Donkey Kong, Donkey or DK for short, is the main protagonist of the Donkey Kong series; the laid-back, stubborn, yet trustworthy hero of Donkey Kong Island and the leader of the Kong Family. He is also a main racer in the Mario Kart series since Mario Kart 64 as well as the protagonist in the Donkey Kong Country animated series and a recurring character in the Mario Bros. game series and spinoffThe current Donkey Kong is designed by Rare, specifically Kevin Bayliss who also designed Diddy Kong.