Nintendo of America

DK Bongo Controllers

 

Please note that only games displaying this icon on their packaging are compatible with the DK Bongo Controller.

What kind of problem are you experiencing?

• DK Bongo Controller doesn't work at all
• Character clapping by itself (Donkey Konga)
• Pads or Buttons don't work, or don't work intermittently
• Microphone Sensor doesn't work (doesn't pick up on clapping or snapping)
• How do I unlock songs, bongo sounds, or mini-games in Donkey Konga?

 

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• DK Bongo Controller doesn't work at all
  1. Make sure the game you are playing is compatible. Compatible games will display an icon of the DK Bongo Controller on their packaging.
  2. Use a different game and plug a standard Nintendo GameCube Controller into the same port.
     
     
     • If the standard controller works, the DK Bongo Controller is the problem. Click here for repair options.
     • If the standard controller doesn't work, the Nintendo GameCube is the problem. Click here for repair options.

 

• Character clapping by itself (Donkey Konga)
  If the sensitivity of the microphone in the DK Bongo Controller is set too high, or if the DK Bongo Controller is too close to the TV or stereo, the microphone is likely picking up noise from the game and mistaking it for your clapping.
  
  
  • Move the DK Bongo Controller farther away from the TV or stereo. The DK Bongo Controller's built-in Microphone Sensor may be picking up sounds from the game.
  • If it is still picking up other sounds, you can adjust the sensitivity of the microphone in the DK Bongo Controller:
    
    
    1. On the Main Menu of Donkey Konga, select "Town."
    2. Select "Electric Hut" and then choose "DK Bongo and Controller."
    3. For each DK Bongo Controller you wish to adjust, tap the right drum to decrease the sensitivity.

    If this does not solve the problem, the DK Bongo Controller is the problem and will need to be repaired. Click here for repair options.

 

• Pads or Buttons don't work, or don't work intermittently
  Make sure you are using the pad or button as intended. Games that are compatible with the DK Bongo Controller use the pads and buttons in different ways. Consult the game's manual for information on how to use the DK Bongo Controller. (If you no longer have the manual, click here for replacement options).
  
  If you are using the DK Bongo Controller as described in the manual for the compatible game you are trying to play, and the pads or buttons are not working as intended, the DK Bongo Controller is the problem. Click here for repair options.

 

• Microphone Sensor doesn't work (doesn't pick up on clapping or snapping)
  The sensitivity of the DK Bongo Controller may be set too low. To adjust the sensitivity of each DK Bongo Controller:
  
  1. On the Main Menu of Donkey Konga, select "Town."
  2. Select "Electric Hut" and then choose "DK Bongo and Controller."
  3. For each DK Bongo Controller you wish to adjust, tap the left drum to increase the sensitivity.

  If this does not solve the problem, the DK Bongo Controller is the problem. Click here for repair options.

 

• How do I unlock songs, bongo sounds, or mini-games in Donkey Konga?
  Off of the Donkey Konga Main Menu is a game mode called DK Town. Within DK Town are several bonus items: Jungle Jams (new songs), Bongos A-Go-Go (extra bongo sounds), and Monkey Shines (mini-games). These items are at first unavailable, but can be unlocked by purchasing them with coins earned in the Street Performance mode.