Hmm, the only problem with using the parrot is once you start, it's hard not to keep relying on it. Already there's a couple of pieces where I used the parrot and thought "man, I should have seen that. I didn't see it my first 4 times through but I maybe would have found it on the 5th".

Then again, 5 times playing through a level just looking for a subtle hint that could be anything, anywhere and that you obviously missed 4 times already, that's more than enough. I'm gladd the parrot is an option.

Still, the pieces are pretty cleverly hidden. They don't feel cheap, the way I thought some of the secrets in DKC were cheap.


I got a question about the world 2 boss. I did beat it, but the damn crabs never seemed to want to flip. It felt like it was random. Was it random, or was there a tell I completely missed?

This game is driving home the fact that I'm not as perceptive as I think I am.

edit - Hell, it took me until world 3 to realize the dandelions hiding puzzle pieces are slightly orange.

Um... they can only be flipped when they lift their arms up.

LINK

How did you miss this?!

So when you jump on them, then roll into them, they won't flip? Huh.

I missed it because there was no reason not to jump on them.

I think all jumping on them does is make them put their arms up, which they do on occasion anyway.

But there does seem to be an inconsistency... when they are alone and their arms are up you are saying a roll doesn't work? Though when they are on top of each other it does. Maybe because a tower can be toppled? I dunno.

@Zero

Yes, it does make them put their arms up, that's why I jumped on them. Are you saying they won't flip if they don't spontaneously put their arms up, without me jumping on them? (can't check your link)

Well what I did was jump on them then ground pound to make them flip. Except maybe when they are a tower you just have to wait until their hands are up. Except rolling seems to work at this point as well.

So basically I just confused you more, and myself.

Pandareus said:

Hell, it took me until world 3 to realize the dandelions hiding puzzle pieces are slightly orange.

They are!? I went through the whole game blowing on EVERY dandelion. Ah, if only I were paying attention.

Okay, pounding the ground, that's what I was missing.

Seriously, it wasn't obvious. The first time I faced them, they pretty quickly flipped over on their own, without me using the ground pound, so I thought that's how it was done, but then died, and suddenly on the next playthroughs they just wouldn't flip, I would have to roll into them 5-6 times and eventually they did.

I'm surprised that passed testing.

@roykoopa64

I only noticed it in a cave, the contrast made it more obvious. Not sure if I'll be able to tell in the brighter, more colorful stages.

Pandareus said:

edit - Hell, it took me until world 3 to realize the dandelions hiding puzzle pieces are slightly orange.

Mind blown.

Pandareus said:

Hell, it took me until world 3 to realize the dandelions hiding puzzle pieces are slightly orange.

Wow. I've literally done everything in the game, from puzzle pieces to shiny golds, and I never noticed that.

Wait, this might just be another case of "Pandareus has gone crazy". We need someone to verify this.

Ha ha! Turns out I AM perceptive! Perceptive like a FOX!

If you guys want to test it out, I noticed it in an early level in world 3. I think it's the level where right at the beginning, there's a piece on your left that you have to make a structure fall down with a ground pound to reach, and then you go right and you fire yourself from a barrel into a giant monkey face's mouth.

edit - Actually I don't remember if it was in that level. Let me check back after work.

Alright, tried to take a picture, but it really doesn't come through.

Just check out Damp Dungeon in world 3, guys. The dandelions with the puzzle piece is noticeably orangish compared to the greyish ones elsewhere in the dungeon.

edit - Okay, after playing more levels later, maybe it was just the lighting.

I beat world 4, the one with a couple of cart levels.

Mole Patrol is just hilarious. Moles suspended by balloons flailing and swinging their pickaxe at you is probably one of the funniest things I've seen in a Nintendo game.

I enjoyed the cart levels for the most part, but Bombs Away felt like BIT.TRIP RUNNER except with lives and without the whole "you're back to playing the game in an instant" thing.

Nintendo should really consider making lives a thing of the past if they're gonna keep on making difficult 2D platformers. I can understand their reluctance to retire the 1up mushroom as it's so iconic, but are those balloons iconic to anyone? I doubt it, but DKC fans may disagree I suppose.

The bananas are definitely iconic, though, and I can't think of a way to keep them in and be useful without being it being obnoxious to have to collect so many.

Same with coins in Mario, I suppose. The bananas and the coins have the same purpose: guiding the player through the level. The fact that they get you lives is almost incidental. Just a carrot to get you to pay attention to them.

I don't know what the solution is.

I just beat 5-k. That level came dangerously close to sapping away all the enjoyment I had playing the game.

I realize that I'm just having a conversation with myself at this point (that's the price of being late to the party), but a few thoughts (that will sound like nitpicks):

- If there is a sequel, I hope Retro gives the "move to the left at the start of the level" "secrets" a rest. You do it once or twice, that's clever. You do it in 50% of the levels, that's just obnoxious.

- Speaking of secrets, I understand that tons of little secret passageways or hidden barrels and caves is what DKC has always been about, and that Retro is just following that mould. But is it just me or does that make secrets less and less satisfying to find as you go on? The first time you think of looking behind foliage or think to follow the trail of bananas to your apparent doom only to find a secret, it's satisfying. But then you do it over and over? It's no longer clever, and it doesn't give you any satisfaction.

IMO Super Mario World had it right. There were secrets that were incredibly satisfying to find in that game. Finding a secret exit was a BIG DEAL.

I know DKC as a series doesn't attempt to be SMW, but I kind of wish it did.

Don't worry, Pandy, I'm enjoying your monologue, lol. For what it's worth, I agree with many of the points your making. But these 'nitpicks' are so minute (imo) that I think they're more befitting of a stream of consciousness than an actual discussion. In other words, continue on.

5-k was tough, but it really tests your platforming skills. So much shit to avoid!

I can't agree with your qualms Pandareus. I just make a habit of checking the left side of the start area on every stage and it doesn't bother me. Also, I never found that jiggies were less satisfying to find. The way they are hidden is mixed up often enough to keep it fresh, IMO. The bonus stages are a tad repetitive, though.

@Pandareus

Having to make DK blow every single pinwheel and dandelion was by far my least favorite aspect of the game. It really slowed down the pace of the game, and was just another reason for me to have to waggle. I felt that that part of the game was completely unnecessary. The only real advantage blowing had was that you could put out fire enemies...but surely there was a better way to accomplish that (or just make fire enemies indestructible).


And I guess if they're going to hide stuff on the left side of the start of a level, they might as well do it all over the place, because they've already established the idea that there can be stuff there. I'd rather they either do it a lot, or not do it at all...I think it would feel kind of inconsistent if they just did it a few times in the whole game.

So I beat the game last night, as in beat the last boss, now I just need to go and collect all the puzzle pieces and the KONG letters, as well as unlock the K levels; thing is, I don't know how to unlock the K levels. I unlocked one, but I have no idea how I did it, and must have done it by accident as I was playing with my brother at the time.

@Brick
Just collect all the K-O-N-G letters in each stage and the K stage will open up. Good luck!