PeachBaby DaisyToadToadetteKoopa TroopaDry Bones
Medium MarioLuigiPeachDaisyYoshiBirdoDiddy KongBowser Jr.
Large WarioWaluigiDonkey KongBowserKing BooRosalinaFunky KongDry Bowser
Any Mii
Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe racers
Light Baby MarioBaby LuigiBaby PeachBaby DaisyBaby RosalinaToadToadetteKoopa TroopaShy GuyLakituLarry KoopaWendy O. KoopaLemmy KoopaIsabelle+ • Villager+ • Dry Bones* • Bowser Jr.*
Medium MarioLuigiPeachDaisyYoshiLudwig von KoopaIggy KoopaTanooki Mario+ • Cat Peach+ • Inklings* • Birdo+* • Kamek+* • Diddy Kong+* • Peachette+*
Heavy WarioWaluigiDonkey KongRosalinaBowserRoy KoopaMorton Koopa Jr.Metal MarioPink Gold PeachLink+ • Dry Bowser+ • King Boo* • Gold Mario* • Petey Piranha+* • Wiggler+* • Funky Kong+* • Pauline+*
Any Mii
+ - denotes DLC. • * - denotes exclusivity to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
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