Donkey Kong Land 2

Donkey Kong Land 2
Developer(s)	Rareware
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Platforms	Game Boy
Release date:	September 1, 1996 November 23, 1996 November 28, 1996
Genre	Platformer
Ratings	ESRB: Kids to Adults
Modes	1 player
Media	4-megabit cartridge

Donkey Kong Land 2 is a Game Boy video game developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo in 1996. It is a sequel to Donkey Kong Land released a little over a year after it. The game is based off of the Super Nintendo game Donkey Kong Country 2, retaining much of the cast and setting, though the plot of DKL2 is a simple retelling of its superior. Multiple elements of DKC2 were not included due to the Game Boy's limitations.

Donkey Kong Land 2 is often seen as the weak link of the Land series of games due to its lack of originality and reused content from Donkey Kong Country 2; even the game manual itself is a reprinted version of the manual for DKC2. Even so, it has a sequel, Donkey Kong Land III.

Story

The events of Donkey Kong Land 2 are a retelling of the events of Donkey Kong Country 2. Donkey Kong gets ambushed and kidnapped by Kaptain K. Rool of the Kremling Krew, and is taken to Crocodile Isle. Diddy finds a ransom note and alerts the family. Cranky Kong reads the note (as Diddy cannot read yet), and the note demands the Banana Hoard in return for DK. Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong travel to the isle to get Donkey Kong back, and to avoid taking up K. Rool's banana hoard ransom. Diddy and Dixie team up and enter enemy territory, repel the Kremling Krew and navigate the egregious Crocodile Isle. The duo utilize their unique abilities, a various assortment of items, and Animal Buddies in their quest.

There exists an online controversy about the plot of Donkey Kong Land 2. A rumor starting in fan website "DK Universe" claimed that after the events of Donkey Kong Country 2, Kaptain K. Rool used some sort of magic to raise the sunken Crocodile Isle and kidnap Donkey Kong again. Side effects from raising the isle from its watery grave explain why it appears more vile and parts missing, also explaining how Crocodile Cauldron and Krem Quay were merged together.

However there is no official word regarding that statement and is regarded as fanon. For one, the majority of limitations are simply due to the handheld's poor memory. Given the fact that the manual is a reprinted version of the one used for DKC2 and uses the same plot, it can be assumed the game is a watered down retelling of its Super Nintendo superior.

Game Overview

General Gameplay

Diddy and Dixie running together.

Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong are the main protagonists. The two share basic abilities such as running, jumping, swimming and so forth, and have unique characteristics to set each other apart. Diddy Kong has his classic cartwheel ability and speed advantages, allowing quick maneuvers, but has trouble facing certain enemies alone. Dixie Kong is not as fast, however can take advantage of her Ponytail Whirl to whip enemies or even whirl it in a helicopter-like fashion and slow her descent, allowing her course to be adjusted as well. The Team-Up ability from DKC2 was removed due to limitations of the Game Boy.

The English version of this game also has three cheats, all done on the file selection screen. The player must hold left or right and do a certain button combo, listed below:

• Fifty Lives code: A, A, B, B
• Forty Banana Coins code: B, B, A, A
• Forty seven Kremkoins code: A, B, A, B
  • Note: In order to get 100%, the Kremkoins must still be collected, so this code is only useful to get past Klubba early.

When these codes are done correctly, an extra life sound effect will be heard.

In addition, the cheats do not work in the Japanese version.

Items

A Treasure Chest and Crate.

• Bananas are regular, floating fruit found in every level. When 100 are collected, the player is granted one extra life.
• Banana Bunches have a value of ten bananas per bunch collected. Not as common as regular Bananas.
• Banana Coins are collectible currency. They can be used to afford Wrinkly Kong's saving services or Funky Kong's transportation services.
• Crates are a type of throw-able object that smash on impact. Useful for harming enemies.
• DK Coins are rare, large golden coins with the "DK" logo on them. There is one in each regular level and are not easy to find. Once all are collected Diddy Kong will become a video game hero.
• K-O-N-G Letters are a set of four letters found in a level, in order. Once all are collected the player earns a free life.
• No Animal Sign prevents animal buddies from proceeding from wherever the sign is placed so the Kongs can properly finish a level.
• Treasure Chests, per the pirate stereotype, contain items when opened. They can be picked up by either character and used to defeat enemies.

Barrels

An Animal Barrel for Squitter.

