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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Island 1: Lost Mangroves walkthrough

The first island, all mangrove coves and shipwrecks. All three partner Kongs show up here, and Pompy the sea lion waits at the end.

  • About 46 min in the videos
  • 3 parts · 10 steps
  • 1 boss

Compiled from 1 playthrough video and 17 guides · checked Oct 19, 2026

0 of 3 done
Video: BinksPlays on YouTube. Loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play.

What each player can do here

P1 · Donkey Kong
  • Player 1 is always Donkey Kong. When the partner climbs onto his back, Player 1 steers both Kongs.
  • Bananas fill the Kong POW meter; with a partner along, it clears the screen and turns enemies into pickups. In two-player play both of you press the button at the same time.
P2 · Partner Kong
  • Player 2 picks Diddy, Dixie or Cranky and can run alone or ride on Donkey Kong's back. Diddy's jetpack stretches a jump, Dixie's ponytail spin lifts you higher and pushes through strong currents, and Cranky's cane bounces on spikes.
  • Each of you has your own hearts. If Player 2 runs out, the team loses a life; the fallen Kong comes back from the next DK Barrel while the other carries on.

If your skill levels differ: Player 1 then moves both Kongs while the partner still uses their own ability. For an easier game overall, start the save in Funky Mode on Switch: every Kong gets a third heart.Our suggestionFor a newer player: take the partner seat and climb onto Donkey Kong's back for the hard stretches. How to split the roles

The levels and secret exits

Part 1 of 3. Clear the island, find its two secret exits and open the K level.

  1. BothThe partners are introduced one level at a time: Diddy in 1-1 Mangrove Cove, Dixie in 1-2 Shipwreck Shore and Cranky in 1-3 Canopy Chaos.
  2. BothShipwreck Shore: near the end, where three crates float with hopping enemies on them, dive into the water below and swim down against the current to the secret exit (the wiki says only Dixie gets through it). It opens 1-A Zip-Line Shrine.
  3. BothCanopy Chaos: the second secret exit is up above the end barrel. Have Player 2 be Cranky and cane-bounce up to it (the wiki says Dixie can reach it too). It opens 1-B Busted Bayou.
  4. BothEvery regular level holds the letters K, O, N and G. Collect all four in a single run of each level here and the island's K level opens.

Where people tend to fall

  • In co-op, a crash in a mine cart or Rocket Barrel costs two lives, even with the partner riding on DK's back. IGN suggests switching to one player for those rides; on this island that is the mine cart level 1-4 Trunk Twister.

1-K Swinger Flinger

Part 2 of 3. The first K level.

  1. BothSwinger Flinger is a run of swinging vines with purple spikes that hurt on touch. Cranky is the partner to bring: his cane bounces safely off the spikes.
  2. BothEach K level ends with an ancient relic. The secret seventh island needs all of them plus the win over the final boss.

Big Top Bop (boss)

Part 3 of 3. Beat Pompy on the half-pipe.

  1. BothPompy slides back and forth along the half-pipe. Jump on his back as he comes past; jump too early and you get hurt.
  2. BothAfter each hit he drops into the water and throws fish into the arena, later with sea urchins mixed in. Stomp the fish and steer clear of the urchins until he slides again.
  3. BothFrom the second phase he also rolls across the arena, and nothing hurts him while he rolls: dodge and wait for the next slide.
  4. BothHe then starts jumping to crush you. After a few landings he is worn out and open for a hit. Nine hits in all end the fight.

Boss

PompyThe island boss

  1. Slides: Slides along the half-pipe; land on his back, then deal with the fish he throws in.
  2. Rolls: Adds a roll that cannot be stomped, plus extra enemies sent into the arena.
  3. Jumps: Jumps at you to crush you until he tires; the ninth hit ends it.

Extras and notes

  • Each level holds five to nine Puzzle Pieces. They unlock concept art in Extras and do not count toward 100% completion.
Sources (18)

Steps compiled from 1 playthrough video and 17 text guides, checked Oct 19, 2026, and written in our own words. We did not play the game for this guide. A step marked “single source” rests on one guide so far.