King K. Rool : le roi crocodile et ennemi juré de Donkey Kong

King K. Rool: The crocodile king and archenemy of Donkey Kong

859 mots | Temps de lecture : 4 minute(s)

Among Nintendo's iconic villains, King K. Rool stands out. The main antagonist of the Donkey Kong Country series, this Kremling king is known for his madness, absurd disguises, and obsessive desire to steal Donkey Kong 's bananas. But behind his comical exterior lies a cunning, unpredictable foe who has become a cult favorite among fans.

Summary

1. Origins and first appearance

King K. Rool made his first appearance in Donkey Kong Country in 1994 for the Super Nintendo. He steals all the bananas from Donkey Kong's stock and establishes himself as the leader of the Kremlings , a race of warlike humanoid crocodiles native to Crocodile Isle .

  • Name: King K. Rool
  • Species: Kremling (anthropomorphic reptile)
  • Creator: Rare
  • First appearance: Donkey Kong Country ( 1994 )

From his first appearance, he is distinguished by his squinting eye, his ridiculous royal outfit and his cult musical theme: Gang-Plank Galleon .

2. A master of disguise

King K. Rool is famous for his multiple identities and disguises, changing his name and role depending on the game:

  • Captain K. Rool – Donkey Kong Country 2 : pirate aboard the Flying Krock
  • Baron K. Roolenstein – Donkey Kong Country 3 : Mad Scientist with Backbone Propeller
  • King Krusha K. Rool – Donkey Kong 64 : Boxer in a wrestling ring

Each version features different gameplay and staging, reinforcing the image of a theatrical and unpredictable villain.

3. Psychology of a Cartoon Villain

King K. Rool is not a classic villain: he is unstable, megalomaniacal, unpredictable, and often comical.

  • Obsession: Stealing bananas and beating the Kongs
  • Strategies: disguises, crazy machines, armies of Kremlings
  • Comparison: More unpredictable than Bowser, with a more burlesque staging

His absurd behavior contrasts with his actual danger in the often demanding boss fights.

4. Prolonged absence… then triumphant return

After Donkey Kong 64 , K. Rool disappeared from the main games for over ten years. Subsequent installments introduced new enemies (Tikis, Frigoths), which sparked a veritable fan campaign demanding his return—especially in Smash Bros.

Petitions, videos and memes thus keep the legend of the missing crocodile king alive.

5. King K. Rool in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In 2018 , Nintendo announced the arrival of King K. Rool as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate .

  • Playstyle: Tank with armor, projectiles, and moves inspired by his old disguises
  • Announcement Trailer: Features his return against Donkey and Diddy Kong
  • Reception: triumphant among nostalgic players

His design in Smash condenses all of his iterations into a complete character, faithful to his past.

6. Why King K. Rool is cult

  • An eccentric and memorable villain
  • Varied and inventive fights
  • A prolonged absence that strengthened fans' attachment
  • The perfect example of a comical but formidable villain

King K. Rool defined a generation on the SNES and N64 , and his return in Smash confirmed his iconic status.

King K. Rool Summary Table

Element Description
Name King K. Rool
Species Kremling (humanoid reptile)
First appearance Donkey Kong Country ( 1994 , SNES)
Aliases Captain K. Rool, Baron K. Roolenstein, King Krusha K. Rool
Role Main antagonist of the DK Country and DK64 series
Recent appearance Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ( 2018 )

FAQ: King K. Rool in the Nintendo Universe

  • Who is King K. Rool?
    The leader of the Kremlings and Donkey Kong 's arch-enemy.
  • Why does he change his appearance?
    To accentuate its unpredictable and theatrical character.
  • Why did he disappear for so long?
    Recent games have featured other enemies, but his popularity has never waned.
  • Is he playable in Super Smash Bros. ?
    Yes, since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch.
  • Which alias is most popular?
    King K. Rool remains the most iconic, but Captain K. Rool also has his fans.
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