Donkey Kong 64 is famous in the Donkey Kong series for allowing you to play multiple characters in the Kong family. While you start the game out as the titular Donkey Kong, you eventually unlock Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Lanky Kong, and last but not least, Chunky Kong. Each of these characters brings with them their own unique moves and abilities, which are needed in order to unlock all of the game’s many, many collectibles.
Chunky Kong is the last Kong you unlock in Donkey Kong 64, meaning you will already be pretty deep into the game by the time you reach him. But how do you get Chunky Kong in Donkey Kong 64? Keep on reading this guide to find out!
Freeing Him from the Frantic Factory
The first thing to note about unlocking Chunky Kong is that you will need to be playing as Lanky Kong to free him. Just like all the other Kongs, with the exception of Donkey Kong, Chunky Kong is captured by the Kremling Krew at the start of the game. He is then taken to the Frantic Factory, where he must be rescued by Lanky Kong, who was previously discovered in Angry Aztec.
After entering Frantic Factory as Lanky Kong, go through the hall to the left and climb down the long pole. Keep on following the halls through a room, then leave into a different hallway. Here, you find Chunky Kong suspended in a cage near the ceiling. Simply use Lanky Kong to climb up the pipe in the corner of this room and hit the Lanky switch to free Chunky from his imprisonment.
Congratulations, you have rescued Chunky Kong, and you now have access to the full roster of characters from Donkey Kong 64.
How to Use Chunky Kong in Donkey Kong 64
Now that you have unlocked Chunky Kong in Donkey Kong 64, you have access to the full suite of moves and abilities to explore the game’s levels and acquire as many of its collectibles as you possibly can. Chunky Kong is the strongest of the Kongs in the game, even stronger than Donkey Kong himself. This is evident in the fact that Chunky Kong is the only Kong that can lift boulders. However, this added strength does come at the expense of movement and agility. So, depending on your playstyle, you may prefer to primarily play as the more nimble Diddy or Dixie Kong.
After you have rescued Chunky Kong, you will be able to play as him to pick up the following collectibles:
- Green Bananas
- Green Banana Coins
- Green Blueprints
Chunky Kong can also consume a bunch of potions from Cranky Kong, which grants him unique abilities. These potions and their corresponding abilities include:
- Simian Slam – allows Chunky Kong to press green buttons with his face on them.
- Super Simian Slam – allows Chunky Kong to press blue buttons that have his face on them.
- Super Duper Simian Slam – allows Chunky Kong to press red buttons that have his face on them.
- Primate Punch – allows Chunky Kong to perform a super punch that delivers more damage than usual.
- Hunky Chunk – after coming into contact with Crystal Coconuts, Chunky Kong transforms into a giant version of himself. While in this state, Chunky Kong can pick up large objects and hit large switches while also having the ability to climb thick tree trunks that would otherwise be invisible.
- Gorilla Gone – when Chunky Kong uses his Kong Pad, he can find invisible enemies and objects by turning invisible himself.
Chunky Kong’s projectile weapon of choice is the Pineapple Launcher, which he receives from Funky Kong. As its name suggests, the Pineapple Launcher shoots out spiky pineapples that can cause damage to enemies far away and activate switches that would otherwise be out of reach.
Candy Kong gives Chunky Kong the Triangle Trample as his musical instrument. Other than providing an amusing image of a giant ape using a tiny musical instrument, the Triangle Trample is actually one of the most powerful abilities in the entire game. When Chunky Kong plays his triangle, he immediately defeats any enemy that is within range. When playing the triangle on Music Pads, Chunky Kong can also activate special abilities.
How to Beat Kink K. Rool as Chunky Kong
In Donkey Kong 64, the final boss fight is against King K. Rool, with all five of the playable Kongs having a chance to take down the lord of the Kremling Krew. Chunky Kong is the last of the Kongs to go toe-to-toe with King K. Rool and therefore plays an important role in defeating this final hurdle and beating the game.
When Chunky Kong enters the battle, K. Rool becomes invisible. Head over to the Chunky pad to turn invisible, which will reveal a Chunky Barrel in the middle of the arena. Enter this barrel, and Chunky Kong will transform into the giant version of himself.
As a giant, King K. Rool will begin charging you. Time a punch at precisely the right moment to send your opponent to the opposite corner. After knocking K.Rool against the wall enough times, he will collapse to the ground. This triggers a cutscene where Chunky Kong begins celebrating his victory, only for King K. Rool to get up again and make a move to attack. Fortunately, Candy Kong distracts K. Rool before he can cause any damage, and Funky Kong takes him out with a bazooka.
So, there you have it. That is how you unlock Chunky Kong in Donkey Kong 64 and how you can use him to collect specific items and, ultimately, beat the final boss of the game. Chunky Kong may not be everyone’s favorite Kong in the game, but it would feel empty without him being there. So rescue this giant Kong and enjoy having the entire family at your disposal in Donkey Kong 64.