Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (known as Super Donkey Kong 3: Nazo no Krems Shima in Japan) is the third game for the popular Donkey Kong game series, Donkey Kong Country. It is the sequel to Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. It also has a semi-sequel for the Game Boy, Donkey Kong Land III, as well another sequel, Donkey Kong Country Returns, for the Nintendo Wii. The game stars Dixie Kong and her little cousin, Kiddy Kong, as they travel through the numerous lands of the Northern Kremisphere in order to rescue Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong from the Kremling Krew and their new leader, KAOS.

A remake of the game was released for the Game Boy Advance on November 7, 2005 with new features, most noticeably six new stages and an all-new soundtrack designed for the Game Boy Advance sound system. Also, on December 24, 2007, the game was released on the Virtual Console for the Wii in North America. On December 25, it was released in Europe and Australia.

Storyline
At the beginning of the game, Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy are relaxing at home after their recent victory over the Kremlings on Crocodile Isle. Bored, Donkey Kong suggests that the two go on a fishing trip in the Northern Kremisphere. Diddy hastily agrees, and the two set of on their way, unaware of the danger they are about to befall.

Several days later, when the apes have still not yet returned, Dixie Kong begins to worry where they could have gone. She then decides to head out and search for them. She first goes to Funky's Rentals, where she finds her friend Funky Kong. Funky is worried as well, and insists that Dixie take along her little cousin Kiddy Kong. Dixie agrees, and Funky lends the duo a boat before they can head off to the first area of their search, Lake Orangatanga.

The monkeys use their new boat to travel a short way off the ocean to a small pond called Lake Orangatanga. Here, they travel through many levels, in mills, by the lakeside, and in the snowy peaks. The Kongs also meet Barnacle (Bachelor in the GBA version) on a small island in the middle. If the Kongs search, they can even find the rare Smuggler's Cove, where a precious Banana Bird lies. At the most southeastern point of the lake, the monkeys find Belcha, a giant barrel who resides in a large, oblong-shaped barn. Once defeated, a cannon shoots the apes out of Belcha's Barn and send them to the next area.

After defeating Belcha, Dixie and Kiddy enter a dark forest known as Kremwood Forest. Through here, they travel through several levels in the treetops, mills, and riversides. Squawks the Parrot makes his debut in Springin' Spiders. The monkeys gain a banana bird when they beat Brash's record in Riverside Race. At the edge of the forest, the apes encounters a giant spider named Arich in his hollow hole in a tree. With the help of Barrels, the monkeys soon defeat Arich, leaving the Kongs with a Patch. The monkeys then head over to Funky Kong to see if the Patch can be made of any good use.

Kong Abilities
The object of the game is to reach the end of every level, however, this cannot be done without the apes using some of their trademark abilities. The two Kongs, Kiddy and Dixie, both have different special abilities, although their basic abilities are mostly the same. Both apes are able to swim, jump, climb, and move. They can use their jumping abilities to defeat enemies or cross gaps, and also use their climbing abilities to maneuver on the game's various ropes. When swimming, however, neither of these moves can be used. Another way to attack on land besides jumping is rolling. The attack can knock foes off of the stage easily, although some enemies, such as Bristles, are almost completely immune to this attack. Additionally, if the apes are to roll off of a ledge and jump in mid air, they preform a super-jump. The duo is also able to balance on moving Steel Kegs, which ram into foes are they ride on it.

As stated before, both apes have different special abilities. The most notable ability, used by Dixie Kong, is the Helicopter Twirl, which Kiddy Kong is unable to do. This move allows Dixie to propel through the air until she hits the ground. Although Kiddy doesn't have this move, his strength makes up for the loss. He can throw barrels much faster than Dixie, as well as defeat foes that his partner cannot defeat alone. Another advantage Kiddy has is how he holds objects such as barrels. While Dixie holds objects over her head, Kiddy Kong holds them in front of his body, protecting himself. Therefore, if an enemy is to hit into him as he holds an object, it is likely that the attack won't hurt him at all, and it defeats the foe instead. Although not used too often in the game, Kiddy can also jump on water a few times while rolling. This can help the heroes reach high areas atop the water.

