Editing DK Barrel

{{redirect|Kong Barrel|a type of barrel from [[Donkey Kong 64]]|[[Cranky's Kong Barrel]]}}
{{item infobox
|image=[[File:PN DK Father's Day card DK Barrel.png|250px]]<br>Artwork from the [[Play Nintendo]] website
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' ([[List of games by date#1994|1994]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]]'' ([[List of games by date#2025|2025]])
}}
{{quote|A monkey and a barrel--it fits together like radical rays and supreme surf sprays!|Funky Kong|Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze}}
'''DK Barrels'''<ref>{{cite|date=1994|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet|page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' [[Nintendo Power|Player's Guide]]|language=en-us|date=1994|page={{file link|DKC Guide 20-21.jpg|21}}|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> (alternatively spelled '''DK barrels'''),<ref>{{cite|title=''Nintendo Official Magazine'' (UK) issue 54|date=March 1997|page=46 and 52}}</ref> also named '''Buddy Barrels'''<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|date=1995|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Donkey Kong Land'' instruction booklet|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite|language=en-us|date=2000|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' Game Boy Color instruction booklet|page=11}}</ref> or '''Kong Barrels''',<ref>{{cite|language=en-gb|format=PDF|url=cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/wii_u_6/donkey_kong_country__tropical_freeze/ElectronicManual_WiiU_DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze_EN.pdf|title=''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' electronic manual. Tab 16: "Barrels".|publisher=nintendo-europe.com|accessdate=July 4, 2024}}</ref> are a type of [[barrel]] appearing in nearly every [[level]] of the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]] and [[Donkey Kong Land (series)|''Donkey Kong Land'' series]]. They are identifiable from the red-and-yellow "[[Donkey Kong|DK]]" letters on their sides. In these games, the playable [[Kong]]s additionally serve as the player's health. If the player only has one Kong in play, breaking open a DK Barrel reveals another Kong to join them. Most games have a restriction of two Kongs at once, so breaking more DK Barrels does not reveal more Kongs.

==History==
===''Donkey Kong Country'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Country'' / ''Donkey Kong Land'' trilogy====
[[File:2-DK Barrel.png|thumb|A DK Barrel next to a "2" number in the [[Game Boy Color]] remake of ''Donkey Kong Country'']]
In Donkey Kong Country, if the leading member of the duo of [[Donkey Kong]] and [[Diddy Kong]] is hit by an enemy or an obstacle, they run away and the player is restricted to to using the other Kong. A DK Barrel can be picked up and thrown to bring the absent character back. By default, the Kong from the DK Barrel follows behind the Kong in front. If a DK Barrel is on the ground, it can be picked up and thrown like a normal Barrel, although like Vine Barrels, DK Barrels break upon impact with the ground. As such, most enemies can be defeated when a DK Barrel is thrown at them. If a Kong is without their partner and they touch a DK Barrel that is either in mid-air or underwater, the DK Barrel breaks open and releases the other Kong.

In the backstory for ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', Diddy was ambushed by [[Kremling]]s while he was guarding the [[banana hoard]]. He is sealed into a DK Barrel and thrown into the jungle. The first DK Barrel of [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]] is presumably the one that Diddy was trapped into due to it being the closest DK Barrel to the banana hoard.

''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'' have different pairs of playable characters, Diddy Kong with [[Dixie Kong]] and Dixie Kong with [[Kiddy Kong]], respectively. The same mechanics apply to these character pairings.  Most DK Barrels these two games are in mid-air and cannot be picked up. If both Kongs are in play, they pass through both mid-air and underwater DK Barrels. In ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'', all DK Barrels are found in mid-air, though ''Donkey Kong Land 2'' has some [[treasure chest]]s with DK Barrels that can be picked up like normal Barrels.

Certain [[Cheat code#Donkey Kong franchise|cheat codes]] in the sequels can affect the availability of DK Barrels. In ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'', from the mode selection menu, the player can highlight the hidden Cheat Mode and enter a combination of buttons to remove every DK Barrel: {{button|snes|B}},{{button|snes|A}},{{button|padright}},{{button|padright}},{{button|snes|A}},{{button|snes|L}},{{button|snes|A}},{{button|snes|X}}; in that game's [[Game Boy Advance]] remake, the WELLARD cheat removes all DK Barrels, and the ROCKARD cheat removes all DK Barrels and Star Barrels. In ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'', the HARDR cheat only removes some of the DK Barrels, and the TUSFT cheat removes all DK Barrels (if used on a new save file) and Star Barrels; in the Game Boy Advance version, the TUFFER cheat removes all DK Barrels and Star Barrels on a new game save file. In all applicable games, if DK Barrels are disabled, every level automatically starts with both Kongs.

