View source for Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

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{{about|the video game originally published for the Super Famicom and Super Nintendo Entertainment System|the [[Game Boy Advance]] remake|[[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)]]}}
{{game infobox
|image=[[File:DKC2.jpg|300px]]
|developer=[[Rare]]ware
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|release='''Super Famicom:'''<br> {{flag list|Japan|November 21, 1995<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/p_adnj/index.html|title=スーパードンキーコング２　ディクシー＆ディディー|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=ja|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref>}} '''Super Nintendo Entertainment System:'''<br>{{flag list|USA|December 4, 1995<ref>{{cite|date=December 1995|url=archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20077a%20%28December%201995%29/page/n285/mode/1up|title=''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' Number 77 store advertisement}}</ref>|Europe|December 14, 1995<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/game/donkey-kong-country-2-diddy-s-kong-quest/9844 ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'']. ''Polygon''. Retrieved May 10, 2023.</ref>{{better source}}|South Korea|1995<ref>{{cite|author=Dentifritz|date=|url=scanlines16.com/collection/super-donkey-kong-2-kor/|title=Super Donkey Kong 2 (KOR)|publisher=Scanlines16.com|language=French|archive=archive.today/2024.06.06-195012/http://scanlines16.com/collection/super-donkey-kong-2-kor/|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref>}}'''Virtual Console (Wii):'''<br>{{flag list|Europe|May 16, 2007|Australia|May 16, 2007|USA|May 21, 2007|Japan|October 23, 2007|South Korea|November 25, 2008}}'''Virtual Console (Wii U):'''<br>{{flag list|Europe|October 23, 2014<ref name="EUSite">{{cite|url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Super-Nintendo/Donkey-Kong-Country-2-Diddy-s-Kong-Quest-276907.html|title=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest <nowiki>| Super Nintendo | Games |</nowiki> Nintendo UK|publisher=Nintendo UK|language=en-gb|accessdate=January 18, 2025}}</ref>|Australia|October 24, 2014|Japan|November 26, 2014|USA|February 26, 2015}}'''Virtual Console (New 3DS):'''<br>{{flag list|Europe|March 24, 2016<ref name="EUSite"/>|Australia|March 25, 2016|Japan|April 6, 2016<ref>{{cite|date=April 6, 2016|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000039975|title=スーパードンキーコング2 ディクシー&ディディー|publisher=Nintendo|language=ja|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|USA|April 14, 2016}}'''Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics:'''<br>{{flag list|Japan|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo 公式チャンネル|date=September 16, 2020|url=youtu.be/oA805kDEI_g|title=ファミリーコンピュータ & スーパーファミコン Nintendo Switch Online 追加タイトル <nowiki>[2020年9月]</nowiki>|publisher=YouTube|language=ja|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|USA|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=September 16, 2020|url=youtu.be/OaeBtDePLk0|title=NES & Super NES - September Game Updates - Nintendo Switch Online|publisher=YouTube|language=en-us|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|Europe|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|author=@NintendoEurope|date=September 16, 2020|url=x.com/NintendoEurope/status/1306148368729726976?s=20|title=#DonkeyKong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, Mario’s Super Picross plus more #SuperNES and #NES games will arrive on 23/09 for #NintendoSwitchOnline members!|publisher=X|language=en-gb|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|Australia|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|author=@NintendoAUNZ|date=September 19, 2020|url=x.com/NintendoAUNZ/status/1307182633403719682?s=20|title=#DonkeyKong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, Mario’s Super Picross plus more #SuperNES and #NES games will arrive in the evening on 23/09 for #NintendoSwitchOnline members!|publisher=X|language=en-au|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|HK|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.com.hk/hardware/switch/onlineservice/fc|title=Family Computer & Super Famicom - Nintendo Switch Online|publisher=Nintendo HK|language=zh-hant|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>|South Korea|September 23, 2020<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.kr/switch/onlineservice/fc|title=NES & Super NES - Nintendo Switch Online (Shown in Copyrights)|publisher=Nintendo Korea|language=ko|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>}}
|languages={{languages|en=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|jp=y}}
|genre=[[Genre#Platform games|Platformer]], adventure
|modes=Single player, multiplayer
|ratings='''Original release:'''{{ratings|esrb=K-A|acb=G}}'''Virtual Console:'''{{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|cero=A|usk=0}}
|platforms=[[Super Famicom]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]], [[Wii U]], [[Nintendo 3DS#New Nintendo 3DS/New Nintendo 3DS XL|New Nintendo 3DS]]), [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics]]
|format={{format|sfc=1|sfm=1|snes=1|wiidl=1|wiiudl=1|3dsdl=1|switchdl=1}}
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|serials={{flag list|Japan|SHVC-ADNJ-JPN}}
}}
'''''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''''' (also shortened to '''''Donkey Kong Country 2''''',<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/19980705001844/http://www.rare.co.uk/retro/backcat/gamepages/dkc2.html|title=DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 2|publisher=Rareware|language=en-gb|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref> and '''''Diddy's Kong Quest''''' on the title screen) is a 1995 platform game that was developed by [[Rare]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Super Famicom]] and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It is the second installment in the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]]. It is a sequel and direct follow-up to ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''. The last two words in the subtitle is a portmanteau of "[[Kong]]" and "conquest." The game stars [[Diddy Kong]], as he and his girlfriend, [[Dixie Kong]], make their way through [[Crocodile Isle]] to save [[Donkey Kong]] from the clutches of the [[Kremling Krew]]. A sequel and direct follow-up to ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'', ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', was released in 1996.

In 2004, [[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)|a remake]] of the game was made for the [[Game Boy Advance]]. It omits the ''Diddy's Kong Quest'' subtitle, making it simply known as ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', and has more minigames, some [[photograph]]s, among other differences.

In 2007, the original version was rereleased on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console#Wii|Virtual Console]]. On November 25, 2012 ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and the other two original ''Donkey Kong Country'' games were delisted from the Wii Virtual Console,<ref>{{cite|author=Femmel, Kevin|date=November 16, 2012|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20151206044400/http://gimmegimmegames.com/2012/11/nintendo-removing-all-donkey-kong-country-games-from-virtual-console|title=Nintendo removing all Donkey Kong Country games from Virtual Console|publisher=Gimme Gimme Games|language=en|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref> but on October 30, 2014, the games were relisted in Europe and Australia. Around the same time, the games were released for the [[Wii U]]'s [[Virtual Console#Wii U|Virtual Console]] in Europe and Australia; in Japan on November 26, 2014; and in the United States and Canada on February 26, 2015. For handhelds, ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' was ported exclusively to the [[Nintendo 3DS#New Nintendo 3DS/New Nintendo 3DS XL|New Nintendo 3DS]]'s [[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] in March/April 2016. It was made available on [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics]] for the [[Nintendo Switch]] on September 23, 2020.

''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' is the sixth-best-selling Super Nintendo Entertainment System game, with its predecessor being the third. A similar [[Game Boy]] title was released a year later, in 1996, ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]''.

This game's soundtrack was released on [[Nintendo Music]] on November 4, 2024.
==Story==
{{quote|Arrrrgh! This story's even worse than DKC! They're really scraping the bottom of the barrel this time!|Cranky Kong}}
Some time after the events of ''Donkey Kong Country'', [[Donkey Kong]] is relaxing at a beach, sitting on a chair while drinking a banana milkshake. [[Funky Kong]] is busy surfing waves among the seagulls. [[Cranky Kong]] walks up to Donkey Kong and hits him on the head with his cane. He asks Donkey Kong why he is sitting around if he is a "big star". Donkey Kong replies that even stars need time off. Cranky says that he never took breaks, "[[Donkey Kong (game)|whisking off maidens and throwing barrels seven days a week]]". Donkey Kong tells him to leave him alone and stop pestering him, so Cranky leaves. Donkey Kong then goes to sleep in his chair.

At night, [[Diddy Kong]] and his girlfriend, [[Dixie Kong]], are worried because Donkey Kong has not returned. They go to the beach to investigate, and the [[Kong]]s find many footprints surrounding Donkey Kong's broken chair. They find a note in the chair which reads:

:''Hah-arrrrh! We have got the big monkey! If you want him back, you scurvy dogs, you'll have to hand over the banana hoard! Kaptain K. Rool''

Cranky suggests handing over the banana hoard to K. Rool. Diddy refuses because of how much effort he and Donkey Kong went through to retrieve the [[banana]]s, and that he would be very upset if his bananas were stolen again. Cranky asks if they have any better suggestions, and Diddy and Dixie both say that they want to rescue Donkey Kong themselves. The two get in a brief argument with Cranky, who does not believe Diddy qualifies as a video game hero. After Dixie insist that she will accompany Diddy, the two begin their journey.

The two Kongs go to [[Crocodile Isle]] and explore it while defeating various [[Kremling]]s and other enemies along the way. The pair eventually board [[The Flying Krock]], where Donkey Kong is held, and battle [[Kaptain K. Rool]], the leader of the Kremlings. K. Rool is defeated and Donkey Kong manages to free himself, and then punches Kaptain K. Rool through the roof of the Flying Krock. K. Rool falls from Crocodile Isle and lands in the water surrounding it, where he is seemingly eaten by sharks. Diddy and Dixie are then congratulated by [[Cranky Kong]] for their success and are integrated in the Video Game Heroes Hall of Fame.

