Toxic Tower (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)

Toxic Tower is the thirty-third level of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Land 2. It is the sixth area of K. Rool's Keep.

This castle level is the final test before Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong finally reach the top of K. Rool's Keep. Throughout the level, poisonous slime rises up through the dungeon, and it can damage the Kongs easily if they are not fast enough at climbing. Luckily, they are not alone, as Rattly the Rattlesnake, Squawks the Parrot, and Squitter the Spider can be found in three areas of the level to help them make their way up the stage. Each one is vital to beat the level, as the level has obstacles that only a certain Animal Buddy can cross. Even with the slime rushing up, Kaboings and Zingers wait all around the tower to end the Kongs' adventure for good. Kannons and Klampons also appear in the Donkey Kong Country 2 version of the level, but not in the Donkey Kong Land 2 version.

Donkey Kong Country 2
At the beginning of the level, the Kongs find themselves on a flat piece of ground with a DK Barrel above them. Some ledges are ahead with a pair of Klampons marching down them. As the heroes climb the ledges, a toxic, green liquid begins to rise, and it does not stop rising until the end of the level. At the top of the ledges, the Kongs can find an Animal Barrel containing Rattly the Rattlesnake; if they enter this barrel, they are transformed into the Animal Buddy, who must use his jumping abilities to progress on a nearby ledge. Three platforms float to the left of this ledge that the rattlesnake can travel along to pass over the green liquid. A few Kaboings bounce down the platforms, which are followed by a large ledge that Rattly must climb to find another platform above him. A pit followes this platform, but he can cross it by bouncing off of a pair of Zingers that float in it. Once he crosses the pit, he lands on a solid ledge with another Zinger ahead of it. An additional ledge is located across this ledge on the leftmost side of the room, and it holds three Banana Bunches. Rattly can optionally jump to this ledge or continue over a pit with the previously-mentioned Zinger to access an area full of small platforms and the letter K.

Once Rattly reaches the highest platform in the rightmost part of this area, he can find some Zingers to his left that he must bounce on to cross a pit and reach a solid ledge positioned under several thin platforms. After reaching the platforms, he must travel along them to discover a Zinger above a small gap that he can jump through to find a hidden area with the level's DK Coin. If Rattly continues past the Zinger, he can find some more thin platforms above him that he can jump to in order to progress. As he heads along the platforms, a nearby Kannon shoots barrels at him. The Kannon blocks a small alcove at the end of the area that holds a DK Barrel. If Rattly jumps to the ledge above the barrel, he can find a small platform above him. Three Zingers fly from left to right over a pit to the right of this platform, and Rattly must bounce on them to safely cross the pit and land on a solid ledge to the right of them.

If he jumps onto another piece of ground above here, he can find a Zinger guarding a small passage above him. On the other side of the passage, he can find a group of six bananas to his right and another passage being guarded by a Zinger to his left. After jumping through the passage and heading east, the rattlesnake can discover a ledge above him that he can jump to in order to find a raised piece of ground with some Zingers around it. There are two sets of these Zingers; one set is to the left of the raised ground, and the other is to the right of it. A Banana Coin sits in the left corner of this area near the raised piece of ground. In order to progress, Rattly must bounce on the Zingers above the raised ground. If he bounces along the Zingers to the right of the platform, he comes up to the letter O, but if he bounces on the Zingers to the left, he finds nothing. After jumping off of the Zingers to reach a higher platform, Rattly approaches an Auto Fire Barrel that can blast him into an Animal Barrel that contains Squawks. When he lands in the barrel, he is transformed into the parrot, who can head north to find the level's Star Barrel.

An alcove holding four bananas is located to the left of the barrel, as well as a curvy pathway that is infested with Zingers. As Squawks travels past the many Zingers, he comes past a few alcoves that contain some bananas. After the second of these banana-filled alcoves is passed, the parrot comes up to a Zinger with a DK Barrel immediately after it. Another Zinger ahead of here blocks Squawks's path, but he can defeat it with his nut projectiles. Once the bird travels up this path, can finds a passage to the left that is full of alcoves with Kaboings in them. An additional alcove is in the top of the passage with some bananas in it. After Squawks makes his way through this area, he finds a path to the north that contains a Zinger. If he continues from here, he reaches a yellow Zinger in an alcove and a red Zinger that moves from left to right. He cannot defeat the red Zinger, so he must instead maneuver around it as it moves back and forth. After passing the foe, he approaches a wide area full of yellow and red Zingers that move in a circle around the area. Two alcoves are on the sides of the room, and the alcove to the right contains the letter N. If Squawks heads north from the circle of Zingers, he heads up a narrow passage with a alcove containing some bananas.

