Wild Wendell

Wild Wendells are reptilian enemies appearing in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port. They resemble blue-skinned tortoises wearing pilot gear, in keeping with the island's plane wreck motif. They have a large, round shell on their back.

Wild Wendells only appear in the first island, Lost Mangroves. Their first appearance is in the very first level, Mangrove Cove, where a group of green, Wild Wendell lookalikes can also be seen lounging on a background isle. However, these individuals only pose as decoration.

Wild Wendells appear on both land and water, moving slowly from side to side. They do not actively attack the Kongs but still take away a heart upon direct contact. A stomp on a ground Wild Wendell causes it to temporarily retreat inside its shell for a short time, similar to Koopa Troopas from the Super Mario series. While it is immobilized inside its shell, Donkey Kong can pick up the Wild Wendell and defeat it by throwing it. The Wild Wendell can also be used as a projectile to knock out other enemies and obstacles, or even to break fragile walls usually leading to hidden items or a Bonus Level. The Kongs can also defeat Wild Wendells from a roll attack.

The Kongs cannot stun and pick up aquatic Wild Wendells, although they can bounce on them indefinitely; this is useful for reaching higher areas. These Wild Wendells can only be defeated by using a corkscrew attack on its belly.