When Donkey Kong Country Returns first swung onto the Wii, it reminded us why we love Nintendo’s favourite barrel-chucking, tie-wearing ape. But in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, we’re treated to an even juicier, banana-flavoured experience thanks to better graphics, additional features, and the ability to unlock an entire secret world.
Yes, you read that right: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD contains a whole new set of levels to sink your teeth into. And just because you’re my favourite, I’m going to walk you through what you need to do to unlock the mythical World 9: Cloud.
A Brief History Of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Before diving into the secret world, let’s set the scene. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD takes everything great about Retro Studios’ classic and adds some modern flair. Sure, there are a few compromises, but you also get some fantastic perks:
Modern Mode: Perfect for players who’d rather not spend their lives being taunted by Professor Chops.
Two-Player Co-op: Bring a buddy to share in the chaos on one screen.
World 9: Cloud: The crown jewel, an extra world with nine brand-new levels.
K-O-N-G Letters: The Secret To Unlocking World 9: Cloud
If you’ve ever wondered why those K-O-N-G letters are scattered across the levels, here’s your answer. Collecting all the KONG letters in a world unlocks that world’s K-level. Do this for all eight worlds, and you’re one step closer to unlocking the secret world.
Pro Tips for Letter-Hunting:
Star Power: Levels where you’ve collected all KONG letters are marked with a shiny star.
Persistence is Key: Unlike Puzzle Pieces, KONG letters don’t save if you lose a life. So, if you accidentally steer Donkey Kong off a cliff, you’ll need to re-pick them up to snag them all in one run.
Rare Orbs: After unlocking and completing all eight K-levels, you’ll earn a rare orb for each. Think of these orbs as Donkey Kong’s version of Infinity Stones. Once you’ve got all eight, it’s time to channel your inner Indiana Jones and head to the Golden Temple.
How to Open the Golden Temple:
Defeat Tiki Tong: Finish off the final boss and watch Donkey Kong punch the moon. Bananas rain down, the animals break free from their hypnosis, and you’ll get your first glimpse of the Golden Temple.
Post-credits, mystical statues activate, and a banana-yellow building emerges from the volcano. The Golden Temple is officially in play.
The temple’s door has a circular panel with eight slots. Pop in those rare orbs, and the mechanism activates.
Welcome To World 9: Cloud
Cranky Kong wasn’t joking when he said there’s a banana that can take you to another dimension. After opening the Golden Temple, Donkey Kong takes a bite of the magical banana and gets teleported to World 9: Cloud.
This Secret World is a nostalgic trip featuring nine levels inspired by all previous worlds. Think of it as a greatest-hits compilation but with more barrels and a sprinkle of extra chaos.
Unlocking World 9: Cloud in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD isn’t for the faint of heart, but the journey is as rewarding as a perfectly ripe banana.
With shiny stars, rare orbs, and Cranky Kong’s cryptic hints to guide you, you’re well-equipped to tackle this adventure. Just don’t forget: every great ape needs a little patience… and maybe a lot of extra balloons. Good luck!
You can follow the link here to read our full review of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.