Nintendo Wants to Trademark “It’s On Like Donkey Kong”

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis. When Ice Cube mentioned video games he couldn’t picture this.*

Nintendo, apparently, wants to trademark the phrase, “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” The company has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to CNN. ”In addition to Nintendo’s use, it has been used in popular music, television and film over the years, pointing to Donkey Kong’s status as an enduring pop-culture icon and video game superstar,” Nintendo claims.

Maybe, but I’m not sure that’s what Ice Cube was aiming for.

My general understanding of Ice Cube’s “Now I Gotta Wet’Cha,” is that it’s a rap about shooting people. Why the opening line is “It’s on like Donkey Kong” is anybody’s guess, but to my knowledge this rap is the origin of the phrase.

As CNN notes, Nintendo’s request could very well be a publicity stunt for Donkey Kong Country Returns, which launches on November 21. Either that, or it’s a horribly misguided attempt to gain control of a phrase that Nintendo should probably just avoid altogether. In any case, I do like Giant Bomb’s suggestion that Nintendo use “Now I Gotta Wet’Cha” in an ad campaign for the upcoming game. Better yet, let’s see DK in his own open-world shooter. [CNN via Giant Bomb]

*Yes, I know that’s Notorious, not Ice Cube, just in case anyone was thinking of pointing it out.