During their adventures, the pair can also reach Crocodile Isle's [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Lost World]] by paying its guard, [[Klubba]], with [[Kremkoins]] scattered all over the island. After giving Klubba all of the Kremkoins and exploring the Lost World, the Kongs finds Crocodile Isle's power source, [[Krocodile Kore]], and Kaptain K. Rool, who is hiding there. A battle ensues and the pair eventually defeats K. Rool again, causing his blunderbuss to explode. This propels the crocodile into the energy geyser powering Crocodile Isle, blocking it until it explodes. The game then cuts to Donkey, Dixie and Diddy watching Crocodile Isle from a cliff, as it explodes and sinks into the ocean.

==Gameplay==
===Abilities===
[[File:Team-up DKC2.png|thumb|256px|left|The team up move, a move that had not originally appeared in ''Donkey Kong Country'']]
''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' is a 2D platformer like its predecessor, ''Donkey Kong Country''. The playable characters are [[Diddy Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]]. In order to travel through each level of the game and complete each of the game's many [[Bonus Level]]s, the Kongs have to use their basic and special abilities. Both Kongs have different abilities. The basic abilities include jumping, climbing, and swimming. Jumping is often used in the game to cross gaps and grab things in the air. A super-jump can also be performed if Diddy [[cartwheel]]s or Dixie spins off of a ledge and jump while in mid-air. Diddy's cartwheel move and Dixie's [[Helicopter Spin]] can defeat several enemies, but not all. Dixie can use her Helicopter Spin ability in mid-air as well, allowing her to float for a short amount of time to avoid falling into gaps. Both characters can climb up ropes quickly to access high areas, with Diddy having the ability to climb slightly faster than Dixie, let alone on land and underwater in general. The swimming mechanic is similar to earlier platforming games of the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series: The player must hit {{button|SNES|B}}, the jump button, to advance upwards into the water, as not pressing the button causes the Kongs slowly sink to the bottom. Pressing {{button|SNES|Y}} enables them to swim quicker, and {{button|padup}} and {{button|paddown}} controls their ascent and descent.

Though Diddy does not have as many abilities as Dixie, he is able to defend himself while holding a barrel. While Diddy holds an object in front of his body to block himself, Dixie holds objects over her head, allowing enemies to easily attack her. When both Kongs are in play, and none are stuck in a [[DK Barrel]], the two Kongs are able to use the new [[Team-up]] move, in which one Kong holds the other one on their shoulders and can throw them upward. The Kong riding the other one's shoulders can be thrown at enemies to defeat them or upward to reach items and access certain areas.
{{br|left}}

===Modes===
[[File:DKC2 SNES hidden modes.png|thumb|256px|The mode selection and its two hidden modes: "Sound Test" and "Cheats"]]
{|class="wikitable dk"
!Icon!!Title!!Information
|-
|[[File:DKC2 1-player icon.png]]
|'''One Player'''
|The self-explanatory single player mode where both Diddy and Dixie are controlled.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 2-player team icon.png]]
|'''TWO Player Team'''
|Two players cooperatively take turns playing through the levels. The first player controls Diddy while the second player does Dixie. Players can change turns by switching the Kongs or by losing their Kong.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 2-player contest icon.png]]
|'''TWO Player Contest'''
|Two players compete to finish the most levels. Like "TWO Player Team", the first player controls Diddy while the second player is Dixie.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 music test icon.png]]
|'''Music Test'''
|A hidden mode where the player can listen to the game's background themes. The player can reveal and access the mode by pressing {{button|paddown}} five times from "TWO Player Contest."
|-
|[[File:DKC2 cheat mode icon.png]]
|'''Cheat Mode'''
|A hidden mode where the player can hit specific combination of buttons to enter a cheat to start off the new game. The player can access this mode by pressing {{button|paddown}} another five times from "Music Test."
|}

==Characters==
===Kong Klan===
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!Sprite!!Kong!!Summary!!New
|-
!colspan=4 align=center|'''Playable'''
|-
|[[File:Diddy DKC sprite.png]]
|[[Diddy Kong]]
|align=left|Diddy Kong makes his return to the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]], but this time as the game's leading character. He retains his signature cartwheel run and high jumping ability in order to help rescue Donkey Kong from Kaptain K. Rool.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Dixie Kong DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Dixie Kong]]
|align=left|Dixie Kong makes her video game debut as the girlfriend and sidekick of Diddy Kong. She can perform helicopter spins with her long, blonde ponytail, allowing her and Diddy to move across long distances. 
|{{icon|new}}
|-
!colspan=4 align=center|'''Supporting'''
|-
|[[File:Cranky Kong DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Cranky Kong]]
|align=left|Cranky Kong is Donkey Kong's grandfather and aids the Kongs with his [[Monkey Museum]], where he gives advice to the two about [[Bonus Area]]s.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:DK DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Donkey Kong]]
|align=left|The grandson of Cranky Kong and best friend of Diddy, DK has been captured by Kaptain K. Rool and the Kremlings. The Kongs encounter him tied up and dangling from the ceiling of [[Stronghold Showdown]], where he ultimately assists them in defeating Kaptain K. Rool.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Funky Kong DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Funky Kong]]
|align=left|Funky Kong returns from ''Donkey Kong Country'', although this time to run [[Funky's Flights II]], where he rents out [[Jumbo Barrel]] to the Kongs, allowing them to travel back to other worlds which they have completed.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Swanky Kong DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Swanky Kong]]
|align=left|One of the allies to the Kong Family, Swanky Kong is a game show host and an aide to Diddy and Dixie. He hosts [[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]], where he rewards the Kongs with Extra Life Balloons for correctly answering his queries. 
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Wrinkly Kong DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Wrinkly Kong]]
|align=left|Wrinkly Kong makes her video game debut as the elderly wife to Cranky Kong and the grandmother of Donkey Kong. She runs [[Kong Kollege]] and, like her husband, advises the Kongs, but also can save the game.
|{{icon|new}}
|}

===Animal Buddies===
[[Animal Friend|Animal Buddies]] are partners who help Diddy and Dixie find [[Bonus Barrel]]s, [[DK Coin]]s, [[Banana Coin]]s, and other items using their special abilities. They appear in many levels, and the Kongs can sometimes turn into the buddy or ride on it. An animal runs away when hit by an enemy, very similar to [[Yoshi]] in ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Most of the buddies from ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' return in ''Diddy's Kong Quest'', but a few new ones also appear in the game as well, making a total of nine Animal Friends. Below is a list of each Animal Friend, and a brief description on them.
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|Sprite!!rowspan=2|Animal Friend!!rowspan=2|Summary!!colspan=2|Stages!!rowspan=2|New
|-
!First!!Last
|-
|[[File:Clapper DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Clapper]]
|align=left|Clapper is able to cool down water when jumped on. In Lava Lagoon, he cools the very warm liquid, making it safe for the Kongs to swim through without getting burnt. In Clapper's Cavern, he freezes water, allowing the Kongs to cross and avoid the hungry [[Snapjaw (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Snapjaws]] below.
|[[Lava Lagoon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lava Lagoon]]
|[[Clapper's Cavern (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Clapper's Cavern]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Enguarde DKC sprite.png]]
|[[Enguarde]]
|align=left|Returning from ''Donkey Kong Country'', Enguarde can knock enemies out with his sharp nose, and charge his [[super move|Superstab]] to break through walls. Enguarde is mostly usable only underwater, since he cannot move well on land.
|[[Lockjaw's Locker (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lockjaw's Locker]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Glimmer DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Glimmer]]
|align=left|Glimmer has a role very similar to Squawks in the first ''Donkey Kong Country''. He lights the pitch-black water in the level Glimmer's Galleon. Glimmer is one of the only Animal Friends that cannot be affected in levels because enemies do not hurt him at all.
|[[Glimmer's Galleon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Glimmer's Galleon]]
|Glimmer's Galleon
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Rambi DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Rambi]]
|align=left|First appearing in the original ''Donkey Kong Country'', Rambi can ram foes that come in his way. He can also jump on Zingers and other enemies that Diddy and Dixie Kong cannot defeat alone. Rambi can also use his [[super move|Supercharge]] which makes him move at high speed, and able to break through walls and crush enemies.
|[[Pirate Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Pirate Panic]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Rattly DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Rattly]]
|align=left|Rattly takes the role of [[Winky]] from ''Donkey Kong Country''. He features the same purpose: to jump to higher areas. Rattly can help the Kongs reach bananas and even Bonus Barrels above their heads. The rattlesnake also has a [[super move|Superjump]]: an extra high jump.
|[[Topsail Trouble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Topsail Trouble]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Squawks DKC2 sprite.png]] [[File:Quawks DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Squawks]]
|align=left|Unlike ''Donkey Kong Country'', where Squawks only lit dark areas in [[Torchlight Trouble]], Squawks' role is entirely different, and the Kongs can ride him by grabbing around his body to reach high areas. He can also shoot pellets at enemies to bring them down.
|[[Squawks's Shaft (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Squawks's Shaft]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Squitter DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Squitter]]
|align=left|The game's new Animal Friend, Squitter, can shoot webs at nearby enemies to defeat them. Sometimes, the Kongs must cross a large abyss that cannot be crossed by jumping. The spider can shoot special webs that form into platforms and allow them to move across. Unlike most Animal Friends, Squitter cannot touch enemies without being harmed: He can only shoot them with his webs.
|[[Hot-Head Hop]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|}

