10 Video Game Villains That Became Heroes In The Sequel

8. Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country

Borderlands Handsome Jack
Nintendo

There is no video game villain more classic than Donkey Kong. His feud with Mario in the original arcade release is the gaming world's equivalent of a fight between an old Western hero and a dastardly charlatan twirling his moustache and strapping helpless women to train tracks.

This said, over the years, Donkey Kong has undergone plenty of transformations, and these days most people would actually associate him with his Donkey Kong Country series instead of his old days of figurative mustache twirling and very literal barrel throwing.

The new games have completely transformed Donkey Kong into a fully fledged hero, with his own team of friends and allies and a personal coterie of villains. Instead of spitefully chucking barrels at plumbers, these days the big ape is more likely to be seen adventuring with his pals, hoarding piles of bananas, and defeating hordes of Kremling soldiers, Kremling pirates, and other Kremling-adjecent things.

It seems all he needed to enjoy life was to settle his differences with Mario and stop kidnapping his girlfriend.

Who knew?

Contributor

Video games enthusiast with a love for bizarre facts about his favorite titles. Really into old-school strategies and RPGs of all shapes and sizes.