Torchlight Trouble

Torchlight Trouble is the twenty-first level of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Donkey Kong Country and twenty-second in the Game Boy Advance remake. It is also the fifth level of the Gorilla Glacier area and the sixth level of the same world in the remake (having switched places with Rope Bridge Rumble). It is the only level in Donkey Kong Country to feature Squawks the Parrot.

This is one of the most unique cave levels in the game, as it welcomes a new hazard: darkness. Throughout the whole level, the area is pitch black, too dark for the Kongs to see. Luckily, the Animal Friend, Squawks the Parrot appears with his bright torchlight to shed light around the cave. When this is done, the primates are able to see some of the cave, although the areas behind and above them remain dark, causing quite a challenge to the level. As the heroes are guided by a narrow ray of light, they are greeted by the enemies, Klumps, Krushas, and Mincers. Alongside all these foes are Oil Drums, which serve as obstacles due to their flames.

Level Layout
The Kongs can find a DK Barrel above them as soon as they enter the level. Squawks joins them as they walk in, lighting their path. A Klump marches to the left of a small gap with the letter K in it, which is surrounded by two Oil Drums. A lower platform holding another Klump is located on the right side of the abyss. Another platform carrying two additional Oil Drums and a third Klump is just ahead after a slightly larger pit. This is followed by a wide abyss that can only be crossed with the use of a platform that moves in a horizontal path across the pit. The letter O floats above it. A larger platform is on the opposite side of the abyss with two Oil Drums on the outside of it. A Klump patrols the area between them. Another small platform moves within an abyss nearby, but it moves in a vertical path. The Kongs must jump on it to reach a much larger piece of land with two more Oil Drums and a Klump on it. If the primates continue, they can find another platform moving in a vertical path above a pit. It can help them reach a higher piece of land with another pair of Oil Drums on it. There is an additional Oil Drum in a lower area after a nearby gap. The level's Star Barrel waits next to it.

A low ceiling hangs in front of the heroes to the right of the barrel. They must crawl under it to pass it. As they crawl, they run into a DK Barrel and a few bananas. On the long, raised area of ground, the heroes can find a bumpy path leading past several Mincers. A Krusha marches between each Mincer, and a barrel also sits at the beginning of the area. A higher piece of land is after the third Mincer with two Krushas on it. After crossing a small gap, the two friends make their way onto a solid piece of land with two Mincers and a Krusha on it. A sign indicating that the level is almost over stands in the center of the platform. Once the Kongs jump over another small gap near here, they find themselves on a platform with a lone Mincer on it. This is followed by an abyss with a small, moving platform in it. It moves in a vertical path, so it can lift them up onto a higher area nearby. The letter N floats near the platform. Once the higher area is reached, the primates can find many Mincers ahead of them. A lone Krusha marches between the first two Mincers, while the final Mincer moves slightly up and down at the edge of a ledge. If the heroes drop down the ledge, they can find a wooden exit sign, indicating that the passage ahead leads out of the level.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: A gap with the letter K in it is immediately after the first Oil Drum in the level. A super-jump is required to grab it safely.
 * O: The letter O is in the second abyss in the level, which must be crossed with the use of a moving platform.
 * N: The letter N is in the last abyss before the final area of Mincers and Krushas. A super-jump must be used to reach it safely.
 * G: In the second Bonus Level, the letter G can be seen hidden at the side of the area above the entrance.

Bonus Levels

 * Shortly after the Star Barrel, the Kongs can find a lone barrel sitting next to a Krusha. They should pick up the barrel and throw it against the wall below to reveal an opening. They must walk into it to enter the first Bonus Level. Here, they have to hit three barrels so each picture on them matches. Once the match is made, the Kongs are awarded and then exit the stage.
 * At the end of the level, the primates can discover another barrel. They must pick it up and jump over the Mincer to the right to land near the exit sign. There, they should blast away the wall to the left and enter the passage they create. They enter a Bonus Level, where they must jump on a Klaptrap to earn many Banana Bunches. When the Klaptrap is defeated, the Kongs are able to exit the bonus. If the enemy hits them, they are forced out of it without all of the Banana Bunches.

Photograph (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * The Kongs can find a camera icon above the level's exit. If they grab it, they earn a picture of Squawks in the ninth page of their scrapbook.

Trivia

 * If the player did not break open Squawks's Animal Crate at the beginning of the level, he will still show up with his flashlight if the player had reached the checkpoint barrel and lost a life afterwards or if they entered a bonus level.
 * The blinding flash that occurs when Squawks faces the screen was removed from the Virtual Console rereleases of Donkey Kong Country, presumably to reduce the risk of seizure.