===Cranky's Video Game Heroes===
The [[Cranky's Video Game Heroes]] ceremony features three cameos of other [[Nintendo]] game protagonists, each with their own amount of [[DK Coin|Hero Coin]]s collected.
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!Sprite!!Name!!Origin!!Information
|-
|[[File:Mario DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Mario]]
|''Super Mario''
|align=left|Mario is the default champion, with 39 of the 40 coins.
|-
|[[File:Yoshi DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Yoshi]]
|''Super Mario''
|align=left|Yoshi is the default runner-up, with 29 coins.
|-
|[[File:Link DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Link]]
|''The Legend of Zelda''
|align=left|Link is by default in 3rd place, with 19 coins; if the player manages to get enough coins to reach the podiums, he consequently disappears.
|}

===Enemies===
{{quote|How many? I reckon they're just put fancy pictures in here to make it look good. There's only three of these in the game, at most!|Cranky Kong<ref>{{cite|date=1995|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|page=31}}</ref>}}
The game features many enemies to attack the player, some that are [[Kremling]]s and some that are not. All underwater enemies hurt the Kongs if swum into.
{|class="wikitable dk sortable"style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 width=12%|Sprite!!rowspan=2 width=10%|Enemy!!rowspan=2 class=unsortable|Summary!!colspan=2|Stages!!rowspan=2|New
|-
!width=7%|First!!width=7%|Last
|-
!colspan=6 align=center|'''Lazy Landlubbers'''
|-
|[[File:Cat O 9 Tails DKC2.png]]
|[[Cat O' 9 Tails]]
|align=left|A bluish-purple cat with nine tails. They attack by spinning out of control and hitting the Kongs. Sometimes, a Cat O' 9 Tails that is spinning out of control can throw the Kongs upwards.
|[[Mudhole Marsh (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mudhole Marsh]]
|[[Fiery Furnace (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Fiery Furnace]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Click Clack DKC2.png]]
|[[Click-Clack]]
|align=left|Large beetles that can damage the Kongs. It must be jumped on twice to defeat: The first jump flips the Click-Clack, which can then be thrown at other foes to attack them. Click-Clacks can be defeated instantly by either rolling into them or by throwing an object at it.
|[[Mainbrace Mayhem (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mainbrace Mayhem]]
|[[Clapper's Cavern (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Clapper's Cavern]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Flitter DKC2.png]]
|[[Flitter]]
|align=left|A large dragonfly that can hurt the Kongs if touched on the sides, but the Kongs can bounce on them to cross abysses.
|[[Topsail Trouble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Topsail Trouble]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Mini Necky DKC2.png]] [[File:DKC2 Mini Necky ghost.png]]
|[[Mini-Necky]]
|align=left|A small vulture wearing a bandanna. They attack by swooping down at the Kongs, trying to ram into them. They can defeated by being jumped on. It is one of the two enemies returning from ''Donkey Kong Country''.
|[[Kannon's Klaim (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Kannon's Klaim]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Neek DKC2.png]]
|[[Neek]]
|align=left|Functionally similar to Klomps but smaller in size, Neeks move around trying to hit the Kongs, but they can be defeated with a cartwheel or jump.
|[[Pirate Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Pirate Panic]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Screech DKC2.png]]
|[[Screech (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Screech]]
|align=left|K. Rool's pet parrot and a mini-boss encountered after beating K. Rool's Keep. He is raced by Squawks during the second half of Screech's Sprint.
|colspan=2|[[Screech's Sprint (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Screech's Sprint]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Spiny DKC2.png]]
|[[Spiny (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Spiny]]
|align=left|Spinies are spiked porcupines who attack with their sharp quills. If the Kongs jump on a Spiny, they get injured; they can defeat a Spiny by a frontal rolling attack.
|[[Glimmer's Galleon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Glimmer's Galleon]]
|[[Fiery Furnace (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Fiery Furnace]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Zinger DKC2 yellow.png]] [[File:Zinger DKC2 red.png]]
|[[Zinger]]
|align=left|Large wasps that attack the same way as before: standing in place or moving to sting the Kongs when they come near. There are yellow and red varieties: Reds can only be defeated with a [[TNT Barrel]] or an [[Invincibility Barrel]], and yellows can be beaten by Rambi, Squawks, Rattly, or a thrown object.
|[[Gangplank Galley (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Gangplank Galley]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
!colspan=6 align=center|'''Submerged Seadogs'''
|-
|[[File:Flotsam DKC2 blue.png]] [[File:Flotsam DKC2 green.png]]
|[[Flotsam]]
|align=left|Stingrays that swim around areas, trying to hit the Kongs. They can only be defeated by Enguarde. They come in two colors, green and blue. The blue Flotsams only move in one direction, while the green Flotsams swim either left or right and change direction at times.
|[[Lockjaw's Locker (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lockjaw's Locker]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Lockjaw DKC2.png]]
|[[Lockjaw]]
|align=left|Very fast moving piranha fish that try to bite the Kongs.
|[[Lockjaw's Locker (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lockjaw's Locker]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Puftup swollen brown.png]] [[File:DKC2 Puftup swollen blue.png]] [[File:DKC2 Puftup swollen green.png]]
|[[Puftup]]
|align=left|They are spiky puffer fish encountered only underwater. Some of them release spikes while exploding.
|[[Lava Lagoon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lava Lagoon]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Shuri DKC2.png]] [[File:DKC2 Shuri pink.png]]
|[[Shuri]]
|align=left|Underwater starfish enemies that only Enguarde can defeat. When the Kongs approach them, they unleash their only attack: spinning at the Kongs, trying to hit them.
|[[Lockjaw's Locker (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lockjaw's Locker]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Snapjaw DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Snapjaw (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Snapjaw]]
|align=left|An invincible purple piranha fish and a variety of Lockjaw appearing in only two levels, Slime Climb and Clapper's Cavern. In both levels, they patrol the water and bite the Kongs if they fall in. They are very similar to Lockjaws in appearance, but are much faster and more deadly.
|[[Slime Climb (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Slime Climb]]
|[[Clapper's Cavern (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Clapper's Cavern]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
!colspan=6 align=center|'''Kremling Kuthroats'''
|-
|[[File:Kaboing DKC2 gray.png]] [[File:Kaboing DKC2 green.png]]
|[[Kaboing]]
|align=left|Kremlings that bounce around on their two peg legs. Some of them simply bounce in place, while others jump forward. Jumping on their heads defeats them.
|[[Gangplank Galley (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Gangplank Galley]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kaboom DKC2.png]]
|[[Kaboom]]
|align=left|Similar to Klobbers except they wear [[TNT Barrel]]s. Kabooms hide in their barrels and come out when approached. A Kaboom explodes if hit on the side.
|[[Ghostly Grove (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Ghostly Grove]]
|[[Klobber Karnage (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Klobber Karnage]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kackle DKC2 blue.png]]
|[[Kackle]]
|align=left|Kackles are large, skeletal Kremlings. They appear only in [[Haunted Hall]] and chase the Kongs throughout much of the said level. A time limit is given when they chase the Kongs, and when the timer hits zero, they attack. Time can only be added to the timer by hitting Plus Barrels.
|colspan=2|[[Haunted Hall]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kannon DKC2 enemy.png]] [[File:DKC2 Kannon vertical.png]]
|[[Kannon]]
|align=left|A [[Klump]] dressed as a pirate. Kannons wield cannons in order to shoot [[kannonball]]s at the Kongs. Klumps sometimes shoot barrels, which can be bounced on to cross large gaps.
|[[Kannon's Klaim (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Kannon's Klaim]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klampon DKC2.png]]
|[[Klampon]]
|align=left|Klampons are four-legged crocodiles similar to [[Klaptrap]]s from ''Donkey Kong Country''. They patrol the area and bite any of the two Kongs that come too close to their mouth. They can sometimes be seen guarding Spinies.
|[[Hot-Head Hop]]
|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klank DKC2 blue.png]] [[File:DKC2 Klank orange.png]] [[File:DKC2 Klank pink.png]] [[File:DKC2 Klank yellow.png]] [[File:DKC2 Klank green.png]]
|[[Klank]]
|align=left|Kutlass-like enemies that ride [[Roller Coaster]]s. They throw barrels at the Kongs to attack. In [[Rickety Race]], players must race several Klanks to the finish.
|[[Target Terror (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Target Terror]]
|[[Rickety Race (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Rickety Race]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klinger DKC2.png]]
|[[Klinger]]
|align=left|Orange Kremlings always found gripping on ropes, chains, and cattails: They continuously climb up before sliding back down.
|[[Mainbrace Mayhem (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mainbrace Mayhem]]
|[[Screech's Sprint (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Screech's Sprint]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kloak DKC2.png]]
|[[Kloak]]
|align=left|A ghostly Kremling that floats in the air in some levels. They usually throw barrels and Spinies to attack, but eventually fly away from the Kongs if not defeated. Sometimes, hidden Kloaks throw bananas and other collectibles.
|[[Barrel Bayou (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Barrel Bayou]]
|[[Screech's Sprint (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Screech's Sprint]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klobber DKC2 green.png]] [[File:Klobber DKC2 yellow.png]] [[File:Klobber DKC2 gray.png]]
|[[Klobber]]
|align=left|A barrel-wearing Kremling that hides in a barrel, disguising itself as one. When approached, Klobber jumps out and runs at the Kongs to push them. Yellow Klobbers release the Kongs' bananas, and the rare black ones release their Extra Life Balloons. The green variants, however, do not steal anything.
|[[Pirate Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Pirate Panic]]
|[[Klobber Karnage (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Klobber Karnage]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klomp DKC2.png]]
|[[Klomp]]
|align=left|Enemies that walk around on one peg leg. Touching them can hurt a Kong, but they can easily be defeated with any attack method.
|[[Pirate Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Pirate Panic]]
|[[Ghostly Grove (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Ghostly Grove]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Klubba DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Klubba]]
|align=left|A large, buff Kremling who operates a [[Klubba's Kiosk|tollbooth]] in every world, guarding the [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lost World]], though Diddy and Dixie can pay 15 [[Kremkoin]]s to unlock one of the levels.
|colspan=2|[[Klubba's Kiosk]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Krockhead DKC2 green.png]] [[File:Krockhead DKC2 red.png]]
|[[Krockhead]]
|align=left|Krockheads are crocodile heads that poke out from either the swampy waters or lava, either consistently or at fixed intervals. Diddy and Dixie can use them to safely get across. Green Krockheads are used as standard platforms, while the brown ones spring the Kongs upward.
|[[Hot-Head Hop]]
|[[Mudhole Marsh (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mudhole Marsh]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Krook DKC2.png]]
|[[Krook]]
|align=left|They wear a trenchcoat and have two hooks for hands. Krooks throw hooks at the Kongs to attack them.
|[[Squawks's Shaft (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Squawks's Shaft]]
|[[Fiery Furnace (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Fiery Furnace]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kruncha DKC2 blue.png]] [[File:Kruncha DKC2 red.png]] [[File:Kruncha DKC2 pink.png]]
|[[Kruncha]]
|align=left|Strong, muscular Kremlings that get very angry when approached. If touched, they turn red and march back and forth angrily. Krunchas are defeated only from being hit by a barrel. A rarer pink variation appears in [[Castle Crush]] and Clapper's Cavern.
|[[Gangplank Galley (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Gangplank Galley]]
|[[Clapper's Cavern (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Clapper's Cavern]]
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Kutlass DKC2 yellow.png]] [[File:Kutlass DKC2 green.png]]
|[[Kutlass]]
|align=left|Kutlasses carry two large swords, which they attack with and try to hurt the Kongs with them. If the Kongs escape the attack, they have a short amount of time to jump on them before the Kutlasses can pull their swords out of the ground. The green Kutlass pulls out its swords faster, making it more difficult for the Kongs to attack directly.
|[[Krockhead Klamber (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krockhead Klamber]]
|[[Fiery Furnace (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Fiery Furnace]]
|{{icon|new}}
|}

