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{{about|the extra-life granting balloons from the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]] and [[Donkey Kong Land (series)|Donkey Kong Land]] series|the object from [[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]|[[red balloon (object)]]}}
{{about|the extra-life granting balloons from the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]] and [[Donkey Kong Land (series)|Donkey Kong Land]] series|the object from [[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]|[[red balloon (object)]]}}
{{item infobox
{{item infobox
|image=[[File:Red Balloon - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png]]
|image=[[File:Red Balloon - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png|150px]]<br>Artwork from ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''
|description="''Grants an extra life.''"
|description="''Grants an extra life.''"
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' ([[List of games by date#1994|1994]])
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' ([[List of games by date#1994|1994]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
}}
}}
{{quote2|Nothin' like classic red for righteous revivals!|[[Funky Kong]]|[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]}}
{{quote|Nothin' like classic red for righteous revivals!|[[Funky Kong]]|[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]}}
'''Red Balloons''',<ref>"''Extra Life Balloons come in three great flavors. Red Balloons give you one extra life, Green Balloons give you two and the elusive Blue Balloons give you three extra lives!''" - The Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble Player's Guide, page 15.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' [https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/Wii_DKC_Returns.pdf NTSC] instruction booklet, page 19.</ref><ref>[https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/wii_u_6/donkey_kong_country__tropical_freeze/ElectronicManual_WiiU_DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze_EN.pdf ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' Wii U instruction manual (PDF)]. Tab 17: "Items".</ref> also known as '''Life Balloons''',<ref>''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet, page 9.</ref> '''1-Up Balloons''',<ref>M. Arakawa. ''Donkey Kong Country'' Player's Guide. Pages 28, 29, 32, 35, 65, 71, 107, 109.</ref> or simply '''Balloons''',<ref name=DKC>''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet, page 18.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' [http://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/EUR/SF8P/SF8P_E.pdf PAL] instruction booklet, page 24.</ref> are recurring items in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' and [[Donkey Kong Land (series)|''Donkey Kong Land'']] series that grant [[Extra life|extra lives]] to the [[Kong]]s.
'''Red Balloons''',<ref>{{cite|quote=Extra Life Balloons come in three great flavors. Red Balloons give you one extra life, Green Balloons give you two and the elusive Blue Balloons give you three extra lives!|author=Owsen, Dan, Kent Miller, and Paul Shinoda|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' Player's Guide|page=15|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite|language=en-us|date=2010|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' instruction booklet|page=19|url=www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/Wii_DKC_Returns.pdf|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=2014|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'' Wii U instruction manual. Tab 17: "Items"|format=PDF}}</ref> also known as '''Life Balloons''',<ref>{{cite|date=1994|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet|page=9}}</ref> '''1-Up Balloons''',<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1994|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' Player's Guide|page=28, 29, 32, 35, 65, 71, 107, 109}}</ref> or simply '''Balloons''',<ref name=DKC>{{cite|date=1994|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite|date=2010|language=en-gb|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' instruction booklet|page=24|url=m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/EUR/SF8P/SF8P_E.pdf}}</ref> are recurring items that grant [[Extra life|extra lives]] to the [[Kong]]s in the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]] and [[Donkey Kong Land (series)|''Donkey Kong Land'' series]].