At the top of the path, the parrot can discover a long, wide room with two gaps that are guarded by Zingers at the top of it. After Squawks makes his way on the other side of the gaps, he can find another room with a gap at the top of it, followed by another with two gaps at the top of it. Each gap is guarded by a red or yellow Zinger. After passing through one of the gaps in the third room, Squawks approaches a narrow passage that is guarded by another red Zinger. Once he passes the foe, he comes through a winding passage. On his way through, a Zinger stands in his way, which he can defeat with his nut-shooting power. After passing this foe, he comes over a small alcove with some bananas in it and a continuing part of the pathway that is soon blocked off by an additional two Zingers. Once he passes the wasps, he flies over a second alcove full of bananas. To the north of the alcove, he can find a small passage that is blocked off by three Zingers that he can shoot nuts at to defeat. On the other side of the Zingers, he can find another alcove full of bananas and a pathway taking him up to an area full of Zingers that move in and out of several smaller alcoves. The last of the alcoves, which is bigger than all the others, contains the letter G.

If Squawks heads north from here, he comes up an Animal Barrel containing Squitter. The barrel blocks his path into the next room, so he cannot access the room without first entering the Animal Barrel, which turns him into Squitter upon being entered. In order to avoid the rising liquid, Squitter must build his web platforms to climb the tall room. As he climbs, he comes up to a pair of Zingers, one of which that guards a banana and the way into a Bonus Level, and another that holds a photograph in the Game Boy Advance version of the game. Once Squitter accesses the top-left part of the room, he can discover a ledge that supports an Auto Fire Barrel, which is able to blast him to another Auto Fire Barrel. This barrel then shoots him into a No Animal Sign, which turns him back into Diddy and Dixie Kong and makes a red Extra Life Balloon appear when passed. If the two friends travel ahead of here, they can find a climbable chain hanging over an alcove that contains some bananas. Shortly after arriving in the area, the green liquid rises over the alcove, so the Kongs have to enter it quickly to grab everything safely. A solid piece of ground with an End of Level Target sitting on it is located on the right side of the chain, and if the heroes bounce on it, they complete the level. They can also win a prize from the End of Level Target if they jump on it from a high part of the chain.

Donkey Kong Land 2
The Kongs begin the level on a solid piece of ground positioned to the right of a pit full of a toxic liquid. Several chains with bananas on them hang over the pit for the primates to use in order to avoid falling into the liquid. After they cross the pit, they reach another solid piece of ground with a DK Barrel wobbling over it. A set of chains that hang near here can be used to climb to a higher area, where an Animal Barrel containing Squitter and a Spiny are placed. As they climb up the chains, the liquid begins to rise. They must hop into the Animal Barrel to transform into Squitter, who is required to progress from here. To escape the rising liquid, the spider must build web platforms throughout the area and climb upwards, as directed by a formation of bananas creating an arrow, with them. Soon, Squitter reaches a ledge with a Spiny on it and then the letter K. Once he climbs a little bit higher, he approaches a No Animal Sign on a solid piece of ground. When it is passed, Squitter disappears and the Kongs reappear.

The two primates must continue through the rest of the level without the Animal Buddy and travel up a few small ledges to reach an Animal Barrel containing Rattly. When they enter this barrel, they are transformed into the buddy, who must then use his jumping powers to get onto a higher ledge to the left. He can also head east to find a hidden Barrel Cannon high in the air that can blast him to a Banana Coin and then farther into the level. If Rattly heads right from the previously-mentioned ledge, he comes up to several platforms that are separated by small gaps. After he climbs onto the highest of the platforms, located at the rightmost side of the area, he can find a higher platform to his left that stands under a Zinger and another platform. A Bonus Barrel is located to the left of the Zinger, who can be bounced on to reach a Zinger floating higher in the air. If Rattly manages to bounce on this foe, he can reach the higher platform, which supports a formation of bananas that create an arrow pointing north.

Using his super-jump, he must bounce high into the air to land on a ledge that is positioned to the left of a slightly larger platform. An additional platform with a Kaboing on it follows. With the use of a ledge to the right of this, Rattly is able to reach a higher area that is full of multiple platforms. The DK Coin is located to the left of these many platforms. Once Rattly climbs to the highest part in the room with the platforms, he can find a Zinger blocking a small opening in the ceiling that he must jump through to progress. He can use his super-jump move or bounce on the Zinger to reach a higher piece of ground that is placed under a few platforms that a Zinger flies over. Some more platforms and a Zinger are above here that can be jumped to in order to discover the letter O under a ceiling. An arrow created by a formation of bananas is located to the right of these platforms, and it leads the rattlesnake to a Zinger and then to another set of bananas that form an arrow pointing upwards. Rattly must follow the arrows and jump up to reach a small ledge and then another that supports a No Animal Sign that makes him turn back into the Kongs when passed. From here, the primates must climb a single chain found ahead of them to reach a Star Barrel.

