In video games, there are some weapons that can and do exist in the real world, and some that don't, and they don't. Up until now, you've probably placed Coconut Shooter DK's use in Donkey Kong 64 firmly in the latter category. Well, it's time to change that, because coconut shooting protocol now exists in the real world, not just on DK Island.
Someone made a real life Coconut Gun DK replica
You can thank the good folks at No Bitrate for that. In their latest video, they detailed the four-month process that ended up producing a believably accurate, real-life replica of Donkey Kong 64's Coconut Shooter, or Coconut Gun.
For those unfamiliar with the weapon, it's basically just a hollowed-out log that looks like the weapon DK uses to take down enemies and shoots coconuts out of it to do so. The simplicity of the Coconut Shooter might make you think that turning it into an actual weapon would be relatively simple. A preview video chronicling No Bitrate's journey briefly explains why this couldn't be further from the truth.
Despite its name, the Coconut Gun is less of a pistol and more of a cannon. Cannons are historically made of pretty thick metal. Making one out of wood means there's a good chance it will just explode when used. Therefore, when its creators perform their first tests, they light the fuse and then run away as quickly as possible.
Throughout the video, which shows them overcoming the obstacle of the Coconut Gun having to be wooden rather than metal, they eventually reach the point where they can detonate coconuts while holding the shooter. The scary part then becomes the damage that the fired coconuts do to the ballistic dummies.
The mannequins are specially designed to replicate human anatomy and are used to demonstrate how people would be affected in certain situations, and in this case, what happens to a person when a coconut is fired at them at full speed. It turned out to be no good, with one of the shots taking the mannequin's head off.
I will never be able to look at DK the same way again
I don't see Donkey Kong in the same light anymore, when I watched the video I knew he was using such a deadly weapon, all in the name of collecting bananas. It seems a bit full. I can sleep easy knowing the weapon hasn't appeared in any other DK since. Donkey Kong in Bananza is a much milder version of the Nintendo icon and would never dream of trying to take someone's head off by firing a coconut straight into their face.
It goes without saying that you shouldn't try to make your own Coconut Gun at home. If you want to know what it's like to hold one, Donkey Kong 64 is now available to play on NSO. Nintendo revealed the news of its upcoming arrival on the tenth anniversary of Harambe's death. I still can't decide if it was intentional or a happy accident.
- Released
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November 24, 1999
- ESRB
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E
- Engine
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NEC VR4300
