Editing Donkey Kong Country

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{{articleabout|the game Donkey Kong Country|other uses of the name "Donkey Kong Country"|[[Donkey Kong Country (disambiguation)|here]]}}
{{redirectshere|DKC|''Donkey Kong Classics''|[[Donkey Kong Classics|here]]}}
{{Infobox
|image=[[File:Boxart dkc front.png|250px]]
|developer=[[Rare, Ltd.|Rareware]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|released='''SNES'''<br>{{releasedate|USA|November 21, 1994<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbHL8-XkXMA</ref>|Europe|November 24, 1994|Japan|November 26, 1994<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/8x/</ref>}}
'''Game Boy Color'''<br>{{releasedate|Europe|November 17, 2000|USA|November 20, 2000<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20010417201559/http://pocket.ign.com/news/28020.html</ref>|Japan|January 21, 2001}}
'''Game Boy Advance remake'''<br>{{releasedate|Europe|June 6, 2003|USA|June 9, 2003|Australia|June 20, 2003<ref>http://palgn.com.au/handheld/537/donkey-kong-country-details/</ref>|Japan|December 12, 2003}}
'''Wii Virtual Console'''<br>{{releasedate|Australia|December 7, 2006|Europe|December 8, 2006|Japan|December 12, 2006|USA|February 19, 2007|South Korea|May 26, 2008}}
'''Wii U Virtual Console'''<br>{{releasedate|Europe|October 16, 2014|Australia|October 17, 2014}}
|genre=Platformer
|modes=1-2 players
|ratings={{ratings|esrb=K-A}}{{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|cero=A}}
|platforms=[[Super Famicom]]/[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]], [[Wii U]])
|media={{container|snes=1|gbc=1|gba=1|wiidl=1|wiiudl=1}}
|input={{input|snes=1|gbc=1|gba=1|classic=1|wiigcn=1|wiiuclassic=1|wiiupro=1}}
}}
'''''Donkey Kong Country''''' is a game for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] released in 1994. It is known for being the first game to use pre-rendered sprites, creating a 3D effect throughout the game. It is the first game in the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]] and has four sequels: ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'', and ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''. It also has a similar semi-sequel, titled ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'', and a [[Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge|rare competition variant]]. The game stars [[Donkey Kong]], along with his buddy [[Diddy Kong]], in his debut, as the two travel across [[Donkey Kong Island]] in search for the [[Banana Hoard]]. This was also the last game to be relased on [[Game Boy Color]] in the US.

The game was remade for the [[Game Boy Color]] in 2000 and was also remade again for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2003. The two remakes feature some new Bonus Games, the ability to save in the overworld, and several other new elements. ''Donkey Kong Country'' was also released on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in 2006 and 2007, being the same as the original version. The trilogy was delisted from the Virtual Console in November 2012 for unknown reasons.

==Storyline==
During a stormy night on Donkey Kong Island, Diddy Kong is told by Donkey Kong to guard his Banana Hoard for his "hero training" until midnight, when Donkey Kong will take over. While watching for predators beneath the darkness, that young monkey becomes attacked by a [[Krusha]]. The villain traps the monkey inside a [[DK Barrel]] and steals the Banana Hoard along with the other Kremlings, dropping a fruit trail on the way. Next morning, a loud calling of his name wakes Donkey Kong. Realizing that he has slept through his watch, the big ape quickly exits his tree house, only to find Cranky Kong, who tells him hints about the Kremlings stealing the hoard. Donkey Kong soon realizes that both his Banana Hoard and Diddy Kong are missing and sets out to find them. After finding Diddy in a barrel, both Donkey and Diddy head out to find the stolen Banana Hoard.<ref>''Donkey Kong Country Instruction Booklet'', Nintendo, 1994, p. 4-7</ref>

[[File:G0bananas65.png|thumb|left|200px|Donkey Kong celebrating the recovery of his Banana Hoard.]]
On their travels, the two heroes tread through deep jungles, mines, forests, temples, snowy mountains, caves, and several other regions of the island, fighting many enemies and bosses on the way. With assistance from [[Cranky Kong|Cranky]], [[Funky Kong|Funky]], and [[Candy Kong]], the monkeys eventually reach a large ship known as the [[Gangplank Galleon]], where they meet the Kremling Krew's leader, King K. Rool. The Kongs soon "defeat" the foe, only to find the king to get back up and fight with a new set of attacks. However, the duo manages to bring him down a second time, this time defeating the crocodile once and for all. After King K. Rool's defeat, Cranky Kong congratulates the heroes, who then tells them to check the Banana Hoard. They do so, finding that the bananas have been returned.

In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, a short cutscene is seen at the beginning of the game when DK's bananas are stolen and after King K. Rool's defeat, where Cranky, Funky, and Candy Kong congratulate the apes on their victory. King K. Rool soon recovers and forces them off the ship, sailing away.
<br clear=all>

==Gameplay==
The game introduces the "tag-team" system, where Diddy and Donkey Kong follow each other throughout each level. However, the monkey in the front of the group is the Kong in play, so the other Kong simply follows behind the other. If the hero in play is injured, he quickly runs off the screen, and the Kong behind him takes his place as the character in play. In cases like this, only one Kong is on the screen at the time, as the other is defeated. If the lone Kong is injured by an enemy, the player loses an [[Extra Life]] and must restart the level from the beginning or by the [[Star Barrel]]. Fortunately, any Kong that is missing can be recovered by breaking open a [[DK Barrel]]; however, these special barrels do not appear many times in most levels. When a hero is freed from a DK Barrel, he heads to the back of the group behind the Kong in play and is not able to be controlled until the Kong in the lead is injured or if the player hits {{button|snes|A}} to switch characters. Then Donkey Kong hi-fives with Diddy and switches places, or vice versa.

Only one Kong appears on the screen at a time in the Game Boy Color version of the game, and a DK Barrel appears at the corner of the screen instead when there is more than one Kong in the group. Also, the Kongs do not run off the screen in the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance remakes as they rather fall off the screen.

===Kong Abilities===
[[File:DKCI4365.jpg|200px|thumb|Donkey Kong swings on a rope in the level, [[Ice Age Alley]].]]
While both Kongs have different abilities, they have the same basic moves. Both Donkey and Diddy are able to jump, [[cartwheel]] (or roll), climb, and swim to pass through levels. The most commonly used basic abilities are the jump and cartwheel moves, which help the heroes cross gaps and defeat enemies. While cartwheeling is often used to pummel into weaker foes, it can also be used as part of the super-jump technique. Both characters can use this move by simply cartwheeling off a cliff and jumping in mid-air. This gives them both a longer jump to cross wider abysses. 

Other than jumping and cartwheeling, the Kongs can also use their climbing and swimming abilities to traverse levels. Climbing can only be done on ropes, which can swing the primates over gaps if they cling onto them. Some ropes are stationary, which means that the Kongs can take advantage of their climbing abilities on them to head up the rope to a higher area. Another move both Kongs can perform is their swimming ability which can only be done inside of the water in the underwater levels.

[[File:BarrelRide65.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Diddy rides on a Steel Keg.]]
Both Kongs also have some different abilities, as well as different stats. Diddy is faster and more agile than Donkey Kong; however, he is not as strong as him and has difficulty defeating stronger enemies such as [[Krusha]]s and [[Klump]]s. Donkey Kong is stronger and slower than him, and he also has his own unique move called [[Hand Slap]]. The Hand Slap move allows him to defeat enemies and find hidden objects in the ground or on treetops. 

Another difference between the two Kongs is how they pick up and throw barrels. When Diddy Kong picks up barrels, he holds them in from of his body, protecting him from any enemies in his way. However, Donkey Kong holds barrels above his head, leaving his whole body vulnerable to enemy attacks. Additionally, Donkey Kong throws his barrels slightly further than Diddy, making Donkey Kong more likely to hit enemies from another distance. If the primates throw a [[Steel Keg]] against a wall, they are able to jump on the barrel as it rolls back and balance on it.

