January 16, 2015

dkvine:

Donkey Kong Through the Years (Part 21): Smash For Donkey Kong
(Previous: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20)

Featured in:

  • 3DS Super Smash Bros for 3DS (Artwork, In-Game)
  • WiiU Super Smash Bros for Wii U (Artwork, In-Game)
  • amiibo Super Smash Bros

“Smash” DK seems to consist of no less than two different models with similar and dissimilar features (not even getting to the in-game model, which is different from either due to poly-count).

For starters, both appear to completely ignore any design elements introduced by Retro Studios’ games, instead appearing more like the Brawl model with some interpretive changes that are featured in Smash For and Smash For Only.  DK’s red tan from the same game is gone, going for a more traditional (again, pre-Retro Studios) color scheme.  Both also give DK a thinner brow than usual, with the one in the FMVs almost becoming thin, flat, and stringy depending on the animation.  Both interpretations show fabric texturing on his tie, though this portrayal implies the “DK” monogram is printed onto the fabric, in contrast to the tie from Mario Kart 8 which appeared to have the “DK stitched-on with yellow thread. The hair on DK’s head is also portrayed a bit more universally in an upward comb, as if the signature hair curl is the tip of a singular “spike” of a hairstyle (more noticeably in the FMV and in-game models).  All models also include a triangluar “transition” between DK’s upper chest fur and his arm fur, much like his standard wrist cuffs.

For stylistic differences within this batch, we can see the standard/amiibo Donkey Kong render has a somewhat extended mouth with subtle nostrils, while the FMV model features a more round muzzle with large nostrils (though they do not protrude outward from his face).  Donkey Kong’s ears in the standard/amiibo render are also slightly different in shape.  In a first for DK designs, his fur on the standard/amiibo model is also shown growing out of the skin on his brow.  The Donkey Kongs used in the box art, FMVs, and in-game model data also have visible fingernails and toenails, while the standard/amiibo render does not.  These differences raise the question how many models were floating around during development of this game, as well as how much was cleaned up in post with a photo editor for the static promo renders.

Smash DK is also often shown with his lips pursed together in a “o”.  Not really part of his model, but it’s certainly intrinsic to this portrayal.

…This has been 21 feature installments of “DK Vine Visual History: Donkey Kong Through the Years”.  Hope you enjoyed it, weirdo.

Great series with fascinating attention to detail. Worth flicking through the back catalog of these.

4:19pm  |   URL: https://tmblr.co/ZpvIwu1apEXyh
(Notes: 8)
  
  1. miloscat reblogged this from dkvine and added:
    Great series with fascinating attention to detail. Worth flicking through the back catalog of these.
  2. dkvine posted this