721 - 20 Years of DK Vine
20 years of fan culture. 20 years of like-minded weirdos. 20 years of DK Vine. Hyle, Matt, and numerous figures from the community look back on the past two decades.
Aug 22, 2019•2 hr 54 min
The Kongversation: Donkey Kong Universe Discussion
Let the weekly podcast from DK Vine be the anthem in your ears whether you’re on the street or feeling the Jungle Beat. In these uncertain times, you don’t want to just fight the power. You want to fight the power while playing with Nintendo Power!
It’s a regular Rarevolution as we debate current events or the lessons of history from the Donkey Kong Universe: Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Dinosaur Planet, Yooka-Laylee, Sea of Thieves, and much more. No kings. No tyrants. Just the power of the people. Oh, and we've also invited some apes, monkeys, bears, squirrels, lizards, and bats.
© 2025 DK Vine and File Two Productions
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Episodes
720 - Donkey Kong Island at Universal Orlando
Hyle and Jeff talk more about the upcoming Donkey Kong Island attraction at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe. Mine Cart Madness! Funky's Fly 'n' Buy! Ellie the elephant! All that, plus the bones of Benedict Cumberbatch!
Aug 09, 2019•1 hr 56 min
719 - Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Update First Impressions
It's another episode about a big Sea of Thieves update, but this one is different. Sea of Thieves' Anniversary Update is more akin to Sea of Thieves II (The Legend of Curly's Shores of Gold), dramatically enriching the game and making it the fully fleshed-out experience it was always destined to be. Hyle and Jeff discuss all the big changes, but mostly use the time to chat about the brilliant Tall Tales.
Jul 21, 2019•3 hr 12 min
718 - Banjo-Kazooie are Raring to Go!
So here it is. A mind-blistering four-hour podcast about Banjo, Kazooie and their inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I hope this satisfies you as much as it broke me.
Jul 06, 2019•4 hr 7 min
717 - E3 2019 Wrap Up
E3 is over, but what happened on the show floor? Hyle and Jeff talk about the games they played and the encounters they made along the way. Oh yes. We did. WE BROUGHT BACK THE SPIDERS.
Jun 26, 2019•2 hr 30 min
716 - E3 2019 Nintendo
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Mitchell and Cameron's teeming frustration with Hyle's sleep deprived musings. Recorded over two nights and one morning, from Tuesday June 11th to Thursday June 13th, this episode captures the unfolding experience of Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct and the seismic reveal of Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Jun 16, 2019•2 hr 13 min
715 - E3 2019 Playtonic
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Jeff dress like a trash monster. This past Friday, Playtonic finally unveiled their second game: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. A Donkey Kong Country-inspired 2D platformer with a 3D, top-down overworld, it scratches so many itches that our bodies were writhing about with. Bee-lieve it.
Jun 11, 2019•1 hr 37 min
714 - E3 2019 Microsoft
ATTENTION! If you want to see us on video, watch this episode on YouTube to see Hyle's hair stick up on end for hours! Now then: the 2019 Xbox Briefing. What happened? Where was Rare? What the hell, Keanu Reeves? Go to hell, camera jib obscuring our view! Yes, the DK Vine Love Shack team was live in the audience, and we've got anecdotes! Oh, do we ever.
Jun 10, 2019•2 hr 28 min
713 - E3 2019 Preview
Hyle and Mitchell preview E3 2019 and everything we think we'll plausibly see (and some things we just hope to see) from Playtonic, Rare, Donkey Kong... and a certain bear and bird in a certain fighting game. Yep. Barter Bear and Parry the Parallel Bird in Clayfighter.
Jun 06, 2019•1 hr 51 min
712 - The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup
Spinning out of the Conker's Other Bad Day discussion last episode, Hyle is joined once again by I.M. Gibbon to discuss the newest project from Chris Seavor: The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup. It's a bit of a breather before E3 2019 madness begins!
