KONG Letters
The Letters of K-O-N-G are items in the Donkey Kong Country series. As stated in the manual: "Find all four letters on a single level to receive an extra life." As their name states, Letters are the gold-lined, gold-lettered K, O, N and G letters found on each level of the games. Some are out in the open, and some are hidden throughout the stage or in Bonus Areas.
If a Kong manages to collect the entire word KONG on any stage, they will get an extra life for their troubles. A good rule of thumb for one to remember is that a Kong come across the letters in order. In otherwords, if a Kong comes across the O, but doesn't have the K, it means he or she has passed it. A collector Kong should keep that in mind as they go to collect these items.
In Donkey Kong Land K-O-N-G Letters must be collected to save game progress. Oddly, the level "Kong Krazy" in Donkey Kong Land has multiple sets of K-O-N-G Letters in it; in this level the K-O-N-G Letters can be used as platforms and bridges.
K-O-N-G Letters will be returning in DK Jungle Climber.