• ! Barrels are a unique type of barrel which grant immunity to damage for a short period of time. Useful for getting through tight spots or dispatching enemies quite quickly.
• Animal Barrels, when jumped in, transform the player into the animal displayed on the barrel. For example, jumping into an Animal barrel with Rambi's face on it transforms the player into Rambi.
• Barrel Cannons can be jumped into and launch the player in a direction. The cannons have their own way of aiming and firing.
• Bonus Barrels teleport the player to a bonus area when jumped into. Recognized by the large "B" on the barrel.
• DK Barrels can return a missing Kong to the game. When both are alive and well, it functions as a normal barrel.
• Rotatable Barrels are the same as barrel cannons, but can be controlled and aimed by the player.
• Star Barrels are the game's checkpoints, and must be broken to allow the player to continue from that point should he/she lose a life.
• TNT Barrels are explosive barrels that detonate on impact. Deadly to all enemies.
• Wooden Barrels are basic weapons that are thrown and rolled to defeat enemies in the way. Can also break open secret doors.

Characters

Kongs

The game's cast. Swanky Kong, the one in blue to the far right, did not return from DKC2.

• Cranky Kong does not make an in-game appearance, however does read the ransom note and explains what they have to do.
• Diddy Kong is the game's star. He refuses to pay Kaptain K. Rool's banana hoard ransom for Donkey Kong's return and heads out to Crocodile Isle with his girlfriend Dixie Kong to save him. Diddy rises up to become the star of the show. He uses his agility and skill to prosper throughout their perilous quest.
• Dixie Kong is Diddy's girlfriend and partner. As a team, they go to Crocodile Isle to rescue their pal Donkey Kong. She makes use of her ponytail to whip enemies or glide to new areas Diddy cannot reach.
• Funky Kong, as usual is a supporting Kong Family member and runs Funky's Flights II. By paying him two Banana Coins, he will allow the adventurers to return to the overworld map and go to any level that has been beaten before.
• Wrinkly Kong runs a Kong Kollege, and when paid two banana coins, will save the game.

Animal Buddies

The Kongs get assistance from Animal Buddies again, the ones listed below all return from Donkey Kong Country 2 with similar roles.

Squitter.

• Clapper the Seal helps to either cool down fiery lava or freeze large pools of water into ice depending on the situation. Clapper does not appear often.
• Enguarde the Swordfish appears only in underwater levels, and is the only way to defeat underwater enemies. By stabbing with his sharp bill he can harm most aquatic foes and swims faster than the Kongs.
• Glimmer the Anglerfish only makes a cameo on the game's cover art, guiding Diddy and Dixie Kong through a ship wreck.
• Rambi the Rhinoceros returns with his role unchanged -- rampaging through levels and opening bonus areas. Always a welcome surprise to find.
• Rattly the Rattlesnake can use his springy like body to gain height and jump to higher areas previously unthinkable to reach.
• Squawks the Parrot flies and spits our coconuts. He can use his flight to avoid enemies and obstacles, and his coconuts handle most enemies. However his body is weak and cannot take contact with a foe. Squawks is the only animal buddy to be used in a boss level in this game -- King Zing.
• Squitter the Spider uses its web ability to injure enemies or create platforms to stand on.

Enemies

A majority of the enemy cast is from DKC2. Unlike Donkey Kong Land, no enemies are new. A few were scrapped from DKC2 to Land 2 due to limitations (i.e. Cat-O-9-Tails' physics).

A Click-Clack.

A Flitter.

Klomp, the game's basic Kremling minion.

• Click-Clack is a beetle-like enemy that are commonly found wandering on the ground. The enemy is unique given it does not just take a single jump to defeat; Once jumped on it flips to its back, defenseless for a few moments. The player can control which direction they are knocked back and can either finish the job or pick it up like a crate and toss it to defeat other enemies.
• Flitter is a species of docile dragonflies. Typically just mind their own business, they can be jumped off of to reach other areas or height.
• Flotsam are a type of enemy found underwater that are usually found casually swimming around. Appears docile but can hurt Diddy or Dixie if they get too close.
• Kaboing are simply Klomps that are always jumping. Their patterns are constant and predictable though can still be bothersome in groups.
• Kannon are Klumps in a pirate motif, and use their cannon projectiles to attack. No other means of a threat aside from cannon fire.
• Klampon is a species of small, large-jawed Kremlings that attack with their sharp teeth. Should not be attacked from the front.
• Klinger are Kremling pirates who climb onto ropes and slide down them, trying to get in the way.
• Klobber are Kremlings that live in barrels, and attack by charging at the player.
• Klomp are the game's basic Kremling minions. The Klomps simply walk forward in one direction mindlessly.
• Klubba is a very bulk, club wielding foe who has access to the Lost World. He will allow the player to access the area when bribed with enough Kremkoins.
• Krocheads are alligators who only show their heads above water. Their heads are used for platforms.
• Krook use their hook hands as boomerangs, posing a threat to any Kong in the line of fire.
• Kruncha are strong Kremlings that walk forward, and cannot be defeated by simply being jumped on; in fact, jumping on one enrages it. However, most other projectiles and animal buddies accessible will make quick work of them. Sometimes appear in groups.
• Lockjaw is a annoying species of piranha that directly target Diddy and Dixie when in sight. Lockjaw attacks quickly and cannot be defeated without Enguarde's help.
• Necky return from Donkey Kong Country, however the game's species of Necky are actually the Mini-Necky of DKC. They use flying attacks to disrupt the player's progress, but can also be jumped on to gain height.
• Neek are shiprats commonly found in the game. Neek just walk forward and can be defeated by any means of offense.
• Puftup are aquatic enemies that can expand their bodies and use pointy spike attacks. Caution is advised when around them.
• Shuri is a species of starfish that spin around to attack.
• Snapjaw are a one-time enemy that act much like Lockjaw, however cannot be defeated and follow the player around the entire level it appears in.
• Spiny are a porcupine enemy that cannot be attacked from above or behind due to their spikes. Sometimes found with Klampon.
• Zingers are common bee enemies that cannot be touched. Projectiles or certain Animal Buddies are used to defeat it, but in most cases they are best left alone.

