Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! is a platform game where players control Dixie Kong and her baby cousin, Kiddy Kong, through 8 worlds which comprise a total of 48 levels.[3][4] Many of the gameplay elements from previous games in the series mark a return in this game, such as barrels,[5] bonus levels which reward the player with special "bonus coins", DK coins, animal helpers and a multiplayer mode.[6] Both of the two playable Kongs have unique abilities, such as Dixie's ability to slow her descent by spinning her ponytail,[7] and Kiddy's ability to bounce across open water.[8][9] The Kongs may also pick each other up to throw each other around levels; the impact of the other player-character can reveal cracked floors, hidden switches or secret areas. At any time, the player can switch Kongs during a level.[10]
Levels in the game include a mixture of platforming, swimming and on-rails levels. They are based around several returning themes including forests, cliff-sides, factories and mountain tops. The level design is more diverse compared to its predecessors, which includes more complex puzzles and obstacles.[11] Every level has an enemy called a Koin; each of these enemies bears the DK Coin of their respective level, holding it as a shield. As these enemies always face towards the player, they must be defeated by throwing a steel barrel[12] over them so it bounces off a wall behind them in order to strike them from behind.[6] The game overworld is also more complex, allowing players to explore between each area instead of forcing them along a linear path. To achieve this, the game includes several vehicles such as a speedboat and hovercraft which can be used to traverse the overworld and access different worlds.[11][13]
The game features "animal friends", which return from its predecessors. Returning animals include Enguarde the swordfish, Squitter the spider and Squawks the parrot.[14] New animals include Ellie the elephant, who can suck up water through her trunk to spray enemies with, and Parry the "parallel bird", who flies directly above the player-characters and can be used to collect out-of-reach items.[9] As in the previous game, players can directly control animals instead of just riding them.[14] Scattered around the Northern Kremisphere overworld are the Brothers Bear, a family of bears who provide the players with hints, key items or other services.[15] Players can collect items in levels to trade with the bears for other items or to help progress to later levels;[16] one such item is the Bear Coin, which acts as the game's currency.[6] Other members from the Kong family, such as Wrinkly Kong, Swanky Kong, and Funky Kong, can also be found around the overworld, each of whom offer their own services.