===Barnacled Bosses===
{|class="wikitable dk sortable"style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|Sprite!!rowspan=2|Boss!!rowspan=2|Summary!!colspan=2|Stages
|-
!First!!Last
|-
|[[File:Krow DKC2.png]] [[File:Kreepy Krow DKC2.png]]
|[[Krow]]
|align=left|Krow is the first boss and is a large vulture who appears at the end of [[Gangplank Galleon (world)|Gangplank Galleon]]. He attacks by taking a large egg from his nest and throwing it down at the Kongs, or by bumping into his nest, causing numerous large eggs to fall. The Kongs can attack Krow by throwing a large egg at him. After taking four hits, Krow is defeated. Later, [[Kreepy Krow|Krow's ghost]] appears as the fifth boss and is battled at the end of [[Gloomy Gulch]]. Here, he is fought in three sections of the stage. He sends ghost Mini-Neckies to attack the Kongs, though one of them is a normal Mini-Necky. By jumping on the live Mini-Necky, this spawns a barrel, which the Kongs must use to attack Krow. After he takes three hits, Krow is defeated again.
|[[Krow's Nest (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krow's Nest]]
|[[Kreepy Krow (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest level)|Kreepy Krow]]
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Kleever arm.png]] [[File:Kleever DKC2.png]]
|[[Kleever]]
|align=left|Kleever is the second boss and a giant sword. It tries to attack the Kongs by swinging itself at them and launching fire balls at them, and it can only be defeated by being hit by a kannonball. After being hit by a kannonball, however, it usually goes on a rampage, chasing the Kongs over a pit of fire. The Kongs have to damage Kleever six times to defeat it. A few small Kleevers can also be seen in the battle against [[Kerozene]] to attack the Kongs.
|[[Kleever's Kiln]]
|Kleever's Kiln
|-
|[[File:Kudgel DKC2.png]]
|[[Kudgel]]
|align=left|A buff Kremling with a very similar appearance to [[Klubba]], but is gray in color. His weapon is very large and has a few nails in it. This weapon is used to attack the Kongs and break any barrels they pick up. Kudgel also has the ability to jump very high and land onto the Kongs. The Kongs have to throw [[TNT Barrel]]s at Kudgel to damage him, with six hits being required to defeat him.
|[[Kudgel's Kontest]]
|Kudgel's Kontest
|-
|[[File:King Zing DKC2.png]] [[File:DKC2 King Zing mad.png]]
|[[King Zing]]
|align=left|King Zing is the fourth boss. An enormous [[Zinger]], he usually is seen flying around the area, trying to sting Squawks, the only character who can defeat him. To damage King Zing, Squawks has to shoot an egg at his stinger. After taking some damage, King Zing can shoot spikes at the parrot, which must be avoided at all costs. After taking six hits, King Zing shrinks in size, but can summon additional Zingers to protect himself. Once all the extra Zingers are gone, Squawks has to spit three more eggs at King Zing to defeat him for good.
|[[Rambi Rumble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Rambi Rumble]]
|[[King Zing Sting (Donkey Kong Country 2)|King Zing Sting]]
|-
|[[File:Kaptain K Rool DKC2.png]]
|[[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]]
|align=left|The final boss and King K. Rool's pirate alias. Kaptain K. Rool wields a large blunderbuss, which fires kannonballs and gases at the Kongs. The poisonous gases, if touched, can change the controls around for the player, making it harder to move the Kongs. Kaptain K. Rool also dashes across the area when being fought, trying to hit the Kongs. Sometimes, he even becomes invisible when doing this. The Kongs have to throw kannonballs into the blunderbuss to damage Kaptain K. Rool, with nine hits required to defeat him; he does fake his defeat a few times during the process. Kaptain K. Rool later appears in [[Krocodile Kore]], where the Kongs have to evade his weaponry until a kannonball appears; unlike the first battle, Kaptain K. Rool only has to be damaged once to defeat him the second time.
|[[K. Rool Duel (Donkey Kong Country 2)|K. Rool Duel]]
|[[Krocodile Kore (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krocodile Kore]]
|}

==Items==
{{quote|I've never seen so much worthless rubbish! I'm surprised they don't give you a special "trash barrel" to haul it all around in!|Cranky Kong<ref>{{cite|date=1995|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|page=17}}</ref>}}
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!Sprite!!Item!!Summary!!New
|-
|[[File:Banana DKC SNES.png]]
|[[Banana]]s
|align=left|Bananas are exactly like [[coin]]s from the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]], since collecting 100 of them earns the player an [[extra life]]. A trail of bananas may sometimes lead to a hidden item.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Banana Bunch DKC SNES.png]]
|[[Banana Bunch]]es
|align=left|They are worth ten bananas when collected, comparable to bananas, but do not appear as commonly.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Banana Coin.png]]
|[[Banana Coin]]s
|align=left|They are used to pay the various services provided by the other Kongs. They are scattered around in every level, and appear several times in them. 
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:DK Coin sprite.png]]
|[[DK Coin|Cranky's Video Game Hero Coin]]s
|align=left|Cranky's Video Game Hero Coin are huge coins hidden by Cranky Kong in all of the game levels. There are 40 to collect. After Kaptain K. Rool is defeated, Cranky counts the number of Video Game Hero Coins collected and ranks Diddy accordingly as a part of Cranky's “Video Game Hero” contest.
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Red Extra Life Balloon DKC2.png]] [[File:Green Extra Life Balloon DKC2.png]] [[File:Blue Extra Life Balloon DKC2.png]]
|[[Red Balloon|Extra]] [[Green Balloon|Life]] [[Blue Balloon|Balloon]]s
|align=left|Extra Life Balloons come in red, green, and blue varieties. Red Balloons give the player one life, Green Balloons give the player two lives, and a Blue Balloon gives the player three lives.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Letter K.png]] [[File:Letter O.png]] [[File:Letter N.png]] [[File:Letter G.png]]
|[[KONG Letters]]
|align=left|A series of four golden tokens in each level that reward an extra life when all of them are collected. There are four letters: K, O, N, and G, altogether spelling "Kong". The player must search through every level of the game and look for these. If all four letters are found, they get an extra life.
|{{icon|cross}}
|-
|[[File:Kremkoin.png]]
|[[Kremkoin]]s
|align=left|Kremkoins are the reward for completing [[Bonus Area]]s and boss levels. Kremkoins can be used only to enter the [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Lost World]] from [[Klubba's Kiosk]].
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Letter.png]]
|[[Letter]]
|align=left|[[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]]'s ransom note, obtainable from his cabin once at the beginning of [[Pirate Panic]].
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|[[File:Star DKC3.png]]
|[[Star (Donkey Kong franchise)|Star]]s
|align=left|Appearing in bonus stages, collecting all stars within the time limit earns a Kremkoin.
|{{icon|new}}
|}

