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Donkey Kong in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Comprehensive Review

Donkey Kong, the iconic ape from Nintendo's long-standing franchise, swings into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a powerhouse with a unique playstyle. Known for his raw strength and robust build, Donkey Kong offers both thrills and challenges for players who choose to harness his potential. This review delves into his strengths, weaknesses, effective playstyle strategies, and matchups against other characters in the game.

Strengths

1. High Damage Output: Donkey Kong possesses some of the strongest attacks in the game. His smash attacks, particularly his forward smash, can KO opponents at relatively low percentages.

2. Excellent Range: His long arms and legs grant him impressive reach, allowing him to engage opponents from a safer distance than many other characters.

3. Good Grappler: Donkey Kong's grab game is formidable. His cargo throw allows for creative combos and edge-guarding opportunities. The infamous "Cargo Carry" can lead to early KOs near the edge of the stage.

4. Survivability: As a heavy character, Donkey Kong can withstand a lot of damage before being knocked out, allowing for more aggressive plays without as much risk of early KOs.

5. Versatile Special Moves: His special moves, such as the Giant Punch and Spinning Kong, provide both offensive power and recovery options.

Weaknesses

1. Size and Weight: Donkey Kong's large size makes him an easy target for combos and projectiles. His weight, while providing survivability, also means he gets comboed more easily by faster characters.

2. Sluggish Movement: Despite having decent dash speed, Donkey Kong's aerial mobility and overall agility are lacking, making it difficult to evade attacks or chase down nimble opponents.

3. Vulnerable Recovery: While Spinning Kong offers some horizontal and vertical recovery, it is predictable and can be exploited by opponents with strong edge-guarding abilities.

4. Limited Defensive Options: His large size and slower movements mean he can struggle against characters who can apply constant pressure or zone him out with projectiles.

Effective Playstyle Strategies

1. Maximize Grab Potential: Utilize Donkey Kong's grab game to its fullest. Practice cargo throw combos and learn to mix up your options to keep opponents guessing.

2. Space with Tilts and Aerials: Use his long-reaching tilts and aerial attacks to maintain distance and control space. His back aerial is particularly effective due to its speed and range.

3. Charge the Giant Punch: Always look for opportunities to charge the Giant Punch. It can serve as a powerful KO option or a tool to pressure opponents into making mistakes.

4. Edge-guarding: Leverage Donkey Kong's strong edge-guarding potential with moves like the down tilt, forward aerial (spike), and cargo throw off-stage.

5. Use Armor Frames Wisely: Donkey Kong's side special, Headbutt, and his up special, Spinning Kong, have armor frames that can be used to absorb hits during specific scenarios.

Matchups

• Favorable Matchups: Donkey Kong tends to perform well against characters who rely on close combat without exceptional speed, such as Ganondorf and Bowser. His ability to out-range and out-damage these characters plays to his strengths.

• Unfavorable Matchups: Characters that can zone him out with projectiles or those with high mobility pose a significant challenge. Pikachu, Fox, and Samus can exploit his large hitbox and slower speed, making it difficult for Donkey Kong to approach safely.

• Even Matchups: Mid-range fighters like Mario and Link offer balanced matchups where Donkey Kong's strengths and weaknesses are evenly matched. Success in these battles often comes down to player skill and adaptability.

Conclusion

Donkey Kong is a character that rewards players who can master his unique blend of power and throw-based gameplay. While he faces challenges against faster, more agile opponents, his sheer strength and survivability make him a formidable contender in the hands of a skilled player. Embracing his strengths while mitigating his weaknesses through smart play and matchup knowledge is key to dominating the battlefield with this legendary ape.