Smokey Peak

Template:Level Smokey Peak is the fifty-ninth level in Donkey Kong Country Returns, as well as the fourth level in the Volcano world. A key from Cranky Kong's Shop is required to access it.

This level is different from other volcano levels because the foreground is silhouetted, with only the Kongs' clothing and the Tutorial Pig's green flag (during Time Attack mode) visible. Rambi the Rhinoceros also appears in this level, and he is vital to completing the level, as he is the only character who can plow through the many large boulders placed around the level. Along with these rocks are many holes on the tops of rocks that drop lava; touching the lava immediately defeats both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. There are also many cog-shaped objects that Rambi can hit to make platforms appear. Additionally, near the end of the level, the ground below the heroes begins to fall, so Rambi must constantly be running. The enemies in this level include Tiki Tanks, Tiki Goons, and Tiki Buzzes.

In the game's Time Attack mode, a time of 1:21:00 must be made to get a gold medal, a time of 1:35:00 for silver, and a time of 2:05:00 for a bronze medal.

Overview

The level begins on a flat pathway with two stone blocks sitting in front of the Kongs. Between the blocks is a Tiki Buzz and the first DK Barrel, and ahead is another Tiki Buzz flying right next to an abyss full off three tall platforms that sway left and right. On the first and last platforms are Tiki Goons, while on the middle one is a group of three bananas. After the abyss is a flat area with a switch on it. If the Kongs hit the switch, a platform raises from the ground to help them reach a hanging platform with an Animal Crate on it. If they break it open, the Animal Buddy, Rambi, is revealed, who is needed for the Kongs to break a hanging object. When it is hit, a platform lowers that they can use to reach two swaying platforms above a wide abyss. On the other side of the gap is the letter K of the K-O-N-G Letters above a stone block and some enemies. More stone blocks are after the letter K, one of which that holds the second Puzzle Piece. After the pile of blocks following this are three more swaying platforms placed over a wide abyss. Enemies and blocks are on the platforms, while above them are objects that drop lava. The Kongs must avoid these objects to reach some more solid platforms that are held by chains. More lava-dropping objects are here, and after the second of these hanging platforms is the letter O on some blocks that are located on a solid area of land. Following a small gap here is the Tutorial Pig and the first checkpoint.

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Rambi smashes through some blocks.

Between the platform with the checkpoint and the platform after it is a Tiki Buzz. After the second of these platforms are two swaying platforms with tall stone blocks on them. On the other side of the abyss that these are in are some large platforms with Tiki Goons and Tiki Tanks on them. The platforms fall shortly after the heroes arrive on them. Following three of these falling platforms is a hanging object that can be hit to make another platform appear to aid the primates and Rambi in crossing a gap. After it is a swaying platform and a solid area of land with Tiki enemies on it, as well as many bananas that move in circles. Ahead of another swaying platform from here is a long piece of land that is covered in blocks and Tiki enemies. After a small gap at the end of this area is a smaller platform with the second DK Barrel on it. Lava also falls from an object near the barrel. There is another checkpoint and the Tutorial Pig on a long platform after a gap here.

As the heroes progress, they pass more falling lava and make it to another platform with a Rambi crate on it. Farther ahead is more lava that drops from objects at the top of the screen, along with some swaying platforms. Around the swaying platforms are solid pieces of land that are blocked by rock walls that only Rambi can smash through. Eventually, the group reaches a platform with a strange object hanging above it. The platform falls after being stood on too long, so the Kongs must get Rambi to hit it quickly in order to reveal another platform that can help them cross an abyss and reach passage full of stone blocks. Rambi must plow through these blocks and then come along a curved area that bends in a long U shape. The path falls as they run across it. At the end of this U-shaped pathway are some blocks in the Kongs' way and a small gap that Rambi can dash over without jumping. On the other side of the small gap is another curved area that bends downwards and then into another thin passage full of stone blocks. Platforms here continue to fall, and on a platform placed after a small gap in the section is the letter G. After Rambi leads the primates through the blocks, they come over a small gap with a Tiki Buzz in it and head up a hill covered in some Tiki enemies. Following a small gap at the end of the hill is a hanging platform with the Slot Machine Barrel above on it; the level is complete when the barrel is hit.

Secrets

K-O-N-G Letters

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The group jumps near the letter G.

• K: In the beginning of the level, the K is on some blocks just after some swaying platforms.
• O: After passing a few rocks that drop lava, there is also an O on top of some blocks that can only be reached if the Kongs dismount from Rambi and climb up.
• N: Shortly after the second checkpoint, there are tubes pouring out lava. On the fourth one, after all the lava is poured out, the N comes falling down for the Kongs to grab.
• G: Near the end of the level before the Kongs crash through some blocks in their way, the G is on a platform that falls if stood on too long.

Puzzle Pieces

1. When the Kongs find Rambi, they should head backwards on the rhinoceros and hit an object hanging near the level's start. It makes a wall open at the start, where there are Banana Bunches and a Puzzle Piece.
2. Near the beginning after the Kongs get Rambi, the heroes ride past a pile of blocks after the letter K that have the second Puzzle Piece on them. They should plow through the blocks with Rambi and then head backwards to find a Tiki Tank and a Tiki Buzz alone. If they dismount from the Animal Buddy, they can bounce on the enemies to reach the Puzzle Piece that was once above the destroyed blocks. The primates should leave the area for a moment and return if they fail to reach the Puzzle Piece to make the enemies reappear.
3. On a platform shortly after the letter O, bananas are moving in a circle. If the two primates collect all of them, a Puzzle Piece appears.
4. The Kongs need to hit a hanging object which triggers a platform to come down and reveal a Puzzle Piece. They can reach the Puzzle Piece by jumping off of Rambi while midair under the platform or by bouncing on an enemy to get a jumping boost.
5. At the end of the level where the Slot Machine Barrel is located, the Kongs need to jump to another platform hidden farther ahead, where on it there is a Puzzle Piece.