==History==
==History==
===''Donkey Kong'' franchise===
===''Donkey Kong'' franchise===
====''Donkey Kong Country'' trilogy====
====''Donkey Kong Country'' trilogy====
In the original ''Donkey Kong Country'' trilogy, the Red Balloons only give one more life. The less frequent [[Green Balloon]]s and [[Blue Balloon]]s provide two and three extra lives respectively, and the three variants are collectively referred to as '''Donkey Kong Balloons''',<ref name=DKC/> '''1-up Balloons''',<ref>''[[Nintendo Power]]'' volume 90, page 26.</ref> or '''Extra Life Balloons'''<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' instruction booklet, {{media link|DKC2 Manual 16-17.jpg|page 17}}.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Country 3'' (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet, page 27.</ref> (also spelled '''Extra-Life Balloons'''<ref>''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' instruction booklet, page 23.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Country 2'' (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet, page 15.</ref> or '''extra lives balloons'''<ref>''"What is an extra lives balloon colored red worth?''" &mdash; [[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]]</ref>). By collecting an Extra Life Balloon, it floats to the life counter on the upper-right corner of the screen. If the Kongs lose a life, the life counter appears on-screen, and its balloon icon pops and decreases by one.
In the original ''Donkey Kong Country'' trilogy, the Red Balloons give only one more life. The less frequent [[Green Balloon]]s and [[Blue Balloon]]s provide two and three extra lives, respectively, and the three variants are collectively referred to as '''Donkey Kong Balloons''',<ref name=DKC/> '''1-up Balloons''',<ref>{{cite|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=November 1996|title=''[[Nintendo Power]]'' volume 90|page=26}}</ref> or '''Extra Life Balloons'''<ref>{{cite|date=1995|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' instruction booklet|page={{file link|DKC2 Manual 16-17.jpg|17}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite|date=2005|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3'' (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet|page=27}}</ref> (also spelled '''Extra-Life Balloons'''<ref>{{cite|date=1996|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' instruction booklet|page=23}}</ref><ref>{{cite|date=2004|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2'' (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet|page=15}}</ref> or '''extra lives balloons'''<ref>{{cite|quote=What is an extra lives balloon colored red worth?''|author=[[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]]|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''}}</ref>). When an Extra Life Balloon is collected, it floats to the life counter in the upper right corner of the screen. If the Kongs lose a life, the life counter appears onscreen, and its balloon icon pops and decreases by one.


Extra Life Balloons first appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', where they are in the shape of Donkey Kong's head. An Extra Life Balloon is often rewarded for completing a [[Bonus Area]], but a few appear in the level itself, such as on the treetops of [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]. They can also be rarely found when [[Hand Slap]]ping certain areas (in place of Banana Bunches). Some Extra Life Balloons float up in the air and must be quickly collected before floating off screen.
Extra Life Balloons first appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', where they are in the shape of [[Donkey Kong]]'s head. An Extra Life Balloon is often rewarded for completing a [[bonus room|Bonus Area]], but a few appear in the [[level]] itself, such as on the treetops of [[Jungle Hijinxs (Donkey Kong Country)|Jungle Hijinxs]]. They can also be rarely found when certain areas are [[Hand Slap|hand-slap]]ped (in place of [[Banana Bunch]]es). Some Extra Life Balloons float up in the air and must be quickly collected before floating offscreen.


In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', the Extra Life Balloons are changed into the shape of [[Diddy Kong]]'s head, likely owing to him as the new main protagonist. Extra Life Balloons rarely appear within Bonus Areas, which feature [[Kremkoin]]s as the main reward instead. The main method for obtaining Extra Life Balloons is by completing the quizzes at [[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]], where the type of Life Balloon rewarded corresponds to the number of [[Banana Coin]]s the Kongs must pay to participate in a quiz. Some of the hints at [[Kong Kollege]] and [[Monkey Museum]] provide hints on where the Kongs can find an Extra Life Balloon within a level. Some [[No Animal Sign]]s reward an Extra Life Balloon if the Kongs cross with an [[Animal Friend]]. Red Extra Life Balloons can also be found as one of the possible prizes on some [[End of Level Target]]s.
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', the Extra Life Balloons are changed into the shape of [[Diddy Kong]]'s head, likely owing to him as the new main protagonist. Extra Life Balloons rarely appear within Bonus Areas, which feature [[Kremkoin]]s as the main reward instead. The main method for obtaining Extra Life Balloons is by completing the quizzes at [[Swanky's Bonus Bonanza]], where the type of Life Balloon rewarded corresponds to the number of [[Banana Coin]]s the Kongs must pay to participate in a quiz. Some of the hints at [[Kong Kollege]] and the [[Monkey Museum]] provide hints on where the Kongs can find an Extra Life Balloon within a level. Some [[No Animal Sign]]s reward an Extra Life Balloon if the Kongs cross with an [[Animal Friends|Animal Friend]]. Red Extra Life Balloons can also be found as one of the possible prizes on some [[End of Level Target]]s. A few of the later levels feature black [[Klobber]]s, who cause Diddy and [[Dixie Kong]] to lose an Extra Life Balloon whenever it bumps into them. As the Extra Life Balloon(s) float(s) upward, the Kongs have a few seconds to recollect the Extra Life Balloon(s) before it/they disappear.


