Neek

Neeks are large, gray rats and enemies which first appear in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
In their debut appearance, Neeks are among the weakest enemies, similar to Gnawty from the first Donkey Kong Country, and only move back and forth in an area. The Kongs can defeat Neeks in various ways, including throwing a barrel at them, jumping, or rolling into them. When a Neek is nearby, it makes a noise similar to that of a mouse. Neeks appear throughout every world, starting with the very first level, Pirate Panic.

In the Game Over screen, a Neek appears in the lower-left corner, near Diddy's left leg.

Like other enemies from Donkey Kong Country 2, Neeks do not appear in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!. A similar rat enemy, named Sneek, take over their place.

Donkey Kong Land 2
Neeks reappear in Donkey Kong Land 2, where they have the same role as in Donkey Kong Country 2. A Neek still appears in the Game Over screen, which was reused from Donkey Kong Country 2.

DK: King of Swing / DK: Jungle Climber
Neeks appear in both DK: King of Swing and DK: Jungle Climber. They move around on the Peg Boards, and if Donkey Kong comes in contact with a Neek, he loses a heart of his health. In both games, Donkey Kong can defeat a Neek by charging into it.

Appearances in other media
In the Club Nintendo comic adaptation of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, several Neeks appear to menace Diddy and Dixie Kong on the Gangplank Galleon. These Neeks are handily defeated by the Kongs, who simply jump on them. Later in the comic, a single Neek appears alongside various other monsters in K. Rool's Keep. In this comic, Neeks were portrayed as being capable of speaking, instead of simply making squeaking sounds.