==Objects==
===Mechanisms===
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!width=24% |Sprite
!width=10% |Mechanism
!Summary
|-
|[[File:EnguardeCrateDKC2.png]] [[File:Rambi Crate DKC2.png]] [[File:RattlyCrate.png]] [[File:Squawks Crate DKC2.png]] [[File:Squitter Crate DKC2.png]]
|[[Animal crate]]s
|align=left|Contains the depicted [[Animal Friend]], who can be freed by jumping on the crate.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Bramble.png]] [[File:DKC2 Brambles brown.png]] [[File:DKC2 Brambles orange.png]]
|[[Bramble]]s
|align=left|Huge, thorny vines that hurt the Kongs when touched.
|-
|[[File:Crate DKC2.png]]
|[[Crate]]s
|align=left|Crates are very similar to [[Barrel]]s, but they break as soon as making contact with an enemy or the ground.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Egg Squawks.png]] [[File:Krow Egg DKC2.png]]
|[[Egg]]s
|align=left|Projectiles used by [[Squawks]] and [[Krow]], as well as against the latter.
|-
|[[File:End of Level Target.png]]
|[[End of Level Target]]
|align=left|A {{wp|High striker}}-like mechanism appearing at the end of every level. If the target is landed on hard enough, the barrel breaks, giving the Kongs the prize depicted, usually [[Banana]]s, [[Banana|Banana Bunch]]es, [[Banana Coin]]s, or an [[Extra Life Balloon]]. The letter G or a [[DK Coin]] appear on a few End of Level Targets. There are usually nearby Barrel Cannons that the Kongs can shoot from to land on the pad.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Fireball.png]]
|[[Fireball (obstacle)|Fireball]]s
|align=left|Burning spheres launched by [[Kleever]].
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Honey.png]]
|[[Honey]]
|align=left|A sticky substance that prevents the Kongs, but when against the walls, they can climb higher.
|-
|[[File:Hook DKC2 SNES sprite.png]] [[File:DKC2 Hook enemy.png]]
|[[Hook]]
|align=left|Grabbable objects that can be hung from and jumped from. Harmful ones are thrown by [[Krook]]s.
|-
|[[File:Hot Air Balloon.png]]
|[[Hot Air Balloon]]
|align=left|Floating platforms that lift when caught in steam jets.
|-
|[[File:CannonSprite-DKC2.png]]
|[[Cannon|Kannon]]s
|align=left|An object that launches the Kongs to a [[Bonus Level]] when a Kannonball is loaded inside.
|-
|[[File:Kannonball.png]]
|[[Cannonball|Kannonball]]s
|align=left|Kannonballs have to be carried to their corresponding kannon nearby to activate it. If a kannonball falls into a pit, it cannot be recovered.
|-
|[[File:NoAnimalSign-Enguarde-DKC2.png]] [[File:NoAnimalSign-Rambi-DKC2.png]] [[File:NoAnimalSign-Rattly-DKC2.png]] [[File:NoAnimalSign-Squawks-DKC2.png]] [[File:NoAnimalSign-Squitter-DKC2.png]]
|[[No Animal Sign]]s
|align=left|An Animal Buddy disappears upon crossing, but the player could be rewarded an item if the animal reaches the sign.
|-
|[[File:Roller Coaster DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Roller Coaster]]s
|align=left|Rickety, skull-shaped amusement park vehicles that must be carefully ridden to avoid falling from the track.
|-
|[[File:Rope DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Rope]]s
|align=left|Unlike the previous game, ropes may appear both horizontally and vertically (often amongst each other). Their design differs between environments, with their appearances that include normal ropes, giant ''{{wp|typha}}'' plants, vines, and chains. A notable type are the [[Rope (ghost)|phantom rope]]s who repeatedly vanish and reappear.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Smoke blue.png]] [[File:DKC2 Smoke red.png]] [[File:DKC2 Smoke purple.png]]
|Smoke
|align=left|Multicolored, skull-patterned gases shot from [[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]]'s [[blunderbuss]], with varying temporary effects: blue smoke freezes the Kongs, red smoke slows them down, and purple smoke inverts left and right on the player's controls.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Cannonball spiked.png]]
|[[Spike Ball]]s
|align=left|Kannonballs with retractable spikes shot from Kaptain K. Rool's blunderbuss.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Spike Trap 1.png]]<br>[[File:DKC2 Spike Trap 2.png]]
|[[Spike Trap]]s
|align=left|Clusters of wooden spikes found in the jungles of the [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lost World]].
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Stinger.png]]
|Stinger
|align=left|Spikes shot in several directions at once by exploding [[Puftup]]s as well as the large [[King Zing]] three times after every second successful attack against him.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Tire.png]]
|[[Tire (object)|Tire]]s
|align=left|Enormous rolling objects that can be bounced on.
|-
|[[File:Treasure Chest DKC2.png]]
|[[Treasure chest]]s
|align=left|They can be picked up and thrown at enemies, revealing a collectible, such as a Banana Coin. Some require more than one hit to open.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Web projectile.png]] [[File:DKC2 Web preplatform.png]] [[File:DKC2 Web platform.png]]
|Webs
|align=left|[[Squitter]] can create these as temporary platforms or projectiles.
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Wind 1.png]] [[File:DKC2 Wind 2.png]]
|[[Wind]]
|align=left|Pushes the player in various directions.
|}

