10 Video Game Characters Everyone Loved (That Just DISAPPEARED)

Looking at Donkey Kong nowadays, it's hard to believe the tie-wearing simian used to be among the most powerful names in gaming. The original game dominated the arcades in the 1980s, selling over 15 million units on various systems.

Donkey Kong Country outsold many heavy-hitters on the Super Nintendo, including Super Mario Kart, A Link to the Past, and Street Fighter II. With Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing killing it on the N64, it seemed like everyone was going bananas for the big ape.

But after that, Kong's appearances have been far and between. Even though the vine-swinging gorilla always shows up for Smash Bros and Mario Kart. there's no indication Donkey will be headlining a project in the foreseeable future (excluding a remake of a 20-year-old game).

Stranger still, the powerhouse primate was seemingly gearing up for a comeback, with 2010's Donkey Kong Country Returns. The platformer was such a success, Retro Studios followed it up with DKC: Tropical Freeze four years later.

And then, the Kongs inexplicably took a backseat. Even though Tropical Freeze was remastered for the Switch in 2018, there hasn't been a new title for Nintendo's latest system at all.

Considering Donkey Kong was one of the biggest icons in gaming for decades, it doesn't make sense why he hasn't take centre-stage in ten years.