Bramble Blast (Donkey Kong Country 2)

Template:LevelboxDKL2 Bramble Blast is the sixteenth level of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and the sixth area of Krem Quay. This level appeared again as the eighteenth level of Donkey Kong Land 2, with a similar layout. Here, it is the third area of Krazy Kremland.

This is the game's first bramble level. The Kongs must navigate through the thorns via many series of Barrel Cannons. One wrong move can blast the Kongs into the brambles, so they need to watch their timing. Klampons, Zingers, Click-Clacks and Flitters also impede on the Kongs' progress. Squawks is located near the end of the level, and he helps the Kongs nab a DK Coin, as well as reach a Bonus Barrel, if he is found.

Level Layout

Donkey Kong Country 2

Starting from the beginning, the heroes jump into a Barrel Cannon and shoot through the other barrels to the top right corner, where they go to another section of barrels. Again, they shoot barrel-to-barrel to the right side. Close by, a Zinger waits for the right time to attack. Later on, they enter a barrel that blasts them between the brambles and past a Zinger. It launches the primates to the third section of barrels, where they bounce through each barrel to a gap hidden up north. If aimed carefully enough, they can rocket to the next barrel safely, but if not, a Zinger is able to hurt one of them. When they manage to get to this barrel, it shoots them to the fourth barrel-filled section. These barrels are placed in the shape of a diamond and stretch across the perimeter of the wall of brambles. A group of spinning barrels is near here to blast the apes between a small space between the sharp brambles. The fifth barrel section is farther ahead, and with the help of some bananas leading the way, the heroes can escape out of the area and be shot to three barrels in an open space. With these barrels, the group blasts through the gap below and gets into a spinning barrel. This is followed by more spinning barrels. Additional barrels are farther into the level, each of them repeatedly tilting left and right. After the Kongs shoot to each of the barrels, they can find the Star Barrel.

At this point, the heroes arrive at the sixth area filled with barrels. Again, the barrels are placed in the form of a diamond, surrounding the perimeter of the bramble walls. A Zinger is in the center of this area. A tight space is located after this part of the stage, and it is filled with some spinning barrels to help the heroes blast into more barrels. The barrels farther ahead tilt left and right repeatedly when entered. Zingers are in between each of these barrels, getting in the Kongs' way. The heroes eventually make their way to a wooden platform infested by a Klampon. A small gap is near the end of the platform, and inside of it is a barrel, which can be used to blast them to another wooden platform with two Click-Clacks on it. More bananas are farther ahead of here. One of these barrels aims to another section of barrels, where the group relies on the bananas to lead them to the bottom right corner of the area. Here, they launch through more barrels, including some rotating barrels. A tilting barrel can be entered later on, which the primates must use to blast to a Flitter. The Flitter can be bounced off of to reach another barrel, which blast them to more Flitters to bounce off of. A wooden platform is located after the final Flitter, and the End of Level Target is on it to allow the apes to exit the level.

Donkey Kong Land 2

At the start of the level, the Kongs jump into a barrel and shoot to the lower right hand side of the area through several barrels. There are bananas that help lead the way. The Kongs continue downwards, until they reach a barrel facing the north. This barrel and a few other barrels can help them reach a safe platform sitting atop the sharp brambles. A rope leading into a barrel is farther ahead. The barrel can blast them to additional barrels that continue around the outside of the area. Bananas are scattered around here to lead the way. Soon, the group arrives at a stationary barrel. It is already aiming in the right direction, but there is a Zinger in the way. When the enemy moves past, they carefully shoot to the next barrel, where they repeat the process again. The heroes get to a nearby platform after that, and the Star Barrel is in the air above it.

Halfway through the level, the group gets into the next barrel and shoots north. Barrels that rotate when entered are above this barrel, helping the Kongs blast to a safe platform near another barrel. The barrel can shoot them to another platform near a second platform. This barrel leads to more barrels, one of which cannot be reached without the use of a Flitter. The Kongs continue moving through each of the barrels for quite some time, but bananas can help guide them through the long area. Zingers also lurk around and can get in the Kongs' path at times. After shooting barrel-to-barrel and traveling west, following the banana trails on the way, the primates make it to a platform with a spring on it. If the heroes leap on it, they bounce out of the level.

Secrets

Donkey Kong Country 2

Bonus Level(s)

• In the fifth section of barrels (located past the first few spinning barrel) the group should go to the far west side. Here, they might notice a banana floating in the distance. If they shoot to that banana, they land in a Bonus Barrel, leading to the Bonus Level. Here, the heroes must blast through several barrels in a large maze. They need to reach the end of the stage in less than forty seconds to get the Kremkoin.
• From where the DK Coin is found, the heroes must travel east with Squawks. They bird must fly the heroes through tight spaces between the brambles while dodging some red Zingers, who can not be defeated. Eventually, the group gets to barrel that can blast them to a Bonus Barrel. This special barrel takes the primates to a Bonus Level, where they need to simply fly around the bramble obstacles with their parrot buddy. Bananas are placed throughout the area to direct them. When the group reaches the end of the bonus, they pass a No Animal Sign, making their Animal Buddy, Squawks, disappear. The sign is followed by a Kremkoin, which makes the bonus end when collected.

DK Coin

• To find the DK Coin, the Kongs must jump in the gap located before the final three Flitters at the end of the level. Here, they fall into a barrel that can blast them high in the air to Squawks, who is waiting above. On the parrot, the group needs to fly along the brambles going west, until they see a Zinger. After they defeat it, they can snatch the coin nearby.

Golden Feather (GBA Only)

• In the last section of barrels, the monkeys should travel through the barrels to the right side of the area. A Golden Feather is placed around here. They have to get in one of the barrels to shoot to it, and then get back on track via another barrel.

Donkey Kong Land 2

Bonus Level(s)

• When the heroes see the first Flitter in the level, they should bounce off of it and grab onto the rope nearby. Then, they need to climb along it and avoid some Zingers, until they get to the Bonus Barrel, which takes them to the Bonus Level. Here, they must jump to each platform over the brambles. Soon, the monkeys get into a barrel and shoot to other barrels, eventually reaching a Kremkoin.
• Near the end of the level, the group gets to a barrel in which there is a banana to the left of it, and another barrel to the right. They should blast to the right and land on a platform. Here, they need to climb up some ropes and dodge a Flitter, until they get to the Bonus Barrel. In its Bonus Level, they must get in an Animal Barrel to turn into Squawks. With him, they can fly around and defeat the many Zingers in the area, without touching any of the spikes on the outskirts of the stage. When all the foes are beat, the Kremkoin appears.

DK Coin

• After the Kongs get past the Star Barrel and shoot upwards through all the spinning barrels, they need to hop to the left across the wooden platforms. When they get to the next barrel, they should ignore it and instead jump over the brambles to the left. At this point, they are shot through some barrels, until they get to the DK Coin.

Gallery

• 65Bramble Blast65.png

  Near the start of the level.

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  The Kongs while shooting through some barrels.

• BBDKC65.png

  The monkeys blast between the brambles.

• ScrambledBrambles65.jpg

  The Kongs with Squawks.

Trivia

• A remix of the background music of Bramble Blast appears as a selectable Donkey Kong song that can be played in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Brawl, the song is entitled "Bramble Blast" to match the actual level. However, the song's title, as evidenced by the Donkey Kong Country 2 official soundtrack, is known as "Stickerbrush Symphony."