There are also some moves that both Kongs are needed to use, such as the Team-up move. When using this move, one monkey picks up the other and puts them on his or her shoulders. Then, they can throw that monkey into enemies or into high areas. Because of Kiddy's weight, Dixie is hardly able to hold the large ape. As a result, she cannot throw him too far. However, if she throws him upwards and lets him fall onto the ground, the toddler can break through the ground and finds hidden items. When Kiddy teams up with Dixie and carries her, he is able to easily maneuver around, as he is quite strong. He can also throw her much farther, although she cannot break through the ground. Additionally, when both Kongs are around, Dixie can throw Kiddy into a wall, causing the toddler to bounce back. When this happens, she can jump on him as if he were a Steel Keg and ram into most enemies.

Special Areas
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! is filled with with various special areas, where the heroes can meet the other Kongs and Brothers Bears around the island to help out.


 * Banana Bird Caves: Each of these caves contain a Banana Bird. However, the only way to get the bird is to hit a series of crystals in the right order.
 * Brothers Bear Cabins: There are several cabins in the game, one for each of the Brothers Bears. In them, the apes can talk to the bears and help them complete a trade to earn Banana Birds.
 * Funky's Rentals: This is where the apes can rent vehicles made by Funky Kong to travel through the Northern Kremisphere. He allows them to use his Motor Boat at the beginning of the game, but after the apes gather up special items for him, he is able to make a Hover Craft, a Turbo Ski, and a Gyrocopter for them to ride in. In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, Funky hosts Bonus Games with some of those vehicles. If they are all completed, a Banana Bird is earned.
 * Cranky's Dojo: Exclusive to the Game Boy Advance remake, Cranky's Dojo replaces Wrinkly's Save Cave from the original version of the game. The heroes can meet Cranky Kong here and play a special Bonus Game for a Banana Bird at the price of only two Bear Coins. The game involves moving Cranky Kong so that he can block the incoming Spinies.
 * Swanky's Dash: Another area exclusive to the Game Boy Advance remake. It replaces Swanky's Sideshow from the original game. At Swanky's Dash, Dixie Kong can play a Bonus Game for a few Bear Coins, where she must run through a pipeline, avoiding obstacles and trying to collect a certain number of stars. If the Bonus Game is completed, the apes earn some special collectibles.
 * Swanky's Sideshow: This is where the monkeys can play another special Bonus Game, exclusively found in the Super Nintendo version of the game. For only a few Bear Coins, the apes can face Cranky here in a ball tossing Bonus Game.
 * Wrinkly's Save Cave: This area, only found in the original version of the game, is where the Kongs' game can be saved. One appears in each word, as well as in the overworld. Wrinkly is always found here, and she is either exercising, playing her Nintendo 64, or sleeping.
 * Wrinkly's Retreat: This area is located just before Funky's Rentals. It is where Wrinkly resides throughout the game. The Kongs' Banana Birds are kept here.

Animal Buddies
As with every Donkey Kong Country game, Animal Buddies appear to help out the monkeys. Several old friends return in Donkey Kong Country 3, such as Enguarde, Squawks, and Squitter, and several new ones appear, such as Ellie and Parry. Each buddy helps the apes in a different way, but are only found in certain levels. Below shows the game's Animal Buddies, along with their abilities and their first and last level appearances.

Items and Objects
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! is filled with many different collectibles and objects for the apes to use. Below is a list of the main objects, as well as a brief description on them.

Brothers Bear Items
The game features several items that must be traded between the Brothers Bears in order for the Kongs to collect all of the Banana Birds. Although they are of no use to the apes, they are required to trade if the heroes want to complete their adventure 100%. Note that some items are earned from defeating bosses and do not need to be traded with the bears. Some items must also be traded differently in the Game Boy Advance version. Below shows the items and descriptions on them, as well as what the apes should do with the objects.

Barrels
Various barrels appear throughout the game. They are the main objects in the Donkey Kong Country series, and they have many different purposes. Below is a list of each barrel and a brief description on them.

List of Levels
The game features many levels in which the heroes must travel through to complete the game. The apes have to get to the end of each level, excluding the secret levels in Krematoa, in order to meet Baron K. Roolenstein at Kastle KAOS and rescue Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Every level, excluding boss stages and Rocket Rush, have at least two or three Bonnus Levels in them, which are hidden throughout them. Note that the following table lists the levels in the original order on the SNES version of the game.

