Deep Reef Grief

Deep Reef Grief is the twenty-first level in Donkey Kong Land III. Taking place in the depths of the Lower Ape Lake, it is also the third level in the Great Ape Lakes area.

To complete the level, Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong must swim through a network of narrow passages, between massive coral reefs, while avoiding countless waves of enemies. Although Deep Reef Grief is more straightforward than the previous "Coral" levels, namely Seabed Shanty and Coral Quarrel, it is also much harder to navigate. Indeed, avoiding the countless schools of Bazzas, Kocos and Lurchins proves quite tricky. A few Bounty Basses can be found as well, taking advantage of their bulkiness in order to block the Kongs' way. Luckily, right after the Star Barrel, Dixie and Kiddy encounter their friend, Enguarde the Swordfish, whose pointed bill helps them defeat their underwater opponents. However, in vertical passages, Enguarde's stabbing attack may be harder to use.

"Deep Reef Grief" is one of the only levels in Donkey Kong Land III where the DK Coin can be found without having to defeat a Koin. Actually, in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble, there was a small cave at the end of each "Coral" level, in which the Kong could find the Koin. Such caves do not appear in the Game Boy sequel.

Level Layout
At the beginning of the level, the heroes begin their journey by swimming between the plants and corals around the area. After passing a few Bazzas, they find the letter K and have to head on through the bending pathway, passing a few more enemies. Once the monkeys make their way through an upward, Lurchin-infested pathway, they start to float downwards to find the letter O. After they get this, they continue through the area and have to dodge several Lurchins. The pathway twists and turns throughout even more of the level, and the Kongs eventually meet some more Kocos and Bazzas as they move along the narrow areas. Avoiding numerous enemies, the heroes soon curve into a downwards pathway and find the Star Barrel.

About halfway through the level, the Kongs make their way to an Animal Barrel. Upon entering this commonly found barrel, they turn into Enguarde. Enguarde should swim through the remaining portion of the level after this and travel between the narrow path of coral. With the area being full of sharp turns and sharp Lurchins, the swordfish's travels is not easy. After passing a school of Bazzas, the fish makes his way west to a No Animal Sign, turning him back into the Kongs. At this point, the group should enter a large, open area full of many enemies. Eventually, they continue along another narrow path and have to avoid several more schools of Bazzas. They soon come up to the letter G. From there, they end up swimming through more of the narrow pathway, until they hover south and see a flagpole. After touching the flagpole, the level ends.

Bonus Levels

 * Where the letter O can be found, the heroes have to hover to the right and swim through the water. Soon, they come up to a Bonus Barrel. Carefully maneuvering around the many Lurchins in the area, they are able to get into the barrel, sending them into a Bonus Level. There, they have to swim along the perimeter of the area to collect stars. After grabbing the last two stars in the center of the stage, they can find the Bonus Coin below them.
 * Shortly after the letter N, the Kongs find an arrow pointing to the left. They should ignore it and head downwards, passing a few Bazzas. Soon, they should find themselves near the next Bonus Barrel. Once they are shot to the Bonus Level with it, they have to swim through a long, curvy area. The stage is filled with dozens of enemies, so the apes have to be careful. If they can make it safely to the end of the stage within forty seconds, they are awarded with a Bonus Coin.

DK Coin

 * Right after the letter O, the heroes have to swim along the pathway until they find an arrow, made by a formation of bananas. If they hover to the right from there and pass a Lurchin, they enter an area with the DK Coin. Though a Koin normally has this item, the DK Coin is simply surrounded by some more Lurchins. One touch of the coin, and the monkeys are able to add it into their collection.