===Barrels===
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!colspan=3 align=center|'''Throwable barrels'''
|-
!Sprite!!Barrel!!Summary
|-
|[[File:DKC2 Barrel.png]] [[File:DKC2-3 barrel roll.png]]
|[[Barrel]]s
|align=left|Normal Barrels are very common objects that can be used to attack enemies, especially [[Zinger]]s, which have only limited methods of being defeated, but break upon contact.
|-
|[[File:DK Barrel.png]]
|[[DK Barrel]]s
|align=left|DK Barrels appear several times in every level, and can be broken to free a lost Kong. If both Kongs are present, the DK Barrel acts no differently from a normal barrel. If a DK Barrel is floating in mid-air while both playable Kongs are active, it cannot be interacted with until the player loses one of the Kongs.
|-
|[[File:TNT Barrel.png]]
|[[TNT Barrel]]s
|align=left|Explosive barrels that can be thrown at walls to blast them away, creating an opening. TNT Barrels can also defeat red Zingers and other powerful enemies in one hit.
|-
!colspan=3 align=center|'''Enterable barrels'''
|-
|[[File:Enguarde Barrel sprite.png]] [[File:Rambi Barrel sprite.png]] [[File:Rattly Barrel sprite.png]] [[File:Squawks Barrel sprite.png]] [[File:Squitter Barrel sprite.png]]
|[[Animal Barrel]]
|align=left|When an Animal Barrel is entered, the Kongs are transformed into the depicted Animal Friend, whether it is [[Enguarde]], [[Rambi]], [[Rattly]], [[Squawks]], or [[Squitter]].
|-
|[[File:Barrel Cannon.png]]
|[[Arrow Barrel]]s
|align=left|Blasts the Kongs in the direction depicted.
|-
|[[File:Barrel Cannon DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Barrel Cannon|Barrel Kannon]]s
|align=left|Barrel Cannons are very common barrels that can blast the Kongs to high areas when entered. Sometimes, upon being entered, the barrels spin in circles. If this happens, the player has to hit the correct button to blast out of it as it points in the desired direction.
|-
|[[File:Biplane Barrel.png]]
|[[Biplane Barrel]]
|align=left|The Biplane Barrel is a vehicle that can be rented from [[Funky's Flights II]], acting as the succesor of the [[Funky Barrel]] in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''. The Kongs must pay two [[Banana Coin]]s to use it, unless it is their first visit, in which case using it is free of charge. The Biplane Barrel can take the Kongs around the many areas of [[Crocodile Isle]], but only to areas the player has already visited before.
|-
|[[File:Blast Barrel DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Blast Barrel]]s
|align=left|Blast Barrels automatically blast the Kongs in a direction not specified before launching.
|-
|[[File:Bonus Barrel.png]]
|[[Bonus Barrel]]s
|align=left|Bonus Barrels lead the Kongs into a [[Bonus Level]] if entered. In each level, there are one or two Bonus Barrels to be found, with some levels having three Bonus Barrels.
|-
|[[File:Diddy Barrel.png]] [[File:Dixie Barrel.png]]
|[[Diddy & Dixie Barrels]]
|align=left|Diddy & Dixie Barrels are uncommon barrels that are usable only by either Diddy or Dixie, depending on whose face is shown.
|-
|[[File:Golden Barrel.png]]
|[[Golden Barrel]]
|align=left|The Golden Barrel can only be found in [[Klubba's Kiosk]]. After the Kongs pay Klubba 15 Kremkoins per world, he allows them to use this barrel. If the Kongs enter it, they are taken into the [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Lost World]].
|-
|[[File:Rotatable Barrel.png]]
|[[Spinner Barrel|Rotatable Barrel]]s
|align=left|Rotatable Barrels can be rotated to aim in the Kongs' desired directions. However, like Steerable Barrels, they have time limits, which shoots the Kongs out of the object when time runs out.
|-
|[[File:Steerable Barrel.png]]
|[[Steerable Barrel]]s
|align=left|Steerable Barrels appear only in Fiery Furnace. There, they can be controlled when the Kongs are inside it. They can move the barrel in any direction, but only for a limited time. Once the countdown reaches zero, the Kongs are automatically blasted out.
|-
|[[File:Barrel Cannon DKC2 sprite.png]]
|[[Warp Barrel]]s
|align=left|Warp Barrels appear in early levels and act as hidden shortcuts to the end of their respective stage.
|-
!colspan=3 align=center|'''Triggerable barrels'''
|-
|[[File:Check Barrel DKC2.png]] [[File:X Barrel DKC2.png]]
|[[Check and X Barrels]]
|align=left|Only appearing in [[Target Terror (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Target Terror]], the Check and X Barrels control whether the roller coaster's gates are passable.
|-
|[[File:Invincibility Barrel.png]]
|[[Invincibility Barrel|Exclamation Point Barrel]]s
|align=left|When touched, the Kongs become temporarily invincible, giving these the exact function of [[Super Star]]s from the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]]. While invincible, the Kongs can defeat enemies just from touching them and walk over sharp spikes.
|-
|[[File:Krockhead Barrel.png]]
|[[Krockhead Barrel]]s
|align=left|These appear only in [[Krem Quay]]. When hit, they summon [[Krockhead]]s from the swampy water to be used as platforms.
|-
|[[File:Plus Barrel.png]] [[File:Minus Barrel.png]]
|[[Plus and Minus Barrels]]
|align=left|Plus and Minus Barrels appear only in [[Haunted Hall]], where they increase and decrease the amount of time the Kongs have before being hit, respectively. If this timer runs out, a [[Kackle]] attacks them. The Plus Barrel also appears in Rickety Race, where it will speed up the [[Roller Coaster]] for the Kongs, as well as make it go backwards in one of the bonus areas.
|-
|[[File:Star Barrel.png]]
|[[Star Barrel]]s
|align=left|Star Barrels, when hit, mark the level's halfway point, so if the Kongs are defeated, they can start the level over where the Star Barrel was.
|}

==Supporting locations==
{|class="wikitable dk"style="text-align:center"
!Image!!Title!!Owner!!Summary
|-
|[[File:Funkys Flights II DKC2.png|150px]]
|[[Funky's Flights II]]
|[[Funky Kong]]
|align=left|The Kongs can go here to revisit previous worlds using the [[Biplane Barrel]].
|-
|[[File:Swankys Bonus Bonanza DKC2.png|150px]]
|[[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]]
|[[Swanky Kong]]
|align=left|An optional minigame of a quiz about various trivia relating to the game, and winning earns the player [[Extra Life Balloon]]s. When a quiz is completed, it cannot be played again.
|-
|[[File:Kong Kollege DKC2.png|150px]]
|[[Kong Kollege]]
|[[Wrinkly Kong]]
|align=left|A place where Wrinkly teaches a class of [[Kremling]]s, unseen during gameplay. Its main purpose is to save the game (free at first but later costing two Banana Coins), though Wrinkly can also give some hints, like how Cranky does in the Monkey Museum.
|-
|[[File:Monkey Museum DKC2.png|150px]]
|[[Monkey Museum]]
|[[Cranky Kong]]
|align=left|Cranky gives vague advice on how to find secrets hidden within levels, with some hints being free and some costing Banana Coins.
|-
|[[File:Klubbas Kiosk DKC2.png|150px]]
|[[Klubba's Kiosk]]
|[[Klubba]]
|align=left|A tollbooth to the [[Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)|Lost World]]. The Kongs can unlock and access a level of the Lost World if they pay 15 [[Kremkoin]]s to Klubba.
|}

==Levels==
{|width=99% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;background:wheat;border:saddlebrown;text-align:center"
!colspan=5|<big>Levels and Bonus Areas</big>
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Gangplank Galleon (world)|Gangplank Galleon}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|1||[[Pirate Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Pirate Panic]]||2||Ship deck||Klomp's Romp
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|2||[[Mainbrace Mayhem (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mainbrace Mayhem]]||3||Ship mast||Jib Jig
|-
|3||[[Gangplank Galley (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Gangplank Galley]]||2||Ship deck||Klomp's Romp
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|4||[[Lockjaw's Locker (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lockjaw's Locker]]||1||Ship hold||Lockjaw's Saga
|-
|5||[[Topsail Trouble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Topsail Trouble]]||2||Ship mast||Jib Jig
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|6||BOSS LEVEL: [[Krow's Nest (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krow's Nest]]||0||Ship mast||Boss Bossanova
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Crocodile Cauldron}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|7||[[Hot-Head Hop]]||3||Lava||Hot Head Bop
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|8||[[Kannon's Klaim (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Kannon's Klaim]]||3||Mines||Kannon's Klanking
|-
|9||[[Lava Lagoon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lava Lagoon]]||1||Ship hold||Lockjaw's Saga
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|10||[[Red-Hot Ride]]||2||Lava||Hot Head Bop
|-
|11||[[Squawks's Shaft (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Squawks's Shaft]]||3||Mines||Kannon's Klanking
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|12||BOSS LEVEL: [[Kleever's Kiln]]||0||Lava||Boss Bossanova
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Krem Quay}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|13||[[Barrel Bayou (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Barrel Bayou]]||2||Swamp||Bayou Boogie
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|rowspan=2|14||rowspan=2|[[Glimmer's Galleon (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Glimmer's Galleon]]||rowspan=2|2||Ship hold||Lockjaw's Saga
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
||Ship deck||Snakey Chantey<br>Klomp's Romp (GBA version)
|-
|15||[[Krockhead Klamber (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krockhead Klamber]]||1||Swamp||Bayou Boogie
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|16||[[Rattle Battle (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Rattle Battle]]||3||Ship deck||Snakey Chantey
|-
|17||[[Slime Climb (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Slime Climb]]||2||Ship mast||Jib Jig
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|18||[[Bramble Blast (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Bramble Blast]]||2||Brambles||Stickerbush Symphony
|-
|19||BOSS LEVEL: [[Kudgel's Kontest]]||0||Swamp||Boss Bossanova
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Krazy Kremland}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|20||[[Hornet Hole (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Hornet Hole]]||3||Hive||Flight Of The Zinger
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|21||[[Target Terror (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Target Terror]]||2||Roller coaster||Disco Train
|-
|22||[[Bramble Scramble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Bramble Scramble]]||1||Brambles||Stickerbush Symphony
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|23||[[Rickety Race (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Rickety Race]]||1||Roller coaster||Disco Train
|-
|24||[[Mudhole Marsh (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Mudhole Marsh]]||2||Swamp||Bayou Boogie
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|25||[[Rambi Rumble (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Rambi Rumble]]||2||Hive||Flight Of The Zinger<br>Run, Rambi! Run!
|-
|26||BOSS LEVEL: [[King Zing Sting (Donkey Kong Country 2)|King Zing Sting]]||0||Hive||Boss Bossanova
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Gloomy Gulch}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|27||[[Ghostly Grove (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Ghostly Grove]]||2||Forest||Forest Interlude
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|28||[[Haunted Hall]]||3||Roller coaster||Haunted Chase
|-
|29||[[Gusty Glade (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Gusty Glade]]||2||Forest||Forest Interlude
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|30||[[Parrot Chute Panic (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Parrot Chute Panic]]||2||Hive||Flight Of The Zinger
|-
|31||[[Web Woods (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Web Woods]]||2||Forest||Forest Interlude
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|32||BOSS LEVEL: [[Kreepy Krow (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest level)|Kreepy Krow]]||0||Ship mast||Boss Bossanova
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|K. Rool's Keep}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|33||[[Arctic Abyss (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Arctic Abyss]]||2||Ice||In A Snow-bound Land
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
||34||[[Windy Well (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Windy Well]]||2||Mines||Kannon's Klanking
|-
||35||[[Castle Crush]]||2||Castle||Krook's March
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
||36||[[Clapper's Cavern (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Clapper's Cavern]]||2||Ice||In A Snow-bound Land
|-
|37||[[Chain Link Chamber (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Chain Link Chamber]]||2||Castle||Krook's March
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|38||[[Toxic Tower (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Toxic Tower]]||1||Castle||Krook's March
|-
|39||BOSS LEVEL: [[Stronghold Showdown]]||0||Castle||False Victory
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|The Flying Krock}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|40||[[Screech's Sprint (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Screech's Sprint]]||1||Brambles||Stickerbush Symphony<br>Bad Bird Rag
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|41||BOSS LEVEL: [[K. Rool Duel (Donkey Kong Country 2)|K. Rool Duel]]||0||Gunship||Crocodile Cacophony
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#BB8855"|{{color link|white|Lost World (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Lost World}}
|-style=background:burlywood
!width=5%|#
!width=35%|Level
!width=10%|Bonus Areas
!width=30%|Type of level
!width=20%|Music theme
|-
|42||[[Jungle Jinx (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Jungle Jinx]]||1||Jungle||Primal Rave
|- style=background:#FFF8DC
|43||[[Black Ice Battle (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Black Ice Battle]]||1||Ice||In A Snow-bound Land
|-
|44||[[Klobber Karnage (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Klobber Karnage]]||1||Jungle||Primal Rave
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|45||[[Fiery Furnace (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Fiery Furnace]]||1||Lava||Hot Head Bop
|-
|rowspan=5|46||rowspan=5|[[Animal Antics (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Animal Antics]]||rowspan=5|1||Jungle||Primal Rave
|-
||Ice||In A Snow-bound Land
|-
||Jungle||Primal Rave
|-
||Brambles||Stickerbush Symphony
|-
||Jungle||Primal Rave
|-style=background:#FFF8DC
|47||BOSS LEVEL: [[Krocodile Kore (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Krocodile Kore]]||0||Altar||Crocodile Cacophony
|-
|}