===Special Areas===
[[File:CrankyCabin.png|200px|thumb|The special area, Cranky's Cabin.]]
The other members of the [[Kong Family]] clan in these special areas which assist Donkey and Diddy while they are adventuring.

*'''[[Cranky's Cabin]]''': This area is run by [[Cranky Kong]], who the heroes meet here to hear him talking about some random hints and random rambling about how the 8-bit era was better than the 16-bit era. There is one Cranky's Cabin in every world.
*'''[[Candy's Save Point]]''': This area is run by [[Candy Kong]]. The Kongs can travel here in any world to save their game for free. In the Game Boy Color remake, this area is replaced by Candy's Challenge where the monkeys have to go through a Bonus Level and collect a golden coin. In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, the area is replaced by '''[[Candy's Dance Studio]]''', where Candy hosts a dance [[mini-game]], which can be won to earn collectibles.
*'''[[Funky's Flights]]''': In this special area, the Kongs can meet [[Funky Kong]] and use his [[Jumbo Barrel]] to travel to any unlocked world. In the Game Boy Advance remakes, the area is replaced by '''[[Funky's Fishing]]''', where Funky hosts a fishing mini-game along with having the Jumbo Barrel. In the game, the Kongs must catch fish while riding on Enguarde to win prizes.

==Items and Objects==
===Collectibles and Mechanisms===
During their adventure, Diddy and Donkey run in a variety of collectibles and objects, some helpful, and some harmful. Many of these objects are listed below.
{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
|-
| align="center" |[[File:BananaSprite65.png]]
![[Banana]]s
|These are the most common items in the game, and appear almost everywhere in every level (excluding boss levels). They are very similar to [[coin]]s from the ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' series, as collecting 100 of them gives the Kongs an extra life.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:BunchoBanana65.png]]
![[Banana|Banana Bunch]]es
|These items are very similar to bananas, except that they are worth ten bananas rather than one. Although they are very common, they are usually harder to find then normal bananas and can sometimes be hidden in hard to reach places. Ten of these equal an Extra Life. 
|-
| align="center" |[[File:RambiToken65.PNG]]
![[Animal Tokens]]
|These items are special tokens in the shape of the game's various Animal Friends (excluding [[Squawks the Parrot|Squawks]]). If three of one kind is collected, the Kongs are taken to a bonus area where they must collect many smaller Animal Tokens with the animal carved in the collected tokens (e.g. If three Expresso tokens are collected, the player plays as Expresso in the bonus minigame).
|-
| align="center" |[[File:BalloonDKC65.PNG]]
![[Extra Life Balloon]]s
|Similar to [[1-Up Mushroom]]s from the ''Mario'' series, these balloons give the Kongs extra lives when collected. The balloons come in three different colors: Red, blue, and green. The red Extra Life Balloons grant the primates with one extra life, green Extra Life Balloons give them two lives, and the rare blue Extra Life Balloons give them three lives.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:KONGDKC65.PNG]]
![[K-O-N-G Letters]]
|Four of these special objects are hidden in every level (excluding boss levels), and each letter put together spells the word "KONG." If the Kongs collect all four letters in a level, they are awarded with an extra life. Each letter is found in order, meaning that the letter K is found first in the levels, then the O, then the N, and the letter G is found last. Additionally, letters much like the K-O-N-G Letters appear in certain Bonus Levels, where they must be hit in order to spell out a word.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:RambiBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Animal Crate]]s
|These semi-common crates contain Animal Friends, and are placed in both normal levels and Bonus Levels. The type of Animal Friend freed from the crate depends on the picture on the object. In the Game Boy Color remake, the crates transform the monkeys into a certain Animal Friend depending on the marking on the crate.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:TireDKC65.PNG]]
![[Tire]]s
|Tires appear in many levels throughout the game, and they bounce the heroes to high areas. Half tires are stationary, while the other tires that are full can be pushed into different areas.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:RopeDKC65.PNG]]
![[Rope]]s
|These common objects appear in many levels, and the Kongs can climb up and down on them to progress. Most ropes in the game swing over wide abysses, so the primates can use them to cross the gaps. In [[Slipslide Ride]], blue and purple ropes appear that pull the heroes up and down automatically.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:MineCartDKC65.PNG]]
![[Cart|Mine Cart]]s
|These rather uncommon objects are seen only in mine levels, and automatically begin to move on the track when entered. The Kongs are able to jump while on them so they can head over broken part of the track. Sometimes, broken mine carts appear on the track as an obstacle.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:FallingPlatformDKC65.PNG]]<br>[[File:PlatformDKC65.PNG]]
![[Platform]]s
|Many platforms appear throughout the game. Although most of them are stationary, some move back and fourth over gaps. Later in the game, platforms with arrows appear, and they move in the direction depending on the arrow point's direction symbol when stepped on. Other moving platforms appear near the end of the game, including one that must constantly be refueled to keep it moving.
|}

===Barrels===
The most common objects in ''Donkey Kong Country'' and its series are barrels. Many different barrels appear throughout this game, each having a different purpose and use. Below shows these uses on the barrels.
{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
|-
| align="center" |[[File:BarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Barrel|Regular Barrels]]
|These ordinary barrels are very common. The barrels can be picked up and thrown at enemies to defeat them. Some barrels do not break when making contact with the ground, and can roll over many different enemies. Diddy Kong can hold these types of barrels and others as a form of defense as well.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Firebarrel.gif]]
![[Barrel Cannon]]s
|Another common type of barrel. They appear in almost every level, and are able to shoot the Kongs over gaps or to other Barrel Cannons. Some Barrel Cannons automatically fire the Kongs when entered, while others must be activated first. Some may also move in a specific direction as first seen in [[Barrel Cannon Canyon]].
|-
| align="center" |[[File:StarBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Star Barrel]]s
|One of these common barrels appear in the middle of every level, excluding boss levels. As their name suggests, they serve as the checkpoint for the levels. If the two heroes are both defeated anytime after breaking the barrel, they appear back in the area the Star Barrel last was when retrying the level.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DKBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[DK Barrel]]s
|DK Barrels are the most common barrels in the game, as several of them appear in every level. If one of the Kongs are missing from the group, the surviving Kong can break one of these barrels to bring their partner back. However, DK Barrels only appear in certain parts of the level. They can also be used just like normal barrels, except that they cannot roll on the ground.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:TNTBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[TNT Barrel]]s
|These common barrels are much like normal barrels, however, they explode when making contact with anything after being thrown. They are often used to destroy powerful foes and break through sensitive walls. 
|-
| align="center" |[[File:SteelBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Steel Keg]]s
|Another common type of barrel. They can be used much like normal barrels, but are harder to break and are silver colored. They can roll into an unlimited amount of enemies and even bounce off walls without breaking. Because of this, the Kongs are able to perform their barrel rolling move on them.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:SGBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Stop and Go Barrels]]
|These uncommon barrels appear in [[Stop & Go Station]], where they are used to control the lights. Go Barrels make the lights illuminating the level green, while Stop Barrels make them red. Hitting the Stop Barrels also makes the [[Rockkroc]]s in the level stop moving when on STOP and begin to move again when the Stop & Go Barrel changes to GO.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:OFF_and_ON_Barrels.PNG|60x39px]]
![[On and Off Barrel]]s
|These barrels only appear in Loopy Lights and act almost like [[Stop and Go Barrels]], except the barrels affect the lighting of the stage making it harder to maneuver. 
|-
| align="center" |[[File:FuelBarrelsprite65.png]]
![[Fuel Barrel]]s
|These barrels only appear in the level, [[Tanked Up Trouble]], but are vital for the Kongs' survival. They are needed to provide fuel for the platforms used in the said level, or otherwise they will fall off the stage if not fueled up enough. Because they are so important, they are often placed in hard to reach places.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:JumboBarrelDKC65.PNG]]
![[Jumbo Barrel|Funky Barrel]]
|A type of Jumbo Barrel. The Funky Barrel can be entered in [[Funky's Flights]], where it flies the duo to any place in the island they have journeyed to. The heroes do not have to pay any fee to use it.
|}

==Levels==
[[File:DKIsland_DKC.png|thumb|200px|The overworld map.]]
''Donkey Kong Country'' features many levels in which the Kongs must successfully complete in order to reach the final boss, including boss levels. The levels are separated into worlds, such as the [[Kongo Jungle]], and each world features five to six levels and one boss stage. Every non-boss level is home to possibly up to five [[Bonus Level]]s, which can optionally be found to finish the game 100%, or to simply collect extra goodies such as Banana Bunches. Unlike in the [[Mario]] series, the player does not have to traverse a whole level to reach the boss. Every level also has its own theme, or "environment." For example, levels such as [[Barrel Cannon Canyon]] are marked as "Jungle" levels, as they take place in a jungle.

