Millstone Mayhem

Millstone Mayhem is the tenth level in the popular Super Nintendo game, Donkey Kong Country. It is also the fifth and final level in the Monkey Mines area.

Taking place in the first temple level of the game, the Kongs will face their toughest challenge yet. Throughout the whole level, strange Gnawties piloting huge, rocky wheels, known as Millstones, will be chasing them, and they can not be defeated. Once these dangerous foes are passed, the Gnawty will begin to chase the monkeys through some of the level for a while, so they should not dawdle. Another strong enemy first faced here is the mighty Krusha, who can not be defeated with a normal jump from the Kongs, but only by a TNT Barrel. Other enemies here include the normal foe, Kritter, along with Slippas and the rare enemy, Necky. To make the level a little bit easier, the helpful Animal Buddy, Winky the Frog resides here to give the Kongs a ride through the last half of the level. However, he is hidden in a high area in the level.

Level Layout
From the start of the level, the heroes must bounce off of a tire to reach a high ledge. From there, they should head east and jump over a set of three strong Krushas. Soon, they will have to sneak under a millstone, trying not to get hit. Farther on is another millstone. Again, the monkeys can easily dodge it by running under it as the millstone moves upwards. After this part, the monkeys will find the letter O, and then defeat a Kritter to meet the next Gnawty with his millstone. To avoid this foe, the heroes must run into a small alcove and soon dash out of the other side before the millstone hits into them. On the other side of this large hazard, the Kongs must continue east and travel under another millstone. Once this obstacle is passed, they will need to avoid a few Krushas and encounter yet another millstone, controlled by a Gnawty. Again, the heroes must get under this foe by walking into a small alcove, then running out as the enemy move to the left. After this area is cleared, the group should collect a few bananas and enter a small pit filled with four Kritters. If they make it out of the small pit, they will find the Star Barrel nearby.

Halfway through the level, the Kongs must cross a small gap and head under another Gnawty, as usual, with his millstone. Jumping down a nearby ledge will take the heroes to a few Slippas, as well as a large abyss, infested with a Gnawty, his millstone, and some platforms. The monkeys must ride on the platform over the abyss, but under the millstone. On the other end of this pit, the monkeys should continue to the right and defeat some Slippas to find the letter N. At this point, the monkeys must hop over another small gap and drop down a ledge without hitting into a millstone. If they keep going after this, they will pass a Necky, and soon encounter another millstone, still being controlled by a Gnawty. To avoid this foe, they should sneak into the two alcoves below and dash out the other end of it as the millstone move to the left. Once out of this part, the Kongs should get up a small ledge and beat a Necky to grab the letter G. From there, they will need to fall down into another alcove to dodge a millstone. While in this alcove, the Kongs must beware of a few Slippas in the way. After this, the heroes will find the next millstone and the Gnawty piloting it. It is over a gap. To avoid this enemy, the group will have to jump under it as it moves upwards. When this foes is passed, the monkeys will find a sign, marking that the level is almost over. Quickly, they should bounce off of a tire to hop over another millstone. Then, they must cross a small abyss to find a brown exit sign. If Donkey or Diddy travel into the nearby opening, they will be able to leave the level.

Bonus Level(s)

 * Right at the beginning of the level, the Kongs will see a tire. They should bounce off of it, but head to the left in mid-air. They will land on top of the entrance, where a barrel can be found. It will shoot them to the Bonus Level, where the monkeys must ride back and fourth in a barrel. As it moves, they should pick one of three rows of bananas and to the row with the barrel. The Kongs will grab several bananas as they blast upwards, and also get a special prize at the top of the rows. Once the monkeys miss the barrel, they will end up back in the main level.
 * After the heroes pass the first Gnawty on a millstone, they will see a barrel hidden in a nearby pit. They must jump in it and shoot upwards. If they land on a certain area on the ground, a tire will appear. They should push it past the letter O and then stop when they see a Gnawty. From there, the monkeys must bounce off of their tire and land in the barrel above the Gnawty and his millstone. It will shoot them into a Bonus Level, where they must hit the rotating letters around them to spell out the word "Rare". Once this is done, they will be awarded with a special prize, and then end up back in the main level.
 * Near the middle of the level, the group will see a Gnawty over a small alcove. They should carry a TNT Barrel into the alcove and blow away the right wall with it. Then, the entrance to the Bonus Level will be revealed. In this special level, the heroes must watch as a green Extra Life Balloon moves around four barrels. Once it stops, they must choose the barrel it is in. If they chose correctly, they will be awarded with this balloon, and be able to leave the bonus.