Flotsam
- “Floatsam is a stingray that cruises ceaselessly back and forth.”
- —Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest manual, page 29
Flotsams are spotted stingrays that inhabit the waters of Crocodile Isle. Their name is derived from the word "flotsam", which is leftovers from a shipwreck. Flotsams come in two colors: blue and green. Blue Flotsam swim in only one direction, while the green Flotsam can change their direction from left to right, especially after reaching a wall.
History
Donkey Kong series
Donkey Kong Land
A Flotsam-like boss appears in Donkey Kong Land, by the name Wild Sting. It is able to move above water, and must be jumped on several times to be defeated. Alternatively, this stingray could be the creative inspiration or the forerunner of Flotsam; the two games had overlapping development periods due to both being released in 1995, so either is a possibility.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Flotsams are one of the most common underwater enemies in the game, encountered in almost every water-involved level. They simply float through the water and make no real effort in attacking Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong. However if the Kongs are in the path of a Flotsam, it will continue to swim forward, not needing to avoid contact. Flotsams can only be defeated with help from Enguarde the Swordfish.
Donkey Kong Land 2
Flotsams also appear in Donkey Kong Country 2's pseudo-sequel Donkey Kong Land 2. There is no difference between these Flotsams and those of Donkey Kong Country 2.
Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku
In Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku, Flotsam makes a cameo appearance in Freestyle Zone, as one of the enemies whose artwork appears on screen as the player hits the DK Bongos.
Super Mario-kun
A Flotsam makes a brief cameo in Volume 14 of Super Mario-Kun. The last part of the book has a series of comics based on Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, including a 'find the differences' activity between several enemies, including Flotsam.
Gallery
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest sprite (blue)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest sprite (green)
Donkey Kong Land 2 sprite
Donkey Konga 3 texture
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | フロートサム Furōtosamu |
Flotsam |
| German | Floatsam |
Floatsam |
Trivia
- The manual for Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest misspells Flotsam's name as Floatsam in the same section where it is titled "Flotsam". In the Donkey Kong Land 2 manual, it is spelled "Floatsam" in both instances. The manual for the Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country 2 uses "Flotsam" in both instances.