A few of the later levels feature black [[Klobber]]s, who cause Diddy and [[Dixie Kong]] to lose an Extra Life Balloon whenever it bumps into them. As the Extra Life Balloon(s) float upward, the Kongs have a few seconds to recollect the Extra Life Balloons before they disappear.
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', Extra Life Balloons have the same main purpose as in the previous two games, and their overall role is more similar to that of ''Donkey Kong Country 2''. In the game, Extra Life Balloons are redesigned in the shape of the head of Dixie, the main protagonist of the game. Like in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', some No Animal Signs still reward an Extra Life Balloon to the Kongs if they pass the signs as an Animal Friend or with [[Parry (character)|Parry the Parallel Bird]]. In one instance in [[Rocket Barrel Ride]], if Dixie and [[Kiddy Kong|Kiddy]] pass the No Animal Sign with Parry, they are rewarded with a blue Extra Life Balloon. At [[Swanky's Sideshow]], [[Swanky Kong]] may reward an Extra Life Balloon, among other items, to Dixie and Kiddy if they perform well against [[Cranky Kong]].


In the sequel, ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', Extra Life Balloons have the same main purpose as the previous two games, and its overall role is more similar to that of ''Donkey Kong Country 2''. In the game, Extra Life Balloons are redesigned in the shape of Dixie's head, the main protagonist of the game. Like in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', some No Animal Signs still reward an Extra Life Balloon to the Kongs if they pass it as an Animal Friend or with [[Parry (character)|Parry the Parallel Bird]]. In one instance in [[Rocket Barrel Ride]], where if Dixie and [[Kiddy Kong|Kiddy]] pass the No Animal Sign with Parry, they are rewarded with a blue Extra Life Balloon. At [[Swanky's Sideshow]], [[Swanky Kong]] may reward an Extra Life Balloon, among other items, to Dixie and Kiddy, if they perform well against [[Cranky Kong]].
====''Donkey Kong Land'' series====
 
In the ''Donkey Kong Land'' trilogy, every Extra Life Balloon<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong Land 2'' instruction booklet|page=5|date=1996|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite|date=1997|title=''Donkey Kong Land III'' instruction booklet|page=17|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> grants only one life, and the balloons represent the Red Balloons from the ''Donkey Kong Country'' games. The monochromatic [[Game Boy]] screen cannot distinguish between the differently colored Extra Life Balloons. When the active Kong obtains an Extra Life Balloon, a Life Heart<ref>{{cite|date=1996|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Donkey Kong Land 2'' instruction booklet|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite|date=1997|title=''Donkey Kong Land III'' instruction booklet|page=7|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> (which represents an extra life) appears on the HUD at the bottom.
In the [[Game Boy Advance]] remakes, an Extra Life Balloon often appears among the rewards for completing the [[Kong Family]]'s respective mini-games.
 
====''Donkey Kong Land'' trilogy====
In the ''Donkey Kong Land'' trilogy, every Extra Life Balloon<ref>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' instruction booklet, page 5.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Land III'' instruction booklet, page 17.</ref> only grants one life, and represent the Red Balloons from the ''Donkey Kong Country'' games. The monochromatic [[Game Boy]] screen cannot distinguish between the differently-colored Extra Life Balloons. When the active [[Kong]] obtains an Extra Life Balloon, a Life Heart<ref>''Donkey Kong Land 2'' instruction booklet, page 13.</ref><ref>''Donkey Kong Land III'' instruction booklet, page 7.</ref> (which represents an extra life) appears on the HUD at the bottom.


In ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'', the Extra Life Balloons have the same shape as their ''Donkey Kong Country'' counterparts. In ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'', which recycles many of its sprites directly from ''Donkey Kong Land 2'', the Life Balloons are still in the shape of Diddy's head despite him not appearing in the game. In the [[Game Boy Color]] port of ''Donkey Kong Land III'', the Extra Life Balloon sprites are red, which affirms them representing Red Balloons.
In ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'', the Extra Life Balloons have the same shape as their ''Donkey Kong Country'' counterparts. In ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'', which recycles many of its sprites directly from ''Donkey Kong Land 2'', the Life Balloons are still in the shape of Diddy's head despite him not appearing in the game. In the [[Game Boy Color]] port of ''Donkey Kong Land III'', the Extra Life Balloon sprites are red, which affirms them representing Red Balloons.


====''Donkey Kong Country Returns''====
====''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' / ''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D''====
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]'', Red Balloons are redesigned with the appearance of a normal balloon. Red Balloons are the only Balloons that return in the [[Wii]] version. In the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version, a [[Green Balloon]] can be bought from [[Cranky Kong's Shop]] in every world, which allows the Kongs to recover from a pitfall without losing a life.
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D]]'', Red Balloons are redesigned with the appearance of a normal balloon. Red Balloons are the only Balloons that return in the [[Wii]] version. In the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version, a Green Balloon can be bought from [[Cranky Kong's Shop]] in every [[world]], allowing the Kongs to recover from a pitfall without losing a life.


If [[Donkey Kong]] loses a life, he is shown floating from a Balloon out the the top of the screen; during this, the lives counter displays in the center and decreases by one life. In single-player mode, after this occurs, Donkey Kong floats back to the level while holding on a Balloon. He either returns to the start or to a [[checkpoint]], based on his level progress. Once he reaches the ground or the player presses a button, the Balloon pops, and Donkey Kong can continue moving through the level.
If Donkey Kong loses a life, he is shown floating from a Balloon out of the top of the screen; during this, the life counter displays in the center and decreases by one life. In single-player mode, after this occurs, Donkey Kong floats back to the level while holding on to a Balloon. He returns either to the start or to a [[checkpoint]], based on his level progress. Once he reaches the ground or the player presses a button, the Balloon pops, and Donkey Kong can continue moving through the level.


In two-player mode, both players share their extra lives. If either player loses a life, they can float back onscreen in a [[DK Barrel]] hanging from a Balloon after pressing {{button|wii|A}} if the [[Wii#Wii Remote|remote]] is held sideways, or {{button|wii|1}} if the [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] is attached to the remote. This is similar to how players float around in [[bubble]]s in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. If both Kongs simultaneously lose a life, often from falling down a pit, they lose two extra lives in total. Like single-player mode, if both Kongs lose a life or if one of them loses a life while the other is missing, they must restart the level or from the last checkpoint.
In two-player mode, both players share their extra lives. If either player loses a life, they can float back onscreen in a [[DK Barrel]] hanging from a Balloon after pressing {{button|wii|A}} if the [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] is held sideways, or {{button|wii|1}} if the [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] is attached to the remote. This is similar to how players float around in [[bubble]]s in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. If both Kongs simultaneously lose a life, often from falling down a [[pit]], they lose two lives in total. Like in single-player mode, if both Kongs lose a life or if one of them loses a life while the other is missing, they must restart the level or from the last checkpoint.


The Kongs can purchase some Life Balloons via [[Cranky Kong's Shop]] in groups of either one, three or seven (priced at 3, 7, and 15 [[Banana Coin]]s respectively). If the player selects a save file where the Kongs are low on lives, [[Cranky Kong|Cranky]] provides them with some extra balloons. There are also three balloons (one red, one yellow, and one blue) on the roof of Cranky Kong's Shop, the latter two of which do not have an in-game role.
The Kongs can purchase some Life Balloons via Cranky Kong's Shop in groups of either one, three, or seven (priced at 3, 7, and 15 [[Banana Coin]]s, respectively). If the player selects a save file where the Kongs are low on lives, Cranky provides them with some extra balloons. There are also three balloons (one red, one yellow, and one blue) on the roof of Cranky Kong's Shop, the latter two of which do not have an in-game role.


