Cloud (world)

Cloud
Game	Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Number of levels	9
World progression ← Previous Volcano Next → — Donkey Kong Country Returns worlds

The Kongs climbing the stairs that lead to the Golden Temple, which becomes the Cloud Gateway

Cloud is the ninth and final world of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. It is appended onto the Golden Temple level from the Wii version, and thus has the same unlock requirements: beating the game unlocks the Golden Temple level, but entering the building in the level to gain access to Cloud requires obtaining all eight Rare Orbs. Once completed, the Inside Temple cutscene from the original game ends on warping the player to the World Map for Cloud.

Cloud is a completely linear world, with nine levels and no locked paths. Levels except for the final level are not set in the clouds. Instead, each level represents one of the game's the other worlds, and the order of the levels in Cloud matches the order of those worlds. The final level is the Golden Temple level itself, entirely separated from its hub section used for unlocking Cloud. This further means Cloud does not have a boss level, as Golden Temple is not a boss level. 9-S, Cranky Kong's Shop, is located backward from the first level, Crushin' Columns.

The icon for Cloud depicts one of the monkey statues that activated the Golden Temple. The loading screens for levels of Cloud use the loading screen for Key Temples. The transition for being defeated in levels of Cloud depicts a silhouette of one of the monkey statues. These are all true of the Golden Temple world in the Wii version.

Leaving Cloud returns the player to the Golden Temple on the Island Map, which is renamed "Cloud Gateway" from this point onward. The Cloud Gateway's sole menu option is to enter it, returning to the World Map for Cloud. If the player does not select any other world between leaving and re-entering Cloud, entering Cloud will place them on the level of Cloud they were at before leaving. This is just like how the player does not move between levels after deselecting a world and selecting it again, only when they select a different world. The nature of having to enter the Cloud Gateway means that the player cannot move from a different world to the final level of Cloud, as they can do for all of the game's other worlds.

Levels

The world each level represents is mentioned within parentheses.

Code	Image	Level	No. of Puzzle Pieces	Description
9-1		Crushin' Columns (Jungle)	7	A stage containing wooden platforms that, when tilted, move along a rope track, causing stone columns to move.
9-2		Gushin' Geysers (Beach)	7	A level where water geysers appear and are used to advance.
9-3		Spiky Surprise (Ruins)	5	A level that emphasizes on pressing large buttons to extend wooden platforms from background slots. Spiked wall traps form the featured obstacle.
9-4		Mischievous Moles (Cave)	5	The last Mine Cart-based stage in the game. It has the Kongs traveling from vehicle to vehicle while avoiding sharp crystals and Mole Guard attacks.
9-5		Topsy Turvy (Forest)	7	A course where wooden platforms, which spin in a rhythmical manner, are used to progress throughout.
9-6		Tar Ball Fall (Cliff)	5	A level with heavy droplets of tar falling from ceiling holes.
9-7		Robo Factory (Factory)	9	A stage focused on setting up a giant, armored Kong robot.
9-8		Lavawheel Volcano (Volcano)	7	A lava-filled course. Its primary features are the gigantinc stone cogwheels used to walk past the magma pits.
9-9		Golden Temple (Cloud)	5	A level taking place above the clouds, in what resembles a paradise of floating bananas, blueberries and strawberries, which are used as platforms. Near the end of the level, the Kongs have to run past sections with giant falling oranges.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	スカイハイエリア[?] Sukaihai Eria	Sky High Area
Chinese (simplified)	高空地区[?] Gāo Kòng Dìqū	Sky High Area
Chinese (traditional)	高空地區[?] Gāo Kòng Dìqū	Sky High Area
Italian	Nuvola[?]	Cloud