Rambi

Rambi in Donkey Kong Country
Rambi
Species	Rhinocerous
Eye color	Black
Debut	Donkey Kong Country

Rambi the Rhino is one of the most loyal of Donkey Kong's animal buddies who has a recurring presence throughout the Donkey Kong Country series.

Background

Rambi was a powerful rhino who aided the Kongs in most of their adventures. He was the first animal buddy that Donkey Kong encountered in Donkey Kong Country. He mostly appeared in the jungle levels. Rambi was also one of the three animal buddies in Donkey Kong Land. In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Rambi continued to help the Kongs on Crocodile Island. However, he met his match when he found one nut he could not crack in the form of King Zing. Rambi had to spend the tail end of one level fleeing the giant Zinger.

After an absence, Rambi appeared again in Donkey Kong 64. This time Donkey Kong could only utilize Rambi in the Jungle Japes area, and Rambi's main purpose in the game was just to break down a special wall. Afterwards, Rambi mostly made cameo appearances jamming to Donkey Kong's beats in the Donkey Konga games.

Rambi also appeared in the Dynamite Run level of Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, where he could be ridden similar to the other games when broken out of his crate. Rambi reprised his role as animal buddy in several levels of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze.

Abilities

Rambi's horn makes him the strongest of the animals. There is almost nothing that can withstand his horn especially in midcharge. Rambi was helpful for plowing down enemies and smashing into hidden passages. Rambi's only disadvantage was his lack of jumping power, making chasms his greatest enemy.

Trivia

• Rambi appeared as an animal buddy in every one of the Donkey Kong games made by Rareware, except for the third Country and third Land, where he was replaced by Ellie the elephant. He was also the only animal buddy to return in a mountable form i Donkey Kong Country Returns.
• Rambi also had an unlockable minigame in Donkey Kong 64. In it the player controlled Rambi and plowed through an endless way of Gnawtys.
• In Mario Kart DS, Donkey Kong's personal kart is called the Rambi Rider and is designed to resemble Rambi.
• Rambi was going to appear in Donkey Kong Racing as one of the mounts, but the game was cancelled after the developer (Rareware) was bought out by Microsoft.
• Rambi also appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Brawl also had a sticker of Rambi using art from Donkey Kong Country.