Loopy Lights

Loopy Lights is the thirty-second level in Donkey Kong Country. It is also the fourth level of the Chimp Caverns area. In the Game Boy Color version, Loopy Lights is instead the fifth level because of an additional level, Necky Nutmare, making Loopy Lights the thirty-third overall level.

The level takes place in a mine. It is similar to Stop & Go Station because it features barrels that affect the environment of the level, in this case, On & Off Barrels, which affect the lighting. By default, the barrels are set to 'Off', which makes the whole area dark. This effect is similar to Blackout Basement, although in Loopy Lights, the enemies' eyes remain visible. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong can jump at the barrels to temporarily turn on the lights, allowing them to see the path ahead. The Kongs must avoid Kritters and Zingers along the way and jumping Klaptraps. There is also a Manky Kong at the end. In the Game Boy Color and the Game Boy Advance remakes, while dark, the level is far more visible than in the original version.

Layout
When the level begins, the Kongs find themselves under a barrel switch that displays the word, "Off." If they hit it, the lights turn on, putting a purple Klaptrap near a ledge in view. Another barrel switch can be found on the top of the ledge just before a small pit with the third barrel switch on the other side of it. As the Kongs approach a DK Barrel near here, a purple Klaptrap marches towards them. They find another one of these Klaptraps shortly after here next to another barrel switch that can be used to illuminate the area for a limited amount on time. The primates can find a pit containing a moving platform ahead. They can use the platform to cross and access an area with another purple Klaptrap and a barrel switch. Another wide abyss is ahead, but the Kongs can cross it with the aid of two small platforms that move across it. On the other side of the pit, they can find a barrel switch and a purple Klaptrap, who is followed by a smaller abyss containing a stationary platform with a tire sticking out of it. The Kongs encounter two more purple Klaptraps on the opposite end of the pit, and a tire sits between them, which can help the two primates bounce to a barrel switch high in the air. Six small platforms float in an abyss near here. The primates can use the stationary platforms to cross the wide pit and access an area containing a barrel switch on a high piece of ground. Purple Klaptraps march nearby at a lower elevation, which is followed by a small pit with another barrel switch above it. Several large, solid platforms stand ahead of here. The first of the platforms holds a group of bananas, while the letter O can be found between the second and third platforms. A few purple Klaptraps also travel through this area, which is followed by a long pathway leading to a barrel switch and the level's Continue Barrel.

A barrel switch is placed immediately after here that can be hit to activate the lights again, as hitting all other barrel switches in the level does. After dropping down a small ledge near here, the primates encounter a Kritter hopping over a small alcove in the ground, which contains a DK Barrel. A raised piece of ground with a tire and a Kritter on it can be discovered next to a nearby barrel switch. The heroes can push the tire under another barrel switch found high in the air and then bounce on it to reach the most recently discovered switch. An abyss is ahead that can be crossed with the assistance of a small, moving platform that hovers back and forth over the whole pit. The primates can find a couple of purple Klaptraps in the area ahead of here, which also contains another barrel switch that floats near a small pit. On the other side of this abyss, the Kongs can find many small ledges that they must climb to reach the top of a pyramid-like structure.

At the top of this area, a Necky on a barrel switch can be found, along with a simple barrel that can be used to defeat enemies or open secret areas. Several more ledges that lead to the bottom of the pyramid-like structure are ahead, and a small pit is at the bottom of them. The heroes can find a barrel switch and a raised piece of land with a purple Klaptrap on it on the opposite side of this pit. More purple Klaptraps march near the next barrel switch, which is followed by an abyss that can only be crossed with the aid of two small platforms in it that move back and forth in a vertical path. A Kritter can be found on the other side of the pit near another barrel switch. Four tires are located after here in a wide abyss, each with a tire on it. Using the platforms, they can cross in order to access an area containing a high piece of land with a barrel switch at the end of it.

The duo can find a long pathway ahead of here consisting of a great extent of Zingers that float in place and move. The letter G is located behind one of the Zingers, who is followed by two more of the wasp enemies and a barrel switch. After crossing a small pit that follows this area of Zingers, the primates can find a sign that indicates that the level is near complete and several small ledges. Several barrels being thrown by a Manky Kong found ahead roll down the ledges as the heroes climb them. They meet the Manky Kong under a barrel switch at the highest ledge, which is followed by a small pit. When the Kongs cross it, they land on a raised piece of land with another barrel switch in front of it. Once the Kongs drop down the raised piece of ground and travel slightly farther into the level, they come up to an exit sign and a small tunnel that leads out of the level. A purple Klaptrap guards the exit.

Trivia

 * In the Japanese version, an extra DK Barrel was added near the level's first Necky.
 * In the original version, Loopy Lights has the same background as the boardwalk levels, while in the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance versions use the mine background.