Note that the following table lists the levels in the original order on the SNES version of the game.

{| border="1" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 align="center" style="background:whitesmoke" width=99%
! colspan=7 style="background:green" align=center | <big>Levels and Bonus Areas</big>
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:green" align=center | [[Kongo Jungle]]
|- style=background:green align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:green" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 1 || align="center" | [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Jungle || align="center" | Puzzle Plank Galaxy
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 2 || align="center" | [[Ropey Rampage]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Jungle || align="center" | Maple Treeway
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 3 || align="center" | [[Reptile Rumble]] || align="center" | 3 || align="center" | Cave || align="center" | Gaur Plain
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 4 || align="center" | [[Coral Capers]] || align="center" | 0 || align="center" | Coral || align="center" | Jolly Roger Bay
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 5 || align="center" | [[Barrel Cannon Canyon]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Jungle || align="center" | Multi-Man Smash
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 6 || align="center" | BOSS LEVEL: [[Very Gnawty|Very Gnawty's Lair]] || align="center" | 0 || align="center" | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:orange" align=center | [[Monkey Mines]]
|- style=background:orange align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:orange" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 7 || align="center" | [[Winky's Walkway]] || align="center" | 1 || align="center" | Walkway || align="center" | Hello Zepp: by SAW
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 8 || align="center" | [[Mine Cart Carnage]] || align="center" | 0 || align="center" | Mines || align="center" | Jangle Bells (GBA)
|-
|align=center colspan=3 | 9 || align=center | [[Bouncy Bonanza]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Cave || align="center" | Brian Eno -- An Ending
|-
|align=center colspan=3 | 10 || align=center | [[Stop & Go Station]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Mines || align="center" | Beep Block/Flash Black Galaxy
|-
|align=center colspan=3 | 11 || align=center | [[Millstone Mayhem]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Ruins || align="center" | Gritzy Desert
|-
|align=center colspan=3 | 12 || align=center | BOSS LEVEL: [[Master Necky|Necky's Nuts]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:red" align=center | [[Vine Valley (Donkey Kong Country)|Vine Valley]]
|- style=background:red align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:red" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 13 || align=center | [[Vulture Culture]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Forest || align="center" | Try, Try Again (Mario & Luigi: Dream Team)
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 14 || align=center | [[Tree Top Town]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Treetops || align="center" | Guile's Theme
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 15 || align=center | [[Forest Frenzy]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Forest || align="center" | Overworld (New Super Mario Bros.)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 16 || align=center | 18 || align=center | [[Temple Tempest]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Ruins || align="center" | Dusty Dune Galaxy
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 17 || align=center | 16 || align=center | [[Orang-utan Gang]] || align=center | 5 || align=center | Jungle || align="center" | Athletic Theme (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 18 || align=center | 17 || align=center | [[Clam City]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Coral || align="center" | Tunnel Scene (X)
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 19 || align=center | BOSS LEVEL: [[Queen B.|Bumble B. Rumble]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:purple" align=center | [[Gorilla Glacier]]
|- style=background:purple align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:purple" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 20 || align=center | [[Snow Barrel Blast]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Snow || align="center" | Homecoming Hijinx
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 21 || align=center | [[Slipslide Ride]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Ice cave || align="center" | Sherbet Land (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 22 || align=center | 23 || align=center | [[Ice Age Alley]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Snow || align="center" | Walrus Cove
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 23 || align=center | 22 || align=center | [[Croctopus Chase]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Coral || align="center" | Jolly Roger Bay
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 24 || align=center | 25 || align=center | [[Torchlight Trouble]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Cave || align="center" | Pokey Pipes (GBA)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 25 || align=center | 24 || align=center | [[Rope Bridge Rumble]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Treetops || align="center" | Waterfall (Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble)
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 26 || align=center | BOSS LEVEL [[Really Gnawty|Really Gnawty Rampage]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:blue" align=center | [[Kremkroc Industries, Inc.]]
|- style=background:blue align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=31%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:blue" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 27 || align=center | [[Oil Drum Alley]] || align=center | 4 || align=center | Factory || align="center" | Rightside Down/Upside Dizzy Galaxy
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | 28 || align=center | [[Trick Track Trek]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Walkway || align="center" | Music Madness (Donkey Kong Country Returns)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 29 || align=center | 30 || align=center | [[Elevator Antics]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Cave || align="center" | Desktop Dash
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 30 || align=center | 29 || align=center | [[Poison Pond]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Coral || align="center" | Pokey Pipes (GBA)
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 31 || align=center | 32 || align=center | [[Mine Cart Madness]] || align=center | 3 || align=center | Walkway || align="center" | Gaur Plain
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | 32 || align=center | 31 || align=center | [[Blackout Basement]] || align=center | 2 || align=center | Factory || align="center" | Beep Block Skyway
|-
| align=center colspan=3| 33 || align=center | BOSS LEVEL: [[Dumb Drum|Boss Dumb Drum]] || align=center | 0 || align=center | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:yellow" align=center | [[Chimp Caverns]]
|- style=background:yellow align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:yellow" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 34 || align="center" | [[Tanked Up Trouble]] || align="center" | 1 || align="center" | Walkway || align="center" | Toad's Turnpike
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 35 || align="center" | [[Manic Mincers]] || align="center" | 3 || align="center" | Cave || align="center" | Cavern Caprice (GBA)
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" | 36 || align="center" | [[Misty Mine]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Mines || align="center" | Ice Cave Chant (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong-Quest)
|-
|align="center" | - || align="center" | 37 || align="center" | - || align="center" | [[Necky Nutmare]] || align="center" | 1 || align="center" | Cave || align="center" | Cave Dweller Concert
|-
|align="center" | 37 || align="center" | 38 || align="center" | 37 || align="center" | [[Loopy Lights]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Mines || align="center" | Melty Molten Galaxy
|-
|align="center" | 38 || align="center" | 39 || align="center" | 38 || align="center" | [[Platform Perils]] || align="center" | 2 || align="center" | Walkway || align="center" | Beep Block Skyway
|-
|align="center" | 39 || align="center" | 40 || align="center" | 39 || align="center" | BOSS LEVEL: [[Master Necky Snr.|Necky's Revenge]] || align="center" | 0 || align="center" | Boss arena || align="center" | Bad Boss Boogie
|-
! colspan=7 style="background:pink" align=center | [[Gangplank Galleon]]
|- style=background:pink align=center
!colspan="3" width=5%|#
!rowspan="2" width=35%|Level
!rowspan="2" width=10%|Bonus Areas
!rowspan="2" width=30%|Type of level
!rowspan="2" width=20%|Music theme
|-style="background:pink" align="center"
!width=5%|SNES
!width=5%|GBC
!width=5%|GBA
|-
|align="center" | 40 || align="center" | 41 || align="center" | 40 || align="center" | BOSS LEVEL: [[Gangplank Galleon]] || align="center" | 0 || align="center" | Ship || align="center" | Gang-Plank Galleon
|-
|}