==Cheats==
{{main|Cheat code#Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest}}
In the original version, when the player starts a new file, they can press Down ten times to navigate down to the hidden Cheat Mode option (after five presses, the hidden Music Test will appear). While highlighting the option, the player can press a combination of buttons to enter one of two [[cheat code|cheat]]s:
*One cheat removes all the DK Barrels. It is activated by entering: B, A, Right, Right, A, Left, A, X
*One cheat causes the Kongs to start with 50 lives. It is activated by entering: Y, A, Select, A, Down, Left, A, Down

==Differences in other versions==
{{stub|section=y}}
In addition to regional differences, there are two main revisions of the SNES release. Changes from the first version:
;V1.1
*[[Jungle Jinx (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Jungle Jinx]] and [[Klobber Karnage (Donkey Kong Country 2)|Klobber Karnage]] both have their bonus areas' color schemes swapped from the previous version.
*[[King Zing]] moves faster during [[King Zing Sting]].
*Infinite throwing jump [[List of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest glitches|glitch]] fixed.
*Various bugs fixed.

==Glitches==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest glitches}}

===Castle Crush glitch===
{{Damage|1}}
'''Note:''' This glitch only works in the SNES, [[Wii U]], [[Nintendo 3DS|New Nintendo 3DS]], and [[Nintendo Switch]] versions.

[[File:Castle Crush Glitch.png|thumb|256px|Two examples of the glitch's effects.]]
To perform this glitch, the player must enter [[Castle Crush]] with [[Diddy Kong]] as the lead character ([[Dixie Kong|Dixie]] is optional, but cannot be the lead character). Then, the player must pick up the first DK Barrel and hold it against a wall. The player must now drop the barrel and quickly pick it up again; if done correctly, the barrel will break, but Diddy will act as if he's still holding it. Upon throwing the "invisible barrel", it will be replaced with a nearby object, with the exact object depending on how much of the level had been traversed before throwing.<ref>{{cite|author=Crash Catalogue|date=March 7, 2021|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=heWmjDYGnco|title=Castle Crush Glitch on Switch compilation|publisher=YouTube|language=en|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref> Throughout most of the level, this will cause an enemy to warp in front of Diddy, following which the enemy will often die immediately. If thrown near the top, it will be replaced with the "No Rambi" sign. Both of these outcomes are relatively harmless. However, if thrown shortly after being "picked up," the invisible barrel will be replaced with the nearby [[Animal Barrel|Rambi Barrel]]. The transformation aspect of the Rambi Barrel becomes broken after this happens, and will typically cause Diddy to  either turn into a screen-sized glitchy mess, an incorrectly-colored [[Klubba]] with no hammer, which stands in place, or a fully-black [[Kleever]], which moves slowly to the side while spinning. In all three of these cases, the game typically will softlock shortly thereafter.

==Quotes==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest quotes}}
;[[Wrinkly Kong]]
*"''All those [[Kremling]]s want to do is learn how to fight and squash [[Kong|monkeys]]!''"
*"''Those naughty crocodiles! All they want to learn is how to fight and squash monkeys, Tsk!''"
*"''When you see [[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]], can you ask him if he has done his homework?''"
*"''Hurry along! School is nearly finished! You need to study a little more if you're going to beat the Kremlings!''"
*"''You're looking a little weary dear. Would you like to save your game?''"
*"''Good luck, children.''"
*"''Be careful now, Kongs.''"
*"''Have you been to see my husband Cranky? He complains a little, but he does know everything about this island.''"
*"''Goodbye, dearies.''"
*"''Don't be a stranger now.''"
*"''Well! Just look at all those sums those [[Kremling]]s have done. Disgraceful!''"
*"''I hope you're better behaved than those reptiles. Why I even caught one sharpening his sword in class yesterday.''"

==Staff==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest staff}}
;Head Programmer
*C. Sutherland
;Assistant Head Programmer
*M. Wilson
;Technical Programmer
*B. Gunn
;Programmer
*T. Attwood
;Characters / Animation
*S. Mayles
;Objects and Additional Characters / Backgrounds
*M. Stevenson
;Backgrounds
*C. Gage
*J. Nash
*A. Smith

==Development==
Even before the first ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' turned out to be a blockbuster success, the game's development team already had plans for a sequel.<ref name="RetroGamer">{{cite|author=Milne, Rory|date=July 2018|title="The Making Of ''Donkey Kong Country 2''" - ''Retro Gamer Magazine Issue 181|page=65 to 68|accessdate=May 17, 2018}}</ref> The team focused first on the game's environments; the game's setting was informed by [[Gregg Mayles]]' life-long obsession with pirates and the fact that the first ''Donkey Kong Country'' had already featured most stock platforming level archetypes. While some ideas from its predecessor were carried over, all of the levels in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' were brand new.<ref name="RetroGamer"/> Replacing Donkey Kong with the new character Dixie Kong came from a desire to take risk and surprise players.<ref name="RetroGamer"/>

Speaking of the game's level design, Mayles explained that ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' went with a more exploration-based structure as ''"If we had made it speed runs again then there wouldn't have been much scope for us to go anywhere different with it"'' and to make the game more different from its predecessor.<ref name="RetroGamer"/> Secret collectables and the Lost World were included to give the game more intrigue and extend its replay value. [[Nintendo]] was less involved in ''Donkey Kong Country 2''{{'}}s development, which Gregg Mayles chalked up to the success of the first game.<ref name="RetroGamer"/>

==Pre-release and unused content==
{{main|List of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest pre-release and unused content}}
The subtitle was originally ''Diddy Kong's Quest'',<ref>{{cite|date=July 1995|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 74|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|page=108}}</ref> but it was later changed to ''Diddy's Kong Quest''.

===Rare Witch Project preview and German strategy guide===
[[File:DKC2 Beta-Mr. X Artwork.png|thumb|left|Mr. X, an earlier version of Kackle. Its artwork originates from a German player's guide.]]
The [[Rare]] Witch Project website once had previews of several upcoming enemies and characters for ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''. Among these enemies was a sinister looking character simply dubbed "Mr. X". Mr. X was an early version of the enemy [[Kackle]], a ghostly [[Kremling]] that appears in the level [[Haunted Hall]] and chases the Kongs throughout the level in the final version of the game. Mr. X was a phantasmagoric white Kremling with red eyes, wearing a large black jacket covered in army medals, he also possessed two small hooks for hands. Despite his status as an unused element, Mr. X somehow managed to be included in the official German player's guide, which cryptically states that he is a character no one has known or has seen.
{{br}}

==Reception==
''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' received widespread critical acclaim, considered by critics to be among the best titles on the Wii's Virtual Console.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align:center"
!colspan="4"style="font-size:120%;text-align:center;background-color:silver"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Release
|Reviewer, Publication
|Score
|Comment
|-
|[[Wii]]
|Mark Birnbaum, [https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/29/donkey-kong-country-2-review IGN] 
|8.8/10
|"''If you love action-platformer games then Donkey Kong Country 2 is a no-brainer. There is a strong chance that you've already played it on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] or [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] so you'd know how similarly it plays to the original. Consequently, it's easy to recommend spending the 800 Wii points to anyone who has enjoyed the original classic by Rareware. Who doesn't love blasting from barrels and collecting bananas? Surely no normal person.''"
|-
|Wii
|Frank Provo, [https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-2-diddys-kong-quest-review/1900-6171662/ GameSpot]
|9/10
|"''If you're looking for a diverse platformer that'll take you a while to finish, look no further than Donkey Kong Country 2. It's well worth the 800 [[Virtual Console#Wii Points|Wii points]] that you'll need to fork over to download it to your Wii.''"
|-
|Wii
|Damien McFerran, [http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/donkey_kong_country_2_diddys_kong_quest_snes Nintendo Life]
|9/10
|"''Donkey Kong Country 2 may prove frustrating for some younger or less dedicated players. For those who enjoy a challenge this is probably one of the best games available on the [[Virtual Console]]. PAL users will be pleased to hear as this is a game developed by Rare this game is optimised for 50Hz. That means no real differences between this and it's''{{sic}}'' NTSC counterpart.''"
|-
!colspan="4"style="background-color:silver;font-size:120%;text-align:center;"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Platform / Score
|-
|colspan=2|GameRankings
|colspan=2|[https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588283-donkey-kong-country-2-diddys-kong-quest/index.html  89.81%]
|}
{{br}}

==Nintendo eShop description==
<blockquote>''Kaptain K. Rool and his cutthroat Kremlings have kidnapped Donkey Kong and are holding him ransom at Crocodile Isle for the banana hoard! Who will brave the seas to save our hairy hero?