Bosses

Kleever, second boss.

Bosses are found at the end of each world.

• Krow is a very large Necky who can fly around and use its eggs offensively.
• Kleever is a giant sword that came out of the lavas of Krem Cauldron. Kleever uses slashing and fireball attacks.
• King Zing is Queen B.'s spouse and boss of Krazy Kremland. Like most other Zingers, it flies around and can sting. The player must transform into Squawks in this battle.
• Kreepy Krow is the ghost of Krow come back to reap revenge. However its efforts are foiled again and spirit is laid to rest.
• Kaptain K. Rool is the final boss of the game. He kidnapped DK and controls the island. K. Rool attacks with cannons and is found up in his airship, the Flying Krock.

Kudgel does not make an appearance due to the merge of Crocodile Cauldron and Krem Quay. Kleever takes over as boss of the unified area and Kudgels whereabouts in the game are unknown.

Levels

Similar to Donkey Kong Country 2, Donkey Kong Land 2 takes place on Crocodile Isle once more. The level names remain the same, but the layouts of the levels are entirely different. There are thirty-nine levels in the game and seven boss levels. Levels that are in bold indicate boss levels.

Gangplank Galleon

• Pirate Panic
• Mainbrace Mayhem
• Gangplank Galley
• Lockjaw's Locker
• Topsail Trouble
• Krow's Nest

Krem Cauldron

• Hot-Head Hop
• Kannon's Klaim
• Lava Lagoon
• Red-Hot Ride
• Squawks's Shaft
• Barrel Bayou
• Glimmer's Galleon
• Rattle Battle
• Slime Climb
• Kleaver's Kiln

Krazy Kremland

• Hornet Hole
• Target Terror
• Bramble Blast
• Rickety Race
• Bramble Scramble
• Mudhole Marsh
• Rambi Rumble
• King Zing Sting

Gloomy Gulch

• Ghostly Grove
• Krazy Koaster
• Gusty Glade
• Parrot Chute Panic
• Web Woods
• Kreepy Krow

K. Rool's Keep

• Arctic Abyss
• Windy Well
• Dungeon Danger
• Clapper's Cavern
• Chain Link Chamber
• Toxic Tower
• Stronghold Showdown

The Flying Krock

• Screech's Sprint
• K. Rool Duel

Lost World

• Jungle Jinx
• Black Ice Battle
• Klobber Karnage
• Fiery Furnace
• Animal Antics
• Krocodile Kore

Gallery

Boxarts

• 

  The American boxart.

• 

  The European boxart.

• 

  The Japanese Donkey Kong Land 2 boxart.

Title screens and screenshots

• 

  The International title screen.

• 

  The Japanese title screen.

• 

  The Game Over screen.

• 

  The Video Game Heroes screen.

Trivia

• Donkey Kong Land 2 initially had the subtitle "Diddy's Kong Quest". This was removed shortly before the game was released, likely to avoid making people think it was an exact port of Donkey Kong Country 2, which had the same subtitle.
• All the levels in the game have same names as those in Donkey Kong Country 2, however, the level layouts were new. The only exceptions are "Haunted Hall" (replaced with "Krazy Koaster") and "Castle Crush" (replaced with "Dungeon Danger").
• The boxart depicts in the background, Glimmer the Anglerfish, even though he doesn't appear in the game. The box art was later used for the title screen in the European version of the Game Boy Advance port of Donkey Kong Country 2.
• This game is the only Donkey Kong Land series game where Funky makes an appearance.
• There is an 8-bit version of Boss Bossanova, which was intended to be used in non-K. Rool boss battles, but ended up unused because it was replaced with Crocodile Cacophony.