Cannon Cluster

Cannon Cluster is the eleventh level in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, as well as the fourth level in the Beach world. With a Map Key, the Kongs can unlock another level, Stormy Shore.

Located on the ocean shore of Donkey Kong Island, Cannon Cluster features many pirate ships that shoot cannonballs at Donkey and Diddy Kong. In many areas of the stage, the Kongs must dodge the cannonballs by simply running past them or taking shelter under large boards. Additionally, many wooden crates appear around the level, some of which block the Kongs' path or contain collectibles. The level is not entirely a beach area however; various piers and shipwrecks are also featured. Near the piers, Jellybobs often jump out attempting to attack the Kongs. Pinchlys and Snippys are found along the beach areas of the level.

In the Time Attack mode, a time of 0:50:00 is needed to get a gold medal, a time of 1:01:00 for silver, and a time of 1:23:00 for bronze.

Overview
The level begins on a flat bridge that leads onto a beach area. When the Kongs head over the beach, they encounter a Snippys and a platform that can be pounded into the ground to reveal a similar platform nearby. There is another Snippys farther ahead, followed by some more after a pair of crates. After the Kongs head down a small hill, they come across a flat area that is constantly being shot by cannonballs from the ships in the background. Before a raised area right after the section of land that the cannonballs hit is a DK Barrel. If the Kongs climb up the ledge next to it, they enter an area with a few bridges that lead over water. Gaps are in them, and Jellybobs jump out of them. A larger gap is after the second Jellybob, which holds the letter K of the K-O-N-G Letters and a Tiki Buzz in it. A raised section of the bridge is above this gap and the letter with a treasure chest, some bananas, and a Banana Coin on it. After another gap in the bridge placed near a Pinchly is a long, flat area of the bridge that is placed slightly above the sand. Cannonballs shoot in this area that the heroes must avoid. A gap with water inside of it is following this section of cannonballs with a Tiki Buzz in it. On the other side of the gap is a raised bridge that is on top of the sand from the beach. The Kongs can jump off of the end of this bridge to reach the beach area, where there are some Snippys and a treasure chest. Farther ahead of them, and also immediately before them, are some wooden platforms that can be pounded into the ground to reveal a similar platform nearby. One of these platforms has a fan next to it that makes a section of ground rise when blown on. After this fan is a small gap with a Jellybob in it. On the other side of the gap is a bridge that leads back onto land. The Kongs can find crates here, followed by a raised area that is being shot by cannonballs. A wooden board is above a treasure chest here that they can take shelter under from the cannonballs; the letter O is on top of the board. The Kongs must progress onto a large wooden object and climb across it before they are shot by too many cannonballs, allowing them to reach the Tutorial Pig with the checkpoint on a straight, flat bridge.

From the checkpoint, a gap located immediately after a lone barrel can be found with a Jellybob in it. On the other side of the gap is a vessel part that floats on top of the water. Another floating ship part is after the gap placed nearby, which has a Jellybob in it like most pits in the level. On this vessel section is a wooden crate, and above the gap right after it is the letter N. A Jellybob jumps out of the gap under the letter. There is yet another floating ship part on the other side of this gap with three bananas above it. The gap that is located after this ship part has another Jellybob in it and leads to a small, buoyant platform. The Kongs can reach an area of land near this floating platform, which has some crates on it. After the crates is a flat area that is shot by many cannonballs from the background. At the end of this area is a wall that the Kongs must go under by pounding a few crates apart to access an alcove below it. They can reach the letter G by jumping off of these crates. When they get under the wall, they come up to a curvy area of land covered with Pinchly enemies. Farther ahead of them is an area that is constantly being shot by cannonballs. They must run across this part of the level while trying to avoid the cannonballs to reach a raised piece of ground that can aid them in reaching a large, wooden ship part. Above an abyss next to the vessel is the level's Slot Machine Barrel; the level is completed when it is hit.