==Characters==
===Playable characters===
The game features two playable characters who try to return the Banana Hoard. Below are these two characters and a description on them.
{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DKDKC65.PNG]]
![[Donkey Kong]]
|The main hero of the game, who has a hoard of bananas under his [[DK's Tree House|tree house]]. Donkey Kong is much stronger and heavier than his partner, Diddy Kong, and can therefore defeat more powerful enemies. He also has his own move, the [[Hand Slap]] which can defeat certain enemies and reveal hidden objects. Donkey Kong's power will regain after getting bananas 1 to 99 before getting a life.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DiddyKDKC65.PNG]]
![[Diddy Kong]]
|This young ape is the best friend of Donkey Kong and a hero in training who sets out with Donkey Kong to recover the Banana Hoard during the events of the game. Although he is not as strong as his partner, he is a bit faster. However, his light weight keeps him from being able to defeat more powerful enemies in a single jump. 
|}

===Supporting characters===
With the two playable to Kongs, there are also some non-playable apes who help them out in the game's [[Donkey Kong Country#Special Areas|special areas]]. The table below describes these helpers and names them.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
|-
| align="center" |[[File:CandyKDKC65.png]]
![[Candy Kong]]
|Known to be Donkey Kong's girlfriend, this Kong runs [[Candy's Save Point]] (or Candy's Challenge or [[Candy's Dance Studio]] in the Game Boy Advance version). She allows the Kongs to save their game in the SNES version, play a bonus mini-game in the Game Boy Color version, or performs in a dance contest with them in the Game Boy Advance remake. 
|-
| align="center" |[[File:CrankyKDKC65.PNG]]
![[Cranky Kong]]
|This old ape resides in [[Cranky's Cabin]], where he gives the heroes random hints on how to complete the game. He is convinced that he is the best video game hero, and does not believe the apes can complete their adventure without his assistance.
|-
| align="center" |[[File:FunkyKDKC65.PNG]]
![[Funky Kong]]
|Funky Kong runs [[Funky's Flights]] in the game's Super Nintendo and Game Boy Color version where he lends the Kongs his [[Jumbo Barrel]] to travel throughout areas of [[Donkey Kong Island]] or [[Funky's Fishing]] in the Game Boy Advance version where he still has the same place as he did in the previous versions just with an additional fishing challenge. He can be seen holding a green surfboard, while wearing a bandanna and a pair of sunglasses.
|}

===Animal Friends===
The supporting Kongs are not the only ones to aid Donkey and Diddy in their quest; the wildlife also help. Each [[Animal Friend]] is prisoner in a crate with their likeness on it. The Kongs can only use the Animal Friends in certain levels, meaning that the Kongs leave their helpers once they exit a level. Each buddy has different abilities, as shown below.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse; background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
!First level appearance
!Last level appearance
|-
| align="center" |[[File:RambiDKC.PNG]]
![[Rambi the Rhino]]
|Rambi is first found halfway through the first level. He is able to ram into most enemies to defeat them, and he can also break entrances to hidden [[Bonus Level]]s along with sensitive walls.
| align="center"|[[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]
| align="center"|[[Manic Mincers]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:EnguardeDKC.PNG]]
![[Enguarde the Swordfish]]
|Enguarde is an Animal Friend that is exclusively found in underwater levels. The Kongs have better control underwater while riding him, and his sharp bill is able to defeat many enemies on the way.
| align="center"|[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center"|[[Poison Pond]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:WinkyDKC.PNG]]
![[Winky the Frog]]
|Winky can defeat most enemies by jumping on them, some being ones that the monkeys cannot defeat by themselves, such as [[Zinger]]s. Winky also jumps very high, providing access to certain Bonus Levels and hidden areas. He is replaced by [[Rattly the Rattlesnake]] in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''.
| align="center"|[[Winky's Walkway]]
| align="center"|[[Rope Bridge Rumble]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:SquawksDKC.PNG]]
![[Squawks the Parrot]]
|Squawks is the only non-rideable Animal Friend in the game along with the only one not having his own face on an Animal Token. He assists the Kongs by carrying a lamp through the level, [[Torchlight Trouble]], which helps them see in the dark cave. He can not be hurt by enemies.
| align="center"|[[Torchlight Trouble]]
| align="center"|[[Torchlight Trouble]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:ExpressoDKC.PNG]]
![[Expresso the Ostrich]]
|Expresso has the ability to dash through areas at a fast pace because of his sneakers. He can also glide through the air temporarily, much like [[Dixie Kong]] can in later ''Donkey Kong Country'' installments. Enemies smaller than Expresso (such as [[Klaptrap]]s) can pass under his legs as well without injuring him.
| align="center"|[[Temple Tempest]]
| align="center"|[[Misty Mine]]
|-
|}

