Monkey Flip is Diddy Kong's Side Special Move. Diddy Kong leaps forward towards the enemy, clings onto their face, and will remain until the player presses the A or B button to deliver a single chop attack.
Overview[]
As the move sends Diddy forward, it can be used as a recovery, and it can be used in conjunction with his Up Special recovery, as it does not put Diddy into a helpless state afterwards. If the player attacks during Diddy's sideways momentum, Diddy sticks a foot out, and will kick the opponent instead of clinging on. However, this kick prevents Diddy from using his triple jump. By pressing the jump button after latching onto an enemy, Diddy can climb on top of, then bounce off the enemy's head and push them downwards, which performs a Footstool Jump. The Monkey Flip can also set up a Diddycide, although the Footstool Jump is almost always a strictly better option. Like Chomp, this attack can block Snake's recovery.
Monkey Flip is similar to Zero Suit Samus' Flip Jump in terms of function and effect. Monkey Flip works exactly like a grab (Especially considering the fact that Diddy will let go after a period of time has passed and he doesn't do anything.).
Custom Variations[]
Back Flip[]
Back Flip is one of Diddy Kong's Side Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Diddy Kong does a backward leap that switches to a flying forward kick if you press the button again.
Strengths
- Good evasive maneuver
- Kick is a good KO move
- Can flank opponents
- Surprise attack
- Excellent edge-guarding tool
Weaknesses
- Can be a bit tricky to get down
- Little to no use in combos
- No command grab
The Back Flip is a very useful move for both defensive and offensive uses but it requires a bit of practice to get down. The move cannot grab but the kick that is delivered is great for damage and KOs most characters at around 120%. Diddy Kong can easily flank opponents by backflipping over them and kicking them from behind. The Back Flip can also be useful for dodging enemy attacks or projectiles by quickly leaping out of danger. The button can be mashed right after executing the flip to immediately use the kick as well, or the player can wait for Diddy Kong to be in a good position to launch the kick, giving the move a multitude of options. The move isn't useful in combos, it is better used for punishing rolls or other maneuvers made by opponents. This move is also very useful on the edge of the stage for guarding the edge or executing mind-games on the edge. Diddy Kong can also run off stage and then input side special away from the stage so that Diddy Kong will back flip towards the stage and automatically grab the edge; this requires a bit of timing, but can be useful for surprising pursuing opponents with an edge attack.
Flying Monkey Flip[]
Flying Monkey Flip is one of Diddy Kong's Side Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Diddy Kong does a higher jump with a weaker kick. The grab attack is stronger.
Strengths
- Vertical recovery
- Strong command grab
- Can punish aerial approaches
- Excellent combo starter and KO set-up
Weaknesses
- Kick is weaker and difficult to land
- Kick has high ending lag
The Flying Monkey Flip is another useful custom variation for Diddy Kong's side special. It travels in a more vertical path, which can make it useful for vertical recovery close to the edge. The command grab is stronger in both the regular attack and the jump maneuver. It can punish opponents that are approaching from the air, but the kick is less useful for this, as the kick is weaker in damage and launch as well as having more ending lag. The vertical trajectory of the flip also makes the kick more tricky to time in order to effectively use it. The jump maneuver launches opponents downwards, bouncing them off the ground and into the air at around 90%. At this percentage the jump maneuver can be used to set up air combos and at 130% it launches opponents high enough that they are positioned next to Diddy Kong, which can easily result in a kill when combined with a forward aerial or up aerial.
Diddy Kong's Custom Special Moves | ||
---|---|---|
Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
Standard Special | Exploding Popgun | Jumbo Peanuts |
Side Special | Back Flip | Flying Monkey Flip |
Up Special | Rocketbarrel Attack | Rocketbarrel Kaboom |
Down Special | Shocking Banana Peel | Battering Banana Peel |
Origin[]
While the move is unique to Smash, The upwards version of the attack reassembles Diddy Kong stomping on enemies in the DKC games and Diddy moving horizontally while flipping reassembles how he was launched by barrels in the same games, though Diddy is spinning counterclockwise. The Kick is somehow a reference to his playable debut in Mario Strikers Charged which was released before Brawl. The rest of the origin of the move is unclear, but it somewhat imitates real monkeys.