Jun 05, 2019•1 hr 11 min
711 - The Other Death of Conker the Squirrel
Episode number aside, the only similarity this one has with the famed convenience store chain is the amount of rodent hair. We're talking extensively about the now-revealed plot for Chris Seavor's long-lost planned sequel to Conker's Bad Fur Day, Conker's OTHER Bad Day. Featuring shocking resurrections! Surprising deaths! Salacious double-crossing! And, as always, a sloppy supply of shit.
May 28, 2019•2 hr 18 min
710 - This Podcast Isn't Fresh Enough For Today
On this episode, Hyle reflects on the mistakes of his and DK Vine's past. This leads to a discussion on how the infamous quote supposedly given by Donkey Kong Jungle Beat's Yoshiaki Koizumi about the Donkey Kong Country characters not being "fresh enough for today" was actually mistranslated. Like most of the game, apparently! Featuring I.M. Gibbon of https://www.dkgirder.com
May 20, 2019•2 hr 20 min
709 - The Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentaries (part 2)
It continues! Hyle and Mitchell won't be Flappy Flighting over any details, as we complete the Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentary discussion with Moodymaze Marsh, Capital Cashino, Galleon Galaxy, and the climatic battle with Capital B. Those who manage to endure the duration will also be dealt a challenge that you can't refuse!
May 13, 2019•3 hr 22 min
708 - The Yooka-Laylee Developer Commentaries (part 1)
Playtonic recently completed their Developer Commentary series, where they discussed the development process and what went into the creation of each world. Since we also discuss things here on the Kongversation, we decided to discuss them discussing the development process and what went into the creation of each world. We also use the opportunity to reflect on where we are with Yooka-Laylee two years after its release, and Mitchell uses the opportunity to fix the air conditioning in his attic.
May 06, 2019•3 hr 10 min
707 - Every Day is Earth Day
Happy Earth Day! What? You're listening to this episode in October? That doesn't matter! EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY! And on this episode of the Kongversation, Hyle and Shane discuss the ecological messages of the Donkey Kong Universe and what we can learn from those games to better improve the health of our own island. Uh, which is Earth. Because, like, it floats in space and stuff.
Apr 22, 2019•1 hr 59 min
706 - DKU SackDown!
The Smackdown has been layeth, but now our Call Sack is overfloweth! It's time for put a towel on the floor and sop up the spillage. Hyle and David answer numerous listener calls about a wide range of topics across the Donkey Kong Universe, Rare, and Playtonic spectrum!
Apr 08, 2019•2 hr 23 min
705 - Sea of Thieves: Shrouded Spoils First Impressions + Anniversary Update
On this episode, Hyle and Jeff reflect on one year of Sea of Thieves, focusing specifically on the major updates recently made to the game: Shrouded Spoils from last November and the Anniversary Update dropping next month. That's all well and good, but the question most Kongversation listeners probably have is, "How is it that Sea of Thieves isn't part of the Donkey Kong Universe yet?" Then hit play and start listening: we might have found a way to rock that boat.
Mar 29, 2019•2 hr 30 min
704 - Follow-Up Appointment: Donkey Kong VB
On this episode, someone DIES. Also dying? Our long-held understanding of what the Donkey Kong game in development for the Virtual Boy was going to be! In a follow-up appointment from episode 335, Hyle and Cameron pull out the red-and-black visor and blast off to Space World for a new round of information on the ever-so-brief Virtual Boy project at Rare. What was it if it wasn't a port of Donkey Kong Country 2?
Mar 21, 2019•1 hr 54 min
703 - DKU Unsolved Mysteries
On this episode, the true name of the screaming madman at the beginning of every Kongversation is revealed! But that got us thinking about mysteries still left unsolved, namely the ones of the Donkey Kong Universe. From dangling cliffhangers to in-game oddities, Hyle and Jeff try to get to (and in) the bottom of some of their favorites!
