Lift-off Launch

Lift-off Launch is the forty-eighth level in the Nintendo Wii game, Donkey Kong Country Returns, as well as the eighth level in the Factory world.

This level is unique compared to other levels in the Donkey Kong Country series because it not only lacks K-O-N-G Letters and Puzzle Pieces, but also features a Rocket Barrel that rides vertically instead of horizontally, without leading the Kongs to a boss in the same level. Additionally, it is the shortest level in the game and can only be accessed if Donkey or Diddy 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. A Rocket Barrel is in this rocket, which the primates ride the rocket out of into the skies.

When the primates 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 the Rocket Barrel explodes if it smashes into them. After the primates dodge the ships for some time, one of the ships begin 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.