In the world of classic platformers, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble stands as a monumental entry. Released in 1996 by Rare for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), this game delivers a charmingly challenging experience that remains fresh to this day. This detailed walkthrough will guide you through the game’s rich and varied levels, ensuring you can conquer every challenge and discover every secret along the way. So, grab your controller, and let’s dive into the world of the Kongs!
Starting off in Lake Orangatanga
Your adventure in Donkey Kong Country 3 begins at Lake Orangatanga. The levels here are relatively straightforward, offering a gentle introduction to the game’s mechanics. You will play as Dixie Kong, the agile and quick character, and her cousin Kiddy Kong, a powerful but less nimble hero. Together, they make an excellent team.
“Lakeside Limbo” will be your first level, introducing you to the game’s controls and basic enemies. Make sure to collect all the bananas, as every 100 grants an extra life. K-O-N-G letters are also scattered throughout every level. Collect all four, and you will earn an extra life.
The boss of Lake Orangatanga is Belcha, a giant barrel-spewing beetle. To defeat Belcha, you have to throw bugs into its mouth, causing it to burp and step back until it eventually falls into the pit behind it.
Journeying through Kremwood Forest
As you move on to Kremwood Forest, the game starts to ramp up in difficulty. “Barrel Shield Bust-Up” is a vertical level where you use rotating barrel shields for protection against bees, and “Riverside Race” challenges you to complete the level in a certain amount of time for a special bonus.
Arich is the boss of Kremwood Forest. You will need to throw barrels at it while avoiding its deadly bouncing attack. After being hit four times, Arich is defeated, and you can move on to the next area.
Navigating Cotton-Top Cove
Next, you will navigate through Cotton-Top Cove, which introduces underwater levels. Beware of the lurking aquatic enemies like Bounty Bass and Lurchin. Remember to use your aquatic animal buddy, Enguarde the swordfish, to your advantage.
The boss here, Squirt, is defeated by using Ellie the Elephant’s water-spraying ability to hit its vulnerable eyes. It’s a tricky fight, but with patience and timing, you’ll prevail.
Confronting Chaos at Mechanos
At Mechanos, you will encounter factory-themed levels filled with all sorts of mechanical hazards. Be prepared to time your jumps perfectly and to react quickly to changing environments. The boss of this area, Chaos, is a robotic menace that requires precise timing to defeat. You’ll need to hop onto its floating hands and strike its head when it is exposed.
Battling through Razor Ridge
Razor Ridge introduces mountain-themed levels, challenging platforming sequences, and some deceptively challenging enemies. Don’t miss out on using Squawks the Parrot, who can help you navigate tricky areas by letting you fly.
The boss of Razor Ridge is the intimidating bird, Kroctopus. Dodge its feather projectiles, and hit it when it lowers its head for a brief moment. Six hits and Kroctopus is down!
Exploring KAOS Kore
KAOS Kore features some of the toughest levels in the game, with “Konveyor Rope Klash” and “Creepy Caverns” proving particularly challenging. You’ll face a rematch against Chaos, but this time, he’s upgraded to KAOS. Stay focused, learn its patterns, and you’ll overcome this challenge.
Conquering Krematoa
In the hidden world of Krematoa, you’ll find the most challenging levels in the game. Here, you will have to face off against various foes and navigate treacherous terrain. BOOM-BOOM the bird boss awaits you here. To defeat it, throw the barrels it drops back at it when its shield is down.
Final Battle against Baron K. Roolenstein
After you’ve conquered every other area, it’s time for the final battle against Baron K. Roolenstein. To defeat him, you’ll need to hit the switches while avoiding his harmful attacks. Once you’ve hit him enough times, he’ll be defeated, and you’ll have completed your journey through Donkey Kong Country 3!
Remember, this is a game filled with secrets. Keep an eye out for hidden Bonus Barrels and Banana Birds, which require keen observation and exploration to find. Each level is a treasure trove of surprises!