====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''====
====''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''====
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' and its Nintendo Switch [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|port]], Red Balloons act the same as in its predecessor. However, [[Funky's Fly 'n' Buy]] only sells single life-giving Red Balloons. Performing a [[Kong POW]] with Diddy also turns all on-screen enemies into Red Balloons. Green Balloons also return from the prior game's 3DS remake. [[Blue Balloon]]s appear as well, now giving the Kongs more air underwater.
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' and [[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)|its Nintendo Switch port]], Red Balloons act the same as in its predecessor. However, [[Funky's Fly 'n' Buy]] sells only single life-giving Red Balloons. Performing a [[Kong POW]] with Diddy also turns all onscreen enemies into Red Balloons. Green Balloons also return from the prior game's 3DS remake. Blue Balloons appear as well, now giving the Kongs more air underwater.


===''Super Mario-Kun''===
===''Super Mario-kun''===
[[File:Life Balloon SuperMarioKun.jpg|thumb|75px]]
[[File:Life Balloon SMKun.png|thumb|75px]]
An Extra Life Balloon makes a small appearance in ''[[Super Mario-Kun]]'' as a small drawing at the end of Issue 14 on page 127.
An Extra Life Balloon makes a small appearance in ''[[Super Mario-kun]]''. After the [[Krash]]es make [[Mario]] and [[Yoshi]] fall from the tracks during a minecart stage, an Extra Life Balloon saves them and brings them back on the stage.
{{br}}
{{br}}


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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
Extra Life Balloons DKC art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
Extra Life Balloons DKC art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
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DKC2Balloon.png|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''
DKC2Balloon.png|''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''
ExtraLifeBalloon DKC3.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''
ExtraLifeBalloon DKC3.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''
BalloonDKCR.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]''
Red Balloon - Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]''
</gallery>
===Sprites===
<gallery>
Red Balloon DKC SNES.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
Red Balloon DKC SNES.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
Extra Life Balloon DKL.png|''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
Extra Life Balloon DKL.png|''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
Red Extra Life Balloon DKC2.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''
Red Extra Life Balloon DKC2.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''
DKL2 GB Extra Life Balloon sprite.png|''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' / ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]''
Red Extra Life Balloon DKC3.png|''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''
Life Balloon DKL3c sprite.png|''[[Donkey Kong Land III|Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong]]''
Life Balloon (red) DKC GBC.png|''Donkey Kong Country'' (GBC)
DKC GBA Red Balloon.png|''Donkey Kong Country'' (GBA)
DKC2 GBA Red Balloon.png|''Donkey Kong Country 2'' (GBA)
Red Life Balloon DKC3 GBA.png|''Donkey Kong Country 3'' (GBA)
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
1-Extra-Life Balloon.png|A single Donkey Kong Balloon in the [[Game Boy Color]] version of ''Donkey Kong Country'' ([[Game Boy Printer]] printable)
4-Extra-Life Balloons.png|Two Donkey Kong Balloons in the Game Boy Color version of ''Donkey Kong Country'' (Game Boy Printer printable)
</gallery>
===Miscellaneous===
<gallery>
DKC Puzzle Artwork.jpg|Artwork used for a puzzle based on ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
{{foreign names
|Jap=バルーン
|Jap=ライフバルーン<ref>''Super Donkey Kong'' intruction booklet, page 11.</ref>
|JapR=Barūn
|JapR=Raifu Barūn
|JapM=Balloon
|JapM=Life Balloon
|Jap2=バルーン
|Jap2R=Barūn
|Jap2M=Balloon
|Ita=Pallone della vita<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' Italian booklet|page=9}}</ref>
|Ita2=Pallone rosso<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' Italian booklet|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' (GBC); European booklet|page=110|language=it|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' (GBA); European booklet|page=101|date=2003|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|language=it}}</ref>
|Ita3=Pallone vita extra<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' Italian manual|page=15}}</ref>
|Ita4=Pallone di vita extra<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'' Spanish-Italian booklet|page=47}}</ref>
|Ita5=Pallone<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' (GBC); European booklet|page=110}}</ref>
|Ita6=Pallone Vita<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' (GBA); European booklet|page=101|date=2003|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|language=it}}</ref>
|Ita7=Palloncino vita extra<ref>{{cite|date=2004|language=it|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)|Donkey Kong Country 2]]'' European booklet|page=113}}</ref>
|Ita8=Palloncino<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' Italian booklet|page=24}}</ref>
|Ita9=Palloncino rosso (recent games)
|ItaM=Life balloon
|Ita2M=Red balloon
|Ita3M=Extra life balloon
|Ita4M=Balloon of extra life
|Ita5M=Balloon
|Ita6M=Life balloon
|Ita7M=Extra life balloon
|Ita8M=Balloon
|Ita9M=Red balloon
}}
;Life Heart
{{foreign names
|Ita=Cuore vita<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' Italian manual|page=7}}</ref>
|Itam=Life heart
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons from ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' are the only ones where the eyes are visibly white, as opposed to colored over like Donkey Kong's and Diddy Kong's Extra Life Balloons from ''Donkey Kong Country'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'', respectively. This does not apply for the Game Boy Advance remake, however.
*Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons from ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' are the only ones where the eyes are visibly white, as opposed to colored over like Donkey Kong's and Diddy Kong's Extra Life Balloons from ''Donkey Kong Country'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'', respectively. This does not apply for the [[Game Boy Advance]] remake, however.
*For the icons with the remaining lives on the upper right hand corner of the game screen in each of the first three games, Donkey Kong's in ''Donkey Kong Country'' is shaped like an Extra Life Balloon but in his real colors, and animated; although Diddy Kong's and Dixie Kong's icons in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'' respectively are just simply heads and are non-animated.
*For the icons with the remaining lives in the upper right-hand corner of the game screen in each of the first three games, Donkey Kong's in ''Donkey Kong Country'' is shaped like an Extra Life Balloon but in his real colors and animated. However, Diddy Kong's and Dixie Kong's icons in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!'', respectively, are simply heads and are non-animated.
*Even though Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons lack her trademark ponytail, her icon displaying the number of lives has her ponytail.
*Even though Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons lack her trademark ponytail, her icon displaying the number of lives has her ponytail.


