The 10 HARDEST Levels/Sections in Donkey Kong Games

The 10 Hardest Levels/Sections in Donkey Kong Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, were taking a look at the 10 toughest levels to ever be featured in the Donkey Kong franchise.

Klobber Karnage

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest (1995)

Of all the Donkey Kong games weve seen over the decades, DKC2 has long been known to be the hardest in the franchises history. Klobber Karnage is just one of a several levels that earned the game its infamy. For starters, there are a ton of Klobbers scattered throughout the level, causing the player to be suspicious of just about every barrel they see. Barrel Cannons, on the other hand, require you to have either Diddy or Dixie in order to retrieve all of the collectibles in the level. And just to top off the entire headache, the final stretch is an on-rails segment where you must time your barrel cannon launches along with the movement of one cannon as it makes its way to the exit.

Tippin Totems

Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)

Though it isnt as hard as DKC2, Returns still gets pretty close to being as challenging as the 1995 SNES classic with certain hazards able to insta-kill you. Tippin Totems wont make you sweat over something like that, but the amount of hazards it does throw can still be overwhelming. Be prepared for swarms of bats every so often, plenty of poisonous plants that shoot spores from many directions, and lots of teetering towers of totems. Needless to say, be mindful of where youre jumping to and use Diddys jet pack as often as you can.

Koindozer Klamber

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kongs Double Trouble (1996)

If youre trying to complete DKC3, then Koindozer Klamber is going to make or break you. At first, it wont give you too much trouble. The first third is expectedly composed of Koindozer Kremlings, which will constantly shield themselves. You can trick these guys into turning their shields into platforms, but if you get on their level, they will charge at you and try to push you off the edge. Later on, youll have to time jumps on barrels launched by Bazukas and try to get past the springy Re-Koils that appear towards the end. Dixies gliding ability can make this level easier, but if she gets hit, the rest of the level can be challenging for Kiddy Kong.

Platform Perils

Donkey Kong Country (1994)

Of the final levels featured in the original DKC, Platform Perils is the most tumultuous. You will be subjected to a lot of moving platforms, a lot of enemies ambushing you from off-screen, and a few moments where you may have to take leaps of faith. And once you get about halfway through, youll start running into gray Krushas, Kremlings that can only be defeated by tossing barrels into them. Its all a lot to juggle and requires you to really lock in in order to finally reach King K. Rool.

Platform Problems

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)

Not to be confused with the level we just talked about. No, Platform Problems is the hardest level in all of Tropical Freeze. You need to be at the top of your game when it comes to timing as youll come across platforms that can only be jumped on at certain times, platforms that suddenly drop, and platforms that can only be reached by jumping through very narrow passages. But the most harrowing segment is right at the very end when you have to jump between multiple platforms while a lone platform moves along its own railing. Yeah, youre going to need Dixie for this arduous trek.

New Donk City

Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)

Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza is a super easy game to get through. Like, comically easy. But the very last level in the game is bound to throw you for a loop with how suddenly difficult things become. You will have to utilize every Bananza transformation in the game to make it through the lava-flooded New Donk City. Zebra, Ostrich, Elephant, Gorilla, Snake - you need to understand every single ones mechanics and destroy enough of the environment so that you can transform instantly as soon as your current Bananza expires. Hope youve refined your destruction skills or else you might be dying a handful of times.

Bramble Scramble

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest (1995)

For anyone who has played DKC2, Bramble Scramble has haunted many a player. As the levels name implies, bramble is covering every single corner, and just one touch will cause you to either be down a Kong or die instantly. Not only that, but there are Stingers flying everywhere! Youre practically always having to err on the side of caution whenever you make an ounce of progress. At least Squawker comes with a projectile attack that does take care of the Stingers. If only there was something to take care of the brambles. And would you believe this isnt even the hardest level in DKC2? Well get to it shortly.

Poison Pond

Donkey Kong Country (1994)

Poison Pond is one of those levels where its going to be as hard as you make. However, no matter what you do, it remains to be the hardest level in the entire game. See, Poison Pond is packed to the brim with spinning spiked wheels and Squidges. You will also come across some fish that might be tough to spot if you arent paying attention. And if you managed to get Enguarde the Swordfish from the hidden wall, mind his speed as it can send you into a hazard or enemy. So, try not to get careless with blasting through the level.

Perilous Passage

Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)

Remember earlier when we mentioned how Returns likes to get carried away with the insta-kills? Well, if you didnt understand that early on in, say, World Two, youre going to learn in Perilous Passage. This is the final level of the Cliff World, and its the toughest level in the entire game. Rising lava, precise platforming, enemies coming from offscreen, pursuing Bionic Bees, and even springs are going to constantly keep you on your toes. So long as you have a firm grasp on how jumping works in Returns, maybe you wont suffer as badly as a casual player may. But one level still manages to trump this in terms of being the hardest Donkey Kong level in history.

Toxic Tower

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest (1995)

Toxic Tower is every DKC players worst nightmare and possibly the biggest reason why DKC2 is labeled the hardest game in the franchise. Throughout the level, green acid will continuously rise, meaning youre going to have to grab all of the collectibles in one go. No backtracking allowed! To make things even more excruciating, there are constantly Stingers in the way, some being required to make certain jumps in the first third of the level. Maintaining speed and momentum is your top priority, so if youre planning to 100% DKC2, be prepared to restart several times.

What do you think is the hardest level across the Donkey Kong franchise? Let us know down in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great videos everyday!