===Enemies===
====Normal enemies====
As with all other ''Donkey Kong'' platformers, ''Donkey Kong Country'' features many different kinds of enemies, who try to defeat the Kongs throughout every level. Below shows the enemies' names, descriptions, and first and last level appearances.
{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
!First level appearance
!Last level appearance
|-
| align="center" |[[File:TheArmy.PNG]]
![[Army]]
|An armadillo enemy who rolls up into a ball and charges at the Kongs to attack. Unlike Donkey, Diddy cannot defeat them in one jump if they are rolled up in a ball, and instead must jump on them once to release them from their attacking state. This leaves them vulnerable to jump attacks. 
| align="center" |[[Ropey Rampage]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Bitesize.png]]
![[Bitesize]]
|A piranha enemy that lives in water. They attack by simply swimming around in the water and into the monkey. These enemies can only be defeated by Enguarde the Swordfish.
| align="center" |[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center" |[[Poison Pond]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Juniorsquirt.gif]]
![[Chomps Jr.]]
|A small, blue shark enemy that, like Bitesizes, swims around the underwater areas of the game. However, they are a little bigger than these fish foes, so they are slightly harder to avoid and too can only be defeated by Enguarde.
| align="center" |[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center" |[[Poison Pond]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Chomps.png]]
![[Chomps]]
|A large, green shark enemy. They, as their name suggests, are the bigger versions of the Chomps Jr. enemies, and take up slightly more space than them in the water. Like other underwater foes, only Enguarde can beat them. 
| align="center" |[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center" |[[Croctopus Chase]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Clampbo.PNG]]
![[Clambo]]
|A clam enemy that throws pearls across the area. They usually hide on the outskirts of levels to throw these objects. They can throw multiple pearls at a time. These enemies cannot be defeated in any way, even with Enguarde.
| align="center" |[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center" |[[Clam City]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Croctopus.png]]
![[Croctopus]]
|An octopus enemy that quickly treads through water to hit the Kongs. They are usually seen heading around platforms in the water, however, in the level, Croctopus Chase, they instead race behind the Kongs in order to hit them. They hide in the first small gap they come up to after chasing them, though. These enemies, like Clambos, cannot be defeated either.
| align="center" |[[Coral Capers]]
| align="center" |[[Croctopus Chase]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Gnawty.png]]
![[Gnawty]]
|A generic beaver enemy. Like Kritters, they are very common, but are weaker than most enemies. They simply walk around in ground levels and try to hit the monkeys. All signs of attacks can defeat them, along with all Animal Friend attacks.
| align="center" |[[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:KlaptrapDKC.PNG]]
![[Klaptrap]]
|A small crocodile enemy that acts much like Gnawties. They simply walk back and fourth through ground levels except for the fact that these enemies try to bite the Kongs with their sharp teeth. Because of this, the primates are not able to attack them with a cartwheel attack from the front, and must instead jump on them. They can cartwheel to defeat them in the back however.
| align="center" |[[Stop & Go Station]]
| align="center" |[[Loopy Lights]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Klumpy.PNG]]
![[Klump]]
|A strong crocodile enemy that patrols some ground levels. Because of their helmets, Diddy Kong is unable to defeat them with a jump attack, unlike Donkey Kong, and must instead defeat them with a cartwheel attack. 
| align="center" |[[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:KrashKlash.PNG]]
![[Krash]]
|A Kremling that only appears riding in mine carts. They ride on the Kongs' track and race toward them to attack. The heroes have no choice but to jump with the carts to avoid them. Sometimes, the Krashes wait in stationary mine carts, which the Kongs can take as their own if they defeat the foes and hijack the carts.
| align="center" |[[Mine Cart Carnage]]
| align="center" |[[Mine Cart Madness]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:KrittersDKC.PNG]]
![[Kritter]]
|The normal species of Kremlings that simply walk around ground levels to defeat the Kongs. Like Gnawties, they can be defeated by any attack.
| align="center" |[[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]
| align="center" |[[Loopy Lights]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Krush.PNG]]
![[Krusha]]
|A muscular crocodile enemy that cannot be defeated by any of Diddy Kong's normal attacks. While Donkey Kong can beat them, he can only do so with a jump.  Rolls and the Hand Slap move result in Krusha laughing at the gorilla. However, if DK does Hand Slap a blue Krusha, he gets one banana per slap.
| align="center" |[[Millstone Mayhem]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DankyMong.PNG]]
![[Manky Kong]]
|A strange ape enemy and a villainous Kong Family member that throws barrels at the Kongs to attack. They have an unlimited supply of barrels, and do not stop throwing the obstacles until defeated. Jumping and cartwheel attacks defeat them.
| align="center" |[[Orang-utan Gang]]
| align="center" |[[Loopy Lights]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Mincer.PNG]]
![[Mincer]]
|A spiked tire obstacle. They are able to move about the areas in levels, and take up much space. They cannot be defeated by any attack, and must simply be avoided at all costs.
| align="center" |[[Torchlight Trouble]]
| align="center" |[[Manic Mincers]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:MinineckDKC.PNG]]
![[Mini-Necky]]
|A little vulture enemy that is, as its name states, a baby Necky. These enemies spit nuts at the Kongs to attack. Sometimes, they fly up and down to shoot nuts to different areas. They can be defeated by any attack.
| align="center" |[[Vulture Culture]] (SNES and GBA versions)<br>[[Winky's Walkway]] (GBC version)
| align="center" |[[Elevator Antics]] (SNES and GBA versions)<br>[[Necky Nutmare]] (GBC version)
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Necky.png]]
![[Necky]]
|A normal vulture enemy that throws nuts at the Kongs from high platforms or fly in place over large gaps, where they can be used as platforms to bounce on. Any attack can defeat these bird foes.
| align="center" |[[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DrumOil.PNG]]
![[Oil Drum]]
|A drum obstacle that emits fire or shoots out enemies, such as Slippas or Gnawties.  Often, they must be used as platforms to cross wide gaps. They can only be destroyed by TNT Barrels.
| align="center" |[[Winky's Walkway]]
| align="center" |[[Misty Mine]] (SNES and GBA versions)<br>[[Necky Nutmare]] (GBC version)
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Rockkrock.PNG]]
![[Rockkroc]]
|A zombie-like Kremling that, when exposed to a red light, crouches into a ball, making itself look like a rock. When under a green light, they dash across areas and try to hit the Kongs. Because of their speed, they are considerably difficult to avoid when not under a red light, which can be triggered by hitting a Stop Barrel. These enemies cannot be defeated, only in the Game Boy Advance remake.
| align="center" |[[Stop and Go Station]]
| align="center" |[[Stop and Go Station]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:MilkSlippa.PNG]]
![[Slippa]]
|A common snake enemy that slithers through cave levels and other ground areas. Like some other enemies, they hurt the heroes when touched, but can be defeated by any attack.
| align="center" |[[Reptile Rumble]]
| align="center" |[[Misty Mine]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:JellySquidge.PNG]]
![[Squidge]]
|A jellyfish type enemy that swims up and down through underwater areas in zigzag lines. They hurt the Kongs when touched, and cannot be defeated by any attack except those used by Enguarde.
| align="center" |[[Croctopus Chase]]
| align="center" |[[Poison Pond]]
|-
| align="center" |[[File:ZingDKC.PNG]]
![[Zinger]]
|A very common wasp enemy that appears in almost every level. These foes must be maneuvered around at all costs, as they fly all around certain areas of the game's levels. Their flight path often depends on the color of the Zinger. The only way to defeat them is by hitting them with barrels or Animal Friends. Red ones can only be defeated by TNT Barrels.
| align="center" |[[Ropey Rampage]]
| align="center" |[[Platform Perils]]
|}

====Bosses====
A boss is found at the end of every world and guards a portion of Donkey Kong's Banana Hoard. Each boss (excluding King K. Rool) is a bigger version of a generic enemy and requires more work to defeat. Below lists these bosses in order of appearance and gives a brief description on them.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:white"
|-style="background:yellow;"
!Image
!Name
!Description
!Level appearance
|-
| align="center" |[[File:VeryGnawty.PNG]]
![[Very Gnawty]]
|A giant Gnawty that jumps around, trying to hit the Kongs. It must be jumped on five times to defeat. Each time the foe is hit, it becomes angrier and faster than the next, making the battle progressively harder. 
| align="center" |Very Gnawty's Lair
|-
| align="center" |[[File:NeckyMaster.PNG]]
![[Master Necky]]
|A giant Necky that creeps its head out of the four corners of the screen, spitting out nuts. The creature spits nuts faster when jumped on, but becomes defeated once Donkey or Diddy Kong jump on its head five times.
| align="center" |Necky's Nuts
|-
| align="center" |[[File:ZingerQueen.PNG]]
![[Queen B.]]
|A giant Zinger that flies around the room. When hit, Queen B. turns red and goes around the stage rampaging up and down and is temporarily invincible until returning to normal. She is often accompanied by several smaller Zingers when red in the Game Boy Advance remake, who protect her from all attacks until they are defeated. Her weak point is her stinger, which must be hit by several barrels to defeat her. She must be hit with [[barrel]]s five times to collapse.
| align="center" |Bumble B. Rumble
|-
| align="center" |[[File:ReallyGnawty.PNG]]
![[Really Gnawty]]
|A foe that is very similar to Very Gnawty. However, it is much faster and has the ability to jump much higher when angry. In the Game Boy Advance remake, Really Gnawty performs one large jump after it is attacked, causing fragile stalagmites to fall from the ceiling and hurt the Kongs. When this boss is jumped on five times, he collapses.
| align="center" |Really Gnawty Rampage
|-
| align="center" |[[File:DumbDrum.PNG]]
![[Dumb Drum]]
|A giant Oil Drum that spawns enemies after it hits the floor, attempting to crush the Kongs. If the primates manage to defeat all the enemies it throws at them, the drum explodes and is defeated. In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, a TNT Barrel appears every time one of the five enemy groups thrown from the boss are defeated. The barrels must be thrown at Dumb Drum five times to defeat it.
| align="center" |Boss Dumb Drum
|-
| align="center" |[[File:MasterNeckySenior.PNG]]
![[Master Necky Snr.]]
|A similar foe to Master Necky. This enemy, however, is much stronger, and sticks his head out of the corners of the screen. He also spits nuts much faster than the latter. He also spits more than one nut at a time at the heroes during the battle, giving them more to dodge. The more jumped on, the more aggressive he gets, making him spit more nuts after each hit. Five jumps on the head defeats this enemy. In the Game Boy Advance remake, Snr. is accompanied with Master Necky in the battle.
| align="center" |Necky's Revenge
|-
| align="center" |[[File:KingKroolDKC.PNG]]
![[King K. Rool]]
|The Kremling that is responsible for stealing Donkey Kong's Banana Hoard, and the final boss. He has a variety of attacks, including throwing his crown, jumping on the apes, and causing cannonballs to rain from the sky. The primates can jump on his head to defeat him, although this can only be done when his crown is off of his head or they get injured.
| align="center" |Gangplank Galleon
|-
|}

