Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
King K. Rool is a fictional character and the main antagonist of Nintendo’s Donkey Kong video game franchise. K. Rool is the leader of a band of crocodilian creatures known as the Kremlings, who have crossed paths with the Kongs on many occasions. First appearing in the 1994 video game Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, he has been described as being “to Donkey Kong what Bowser is to Mario,” meaning that K. Rool is Donkey Kong's archenemy—much like how Bowser is Mario's archenemy. He is depicted as a crazed Kremling who often feigns defeat in order to deceive the Kongs; he tricks them by wearing different costumes, and utilizes a variety of gadgets to his advantage. K. Rool resembles an overweight crocodile with an infected, bulging eye. The name “K. Rool” is a play on the word “cruel”, a nod to his malevolent nature. In addition to video games, K. Rool has appeared in the manga adaption of Donkey Kong Country, the Donkey Kong Country animated series, comics, and several pieces of Nintendo merchandise.
n his debut appearance, King K. Rool is depicted an obese Kremling who wears a red cape, golden wristbands, a golden belly plate, and a gold crown. He was designed by Steve Mayles, an artist that worked at Rare and brother of Rare designer Gregg Mayles. In later appearances, K. Rool’s attire changes depending on which persona he’s masquerading as. His aliases include Kaptain K. Rool, Baron K. Roolenstein, and King Krusha K. Rool. K. Rool has also been seen piloting a variety of vessels, including Gangplank Galleon, a large pirate ship in Donkey Kong Country, the Flying Kroc, a steampunk inspired flying machine in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, and the Knautilus, a fish-shaped submarine in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!.
In Paon’s contributions to the Donkey Kong franchise, K. Rool has been given a more cartoony appearance. His golden belly plate is now tan-colored skin, his tail has been removed, and his crown is much smaller. This incarnation of K. Rool also makes an appearance in Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii, wearing Maya king attire and wielding a green sceptre.
K. Rool is described as being “demented” and “unbalanced” in his Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy description, citing his desire to blow up DK Isles in Donkey Kong 64. In a former Rareware.com scribes column, Gregg Mayles stated that K. Rool’s motivation for stealing the banana hoard is that he wants Donkey Kong to starve to death so that he can occupy his "cosy treehouse pad," or perhaps that he simply likes bananas. The latter explanation is contradicted in DK: Jungle Climber, as K. Rool states that he hates bananas.
King K. Rool is a fictional character and the main antagonist of Nintendo’s Donkey Kong video game franchise. K. Rool is the leader of a band of crocodilian creatures known as the Kremlings, who have crossed paths with the Kongs on many occasions. First appearing in the 1994 video game Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, he has been described as being “to Donkey Kong what Bowser is to Mario,” meaning that K. Rool is Donkey Kong's archenemy—much like how Bowser is Mario's archenemy. He is depicted as a crazed Kremling who often feigns defeat in order to deceive the Kongs; he tricks them by wearing different costumes, and utilizes a variety of gadgets to his advantage. K. Rool resembles an overweight crocodile with an infected, bulging eye. The name “K. Rool” is a play on the word “cruel”, a nod to his malevolent nature. In addition to video games, K. Rool has appeared in the manga adaption of Donkey Kong Country, the Donkey Kong Country animated series, comics, and several pieces of Nintendo merchandise.
n his debut appearance, King K. Rool is depicted an obese Kremling who wears a red cape, golden wristbands, a golden belly plate, and a gold crown. He was designed by Steve Mayles, an artist that worked at Rare and brother of Rare designer Gregg Mayles. In later appearances, K. Rool’s attire changes depending on which persona he’s masquerading as. His aliases include Kaptain K. Rool, Baron K. Roolenstein, and King Krusha K. Rool. K. Rool has also been seen piloting a variety of vessels, including Gangplank Galleon, a large pirate ship in Donkey Kong Country, the Flying Kroc, a steampunk inspired flying machine in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, and the Knautilus, a fish-shaped submarine in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!.
In Paon’s contributions to the Donkey Kong franchise, K. Rool has been given a more cartoony appearance. His golden belly plate is now tan-colored skin, his tail has been removed, and his crown is much smaller. This incarnation of K. Rool also makes an appearance in Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii, wearing Maya king attire and wielding a green sceptre.
K. Rool is described as being “demented” and “unbalanced” in his Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy description, citing his desire to blow up DK Isles in Donkey Kong 64. In a former Rareware.com scribes column, Gregg Mayles stated that K. Rool’s motivation for stealing the banana hoard is that he wants Donkey Kong to starve to death so that he can occupy his "cosy treehouse pad," or perhaps that he simply likes bananas. The latter explanation is contradicted in DK: Jungle Climber, as K. Rool states that he hates bananas.