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{{DKCR}}
{{DKCR}}
{{DKCTF}}
{{DKCTF}}
[[Category:Balloons]]
[[Category:Collectibles]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country items]]
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[[Category:Donkey Kong Land 2 items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land 2 items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land III items]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Land III items]]
[[Category:LEGO Super Mario objects]]
[[de:Extraleben-Ballon]]
[[de:Extraleben-Ballon]]

Latest revision as of 08:43, October 9, 2024

This article is about the extra-life granting balloons from the Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land series. For the object from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, see red balloon (object).
Red Balloon
Artwork of a Red Balloon from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
Artwork from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Description
"Grants an extra life."
First appearance Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch) (2018)
“Nothin' like classic red for righteous revivals!”
Funky Kong, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Red Balloons,[1][2][3] also known as Life Balloons,[4] 1-Up Balloons,[5] or simply Balloons,[6][7] are recurring items that grant extra lives to the Kongs in the Donkey Kong Country series and Donkey Kong Land series.

History[edit]

Donkey Kong franchise[edit]

Donkey Kong Country trilogy[edit]

In the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy, the Red Balloons give only one more life. The less frequent Green Balloons and Blue Balloons provide two and three extra lives, respectively, and the three variants are collectively referred to as Donkey Kong Balloons,[6] 1-up Balloons,[8] or Extra Life Balloons[9][10] (also spelled Extra-Life Balloons[11][12] or extra lives balloons[13]). When an Extra Life Balloon is collected, it floats to the life counter in the upper right corner of the screen. If the Kongs lose a life, the life counter appears onscreen, and its balloon icon pops and decreases by one.

Extra Life Balloons first appear in Donkey Kong Country, where they are in the shape of Donkey Kong's head. An Extra Life Balloon is often rewarded for completing a Bonus Area, but a few appear in the level itself, such as on the treetops of Jungle Hijinxs. They can also be rarely found when certain areas are hand-slapped (in place of Banana Bunches). Some Extra Life Balloons float up in the air and must be quickly collected before floating offscreen.