==Version differences==
===Game Boy Color===
[[File:Necky Nutmare.png|200px|thumb|Diddy Kong in the new level, Necky Nutmare.]]
The game was ported to the [[Game Boy Color]] in 2000. While it's a faithful conversion, there are still a few differences, some of which due to the Game Boy Color's limited capabilities.  These include:

*The GBC version is multilingual, and prompts the player to select a language before going to the title screen. 
*There are three different title screens.
*Much like ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'', only one Kong appears at time. The only difference is there is an additional DK Barrel if there are two Kongs, unlike ''DK Land'', which only has one Kong appearing without notice.
*The Game Boy printer can be used to print some scrapbook photos.
*The level Ropey Rampage does not have the stormy weather effects.
*The level Winky's Walkway has been extended with some more enemies and a different layout.
*A new level called Necky Nutmare has been added in Chimp Caverns.
*The Kongs do not ride the Animal Friends; rather, they become them when jumping on the Animal Crates containing the friends.  When touched by an enemy, the animal will revert to Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong, and cannot transform again unless another crate is found.
*The Kongs do not travel between levels on the world map along dots in a straight line, but rather following paths in a similar fashion to Donkey Kong Country 2.
*Two mini-games have been added: Funky hosts a fishing game known as [[Funky's Fishing]] (which would be later reprised in the GBA port) and Cranky hosts a shooting game called [[Crosshair Cranky]].
*Two additional difficulties have been added: the first one removes DK Barrels and the other removes [[Star Barrel]]s.
*Due to the limited capabilities of the Game Boy Color, most of the music and sound effects from the Super NES version were either severely downgraded or replaced with that of ''Donkey Kong Land''. 
*The Warp Barrel in [[Mine Cart Carnage]] was removed.
*A new file select screen resembling the one from ''Donkey Kong 64'' was implemented.
*The game saves automatically after completing a level.  With this, Candy's Save Point has been replaced by [[Candy's Challenge]] where Donkey and Diddy have to collect a golden [[Banana]] coin in each challenge of a world.
*The credits roll while showing various screenshots instead of [[DK's Tree House]].

===Game Boy Advance===
[[File:Hello.png|200px|thumb|The new area, Candy's Dance Studio.]]
Another port of the game was made for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. It is a faithful conversion, even more so than the Game Boy Color version, since the Game Boy Advance's technical capabilities surpass that of the Super NES.  Even so, the game features quite a few changes from the original.  Some changes in this game include:

*A "Time Attack" mode has been added, where Donkey and Diddy Kong must collect objects and complete the level in a certain amount of time.
*Rockkrocs can now be defeated by Donkey Kong's Handslap move when they are curled up in a ball when the [[Stop and Go Barrels]] turn to the sign "STOP".
*Some enemies come in more varieties of colors (Gnawties are blue, normal Kritters are purple, etc.)
*When the heroes enter a Warp Barrel, they are sent into a short area that contains a group of bananas that spell out the word "WARP." In the original version of the game, as well as in the Game Boy Color version, they are simply sent to the end of the level, and not into this short area.
*From Vine Valley to Chimp Caverns, the bosses are fought a little differently: Queen B. now has several Zingers surrounding her when she gets hit and turns red, Really Gnawty makes stalactites fall from the ceiling when he jumps really high and far after being hit, Dumb Drum must have TNT Barrels thrown at it after the enemies are defeated, and the battle against Master Necky Snr. is against both him and Master Necky simultaneously.
*Oddly, Really Gnawty is now a blue beaver, as opposed to the original, where he is a red beaver.
*After each boss, Cranky Kong comes out and compliments the Kongs on beating the boss while criticizing the bosses.
*The game can be saved at any time or place, including halfway points in levels.  With this, Candy's save areas are replaced with [[Candy's Dance Studio|a dance studio]], with different theme music. Here, a dancing minigame can be played.
*After meeting Funky (who also has different music) once, he can be summoned anytime on the world map.
*The maps have been slightly redesigned. The world maps are also zoomed in more.
*Starting from Vine Valley onwards, a few of the levels have been placed in a different order; for instance, Temple Tempest has become the sixth level in Vine Valley, rather than the fourth.
*When the Kongs are at the end of the level [[Ropey Rampage]] in the Super Nintendo version, the tropical storm ends. However, this does not happen in the Game Boy Advance version.
*On the world map, the Kongs follow a pathway between each level rather than in a straight line.  However, this pathway is marked with a trail of banana peels.
*Credits taking place on [[Gangplank Galleon]] rather than [[DK's Tree House]].
*A new mode called "Hero Mode" has been added. In this mode, the player controls a yellow Diddy, who must complete every level without the help of Star Barrels or DK.
*The game keeps track of the number of lives and bananas the Kongs have when saved, unlike in the original, which puts them back at five lives and zero bananas every time the game is reset.
*The Barrel Cannons that send the Kongs to Bonus Levels are replaced by the [[Bonus Barrel]]s used in the sequel.
*The game has more sound effects and character voices particularly from ''Donkey Kong 64''.
*A scrapbook, similar to the one in the Game Boy Color version, was added, in which the Kongs have to collect [[photograph]]s throughout the game in order to add pictures to the scrapbook.
*The Two Player Contest option (while starting a new file) was removed. This option was removed in the remakes of its two sequels as well.
*[[Very Gnawty]] appears in [[DK's Tree House]] after defeating [[Really Gnawty]]. When it realizes [[Donkey Kong]] or [[Diddy Kong]] has entered the tree house, the beaver runs past them and out of the front door. This can be performed only once per file, however.
*The new level [[Necky Nutmare]] appears from [[Donkey Kong Country (GBC)]] after [[Mine Cart Madness]] in [[Kremkroc Industries Inc.]], was a hidden level, trying to make a shortcut up to the green sky.

==Development==

The leadup to ''Donkey Kong Country'''s creation started in the summer of 1993. While visiting [[Rare]] as a part of a globe-travelling journey to find potential quality games in development, Tony Harman of [[Nintendo]] of America saw a [[Tech Demo]] showing an animated, computer-rendered boxer punching. Rare was experimenting with 3D Animation at the time as they found the then-popular [[wikipedia:Digitizing|digitization]] technique too restrictive<ref name="Nintendo Power">''[[Nintendo Power]]'', Issue 64, September 1994, ''The Making of Donkey Kong Country''</ref>. Impressed by the demo, Harman lobied for Nintendo to collaborate with Rare, and with the help of [[wikipedia:Genyo Takeda|Genyo Takeda]] and [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], managed to convince them. Nintendo approached Rare with the mandate to make a game that would have "better graphics than ''Aladdin''"<ref name="Retrogamer">[http://www.nowgamer.com/features/895227/the_making_of_donkey_kong_country.html The Making Of Donkey Kong Country] (accessed February 20 2012)</ref>, presumably referring to the [[wikipedia:Disney's Aladdin (video game)#Mega Drive/Genesis version|popular Sega Genesis game]], which was lauded for its impressive graphics and animation. They recommended that it should star [[Donkey Kong]], as they thought that the character and his universe were less explored than other Nintendo properties and that thus Rare could have greater creative freedom while making the game<ref name="Nintendo Power"> </ref>. Rare also received several millions worth of cutting-edge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Graphics Silicon Graphics] equipment<ref name="Nintendo Power"> </ref>, which was made possible due to Nintendo having forged a relationship with the company for the development of the [[Ultra 64]] (the Nintendo 64's prototype).

