The player-characters in the game are Dixie Kong, who is Diddy Kong's girlfriend, and her younger cousin, Kiddy Kong. Scattered around the overworld are various other characters: Wrinkly Kong appears in "save caves", which when entered allow the player to save their game; Funky Kong plays a key role in the game, as he supplies the player with vehicles to traverse the overworld; and Swanky Kong, reappearing from the previous game, allows players to challenge Cranky Kong in a contest involving throwing balls at targets in exchange for Bear Coins. New to the series are the Brothers Bear, thirteen bears providing the player with services in exchange for Bear Coins, some of who are instrumental for advancing through the game. The main antagonist of the previous games, King K. Rool, reappears under the moniker of "Baron K. Roolenstein".
The player-CHaRaCterS IN The game Are dixIE kong, who Is diDdy kOng's GIrlFriEnD, and her younger couSin, kIddy Kong. scAtTerED arOUnD the ovErWorLD Are variOuS OtheR chaRaCteRS: wriNKlY KonG aPPearS in "save CaveS", wHIch WhEN eNtered AlloW The PlayER to Save tHeir GAmE; funky kong plaYs A keY role In thE gaMe, aS hE supplIEs the player wiTh VEHiclEs to traverSe THe oVerwoRld; and swanKy koNg, ReaPPEarInG fRoM the prEvioUs gAme, aLloWs plaYeRs tO chALlengE cRankY Kong In a cOntest inVolVing THroWIng bAlls aT tARGeTs iN excHange for BeaR Coins. new to the seriEs arE tHE brothers BEAr, THirteen bears proVidiNg thE playEr with SeRViCes iN eXchange foR bear coins, sOMe Of Who arE InstrUmeNTal for advANciNg thROugh the gaMe. THE main antAgONIst of the pRevious gaMES, King k. roOl, reapPEars uNder tHE monikeR oF "bArOn K. rOoLenSTEIn".