Donkey Kong Country is a side-scrolling platform game.[1] A reboot of the Donkey Kong franchise,[2][3] its story begins when the crocodile King K. Rool and his army, the Kremlings, steal the Kongs' banana hoard,[4][5] which the gorilla Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy Kong must reclaim.[5] Donkey and Diddy, the player characters of the single-player game, run alongside each other and the player can swap between them at will. Donkey is stronger and can defeat enemies more easily; Diddy is faster and more agile.[6] Both can walk, run, jump, pick up and throw objects, and roll; Donkey can slap the terrain to defeat enemies or find items.[7]
The player begins in a world map that tracks their progress and provides access to 40 levels.[8][9] The player attempts to complete each level while traversing the environment, jumping between platforms, and avoiding enemy and inanimate obstacles. Level themes include jungles, underwater reefs, caves, mines, mountains, and factories.[10] Some feature unique game mechanics, such as rideable minecarts, blasting out of cannons resembling barrels, and swinging ropes.[11] Each area ends with a boss fight with a large enemy.[12] Donkey and Diddy can defeat enemies by jumping on, rolling into, or throwing barrels at them. If hit by an obstacle, one of the Kongs runs off and the player automatically assumes control of the other. They will only be able to control that Kong unless they free the other Kong from a barrel.[12]
In certain levels, the Kongs can free an animal that grants them special abilities, similar to Yoshi from the Super Mario series.[6] Buddies include Rambi, a rhino that can charge into enemies and find hidden entrances; Enguarde, a swordfish that can defeat enemies with its bill; Squawks, a parrot that carries a lantern; Expresso, an ostrich that flies; and Winky, a frog that can jump high.[5][13] Each level contains collectible bananas, letters that spell out K–O–N–G, balloons, and animal tokens.[14] These items can be found within the main level or by discovering hidden bonus stages, where they are earned via solving puzzles.[15][16] The player starts with six lives.[17] Collecting 100 bananas, all the K–O–N–G letters, a balloon, or three of the same animal token grants an extra life.[17][18]
The player can visit other members of the Kong family from the world map. Funky Kong operates a flight service allowing the player to travel across different areas of Donkey Kong Island; Cranky Kong, the aged incarnation of Donkey Kong from the original Donkey Kong (1981), provides tips and fourth wall-breaking humour; and Candy Kong operates a save point service.[5][12][19] The player can increase their completion percentage by finding bonus stages. Reaching the maximum 101 per cent unlocks a different ending.[4] Donkey Kong Country includes two multiplayer modes. In the competitive "Contest", players take turns playing each level as quickly as possible. In the cooperative "Team", they play as a tag team.
