Donkey Kong

what happened to him it doesn’t seem like he has had any games in a while

You haven’t been looking hard enough. He has been in a few games as minor characters or the main villian, ans has also starred in a few recent games himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donkey_Kong_games#Year_2006

EDIT: Also has games coming along for the Wii and DS. He is still there. No worries.