Donkey Kong is one of the strongest characters in Mario Tennis Fever, ranked in S Tier for his exceptional combination of power and versatility. As a Powerful type character, he dominates matches with brutal smashes and topspins that push opponents deep into the baseline. His larger character model provides better reach than most of the roster, and despite being classified as a powerhouse, his decent speed lets him cover the court surprisingly well. This guide explains Donkey Kong’s stats, the best Fever Rackets to use with him, ideal doubles partners, and how to unlock him in Mario Tennis Fever.
Donkey Kong Character Overview in Mario Tennis Fever
Here are Donkey Kong’s complete stats and abilities:
| Attribute | Value/Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Powerful |
| Speed | 3.5 |
| Power | 5 |
| Control | 3.5 |
| Spin | 1 |
| Special Ability | Powerful slice shot is extra strong and can push the receiver back |
| Unlock Condition | Available from the start |
Best Fever Rackets for Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong works well with Fever Rackets that either enhance his already dominant power or compensate for his low spin. Here are the top recommendations:
| Fever Racket | Why It Works | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Shova Racket | Enhances overall power and pushback ability | Combine with Donkey Kong’s natural power to create unstoppable shots that push opponents completely off the court. The enhanced pushback stacks with his powerful slice ability. |
| Metal Racket | Turns you metal for invincibility and power boost | Makes Donkey Kong an absolute tank with even more power than usual. Use during critical rallies to guarantee point wins. |
| Swerve Racket | Adds curve to lob and topspin shots | Covers Donkey Kong’s biggest weakness (low spin) by adding curve to shots he normally can’t curve. This makes him unpredictable. |
| Shadow Racket | Creates a shadow double that returns shots automatically | Gives Donkey Kong extra court coverage to compensate for areas his speed can’t reach. The shadow handles defense while you focus on power shots. |
| Volcano Racket | Creates craters that shoot volcanic bombs | Works well with Donkey Kong’s ability to control opponent positioning. Force them into the volcanic bombs with your powerful shots. |
Best Doubles Partners for Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong’s slower movement and lack of spin make him better suited for doubles than singles. Pairing him with the right partner creates an unstoppable combination. Here are the best teammates:
| Partner | Type | Why This Pairing Works |
|---|---|---|
 Pauline | Speedy | Pauline has maximum speed (5) to cover areas Donkey Kong can’t reach quickly. She handles defensive shots while Donkey Kong focuses on finishing points with power. |
 Koopa Troopa | Speedy | Another maximum speed character with brutal topspins. Koopa’s fast-charging drop shots complement Donkey Kong’s baseline power game perfectly. |
 Waluigi | Defensive | Waluigi thrives at the net with long limbs and great defense. He blocks shots while Donkey Kong sits at baseline delivering power shots. |
 Blooper | Tricky | Blooper’s high-trajectory shots and sharp curves force opponents to run everywhere. Donkey Kong then punishes their poor positioning with power shots. |
 Nabbit | Speedy | Maximum speed with strong forehand shots. Nabbit’s mobility covers Donkey Kong’s slower areas while both characters can deliver offensive pressure. |
The Pauline and Donkey Kong combination is the most effective because it perfectly balances speed and power. Pauline covers the entire court with her astonishing speed, returning difficult shots that would normally be winners. Meanwhile, Donkey Kong positions himself for devastating finishing shots. This pairing forces opponents to deal with constant defensive returns from Pauline followed by unreturnable power shots from Donkey Kong.
Koopa Troopa pairs well because his fast-charging drop shots create front-court pressure while Donkey Kong controls the baseline. When opponents move forward to handle Koopa’s drops, Donkey Kong punishes with lobs or power shots to the baseline. When they stay back, Koopa continues dropping shots near the net.
Waluigi works as a doubles partner because he specializes in net play with his long defensive range. Station Waluigi at the net to intercept and volley while Donkey Kong stays back delivering power from the baseline. This creates a classic tennis formation that’s difficult to break.
How to Unlock Donkey Kong in Mario Tennis Fever
Donkey Kong is available from the start of the game. You don’t need to complete any challenges, win tournaments, or play a certain number of matches to unlock him. Simply boot up Mario Tennis Fever and Donkey Kong will be selectable immediately from the character roster.