====''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' (''3D'' / ''HD'')====
DK Barrels return in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'', its [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D|port]], and its [[Nintendo Switch]] [[Donkey Kong Country Returns HD|port]]. Their mechanics are slightly different in nature because these games have a different health system. In single player, Donkey Kong is the primary playable character, with Diddy Kong only riding on his back and providing additional support. If they take damage, Diddy Kong loses his [[Heart (item)|heart]]s before Donkey Kong does, and falls away from the screen when all of his hearts are lost. Therefore, a DK Barrel can only ever contain Diddy Kong, and he warps onto Donkey Kong's back as an orange arrow after being released. If Donkey Kong is defeated while Diddy Kong is warping, Diddy Kong appears in full and is defeated on the spot. Unlike prior games, DK Barrels are always found on the ground and normally must thrown or dropped to break them. If a DK Barrel is thrown or dropped into an edge of the screen, it breaks as well. If a DK Barrel is being carried, thrown, or dropped as the player enters a cutscene for a boss battle, the barrel breaks. [[Rambi]] breaks DK Barrels on contact, which may be because Donkey Kong cannot [[Grab]] while riding Rambi. When broken, DK Barrels additionally restore Donkey Kong's hearts to their maximum. The same happens for Diddy Kong's hearts if he is already present. In the game's silhouette levels, the "DK" of a DK Barrel is not rendered in silhouette. Boss levels always have a DK Barrel available in the area before the boss battle starts. Temple levels lack DK Barrels.

If Diddy Kong warps onto Donkey Kong's back right as he starts a [[Roll Attack|Barrel Roll]], such as if Donkey Kong drops the DK Barrel by performing a Barrel Roll, Diddy Kong's presence immediately upgrades it to a [[Kong Roll]].

In multiplayer mode, if a player has been defeated, they can use a [[Red Balloon]] to float back into the level inside a DK Barrel. This DK Barrel is broken on contact with the other player, reviving the defeated player. The player in the barrel can nudge themselves closer by shaking the controller. If the DK Barrel drops off the screen the Red Balloon is deducted from the the total number of Red Balloons. Alternatively, the remaining player can revive them by finding a barrel that is already in the level.<ref>{{cite|date=2013|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'' digital instruction manual|publisher=Nintendo|language=en|page=13}}</ref> This further allows Donkey Kong to appear from DK Barrels, as in multiplayer Donkey Kong can be defeated while Diddy Kong is active. 

In Mirror Mode, which does not support multiplayer, DK Barrels do not contain Diddy Kong and do not heal Donkey Kong. This is because Diddy Kong cannot be used in this mode and Donkey Kong has a maximum of one heart. The lack of healing remains in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'', even though if the player is in New Mode and Mirror Mode simultaneously Donkey Kong has a maximum of two hearts. DK Barrels can still be used as a projectile.

A spinning DK Barrel is the icon for the game saving data.<ref>{{cite|date=2013|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'' digital instruction manual|publisher=Nintendo|language=en|page=4}}</ref>

''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'' and ''Donkey Kong Country Returns HD'' allow the player to purchase DK Barrels (referred to as '''Portable DK Barrels''' in the former game's manual and promotional material)<ref>{{cite|date=2013|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D'' digital instruction manual|publisher=Nintendo|language=en|page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=May, 17, 2013|title=Nintendo 3DS - Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KVX82n2UzY|timestamp="0:21"|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=Feb 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=April 17, 2013|title=Nintendo Direct 4.17.2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSXyo0z6LKA|timestamp="12:12"|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=Jan 29, 2025}}</ref> from [[Cranky Kong's Shop]] in New/Modern Mode for five [[Banana Coin]]s each. When one of these barrels is equipped, and Diddy Kong is not present, it can be thrown (not carried) at any point where Donkey Kong can hold a barrel to the same listed effects. Equipped DK Barrels are thrown by tapping the Touch Screen in the 3DS version and pressing {{button|switch|leftstickbutton}} in the Switch version. States where Donkey Kong cannot hold Barrels (and thus cannot use a DK Barrel) include while in [[Mine Cart]]s, in [[Rocket Barrel]]s, in and shooting out of [[Barrel Cannon]]s, and on [[Rambi]]. Mirror Mode does not allow Donkey Kong to equip items.