Feb 28, 2019•2 hr 28 min
702 - Talkin' It Up: The Rs (Retro and Rare)
There's suddenly loads of news to discuss when it comes to our favorite Rs: Retro Studios and Rare Ltd! Retro is officially making Metroid Prime 4. What happened there? Hyle brings on the closest thing to a "resident Metroid expert" he knows, Josh Wallen from off of The Geek Critique, to discuss the tortured history of both Metroid Prime 4 and Retro's last five years. Then, Phil Spencer is dropping serious hints (i.e. blatantly stating) that Rare is developing a new game alongside continued Sea ...
Feb 13, 2019•2 hr 39 min
701 - Spotlight: Mario Party
The original Mario Party is now 20 years old! On the first episode of 2019, Hyle and Malik party like it's 1999 all over again. That means worry about Y2K, debate whether Stone Cold Steve Austin or Goldberg is the superior wrestler, and put bandages on our massive hand blisters.
Feb 01, 2019•3 hr 5 min
638 - New Year's Forecast 2019
It's a twisting bender of a season ender as Hyle goes on a tour of DK Vine staffers to discuss the monumental year that was, as well as what the coming year could be for Donkey Kong, Rare, and Playtonic.
Dec 31, 2018•1 hr 18 min
637 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate First Impressions (part 2)
On the second part, Hyle and Mitchell have a (mostly spoiler-free) discussion of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's World of Light, while trying to look into the crystal ball (or is that the Krystal Assist Trophy?) at the still-to-be-revealed DLC fighters. What did the data miners find that suggests a Donkey Kong Universe connection?
Dec 29, 2018•2 hr 31 min
636 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate First Impressions (part 1)
It's time. On this first of two episodes, we discuss nearly everything related to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. K. Rool! Classic Mode! Spirits! The gameplay! The options! Has Super Smash Bros. Ultimate cured DK Vine's Smashphobia? On the next episode: World of Light!
Dec 23, 2018•3 hr 2 min
635 - Sea of Thieves Vol. 1: A Literary Analysis
While we formulate our opinions on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for our gigantic First Impressions episodes, take a breather with this episode about the Sea of Thieves comic book series. Canon with the universe of the games, we discuss the characters and plot before setting our sights on what other Donkey Kong Universe properties would make for compelling comics.
Dec 13, 2018•1 hr 39 min
634 - We Need To Talk About Banjo-Threeie
Banjo-Threeie. The widely-bandied about name for the next Banjo-Kazooie game. Fans are demanding it. Everyone has their own ideas about how to do it. So what approach do you take? The Kongversation has some ideas. Maybe after this episode, you will too!
Dec 04, 2018•1 hr 54 min
633 - Sea of Thieves: Forsaken Shores First Impressions
Now that Sea of Thieves' third major content update has ceased its violent eruptions, Hyle and Jeff discuss everything it added to the game. Also, a look ahead at Shrouded Spoils and The Arena!
Nov 18, 2018•2 hr 1 min
632 - Grinched
For a wondrous week, everything made sense. Banjo-Kazooie were in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! As was Geno, Shadow the Hedgehog, and other fan favorite characters. Then it all came crashing down (and it hurt inside) with an actual Smash Direct. On this episode, Hyle and Mitchell discuss the infamous "Grinch leak", the delusion they were both under, and their thoughts on the final Direct before the game's launch. Also: who will be among the final five DLC fighters?
Nov 09, 2018•2 hr 54 min
631 - The Puppet Master
Puppet maker Grunt has been a part of the Donkey Kong and Rare fan community for years. He's always had a healthy appreciation for the baddies of the Donkey Kong Universe, so, for Halloween, Hyle's invited him on the show to discuss his work, his love for all things villainous, and the still-burgeoning excitement for K. Rool's return. Check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/TransfatylvaniaFilms
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 30 min
630 - Super Mario Party First Impressions
In the Kongversation's entire history, we've never done an episode about Mario Party. Now that, arguably, the biggest Mario Party game since the original is out, and features a playable Donkey and Diddy, we felt it was time to change that. For the first half, it's a retrospective on why a series we once loved drove us to apathy and then disgust. For the second half, we examine whether Super Mario Party has turned us, and the series, around.
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 50 min
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