Master Part 37 of Donkey Kong Country Returns! This guide covers the Red Rising lava level and the Tiki Tong Terror boss fight, detailing puzzle piece locations and boss strategies.
Alright, let's dive into Part 37 of Donkey Kong Country Returns! This section throws a couple of challenges at you, starting with the fiery 'Red Rising' and then culminating in a showdown with the big bad, Tiki Tong himself. Don't worry, we'll get through it together.
Red Rising Walkthrough
You'll start in an area with three columns of platforms that sink into lava. You need to get to the bottom of the furthest one on the right to snag a puzzle piece (5) before it disappears!
Next, you'll be dodging fireballs coming from both sides of the screen. Keep an eye out for the letter G appearing on the center column amidst the chaos. Grab it quickly!
As the platforms start to run out, make your way to the right. The exit barrel will pop up over there. Just past this, you'll encounter platforms that emerge from the lava. Jump on them, and from the fourth one, you'll see the letter K pop out from the left. Grab it, but be ready to jump back to the right immediately.
You'll land on a large platform, and another will shoot out to the left. Jump on this new platform; it'll take you to a bonus area. After that, hop across one more set of platforms to reach the level's only checkpoint. Phew, you're halfway there!
Now, the lava starts to rise, and you'll need to climb! Keep moving up the platforms that appear from the walls and background. You'll see a rock formation in the foreground; follow the platforms up and to the left. This rock will eventually break, revealing a hidden puzzle piece (2).
Keep climbing. As you ascend, head towards the left to grab the letter O. You'll then reach platforms that move in and out of the walls. Just above the first set that can crush you, a puzzle piece (3) will appear from the wall on the right. Keep moving up!
Underneath a set of three platforms with a char-char hopping between them, a rock will emerge from the left wall. At the very left edge of this rock, you'll find another puzzle piece (4). A little further up, you'll spot a tiki tank. Jump off its head to the left to land on a platform with the letter N.
In the next set of platforms that slide out of the walls, look for a puzzle piece (5) just under the last platform, appearing from the left. Finally, you'll reach the barrel cannon section. Fire six times immediately, then wait. The letter G will be moving from left to right. Wait for it to cross your path, then fire rapidly to finish the stage safely.
Tiki Tong Terror Boss Fight
After the 'Red Rising' level, you'll grab a DK barrel and jump into a rocket barrel. Remember from 'Lift-off Launch' that holding the jump button lets you fly higher. Steer through the passageways, then accelerate to dodge moving traps. You'll grab some bananas and a life balloon, then need to dodge blimps coming from below. After more traps, you'll land inside the tower for the boss fight!
Stats / Weaknesses:
- Weak Points: Red gems on the back of his hands, then the inside of his head.
Phases:
- Hand Attacks: Tiki Tong uses his hands for attacks.
- Head Attacks: After both hands are destroyed, he uses his head.
Strategy:
- Hand Swipe: If he puts his hands in the bottom corners and they glow, jump over the swipe. If his palms face down, attack his hands *before* the swipe. If his palms face in, he'll wait a moment. Sometimes he'll put his palm up, making the gem unhittable – dodge these entirely.
- Ground Slam: If he puts his hand out, palm out, he'll slap the ground. Dodge away, then jump on his hand twice to make it explode.
- Single Hand Phase: After one hand is destroyed, he'll use the remaining hand with increased speed and slight strategy changes. Stay on the opposite side of the screen to counter his speed.
- Head Phase: Once both hands are gone, his weak point is inside his head. When he slams his head into the ground, creating shockwaves, jump on the red button inside to score a hit.
- Other Head Attacks: He can also fire homing meteors (run under them) or swoop across the platform (duck in a corner).
- Progression: Each time you hit him, he gets faster, but the core strategy remains. Hit his head three times to win.
Enjoy the closing cutscene! You've earned it.
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