In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, the Extra Life Balloons are changed into the shape of Diddy Kong's head, likely owing to him as the new main protagonist. Extra Life Balloons rarely appear within Bonus Areas, which feature Kremkoins as the main reward instead. The main method for obtaining Extra Life Balloons is by completing the quizzes at Swanky's Bonus Bonanza, where the type of Life Balloon rewarded corresponds to the number of Banana Coins the Kongs must pay to participate in a quiz. Some of the hints at Kong Kollege and the Monkey Museum provide hints on where the Kongs can find an Extra Life Balloon within a level. Some No Animal Signs reward an Extra Life Balloon if the Kongs cross with an Animal Friend. Red Extra Life Balloons can also be found as one of the possible prizes on some End of Level Targets. A few of the later levels feature black Klobbers, who cause Diddy and Dixie Kong to lose an Extra Life Balloon whenever it bumps into them. As the Extra Life Balloon(s) float(s) upward, the Kongs have a few seconds to recollect the Extra Life Balloon(s) before it/they disappear.

In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, Extra Life Balloons have the same main purpose as in the previous two games, and their overall role is more similar to that of Donkey Kong Country 2. In the game, Extra Life Balloons are redesigned in the shape of the head of Dixie, the main protagonist of the game. Like in Donkey Kong Country 2, some No Animal Signs still reward an Extra Life Balloon to the Kongs if they pass the signs as an Animal Friend or with Parry the Parallel Bird. In one instance in Rocket Barrel Ride, if Dixie and Kiddy pass the No Animal Sign with Parry, they are rewarded with a blue Extra Life Balloon. At Swanky's Sideshow, Swanky Kong may reward an Extra Life Balloon, among other items, to Dixie and Kiddy if they perform well against Cranky Kong.

Donkey Kong Land series[edit]

In the Donkey Kong Land trilogy, every Extra Life Balloon[14][15] grants only one life, and the balloons represent the Red Balloons from the Donkey Kong Country games. The monochromatic Game Boy screen cannot distinguish between the differently colored Extra Life Balloons. When the active Kong obtains an Extra Life Balloon, a Life Heart[16][17] (which represents an extra life) appears on the HUD at the bottom.

In Donkey Kong Land and Donkey Kong Land 2, the Extra Life Balloons have the same shape as their Donkey Kong Country counterparts. In Donkey Kong Land III, which recycles many of its sprites directly from Donkey Kong Land 2, the Life Balloons are still in the shape of Diddy's head despite him not appearing in the game. In the Game Boy Color port of Donkey Kong Land III, the Extra Life Balloon sprites are red, which affirms them representing Red Balloons.

Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D[edit]

In Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Red Balloons are redesigned with the appearance of a normal balloon. Red Balloons are the only Balloons that return in the Wii version. In the Nintendo 3DS version, a Green Balloon can be bought from Cranky Kong's Shop in every world, allowing the Kongs to recover from a pitfall without losing a life.

If Donkey Kong loses a life, he is shown floating from a Balloon out of the top of the screen; during this, the life counter displays in the center and decreases by one life. In single-player mode, after this occurs, Donkey Kong floats back to the level while holding on to a Balloon. He returns either to the start or to a checkpoint, based on his level progress. Once he reaches the ground or the player presses a button, the Balloon pops, and Donkey Kong can continue moving through the level.

In two-player mode, both players share their extra lives. If either player loses a life, they can float back onscreen in a DK Barrel hanging from a Balloon after pressing A Button if the Wii Remote is held sideways, or One Button if the Nunchuk is attached to the remote. This is similar to how players float around in bubbles in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. If both Kongs simultaneously lose a life, often from falling down a pit, they lose two lives in total. Like in single-player mode, if both Kongs lose a life or if one of them loses a life while the other is missing, they must restart the level or from the last checkpoint.

The Kongs can purchase some Life Balloons via Cranky Kong's Shop in groups of either one, three, or seven (priced at 3, 7, and 15 Banana Coins, respectively). If the player selects a save file where the Kongs are low on lives, Cranky provides them with some extra balloons. There are also three balloons (one red, one yellow, and one blue) on the roof of Cranky Kong's Shop, the latter two of which do not have an in-game role.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]

In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port, Red Balloons act the same as in its predecessor. However, Funky's Fly 'n' Buy sells only single life-giving Red Balloons. Performing a Kong POW with Diddy also turns all onscreen enemies into Red Balloons. Green Balloons also return from the prior game's 3DS remake. Blue Balloons appear as well, now giving the Kongs more air underwater.

