Lift-off Launch

Lift-off Launch is the fifty-fourth level in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, as well as the eighth level in the Factory world.

This level is unique compared to other levels in the Donkey Kong Country series, as it lacks many components from other levels, being the K-O-N-G Letters, Puzzle Pieces, Time Attack, and the Mirror Mode variant. The main feature of the level is a Rocket Barrel that rides vertically instead of horizontally. Additionally, it is the shortest level in the game and can only be accessed if Donkey or Diddy Kong find the three hidden switches in Cog Jog, Switcheroo, and Music Madness. Similar to other factory levels, it begins in a factory, where the Kongs must enter a large rocket. To the right of the rocket, a Lightbulb can be found, and it can be blown to get a collectible. A Rocket Barrel is entered when the Kong's enter the rocket, which they launch out of into the skies.

When the Kongs begin riding, they rise above the trees and head towards a trail of bananas and an Extra Life Balloon. As they progress higher, the sky becomes darker, and they ascend through a narrow passageway of factory walls. Floating ships full of Tiki enemies are just ahead of here and act as obstacles. After the primates dodge the ships for some time, one of the ships begins to drop many bananas. When they pass this ship, they rise slightly higher until reaching the next level, Feather Fiend, which is up near the entrance to the Volcano.

Trivia

 * The platforms and ladders in the background near the beginning of the level resemble those of the original Donkey Kong.
 * The iron structure in the beginning of this level resembles a Dark Aether portal from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, a game also made by Retro Studios.
 * The start area of this level reappears in Frozen Frenzy in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, except it lacks a rocket and is more expanded.