''Enter Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, and they're ready to head out and show their stuff! The two small Kongs are each equipped with their own abilities—Diddy Kong's Cartwheel can sprint him across a distance, while Dixie Kong's Helicopter Spin will let her float from high places.

''Play solo, against a friend, or together with a friend in eight exciting worlds. During your adventure, meet up with other Kong family members for some fun times or friendly advice. Be on the lookout for animal friends, collectibles, and hidden areas, as they can be very valuable in your adventures!

''All aboard, and let's set sail! It's time for Kaptain K. Rool to get knocked off his ship.</blockquote>

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery|Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest}}
<gallery>
Diddy on Dixie Team-up DKC2.png|[[Diddy Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]]
Donkey Kong - Donkey Kong Country 2.png|[[Donkey Kong]]
DKC2 Cranky Kong Artwork.jpg|[[Cranky Kong]]
WKong.jpg|[[Wrinkly Kong]]
Funkykong.png|[[Funky Kong]]
SwankyKong.jpg|[[Swanky Kong]]
Kaptain K. Rool.png|[[King K. Rool|Kaptain K. Rool]]
</gallery>

==Multimedia==
{{main-media}}
{{media table
|file1=DKC2 SNES Snakey Chantey.oga
|title1=Snakey Chantey
|file2=DKC2 SNES Stickerbush Symphony.oga
|title2=Stickerbush Symphony
|file3=DKC2 SNES Bad Bird Rag.oga
|title3=Bad Bird Rag
|file4=DKC2 SNES Crocodile Cacophony.oga
|title4=Crocodile Cacophony
|file5=DKC2 SNES School House Harmony.oga
|title5=School House Harmony
}}

==References to other games==
[[File:Crankys Video Game Heroes DKC2.png|thumb|Cranky's Video Game Heroes ceremony, featuring Mario, Yoshi, Link, Sonic the Hedgehog's shoes, and Earthworm Jim's blaster]]

;''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
*The instruction booklet's description of the [[Plus and Minus Barrels|Minus Barrel]] jokingly states that it will send the player to the [[Minus World]].

;''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise
*Mario makes an appearance as a video game hero as first place or second place depending on the number of [[DK Coin|Cranky's Video Game Hero Coin]]s obtained.
*Yoshi also appears in second or third place depending on the number of coins obtained.

;''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (Series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series
*At [[Cranky's Video Game Heroes]], Link can be seen in third place or ranked out.

;''{{wp|Sonic the Hedgehog}}'' series
*[[Sonic|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'s discarded shoes is seen among the "No Hopers" pile.

;''{{wp|Killer Instinct (1994 video game)|Killer Instinct}}''
*A ''Killer Instinct'' arcade cabinet and a poster of Chief Thunder can be seen in Cranky's [[Monkey Museum]].

;''{{wp|Earthworm Jim}}'' series
*Earthworm Jim's discarded blaster is seen among the "No Hopers" pile.

;''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
*In the instruction booklet, the description for Squawks references his role in [[Torchlight Trouble]].
*Some of Cranky Kong's rantings reference ''Donkey Kong Country''.
**In the instruction booklet, he derides both the plot for being worse than the previous one and Diddy Kong for letting his "couple of frames" in ''Donkey Kong Country'' make him think he is a big star.
**He hates being confined to the [[Monkey Museum]] and want to sit outside again, referencing his position outside of his cabin.
**He gets annoyed at being included in another game because ''Donkey Kong Country'' "sold a few lousy copies".
**He thinks Diddy Kong was a cheap character in ''Donkey Kong Country''.
**He thought he would be the main character because of his starring role in ''Donkey Kong Country''.
**He gets angry at his theme sharing a melody with the title screen's music.
*Cartridges of ''Donkey Kong Country'' appear on the floor of the Monkey Museum.
*One of [[Swanky Kong]]'s questions in [[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]] is "Which of these enemies also appeared in Donkey Kong Country?", with the correct answer being "[[Zinger]] the wasp".
*"Klomp's Romp", "Snakey Chantey" and "Game Over" are rearrangements of "Gang-Plank Galleon".

==References in later games==
[[File:Gloomy Galleon ship ruins.png|thumb|A portait of Kaptain K. Rool in ''Donkey Kong 64'' as seen in [[Gloomy Galleon]]]]
;''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
*Portraits of Kaptain K. Rool hang in sunken ships in this game.

;''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]''
*Funky's Theme in this game is a cover of the theme "Funky the Main Monkey".

;''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
*Kaptain K. Rool and the game's title is mentioned in King K. Rool's trophy description.

;''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]''
*The [[microgame]] [[DK Country]] is based on the game.

;''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''
*A bramble level returns, and is named [[Bramble Scramble (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)|Bramble Scramble]] after the one in ''Donkey Kong Country 2''.

;''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
*One of King K. Rool's attacks involves him using his blunderbuss and he wears his pirate hat when using the move.
*Kaptain K. Rool appears as a [[Spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)|spirit]] in this game, using his artwork from ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''.
*In King K. Rool's announce trailer "The Rivals", Donkey Kong's and Diddy Kong's eyes comically bulge out in horror when they witness King K. Rool knock away [[List of fighters debuting in Super Smash Bros. Brawl#King Dedede|King Dedede]] (who had posed as King K. Rool as a prank), referencing their reactions when about to face a boss in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' (and to a lesser extent, Donkey Kong's reaction whenever Kaptain K. Rool regains consciousness and starts the next phase of the final boss battle).

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jpn=スーパードンキーコング2 ディクシー＆ディディー
|JpnR=Sūpā Donkī Kongu Tsū Dikushī ando Didī
|JpnM=Super Donkey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy
|JpnC=<ref>{{file link|DKC2 Japan cover art.jpg|Japanese box art}}</ref>
|Dut=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|DutM=-
|DutC=<ref name=Dut&Fre>{{file link|DKC2 SNES Box FRA.jpg|Dutch and French box art}}</ref>
|Fre=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|FreM=-
|FreC=<ref name=Dut&Fre/>
|Ger=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|GerM=-
|GerC=<ref>{{file link|DKC2 SNES Box DE.jpg|German box art}}</ref>
|Ita=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|ItaM=-
|ItaC=<ref>{{file link|DKC2-Boxart-ita.jpg|Italian box art}}</ref>
|Kor=슈퍼동키콩2 딕시와 디디
|KorR=Syupeo Dongki Kong 2 Digsiwa Didi
|KorM=Super Doniey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy
|KorC=<ref>{{file link|DKC2 SNES Box KOR.jpg|Korean box art}}</ref>
|Spa=Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|SpaM=-
|SpaC=<ref>{{file link|DKC2 SNES Box NEAI Nintendo Classics.jpg|Spanish box art}} ([[Nintendo Classics (marketing label)|Nintendo Classics]])</ref>
}}

==Notes==
<!--There wasn't really a Virtual Boy port of the game planned, check the Virtual Boy page for details-->
*The game was placed 33rd in the 100th issue of ''Nintendo Power''{{'}}s "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997.{{page needed}}
*This is the only game in the original ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' trilogy where the players start with four lives by default. The other two games have the players start with five lives by default.
*The game over screen is also used in error and anti-piracy screens in-game. This also occurs in ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!''
*An arcade game manufacturer named Sunwise made a Japan-only slot machine game based on the Japanese version of ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' called ''[[Super Donkey Kong 2 Swanky no Bonus Slot|Swanky no Bonus Slot]]'' (which translates to "Swanky's Bonus Slots"). The game would play a music piece while the wheels would spin.<ref>{{cite|author=kodomoyo|date=December 29, 2012|url=www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19706599|title=【メダルゲーム】―スワンキーのボーナススロット　①―【すゎ～ん】|publisher=Niconico Video|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{NIWA|NWiki=1|StrategyWiki=1}}
{{TCRF|Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES)}}
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/p_adnj/index.html Nintendo of Japan webpage]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19980205061901/http://www.nintendo.com/snes/dkc2/index.html Nintendo of America webpage]
{{DKC2}}
{{Donkey Kong games}}
{{SNES}}
{{Virtual Console}}
{{NSO}}
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest|*]]
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