A team of 12 people were assembled for the project, which was the most Rare had assigned for a single game at the time. [[Gregg Mayles]] cited ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' as his chief inspiration<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>, saying that he wanted to imitate its structure while also providing smooth and flowing level designs that skilled players could navigate quickly. A team of developers were sent to the nearby Twycross Zoo to observe the movement of real gorillas<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>, but found that the movement of real gorillas were not suited to the fast-paced platformer they wanted to make, and instead based Donkey Kong's movements on that of a horse<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>. The [[Kremling]]s originated from another project Rare was developing at the same time (which, according to Rareware employee [[Kevin Bayliss]], was a ''[[wikipedia:Battletoads|Battletoads]]'' game<ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/interactive/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=8373&view=findpost&p=282096 Donkey Kong Universe Forum] retrieved 09/16/2013</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/438525516204751/permalink/549655421758426/ Rareware Fans Unite] retrieved 09/16/2013</ref>.)
, but were transplanted into the game as Rare found that they were a good fit for ''Donkey Kong Country'''s aesthetic<ref name="Nintendo Power"> </ref>. The developers also wanted the screen to be as "clutter-free" as possible<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>, which lead to the creation of a "buddy" character so that the player could take more than one hit. [[Donkey Kong Jr.]] was first considered for the role, but he was changed into a [[Diddy Kong|separate character]] as Nintendo felt Rare's redesign looked too different<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>.

Rare demoed an early version of the game at Nintendo's Kyoto HQ. Reception of the demo was mixed, with [[Gunpei Yokoi]] remarking that the game looked "too 3D"<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>. However, Shigeru Miyamoto approved of what was done with the project. He and his staff gave advice to Rare on how to improve the game, with one of the results being the implementation of the [[Hand Slap]] move a few weeks before completion<ref name="Retrogamer"> </ref>.
===[[Game Boy Advance]] port===
The Game Boy Advance port of the game was coded from scratch<ref name="DK Vine">[http://www.dkvine.com/features/stamped_dkcgba.html DK Vine: The Donkey Kong Country GBA Trilogy]</ref>. The developers extensively playtested the port to make sure the physics and controls were true to the original version, though some deviations were made to improve some mechanics and the level design<ref name="DK Vine"></ref>.

Some of the floppies containing the original graphic assets were lost, while the surviving ones were disorganised and mostly unusable. To remedy this problem, team members ripped the sprites using an emulator<ref name="DK Vine"></ref>. Most of the backgrounds were redone from the ground up to fit the Game Boy Advance's screen resolution, scale, and color palette.

==Competition Cartridge==

{{main|Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge}}

A specialized competition variant featuring an assortment of random levels and a point counter was manufactured for use in various video game tournaments held throughout 1995. After that, the few existing cartridges were sold in a [[Nintendo Power]] subscriber catalogue. Due to its rarity, this version is a valuable collector's item.

==Reception==
At the time of its release, ''Donkey Kong Country'' received universal acclaim by critics and audiences, with the game being praised for its visuals, controls and replayability. The [[Game Boy Color]] port was similarly praised for taking a graphically-impressive title and porting it to the platform in a complete and technically competent form, in contrast to other unsuccessful attempts at directly porting home console games to handhelds. The game was placed 39th in the 100th issue of ''Nintendo Power'''s "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997 <ref>http://www.gamekult.com/communaute/forum/voirmessage.html?foid=13000909, retrieved 6/4/2009</ref> and it was rated the 90th best game on a Nintendo system in their top 200 games list in 2006.

Following Rareware's acquisition by Microsoft however, ''Donkey Kong Country'' experienced a backlash, with it placing on EGM's top 10 overrated games list (despite the publication previously awarding it the 1994 Game of the Year award), as well as on Gamespy's overrated games of all time list<ref>http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3128401</ref><ref>http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index18.shtml</ref>, although the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] versions were still positively received.

{|cellpadding="4" style="float:left; border: 2px solid black; width:100%; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; margin:5px;" class="wikitable review_template"
!colspan="4" style="font-size:120%; text-align: center; background-color:silver"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6;"
|Release
|Reviewer, Publication
|Score
|Comment
|-
|[[SNES]]
|George Wood, Flight of Fantasies
|''n.d''
|''"Donkey Kong Country is truly perfect. If you do not get this amazing new generation of Donkey Kong Country madness, you are stupid. Yes, I know it's insulting, but that's also the truth. If you're a true video game fan, you will not hesitate in the slightest bit to buy this piece of gaming history."''
|-
|SNES
|Mr. Goo, Die Hard Game Fan
|100/100
|''"When you see Donkey Kong Country for the first time, you'll do what I did ... turn into a blabbering, drooling idiot! This is the most amazing 16-bit game yet, and that's a fact. Simply everything about DKC is kick-butt rocking magnificent ... you'd swear it was 32-bit. If you possess a SNES, you have no excuse not to buy this game NOW."''
|-
|SNES
|[[Nintendo Power]]
|4.4/5
|''"The ultimate graphics in the best action adventure game ever for the Super NES or any other video games system. It's simply the best. Battery backed-up memory. 100 bonus areas. MINUS: Players may miss many of the bonus areas and think the game is shorter than it really is. (You must try everything to get the full impact!"''
|-
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|Electronic Gaming Monthly
|60/100
|''"Besides the graphics, which still look good, the game has not held up well."''
|-
|[[Game Boy Color]]
|Frank Provo, [http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-review/1900-2657317/ Gamespot]
|9.1/10
|''"Donkey Kong Country is one of the most playable and replayable Game Boy Color games ever created. Despite being a little rough around the edges, Donkey Kong Country once again proves that stereotypes and misconceptions can be broken. The quality of a game doesn't rest with what system it's on, but with those who make it. As such, Donkey Kong Country may be on the Game Boy Color, but it's still as impressive and pertinent as it was in 1994 on the Super Nintendo."''
|-
|[[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]]
|Lucas M. Thomas, [http://ca.ign.com/articles/2007/02/20/donkey-kong-country IGN]
|8.5/10
|''"A sacrifice may be offered of some of your nostalgic feelings for this title, as its revolutionary-in-1994 visuals aren't as spectacular any more, now in 2007. But DKC's gameplay is still a lot of fun, and it's still easy to see why this was the game that saved the Super."''
|-
|Wii Virtual Console
|Damien McFerran, [http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/donkey_kong_country_snes Nintendo Life] (formerly VC Reviews) 
|9/10 
|''"Over a decade has passed since this game's original release and although some of the shine has dulled it still manages to impress. Although it's not in the same league as the sublime [[Super Mario World]], Donkey Kong Country still ranks as one of the better SNES platformers and is a worthy download on the Virtual Console."''
|-
!colspan="4" style="background-color:silver; font-size:120%; text-align: center;"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6;"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Platform / Score
|-
|colspan=2|Game Rankings
|colspan=2|SNES - [http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588282-donkey-kong-country/index.html 88.94%], GBC - [http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/370532-donkey-kong-country/index.html 90.38%] GBA - [http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/589452-donkey-kong-country/index.html 78.61%]
|-
|colspan=2|Metacritic
|colspan=2|GBA - [http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/donkey-kong-country 78]
|}
{{br}}
===Sales===
''Donkey Kong Country'' ended up selling more than expected, since the game was released at the peak of the 16-bit era. The game had an extremely successful first day at the stores, and sold 8.5 million copies worldwide, making it the second best selling game on the Super Nintendo, following ''[[Super Mario World]]''.<ref>http://www.vgchartz.com/game.php?id=3108</ref> To date, it is the best selling ''Donkey Kong'' game and overall Rare's best selling game.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/donkeykongcountry/review.html</ref>

==References to other games==
*''[[Donkey Kong (Game)|Donkey Kong]]'' - Cranky Kong is said to be the Donkey Kong from this game who fought [[Mario]] in some of his own games.<ref name="DKC Manual">''Donkey Kong Country Instruction Booklet'', Nintendo, 1994, p. 6. "In his heyday, Cranky was the original Donkey Kong who battled Mario in several of his own games."</ref> The Oil Drums from the first stage of this game were also featured in ''Donkey Kong Country'' at Oil Drum Alley. In addition, the intro of the game has Cranky Kong listening to and operating a phonogram that's playing the theme song for the original Donkey Kong arcade game in a background resembling the iron bars from the original arcade game before Donkey Kong drowns out the music with his boom box and proceeds to knock Cranky Kong out of the area, revealing that the setting is actually within the jungle, further implying Cranky Kong's connection to the original Donkey Kong.


