Moving Melters

Template:Level Moving Melters is the sixty-first level in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, as well as the sixth area in the Volcano world.

This level takes place in a volcano full of hot lava in which platforms rise, sink, and float in. Donkey and Diddy Kong must use these moving platforms to progress, being careful not to fall into the lava. Additionally, if the Kongs jump on one of these platforms just as they exit the lava, they can get burnt, as it has not yet cooled down. Moving Melters also features many floating fireballs that travel across the screen and in circles. Sometimes, the Kongs must shoot through Barrel Cannons while avoiding these foes. At the end of the level, a large group of fireball enemies attack the heroes as well. The only other enemy in this level is a single Tiki Goon.

In the Time Attack mode of the game, a time of 1:32:00 is needed to get a gold medal, a time of 1:43:00 for silver, and a time of 2:15:00 for bronze.

Overview

The level begins with a straight pathway composed of a volcanic rock with a barrel on it. It is followed by some fragile platforms that crumble when the Kongs land on them. There is a solid platform after this, but when the Kongs land on it, it breaks into five pieces. A Tiki Goon is on these five new platforms, which begin to float above the lava. The platforms float down a curved area on the lava, and the heroes must ride on them to progress. On the way, they come up to some moving fireballs that travel in circles and a platform with a sand bag next to it. Bananas and a Banana Coin are on this platform. A solid platform with a fireball bouncing on it is just ahead. The primates should jump on top of the platforms in the lava at the other end of this area of ground to float across the lava and advance to a solid, but thin, platform. On the way to this, fireballs travel around the area, moving in circles. When the heroes land on the thin platform at the end of the area, a large, wheel-shaped object falls in front of them. When they land on it, it begins to move. They must carefully walk across it as it rolls across to avoid falling, and then jump into the Barrel Cannon at the end of the area. On the way to the cannon, fireballs attack the group, and the letter K of the K-O-N-G Letters is placed high in the air. The Barrel Cannon is aimed towards a long platform far off; the Kongs must shoot past three fireball enemies to reach it.

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Donkey Kong walks on a wheel platform.

When they land on the platform, it quickly slides along the lava, taking the Kongs under a low wall and then to two small platforms. Near them are more platforms floating on the lava. They float into a pit, so the primates must make sure they do not wait too long on them. The platforms also flow down a slanted area, so the heroes need to climb up them faster than usual. Eventually, they reach a solid area of land with a bouncing fireball on it, along with a DK Barrel. Platforms on the lava flowing downwards are after this, and fireballs attack the heroes as they travel on them. Two solid platforms spaced out with only a small gap are ahead. An Extra Life Balloon floats between the platforms, while a small fireball foe bounces along them. Following these platforms are wheel objects that roll through the lava. The Kongs must bounce along these to reach a bigger set of solid platforms than before. A fireball enemy bounces on the larger platform in the center of the area, while the two platforms around it have collectibles on them. Under the higher center platform is an area of volcanic rock that the Kongs can stand on. Additionally, the letter O is above the center platform with the fireball on it.

Another large wheel falls from above at the edge of the last platform here. If they primates move on it, they make their way under a low wall to a solid area of ground with the Tutorial Pig on it, who marks the checkpoint. Near the pig is a platform with a fan next to it, while ahead is another Barrel Cannon that aims towards a solid platform far away. Fireball enemies surround the area the Kongs shoot through, but the letter N is between them. When the heroes land on the platform at the end of the area, it quickly moves through a low passage and smashes into a structure covered in small platforms. This causes the structure to begin sinking. The primates must get on the structure and hop along the platforms, while small, medium, and large fireball foes attack from both sides of the screen. Collectibles, including the letter G, are on most of these platforms. Once the heroes have avoided almost every fireball and the structure almost sinks completely, the screen scrolls over to reveal a Slot Machine Barrel. If the Kongs hit it, the level is completed.

Secrets

K-O-N-G Letters

• K: When the Kongs get on the first wheel-shaped object in the level and begin to travel on it, they come up to the letter K that they can reach with a jump.
• O: On the group of four platforms shortly after the second Puzzle Piece, the heroes can find the letter O above the highest platform.
• N: In the Barrel Cannon right after the checkpoint, the primates are aimed towards the letter N that is surrounded by many fireball enemies.
• G: On the sinking structure at the end of the level, the letter G can be found on a platform in the center of the area shortly after the fifth and final Puzzle Piece sinks.

Puzzle Pieces

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The Kongs in the Bonus Level.

1. The Kongs can find a barrel at the beginning of the level. If they pick it up and carry it slightly farther ahead, they can find a sand bag next to a platform. If they throw the barrel at the bag, a Puzzle Piece comes out.
2. After riding along the platforms floating on the fire located after the first DK Barrel, the heroes can make their way to an area with two platforms and rolling wheels that move through the lava. Under the second platform is a Puzzle Piece that can be reached if the primates jump off of one of the wheels just before it sinks into the lava.
3. The Kongs should take their time on the wheel platform immediately after the area with the letter O to find a Puzzle Piece move towards them just before the wheel sinks.
4. Immediately before the first and only checkpoint, the heroes should jump on a raised platform with a fan next to it. If they blow on the fan, a small platform lowers. When they jump on it, they are taken upwards into a Bonus Level. Here, they must shoot back and fourth between two barrels while collecting eighty bananas and two Banana Coins. An Auto Fire Barrel is in the center of the area to shoot them out of the bonus. If all of the items are collected within thirty seconds, a Puzzle Piece appears.
5. On the sinking structure at the end of the level, the Kongs should quickly jump to the first platform to the right before it sinks to find a Puzzle Piece.