Meltdown Mayhem

Meltdown Mayhem is the penultimate level of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, located in Donkey Kong Island. Corresponding to the Volcano level from Donkey Kong Country Returns, it takes place inside the frozen volcano. Along with Spinning Spines, this is one of two levels that feature lava as a main hazard.

Overview
The level starts out in a place where there seems to be no signs of lava. Donkey Kong will find a DK Barrel in front of the huge wooden door, which can be broken after he pounds the switch three times. By doing so, DK and his partners can reveal the hidden place that seems to be the frozen volcano. Here, lava pillars are littered around this stage, acting as a hazard. They often lift the rock platforms, which enables Kongs to reach the higher areas. If DK breaks the ice block that lies above the rock platform, the lava pillar will lift the platform, which will guide the Kongs into the upper platform where a Rambi box can be found. DK can use the snowball stuck on the icy pillar to cool lava, which will act as a rock platform that quickly resolve into the lava. Icy platforms, just like most levels in Volcano level in Donkey Kong Country Returns, often fall and sink into the lava. At the end of the level lies a huge lava wave that chases Kongs in a fast speed. Along the way lies a barrel which will lead to the goal barrel.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: On the third platform with a Tucks.
 * O: On a sinking bridge-like block.
 * N: Below a crumbling ice platform. Player must stomp a Hootz below it to get it.
 * G: Between two coins during the lava wave section.

Puzzle Pieces

 * 1) After hitting a switch three times, the player must go to the left to access to the secret area with several banana bunches. Then he or she has to collect them within 30 seconds to get a Puzzle Piece.
 * 2) After the letter O, the player needs to break the unstable pillar above the sinking platform to reveal bananas shaped like a diamond. Once collected, a Puzzle Piece is revealed in front of the platform with several breakable blocks that have Rambi's face carved onto them.
 * 3) In the third area, player must break the snowflake target that supports the ice platform. After that, the player must hand slap a Plump Yellow Fruit to reveal a Puzzle Piece.
 * 4) After breaking the third snowflake target, the player needs to go into the secret room directly, covered with an ice wall decorated with two fishbone spears and a shield.
 * 5) After the aforementioned secret room, there is a large snowball, which can cool the lava to make six small rock platforms. As lava pillars lift these rock platforms, player must collect the collectible items, which reveals a Puzzle Piece by doing so.

Trivia

 * This name "Meltdown Mayhem" was first mentioned in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest as a wrong answer on one of Swanky Kong's questions.
 * Throughout the level, ominous laughter can be heard. This laughter actually belongs to Tiki Tong, the final boss of Donkey Kong Country Returns.