Vulture Culture

Vulture Culture is the eleventh level in the classic Super Nintendo game, Donkey Kong Country. It is also the first level in the Vine Valley area.

In this forest level, the Kongs must make their way through a large forest infested with Neckies. To do so, the Kongs make use of many Barrel Cannons, and even bounce off the Neckys themselves. In fact, many of the Neckies in this level only serve as platforms. Vulture Culture also introduces the new type of enemy, Mini-Necky, who spits nuts at the Kongs whenever they are spotted. Not only these dangerous vultures, but also red and yellow Zingers, populate the level, and they are another large threat to the primates.

"Vulture Culture" is the name of a popular album by The Alan Parsons Project (released in 1985). The name of the title track was a play on the term "culture vulture," which is used for people well versed in the fine arts.

Level Layout
When the Kongs begin the level, they find themselves in front of a barrel that sits next to a small ledge with a Mini-Necky and some bananas on it. An abyss follows the bird enemy, but the primates can cross it if they use the aid of a Barrel Cannon and a Necky hovering over it. The Barrel Cannon is able to blast them into the Necky, causing them to bounce off of the foe and land on a solid area of ground with a DK Barrel. The Kongs can find another pit ahead of here that contains an Auto Fire Ball, a Barrel Cannon, and then a Necky. The Auto Fire Barrel can shoot them to the Barrel Cannon, which can then blast them into the Necky, causing them to bounce onto the area of land ahead. This area features a raised piece of land in the center of it. A tire sits on top of the land with a Necky standing on top of it. The enemy throws nuts in the area below it. The primates can discover another wide abyss ahead, which holds an Auto Fire Barrel, a Barrel Cannon, and a Necky.

These obstacles are set up in a similar way to the ones in the previous pit. Once the Kongs cross the abyss, they reach an area of land composed of several stair-like structures. A barrel sits at the top of the large platform, and a Mini-Necky flies at the end of it, where another abyss can be found. It contains a Barrel Cannon that is able to shoot them towards two Neckies. They can bounce off of the Neckies to safely land on another solid platform with a Mini-Necky on it. Another pit follows this area, and it also contains a Barrel Cannon that can blast the primates to a pair of Neckies. They can bounce on the foes to access a solid area of ground that holds a Mini-Necky. In a wide abyss located ahead of here, the primates can find a Barrel Cannon that can blast them to a Necky moving in a circular path. After bouncing on the vulture, they can reach another cannon that is able to shoot them towards several Neckies. With the ability to bounce on the foes, the primates are able to reach a strong structure that they must walk down to progress. A Barrel Cannon floats in a wider abyss nearby, and the level's Star Barrel hovers right above it.

The Kongs can shoot over the remaining part of the abyss with this Barrel Cannon. On the other side of the pit, they can find two tall pieces of land with Neckies on them. The enemies throw nuts off of the edge of the platforms, trying to hit the heroes with them. If the Kongs manage to pass the two Neckies, they reach a wide pit that must be crossed with the use of two Barrel Cannons. These barrels tilt towards each other, so the primates must blast whenever the barrels are aimed in the correct direction. After blasting over this pit, the duo reaches a large platform carrying a Mini-Necky. It is followed by two small pits. The letter O stands on a platform after the first pit. The second pit is wider than the previous, and the Kongs must rely on a Barrel Cannon and two Neckies to cross it. They must shoot to the two foes with the Barrel Cannon, and then bounce off of them to reach a solid area holding a barrel and a pair of Mini-Neckies stacked on top of each other. In a large pit located ahead of here, Donkey and Diddy Kong can find a Barrel Cannon that must be used to blast towards a Necky that orbits a Zinger. After bouncing off of this foe to cross the pit, the two friends land on a slightly slanted pathway with another abyss following it.

Three barrels that tilt when entered are located in it, and they Kongs must shoot when they are aimed correctly to survive. They must also watch out for a Zinger as they blast between the last two barrels. Once they cross the abyss, they come up to a long pathway with a structure raised in the center of it. A Necky is perched at the top of the structure, and it throws nuts at the heroes as they pass through the area. After passing the vulture, they reach an abyss that contains two Barrel Cannons that tilt upon being entered. As before, they must shoot only when the barrel they are in is aimed correctly. A solid platform with a few bananas along it follows this pit. A small pit is ahead of it that can be crossed with a simple jump. The primates can find a Mini-Necky on a small platform after this pit. It hovers near a sign that indicates that the level is near complete. Using several Barrel Cannons that tilt when entered, the Kongs are able to blast over a nearby abyss. As they cross, a few Zingers fly in their path. They also find the letter G between two Zingers as they cross. On the opposite side of the abyss, the primates can find a pathway holding a Mini-Necky, a few bananas, and an exit sign. A passage leading out of the level follows the sign.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: The primates should jump from the platform that the first Necky in the level stands on and land on an odd piece of the ground to release the letter K from it.
 * O: The Kongs find the letter O on a small platform shortly after the level's Star Barrel.
 * N: The letter N is located between the last two Barrel Cannons in the level's third Bonus Level.
 * G: The letter G can be found between the final two Zingers in the level, who are located above the final abyss in the level.

Bonus Levels

 * When the Kongs find the level's first Necky, they should defeat it and push the tire to the left off the small ledge they are on. They must push it to the edge of the cliff found to the right of the area and bounce off of it there, following a trail of three visible bananas. If they bounce high enough, they land in a barrel. It shoots them to the Bonus Level, where they must hit a few K-O-N-G Letters orbiting the center of the stage. If they hit the letters in the correct order, they are awarded with an Extra Life Balloon. Once done, they end up back in the main level. Additionally, they are forced out of the bonus if they fail to hit the letters correctly.
 * Before the Star Barrel, the heroes cross an abyss while bouncing off of several Neckies. They soon reach a small area of land where a Mini Necky attacks. When this enemy is jumped off of, the heroes must land on a small spot on the ground to find a barrel. They should use it to blow away the nearest wall. If they walk into the opening they have created, they are sent to a Bonus Level. There, they have to defeat two Klaptraps. These foes are not like other Klaptraps and require more hits to get rid of. As they are jumped on, the Kongs are given Banana Bunches as an award. Once they defeat or get hit by these enemies, the bonus ends.
 * Around the end of the level, the heroes can discover a Necky perched on a high platform. If they hop jump from the platform it occupies and land on a strange area on the ground, a barrel is released from the ground. They should use it to destroy a wall near where the Necky stands. They can walk into the created passage to make their way into a Bonus Level. There, they must shoot over a wide abyss with the use of several Barrel Cannons. As they go, they collect some bananas and the letter N. After they make it over the gap, the primates can exit the area through a nearby opening. They are also forced out of the bonus if they fall into the abyss.