Grassland Groove

Grassland Groove is the first level in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, located in Bright Savannah area. It takes place in a savanna at sunrise.

Overview

Before starting the level, various enemies are shown in the prologue, such as a Swooper Dooper with a surprised look, Painguin Tuck sticking a fishbone spear, and two Fluffs hopping around the grassland. As soon as the prologue ends, Kongs land on the ground, starting the level. One of the notable feature in this level is dancing baobab trees, which serve as various platforms that send Kongs upward or downward. Once the first dancing baobab tree section is passed, Kongs reach to the place where elephant-like platforms swaying back and forth, making a footing slightly hard. These swaying platforms are constantly seen throughout the level, some of them have little patch of grass that can be rolled on. When the grass is rolled on, it will trigger various things, such as items, platforms that lift up Kongs, and so forth. Enemies, such as Tucks, are sometimes on branches of dancing baobab tree. Spiky barrels, rolling on the swaying platforms, serve as hazards that can hurt Kongs. In what appears to be a dead end lies a bird-shaped platform with a patch of grass; when Donkey Kong rolls on the grass, the platform will change its face, and the rocky wall will crumble before the platform changes its face back to normal. The Barrel Cannon appears, taking Kongs into the next area.

In the next area, what appears to be giraffe-shaped and zebra-shaped wooden figures are seen moving back and forth, and there are vines that Kongs can hang on. The music will change once Kongs reached this area, reminiscent of African chant music. At the end of blue zebra figure lies a barrel cannon with a banana bunch with two coins that circle around it, as well as a huge giraffe-like wooden figure. Once Kongs launch themselves onto the giraffe-like figure, it will explode one by one before sending Kongs to the nearby ground. More baobab trees and moving platforms are seen in the next area. At the end of these platforms lies a third checkpoint with a baobab tree at the end; Kongs will move onto the next area beyond these areas.

The music will change once again when Kongs reach this area. In this area, long platforms resembling either a snake or dinosaur's head will move back and forth and each platform has patches of grass on its back for Kongs to hang on. Given the fact that there are wooden gears, supporting pillars and so on, there seem to be a set of wooden machine that moves the smaller platforms back and forth. Once Kongs reach the top, there will be another Barrel Cannon that sends them to the bird-shaped platform on the top. Once again, the platform has a patch of grass on the top, and rolling on it causes all other platforms - elephant-like, native-like, bull-like and so forth - to appear, along with a Slot Machine Barrel in the middle. Jumping into the barrel causes Kongs to pummel the barrel, ending the level.

Collectibles

K-O-N-G Letters

• K: On top of a patch of grass that can be rolled on. Once rolled on, a platform, as well as two coins and eight bananas will appear.
• O: Between giraffe figure and red zebra figure in the second area.
• N: On top of the first native-like platform.
• G: Between two snake-like platforms; players must stomp a Puffton in the middle.

Puzzle Pieces

1. Once they have passed the platforms that shaped like an elephant, there is a lone banana on the branch of a baobab tree. Getting it causes a winged banana to appear, and players must collect bananas following it. When all bananas are collected, a winged banana will change into a Puzzle Piece.
2. After the first bull-like platform, there is a lone baobab tree with a Pointy Tuck and a patch of grass on the bottom. Rolling on the grass reveals a plug that can be plucked. Plucking it reveals a Puzzle Piece.
3. After the second Puzzle Piece, there are platforms in a shape of a bull. On a fourth one, jump onto the vine and climb up to reach a Plump Yellow Fruit. Hand slap it to get a Puzzle Piece.
4. After the third piece, jump onto a Barrel Cannon; Swooper Dooper is swerving around it. The barrel will launch them into the wall, and a Puzzle Piece will pop out along with Kongs.
5. As soon as players reach the second checkpoint, head to the left and roll on the grass to reveal a Puzzle Piece.
6. At the end of wooden figures in the second area lies a blue zebra figure with banana bunches. Collecting all of them reveals a Puzzle Piece in the middle as well as four Extra Life Balloons.
7. After the giant giraffe figure, jump onto the second baobab tree and collect banana bunches on the top. Doing so reveals a Puzzle Piece.
8. After the seventh piece, there are two swaying platforms. Rolling over the grass patch makes giraffe figures to pop up, and players must climb up to the top. On top of the platform is a Barrel Cannon that sends them to the secret area, in which the players must collect all bananas to get a Puzzle Piece.
9. On the second snake-like platform with a heart and a Waldough, a winged banana is seen descending from the top. Collecting all the bananas that follow the winged banana makes it to change into a Puzzle Piece.