Super Mario-kun[edit]

Life Balloon

An Extra Life Balloon makes a small appearance in Super Mario-kun. After the Krashes make Mario and Yoshi fall from the tracks during a minecart stage, an Extra Life Balloon saves them and brings them back on the stage.

Profiles[edit]

Donkey Kong Country[edit]

  • Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "Collect to get an extra life."

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]

  • Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "There are three differently colored Extra Life Balloons. The different colors are worth different numbers of lives."

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Red Balloon.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ライフバルーン[18]
Raifu Barūn
Life Balloon
バルーン[?]
Barūn
Balloon
Italian Pallone della vita[19] Life balloon
Pallone rosso[20][21][22] Red balloon
Pallone vita extra[23] Extra life balloon
Pallone di vita extra[24] Balloon of extra life
Pallone[25] Balloon
Pallone Vita[26] Life balloon
Palloncino vita extra[27] Extra life balloon
Palloncino[28] Balloon
Palloncino rosso (recent games)[?] Red balloon
Life Heart
Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Cuore vita[29] -

Trivia[edit]

  • Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! are the only ones where the eyes are visibly white, as opposed to colored over like Donkey Kong's and Diddy Kong's Extra Life Balloons from Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, respectively. This does not apply for the Game Boy Advance remake, however.
  • For the icons with the remaining lives in the upper right-hand corner of the game screen in each of the first three games, Donkey Kong's in Donkey Kong Country is shaped like an Extra Life Balloon but in his real colors and animated. However, Diddy Kong's and Dixie Kong's icons in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, respectively, are simply heads and are non-animated.
  • Even though Dixie Kong's Extra Life Balloons lack her trademark ponytail, her icon displaying the number of lives has her ponytail.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Extra Life Balloons come in three great flavors. Red Balloons give you one extra life, Green Balloons give you two and the elusive Blue Balloons give you three extra lives!" – Owsen, Dan, Kent Miller, and Paul Shinoda (1996). Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 15.
  2. ^ 2010. Donkey Kong Country Returns instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 19.
  3. ^ 2014. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Wii U instruction manual. Tab 17: "Items" (PDF). Nintendo of America (American English).
  4. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 9.
  5. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 28, 29, 32, 35, 65, 71, 107, 109.
  6. ^ a b 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 18.
  7. ^ 2010. Donkey Kong Country Returns instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 24.
  8. ^ November 1996. Nintendo Power volume 90. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 26.
  9. ^ 1995. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 17Media:DKC2 Manual 16-17.jpg.
  10. ^ 2005. Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 27.
  11. ^ 1996. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 23.
  12. ^ 2004. Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance) instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 15.
  13. ^ "What is an extra lives balloon colored red worth?" – Swanky's Bonus Bonanza. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
  14. ^ 1996. Donkey Kong Land 2 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 5.
  15. ^ 1997. Donkey Kong Land III instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 17.
  16. ^ 1996. Donkey Kong Land 2 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 13.
  17. ^ 1997. Donkey Kong Land III instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 7.
  18. ^ Super Donkey Kong intruction booklet, page 11.
  19. ^ Donkey Kong Country Italian booklet. Page 9.
  20. ^ Donkey Kong Country Italian booklet. Page 18.
  21. ^ 2000. Donkey Kong Country (GBC); European booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 110.
  22. ^ 2003. Donkey Kong Country (GBA); European booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 101.
  23. ^ Donkey Kong Land 2 Italian manual. Page 15.
  24. ^ Donkey Kong Land III Spanish-Italian booklet. Page 47.
  25. ^ Donkey Kong Country (GBC); European booklet. Page 110.
  26. ^ 2003. Donkey Kong Country (GBA); European booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 101.
  27. ^ 2004. Donkey Kong Country 2 European booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 113.
  28. ^ Donkey Kong Country Returns Italian booklet. Page 24.
  29. ^ Donkey Kong Land 2 Italian manual. Page 7.