From the tranquil Lake Orangatanga to the challenging heights of Razor Ridge and the secret world of Krematoa, Donkey Kong Country 3 offers an adventure filled with excitement, challenge, and fun. Whether you’re a veteran Kong or a newcomer to the series, we hope this walkthrough helps you navigate the game’s diverse and engaging levels. Happy gaming!
Extra Tips and Tricks for Donkey Kong Country 3
Donkey Kong Country 3 is not only about going through the levels and defeating bosses, but it’s also about immersing yourself into the world, discovering secrets, and mastering the unique mechanics each character offers. To truly become a pro at this game, consider these additional tips and tricks.
Utilize Each Kong’s Strengths
While Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong might seem similar at first, they have unique abilities that make them better suited for different tasks. Dixie Kong’s Helicopter Spin can help her float across large gaps and descend slowly, making her the perfect choice for tricky platforming sections. On the other hand, Kiddy Kong’s strength allows him to break through cracked floors and defeat tougher enemies. He can also skip across water when thrown, which can be used to access certain areas.
Take Advantage of Animal Buddies
Animal buddies in Donkey Kong Country 3 can be incredibly helpful. Enguarde the Swordfish is perfect for underwater sections, providing quick movements and a handy attack. Squawks the Parrot can fly, allowing you to navigate through vertical sections with ease. Ellie the Elephant can suck up barrels and water with her trunk, which can be used to attack enemies or solve puzzles.
Collectibles and Secrets
Keep an eye out for bonus barrels, as these lead to bonus stages where you can earn extra lives, bananas, and banana coins. There are two bonus stages in each level, so explore every nook and cranny. Remember, bananas often guide the way to secrets.
Don’t forget to search for the DK Coins in each level. These are usually well-hidden or in hard-to-reach areas, but collecting them is essential for achieving 100% completion in the game.
Also, be on the lookout for Banana Birds. These are hidden throughout the game world and can only be obtained by solving a Simon Says-style mini-game. Collecting all Banana Birds and completing the game will reward you with the true ending of the game.
Navigating the Overworld
The game’s overworld, the Northern Kremisphere, is not just for selecting levels. There are also various secret caves, shops, and vehicles to find and use. Funky’s Rentals will lend you different boats to navigate the waters and rivers of the map, reaching new areas and levels. Swanky’s Sideshow, found in the world map of each area, offers mini-games where you can win extra lives.
The Hidden Worlds in Donkey Kong Country 3
You may have thought we were done with the guide but there’s still more to discover in the wonderful world of Donkey Kong Country 3. Did you know that aside from the main worlds, there are also hidden worlds waiting to be explored? Let’s delve into these intriguing territories that challenge even the most seasoned players.
Lost World
The Lost World is a hidden world found in the overworld map of Donkey Kong Country 3. To access the Lost World, you must first pay Funky Kong 15 bonus coins to build a gyrocopter. With the gyrocopter, you can then fly over rocks in the four corners of the overworld map, revealing entrances to the five levels of the Lost World.
Each level of the Lost World is a true test of your skills, with a higher difficulty than the rest of the game. The levels include some unique mechanics and challenges not found elsewhere. Completing each level will earn you a cog. Collect all five cogs, and you can access the true final boss of the game, Knautilus.
Knautilus
Knautilus is the secret final boss of Donkey Kong Country 3, located in the Lost World. To reach him, you must collect all five cogs from the Lost World levels and place them in the machine at the center of the Lost World. This will reveal a submarine where the final showdown takes place.
In this boss fight, you’ll face off against the mad scientist KAOS once again. But this time, after defeating him, you’ll reveal the true mastermind behind the events of the game, Baron K. Roolenstein himself. Beating him will earn you the final DK coin and the satisfaction of truly finishing the game.
These hidden worlds and secrets are what make Donkey Kong Country 3 a rich and engaging experience. They add another layer of challenge for players seeking to conquer every aspect of the game and provide a rewarding experience that makes every moment of exploration worthwhile. So keep those eyes peeled, and leave no stone unturned in your quest to become the ultimate Donkey Kong Country 3 champion! Happy gaming!