[[File:BarrelRides65.png|200px|thumb|The barrel roll move introduced in ''Donkey Kong Country'', as seen in ''Donkey Kong Country 3''.]]

==References in later games==
*''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'': The semi-sequel of ''Donkey Kong Country'', which contains gameplay elements and music remixes from its prequel.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'': The direct sequel, which contains many gameplay elements from its predecessor. Also, in the [[Game Boy Advance]] remake, Diddy makes a reference to the first game in the intro, stating that he did not want to surrender the Banana Hoard to Kaptain K. Rool after all that he and Donkey Kong went through to get it last time. Additionally, Winky can be seen in the background of Cranky's [[Monkey Museum]].
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'': As with ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', many gameplay elements are reused (including the return of being able to balance the Kongs on Steel Barrels, which is absent in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'').
*''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series: Barrel Cannons seen in ''Donkey Kong Country'' appear here. Also, Kongo Jungle stages appear in the three games as Congo Jungle in the first ''Super Smash Bros.'' game, and Kongo Jungle in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' and remade in Melee Stages in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.
*Most of Donkey Kong's stages in the Mario Party series, Mario Kart series, Mario Tennis series and other spin offs are based on elements from this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'': Another installment in the series with many similarities to ''Donkey Kong Country''. It features the entire non-playable Kong cast, as well as another Jungle Hijinxs remix. In the Game Boy Color version, the Select Screen resembles the ''Donkey Kong 64'' one.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'': Many elements from the original return in this game, including arrangements of the main theme, and characters such as Rambi and Squawks. Some of Cranky Kong's quotes are also reused.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'': Funky Kong returns. In the level Canopy Chaos, Cranky's record player can be found, which plays the original title theme when the player ground pounds in front of it.

==Gallery==
{{morepic|Donkey Kong Country}}

<center><gallery>
File:PAL DKC.jpg|The SNES PAL Boxart for ''Donkey Kong Country''.
File:DonkeyDKC.png|<center>[[Donkey Kong]]
File:Donkey Kong swinging DKC.png|<center>Donkey Kong
File:Squawks DKC.png|<center>Squawks the Parrot
File:Cranky Alt - Donkey Kong Country.png|Cranky Kong
</gallery></center>

==Beta elements==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country beta elements}}

Early previews video show minor differences, such as items in different spots, different level palettes and the [[Krusha]] and [[Klump]] enemies being invulnerable to attacks they are vulnerable to in the final game.

Unused data still present on the cartridge include several sprites (including [[Puftup|one enemy]] featured in the sequel), enemy palettes swaps and an early script which depicts [[Cranky Kong]] as a friendlier character.

==Staff==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country staff}}

''Donkey Kong Country'' was developed by a team of 12 people, the largest development staff of any Rareware game at that point. Rareware co-founder [[Tim Stampers]] was the director while [[Gregg Mayles]] served as the designer.

The game had a team of 3 composers working on it. [[Eveline Fischer]] composed the tracks "Simian Segue", "Candy's Love Song", "Voices of the Temple", "Forest Frenzy", "Treetop Rock", "Northern Hemispheres" and "Ice Cave Chant". Robin Beanland's sole contribution was the [[Funky's Flights]] theme (a holdover from the arcade version of ''[[wikipedia:Killer Instinct (1994 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'' <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtTC1sRlB1c#t=0m50s Early promo video of the arcade version of Killer Instinct]</ref>). [[David Wise]] handled the rest of the soundtrack<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051227091731/http://www.rareware.com/extra/scribes/scribes_content.html Rare: Scribes (December 21, 2005)] (Internet Archive link)</ref>.

==Glitches==
{{main|List of glitches in Donkey Kong Country}}

==={{conjecturaltext|Bonus Level Early Exit}}===

This glitch can only be done in the Game Boy Advance version.  The Kongs must go to the first [[Bonus Level]] found in [[Platform Perils]] and stand underneath the fourth barrel and a little to the right of it.  Now, the Kongs have to hit this barrel when the G is not showing up.  If they do it right, they will lose the bonus level as usual, but they will end up walking out early, not showing their Mini-Game defeat animation.  This can be done with either Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong.

==={{conjecturaltext|Enguarde Warps Colors}}===
First, the player has to go to [[Croctopus Chase]]. Then, after the parts where the Kongs are carried from one place to another by the blast barrels, the Kongs will have to find [[Enguarde]] and get on him. Then the player has to go back through the level until the Kongs reach the last blast barrel that the apes were shot from. By simply getting in that barrel and getting fired out, the player can perform four different glitches: 

#The first of these is that Diddy will be walking, not swimming, behind Donkey Kong. The player can get off Enguarde and swim to his side. Then the player must press select. If done correctly, the camera will freeze and Diddy alone will be able to walk around as if it were a land level. 
#While still frozen, the player could jump back on Enguarde. Diddy should turn into a greenish-blue color and hover in mid-air. This allows the player to control Enguarde by himself, which results in the Kongs being left behind if the player continues on through the level. 
#While on Enguarde, the player can press the Y button and then the A button once quickly after. Enguarde should turn into another greenish-blue Diddy that the player will be able to control. If the player touches the other floating Diddy it will turn the player back into Enguarde. 
#While using Enguarde once again, the player needs to press the A button quickly and repeatedly; it will permanently turn him into a reddish color with either DK or Diddy following behind.

As this new red Enguarde, the player has to have Diddy follow behind him (if Donkey is behind the player, the player will have to press the A button twice and the Kongs should switch). Then, the player has to press the Y button and the player then has to press the A button. This results in Enguarde transforming into an oddly colored Donkey Kong that hovers in the air while the player is left controlling the Kongs once again. 
The player can redo this with DK following behind the player while the player is controlling Enguarde, and a normally colored Diddy should be hovering in the air instead of the oddly colored Donkey Kong.

==Quotes==
{{main|List of quotes in Donkey Kong Country}}

===[[Candy Kong]]===
*''"Hi, I'm Candy Kong and this is [[Candy's Save Point|my Save Point]]!"''
*''"If you want to save your current game, just jump into my spinning [[Star Barrel|save barrel]]!
*''"Hello guys, got anything worth saving?"''
*''"Wow! You guys really came a long way! Save your game now, while you have the chance!"''
*''"Yoo-hoo, [[Donkey Kong|Honey Kong]]! Now's a good time to save where you've gotten to!"''
*''"It must have been hard work for you to come all this way! Why not save your game?"''
*''"Can I help you [[Kong|monkeys]] save your game?"''
*''"How would you like a quick spin in my save barrel?"''
*''"I don't think [[K. Rool|he]] is, sugar. Let's get off [[Gangplank Galleon|this manky ship]]."''

==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
|Jap=スーパードンキーコング
|JapR=Sūpā Donkī Kongu
|JapM=Super Donkey Kong
|Ger=Donkey Kong Country
|GerM=-}}

==Trivia==
*Although the [[Gnawty|Gnawties]] seen in-game are gray, the Gnawty on the game's boxart is blue. The species eventually became blue in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' and in the Game Boy Advance port of ''Donkey Kong Country''.
*This game has an adaptation in the ''[[Super Mario-Kun]]'' manga with some changes. [[Mario]] and [[Yoshi]] land in the Donkey Kong Country by mistake, and Cranky Kong asks to them help Donkey and Diddy in their task to find the bananas and stop King K. Rool.
*In early releases, the giant bananas had the [[Wikipedia: Dole Food Company|Dole]] logo on them. The logo was later replaced with the [[Nintendo]] logo, likely so that Nintendo wouldn't get in a lawsuit with Dole.

==References==
{{NIWA|DKWiki=1}}
<references/>
{{BoxTop}}
{{DKC}}
{{DKC Levels}}
{{DKGames}}
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