A set of chains hang to the left of the special barrel. A pair of Spinies walk under the chains, while several Klingers slide along them. The Kongs must climb the chains to reach a higher area with a DK Barrel and three small alcoves containing Kaboings. An Animal Barrel containing Squawks is on a ledge next to the final alcove, and when the primates enter it, they are turned into the parrot buddy, who must then use his flying abilities to travel upwards along a formation of bananas that create an arrow. Soon, he comes up to the pathway leading west, which contains a few Zingers and a banana. After flying through more the pathway, which is full of several sharp turns and Zingers, he reaches a group of bananas that form an arrow, directing him to head upwards. Two Banana Bunches and a Banana Coin are hidden under the arrow, which Squawks must then follow to progress towards a few moving Zingers. Shortly after passing the third Zinger, he finds another set of bananas that form an arrow pointing upwards. As he follows the arrow, he passes two Krooks standing to the left and right sides of him in front of separate alcoves. The Krook to the left guards an alcove with the letter N in it, while the other guards a lone banana.

If he continues up from here, he approaches a DK Barrel and a fork-in-the-road. He can either take the path to the left or the one to the right. Both paths are nearly identical, as they both contain several Zingers and a few Spinies that are in similar positions. The pathways soon meet up by another passage that leads upwards and then to the left towards a Zinger and some bananas. Squawks comes up to several more sharp turns in the passage as he continues, and some parts of it are blocked by Zingers he is able to defeat with his nut projectiles. After reaching an arrow pointing upwards, which is created by bananas, he can find the letter G in the area directed by the arrow. A solid piece of land with a Spiny walking on it is ahead, and a few Zingers block the passage after it. Once the Zingers are passed, the parrot reaches another Spiny and a curved passage leading to a No Animal Sign. When the sign is passed, the Kongs turn back to normal. A Spiny and few sets of chains with Klingers climbing all over them are ahead of here. If the heroes climb the chains in the far right side of the area, they can find a solid piece of ground with a Banana Bunch, a Banana Coin, and two Extra Life Balloons on it. A spring is ahead of these items, and once the heroes bounce on it, they complete the level.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: Near the beginning of the level, the Kongs, as Rattly, enter an area full of platforms. Rattly must head to the east side of the area to find the letter K above one of the platforms.
 * O: Shortly before the Star Barrel, Rattly reaches an area with two sets of Zingers. He must jump on either one of the sets to reach a higher platform with an Auto Fire Barrel on it. If he chooses to jump along the set of Zingers to the right, he makes his way towards the letter O as he climbs.
 * N: After the halfway point, Squawks enters a wide area containing red and yellow Zingers that move around the area in a circular path. The letter N is in an alcove in the right side of this room.
 * G: The last alcove before Squitter's Animal Barrel contains the letter G.

Bonus Level

 * Near the end of the level, Squitter must build his web platforms up to the first Zinger he sees against the wall to the right. He has to defeat this foe, and then go through the wall behind it. If he does so, he is able to make his way to the nearby Bonus Barrel, leading to the Bonus Level. Here, the spider must build more web platforms to climb to the top of the Bonus Stage. There are brambles all around him, so he must be careful when he jumps. If he gets to the top of the area within 30 seconds, he is awarded with a Kremkoin to grab with the remaining time.

DK Coin

 * After Rattly finds some bananas in the formation of the letter A, he must jump up and get over several thin platforms. After the last platform, he can find a Zinger between two structures. The snake must defeat this foe and fall down the small gap below it to make his way into a small alcove, where the DK Coin is located.

Golden Feather (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * To get the Golden Feather, Rattly must enter an area filled with platforms, where he can find the letter K. Then, he should bounce down to the platform below it and perform a super jump. He is able to grab the feather in mid-air when doing this.

Photograph (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * After the Kongs turn into Squitter, they have to build webs past the level's Bonus Stage to find a Zinger with a photograph over its head. If the spider defeats this enemy, he is given a photograph to help add a picture to the Kongs' scrapbook, exclusively in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: After Squitter passes the second Spiny in the level, he comes up to the letter K near a wall.
 * O: Just before Rattly crosses his No Animal Sign, he reaches a Zinger that floats in the center of an area full of platforms. If Rattly chooses to climb to the platform above this Zinger, he can find the letter O high in the air.
 * N: After the level's halfway point, the Kongs, as Squawks, approach a pair of Krooks to the left and right of them. If Squawks passes the Krook to the left, he can find the letter N in a small alcove.
 * G: Shortly before Squawks's No Animal Sign, the parrot reaches a formation of bananas that direct him to the north, where the letter G can be found.

Bonus Level

 * Near the beginning of the level, Rattly meets the level's first Zinger. Instead of jumping on this foe to reach the next ledge, the snake should simply hop right past it to enter the Bonus Barrel. Once he is in the Bonus Level, he has to bounce off of many insects to make his way across a wide gap. If he reaches the other side within the time limit of 10 seconds, he can grab the Kremkoin and exit the bonus with the remaining time.

DK Coin

 * At short while after the first Bonus Barrel, Rattly accesses a large area filled with many platforms. On the first level of platforms, he must bounce his way to the left. He should see the DK Coin in a small alcove around this area.