There are some weapons in video games that can, and do, exist in the real world, and some that can’t, and do not. Until now, you’ve probably put the Coconut Shooter DK uses in Donkey Kong 64 firmly into the latter category. Well, it’s time to change that, as the coconut-shooting log now exists in the real world, not just DK Island.
Someone Has Made A Lore-Accurate Real-Life DK Coconut Gun Replica
You can thank the good folks over at No Bitrate for that. In their latest video, they have detailed the four-month process that ended with them making a lore-accurate, real-life replica of the Coconut Shooter, or Coconut Gun, from Donkey Kong 64.
For those unfamiliar with the weapon, it is basically just a hollowed-out log that looks like a gun, which DK uses to take down enemies, firing coconuts out of it to make that happen. The simplicity of the Coconut Shooter might have you thinking that turning it into a real weapon would be relatively simple. A preview of the video that chronicles No Bitrate’s journey briefly explains why that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Despite its name, the Coconut Gun is less a gun and more of a cannon. Cannons are historically made of pretty thick metal. Making one out of wood means there’s a strong possibility it will just explode when used. That’s why, when its creators run their first tests, they light a fuse and then run away as fast as they can.
In the full video, which demonstrates how they overcome the obstacle of the Coconut Gun needing to be wooden rather than metallic, they eventually reach a point where they can fire off coconuts while holding the Shooter in their hands. The terrifying part then becomes the damage the fired coconuts inflict on the ballistic dummies.
The dummies are specifically designed to replicate human anatomy and are used to demonstrate how humans would be affected in certain situations and, in this instance, what will happen to a person if a coconut is fired at them at full velocity. Turns out it’s not good, with one of the shots taking the dummy’s head clean off.
I’ll Never Be Able To Look At DK The Same Way Again
I no longer see Donkey Kong in the same light, having watched the video, knowing he was using such a lethal weapon, and all in the name of collecting bananas. Seems a little full on. I can sleep easily knowing that the gun hasn’t shown up in another DK since, though. The Donkey Kong in Bananza is a far more mild-mannered version of the Nintendo icon and would never even dream of trying to take someone’s head off by firing a coconut directly into their face.
It goes without saying that you should not try to build your own lore-accurate Coconut Gun at home. If you want to know what it feels like to hold one, Donkey Kong 64 is now available to play on NSO. Nintendo revealed the news about its imminent arrival on the tenth anniversary of Harambe’s death. I still can’t decide whether that 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