Differences in the GBA Port
There are many differences between the Super Nintendo version and the Game Boy Advance version.


 * Wrinkly Kong is now only located in Wrinkly's Retreat, between Funky's Rentals and Bazaar's General Store. Banana Birds are kept in this area.
 * Cranky's Dojo replaces Wrinkly's Save Cave from the original Donkey Kong Country 3. At the dojo, the Kongs can play a Bonus Game to earn a Banana Bird.
 * The original soundtrack of the game, which is notably darker in tone in most of the levels, has been replaced by a lighter-toned soundtrack composed by David Wise, who composed the soundtrack of the first two Donkey Kong Countries, but only had a limited involvement with the soundtrack of the third on the Super Nintendo, which was in majority composed by Eveline Fischer.
 * The Brother Bear, Barnacle, is relocated to Pacifica, while Bachelor, a new character that only appears in this port, now takes residence in Lake Orangatanga.
 * Anytime after completing Mekanos, the player can visit Bramble to earn a Banana Bird.
 * New objects, such as the box of chocolates, have been added to trade amongst the Brothers Bears. Some items must also be traded differently.
 * Like in the first two Game Boy Advance remakes for the series, the supporting Kongs have Bonus Games for the heroes to complete. Funky Kong has four new Bonus Games, although the types of games available depends on how many vehicles the heroes can rent, while Cranky and Swanky both have a single Bonus Game.
 * Swanky Kong wears the same attire that he wears in Donkey Kong Country 2, unlike in the original, where his outfit is different.
 * The game introduces the new area, Pacifica, which is the seventh world of the game, located between Razor Ridge and KAOS Kore. The world carries six new levels, as well as all new Bonus Level locations.
 * After beating Mekanos and Cotton-Top Cove, the player has the option of playing through either K3, Razor Ridge, or Pacifica to progress, although they all must be completed to beat the game.
 * Barbos has been relocated to Pacifica while Kroctopus, a new boss, now inhabits Razor Ridge.
 * The houses that the Brothers Bears live in, as well as the bears themselves, have been redesigned. Also, the same music is heard in every house and no longer changes according to the bear. (The music piece is also heard in Funky's Rentals, Swanky's Dash, and Wrinkly's Retreat.)
 * There are now five extra Banana Birds to collect, increasing the total to twenty.
 * The game also borrows several elements from Donkey Kong Land III, the original Game Boy counterpart to the Super Nintendo version. These include automatically getting the DK Coin after defeating the Koin.
 * Oddly, Blizzard is now a grizzly bear, as opposed to the original, where he is a polar bear.
 * The boss, Squirt, has more attacks and has been made harder to defeat.
 * When a DK Coin is collected, it tells the player how many more are left.
 * The world maps show a closer view of the Kongs than in the original.
 * When Knautilus is unlocked in the Super Nintendo version, the background of areas in Krematoa turns red. However, this does not happen in the Game Boy Advance version.
 * The final level, Rocket Rush, has an increased difficulty, as red Buzzes damage the Rocket Barrel when touched, and there is no Star Barrel at any point of the stage.

Beta elements
Main article: Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble/Beta elements

References to Other Games

 * Donkey Kong Country: The prequel to Donkey Kong Country 3. It has many similar gameplay elements and items.
 * Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest: Another prequel to Donkey Kong Country 3. Many items and moves from this game are featured in its sequel. Swanky Kong also wears the same attire in this game as he does in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3.
 * Super Mario 64: Wrinkly Kong is sometimes playing this game, as heard from the Nintendo 64.
 * Donkey Kong 64: Some Kongs first appearing in this game, such as Lanky Kong and Tiny Kong, are seen in Funky's Bonus Games in the Game Boy Advance version.

References in Later Games

 * Donkey Kong Land III: A semi-sequel to Donkey Kong Country 3. It features the same music, level themes, and bosses from Donkey Kong Country 3.
 * Donkey Konga 3: Barnacle, a Brothers Bear first appearing in Donkey Kong Country 3, reappears in this game.

Trivia

 * The game was placed 23rd in the 100th issue of Nintendo Power's "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997.