====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''==== 
DK Barrels return in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' and its Nintendo Switch [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|port]], functioning just like they did in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns''. With the addition of [[Dixie Kong]] and [[Cranky Kong]] as characters who stay on Donkey Kong's back, the barrels come in four new variations — a '''Diddy Kong Barrel''' marked with a blue "DD" instead of the usual red "DK", a '''Dixie Kong Barrel''' marked with a pink "DX", a '''Cranky Kong Barrel''' with a yellow "CK", and another one that contains all three spinning in a roulette-like manner. The first three rarely appear in levels but can be purchased at [[Funky's Fly 'n' Buy]] for 15 Banana Coins each, while the last is far more common. With it, Donkey Kong is able to choose his partner, by picking it up at the moment the desired Kong's insignia appears (or by [[Corkscrew (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)|corkscrewing]] into it, if it is underwater). Alternatively, he can ground pound in front of it in order to temporarily stop it in place.

Unlike in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'', DK Barrels in the player's inventory are not thrown by command and are instead used automatically as soon as Donkey Kong enters the level, if he is alone. If he has another Kong with him, the DK Barrel is only used after that Kong is lost, even if the barrel is for a different Kong.

Normal DK Barrels only appear during co-op and [[Hard Mode]], the latter case being due to Donkey Kong only having one heart and not being assisted by the other Kongs. However, he can still use the DK Barrel as a weapon. In multiplayer mode, the second player can choose which of the partner Kongs to play as (Diddy, Dixie, or Cranky).

In the Switch version, a fifth variety of a DK Barrel based on [[Funky Kong]], marked with a purple "FK", appears exclusively in Funky Mode, where he is playable. As partners cannot be used while playing as Funky, it replaces all other DK Barrels in levels, and can only be used to restore health and defeat enemies; in addition, Funky cannot equip DK Barrels to his inventory.

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
In the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], [[Donkey Kong]] and [[Diddy Kong]] enter stages by bursting out of DK Barrels. One also appears as a [[Sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|Sticker]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and as a [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''.

===''Mario Party'' series===
====''Mario Party 7''====
In ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', three DK Barrels are in front of [[DK's Tree House]] in the background of some [[Donkey Kong]] minigames, such as [[Jump, Man]] and [[Vine Country]], with two being on the left and one on the right.

====''Mario Party 8''====
In ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', when a character steps on a [[DK Space]] on [[DK's Treetop Temple]] or [[Goomba's Booty Boardwalk]] (or reaches a cannon on the former), Donkey Kong will appear before them by bursting out of a DK Barrel.

===''DK: Jungle Climber''===
DK Barrels also appear in ''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]'', with the same role as in the first ''Donkey Kong Country'' and ''Donkey Kong Land'' games.

===''Mario Kart'' series===
In ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', DK Barrels appear on the jungle section of [[DK Jungle (3DS)|DK Jungle]], where they are located on the sides of the track. They contain [[Banana]]s and [[Super Star|Star]]s that are revealed by destroying the barrels with [[Green Shell]]s, or by colliding with them at a high speed. With the return of the course in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', DK Barrels also come back in the jungle section of the course. In the ''{{a|MK8DBCP|Booster Course Pass}}'' DLC for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', DK Barrels appear throughout {{classic link|GCN|DK Mountain}}.

===''Mario Golf: World Tour'' / ''Mario Sports Superstars''===
A DK Barrel appears in Donkey Kong's [[Bogey|Double Bogey]] animation in ''[[Mario Golf: World Tour]]'', and the exact same animation also appears in ''[[Mario Sports Superstars]]''.

===''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle''===
DK Barrels can be found floating in the ocean during the level [[Do U Stack Up?]] in ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]''.

===''Dr. Mario World''===
In ''[[Dr. Mario World]]'', Dr. Donkey Kong's skill in stage mode is to throw a DK Barrel at a 3x3 portion of the stage. This is done by tapping the screen when the automatically moving cursor is over the center of the area the player wants to hit. This eliminates [[Virus]]es and other objects in the area.

===Other appearances===
One of the collectables [[Kirby]] can find in [[wikirby:Kirby Super Star|''Kirby Super Star'']]'s "[[wikirby:The Great Cave Offensive|The Great Cave Offensive]]" mode is the "Kong's Barrel." It returns in the remake, [[wikirby:Kirby Super Star Ultra|''Kirby Super Star Ultra'']]. It is found in a room guarded by two [[wikirby:Gordo|Gordo]]s in the Garden Area. The Kong's Barrel is worth 1,500 Gold.

A DK Barrel is one of the token pieces in [[Nintendo Monopoly]].

==Profiles==
===''Donkey Kong Country'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Country''====
*'''Game Boy Advance manual bio:''' ''Break one of these to keep the other Kong ready and waiting. He'll take over when your current Kong takes a hit, or you can press the L Button to swap them at any time.''
*'''Wii U Virtual Console manual bio:''' ''If you are alone, break this barrel to release the friend inside.''

====''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''====
*'''Game Boy Advance manual bio:''' ''Here's where you'll find your partner if he or she isn't already by your side. If both characters are already in play, you won't be able to break this Barrel when it's in mid-air.''
*'''Wii U Virtual Console manual bio:''' ''If either Diddy or Dixie is missing, you can find him or her in this barrel.''

====''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!''====
*'''Game Boy Advance manual bio:''' ''Here's where you'll find your partner if they're not already with you. If you already have both Kongs, you won't be able to break the DK Barrels that float in mid-air.''

====''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D''/''HD''====
;DK Barrel
*'''North American digital instruction manual (''3D''):''' ''Throw to break it and release Diddy Kong. You will also recover all your hearts.''

;Portable DK Barrel
*'''Cranky Kong's Shop description:''' ''Allows you to use a DK Barrel anytime.''
*'''North American digital instruction manual (''3D''):''' ''Tap the Touch Screen to take this barrel out. You can use it at any time you're not with Diddy Kong.''

====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''====
;Portable DD/DX/CK Barrels
*'''North American digital instruction manual:''' ''The respective partner character automatically appears from one of these when you don't have a partner in the one-player mode.''<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' Wii U electronic manual|language=en-us|format=PDF|date=2014|page=12|publisher=nintendo.com|accessdate=September 9, 2020|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170110153828/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/manual-WiiU-Donkey_Kong_Country_Tropical_Freeze.pdf}}</ref>

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
{{SSBB sticker
|name=DK Barrel
|image=[[File:DK Barrel Sticker.png|100px]]
|game=''Donkey Kong Country''
|effect=Launch Power +53
}}

====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U''====
{{SSB4 trophy
|name=DK Barrel
|image='''3DS:'''<br>[[File:DK_Barrel_Trophy.png|100px]]<br>'''Wii U:'''<br>[[File:DKBarrelTrophyWiiU.png|100px]]
|category=Series Related
|appears_in='''SNES'''' ''Donkey Kong Country'' (11/1994)<br>'''Wii''' ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' (11/2010)
|trophy_box=18: Animal Friends and Items
|unlock=Random
|desc=Little known fact: the "DK" on a DK Barrel stands for "Donkey Kong"... What? You mean you already knew that? In that case, you must also know that hopeful feeling you get upon seeing one of these in a really tough stage. Break one to release a helpful partner!
|desc2=Did you know that the "DK" on a DK Barrel stands for "Donkey Kong"? ...You did? Well then, maybe you also know what a beautiful and hopeful feeling it is to see one of these when you're toughing it out alone, all sad and forlorn. Break it and a partner will show up to lift you out of your doldrums and help you on your way.
}}

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
DKBarrel DKC.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
DK Barrel DKL3c sprite.png|''Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong''
DKBarrelDKCR.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''
MKT 234CB.png|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' (badge)
DKCTF JP Commercial Barrel Props.jpg|Props of Diddy Kong Barrel, Dixie Kong Barrel and Cranky Kong Barrel used for the Japanese commercial of ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'', made by [[TAKAHASHI ART Inc.]]
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jpn=DKバレル
|JpnR=DK Bareru
|Jpn2=コングバレル
|Jpn2R=Kongu Bareru
|Jpn3={{ruby|DD|ディディー}}バレル
|Jpn3R=Didī Bareru
|Jpn4={{ruby|DX|ディクシー}}バレル
|Jpn4R=Dikushī Bareru
|Jpn5={{ruby|CK|クランキー}}バレル
|Jpn5R=Kurankī Bareru
|JpnM=DK Barrel
|Jpn2M=Kong Barrel
|Jpn3M=Diddy Barrel
|Jpn4M=Dixie Barrel
|Jpn5M=Cranky Barrel
|Ger=DK-Fass
|GerM=DK Barrel
|Ita=Barile DK
|Ita2=DR.{{sic}} Barrel<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' Italian manual|page=17}}</ref>
|Ita3=Barile amico<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' Italian booklet|page=11}}</ref>
|Ita4=barile dk<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'' Spanish-Italian booklet|page=52}}</ref>
|Ita5=Barile KONG<ref>''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' electronic manual. Tabs 8, 10, 16, and 18.</ref>
|Ita6=Barile DD; Barile DX; Barile CK<ref>''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' electronic manual. Tab 17.</ref>
|ItaM=DK Barrel
|Ita3M=Friend barrel
|Ita4M=dk barrel
|Ita5M=KONG Barrel
|Ita6M=DD Barrel; DX Barrel; CK Barrel
|Spa=Barril DK
|SpaM=DK Barrel
}}

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Barrels]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country Returns objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land 2 objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land III objects]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl stickers]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophies]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophies]]
[[de:DK-Fass]]
[[it:Barile DK]]