Artwork of Diddy with his Barrel Jet strapped onto his back, from
Donkey Kong Country Returns'The Barrel Jet[1], originally known as the Jetbarrel[2] and then the Rocketbarrel Pack[3], is Diddy Kong's signature jetpack that he uses to travel around in the air. This object first appears in Donkey Kong 64. The Barrel Jet was constructed by Funky Kong.
Appearance[edit]
The Barrel Jet usually has the appearance of a crate with a barrel attached on each side. The crate has a belt that straps around Diddy's waist while using it, and each barrel is connected to the crate from a black pole. Both barrels have an opening at the bottom for the flames to expel from.
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Barrel Jet was redesigned as a gray backpack, and the barrels on each side were changed into rockets. The rockets are darker brown than the barrels, but still appear to be made up of wood. The rockets have a red, metallic tip on the top and some red-colored fins on the bottom.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong series[edit]
Donkey Kong 64[edit]
Diddy performing Rocketbarrel Boost via his Jetbarrel
In its debut appearance, Donkey Kong 64, Diddy can use his Jetbarrel to fly around in the sky while using his Rocketbarrel Boost move. The move is fueled by Crystal Coconuts, as with the other Kong Barrel moves. If Diddy runs out of Crystal Coconuts, he can no longer take control of his Jetbarrel, and therefore falls back to the ground.
Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, Diddy uses his Barrel Jet to horizontally hover in midair for up to few seconds, before falling back on the ground. The Barrel Jet is required for crossing large gaps that him and Donkey Kong cannot do by jumping themselves. Diddy can use the move while holding on to Donkey Kong, who takes control of the Barrel Jet. Diddy cannot travel as far with the Barrel Jet while riding on Rambi the Rhino, due to his weight. In 2-player mode, Diddy can move around independently, and has the ability to use the Barrel Jet by himself.
Diddy also uses his Barrel Jet in two cutscenes, each occurring just before a boss fight. The first cutscene where he uses the Barrel Jet is in Ruined Roost, just before battling Stu himself. After the Kongs fall through the ground, Diddy breaks his fall with his Barrel Jet. The second cutscene that the Barrel Jet appears in is Thugly's Highrise, the boss level with Thugly. Here, he also breaks his fall after him and Donkey Kong break through a rock wall.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
The Barrel Jet reappears in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze where it serves the same purpose as in its predecessor.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
- Main article: Rocketbarrel Boost
The Barrel Jet also appears in the Super Smash Bros. series, where it is known as the Rocketbarrel Pack. It first appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the first installment with Diddy Kong as a fighter. Diddy uses the Rocketbarrel Pack during his up-special move, Rocketbarrel Boost, which blasts him slightly upward, allowing him to blast back onto the main stage. Diddy also uses it during his Final Smash, named Rocketbarrel Barrage, where he rapidly flies around in his Rocketbarrel Pack while blasting fire explosive peanuts at opponents.
During the Subspace Emissary of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Diddy uses his Rocketbarrel Pack to propel himself onto the smash skiff, after Falco releases him from the Arwing.
Other appearances[edit]
Diddy using his Barrel Jet in
Mario Power TennisDiddy uses his Barrel Jet during his Defensive Power Shot in Mario Power Tennis, which itself is named Barrel Jet. It involves Diddy attaching a special barrel to his back and flying around the court to fetch the ball. In Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Diddy also uses his Barrel Jet during his Special Shot, the Jet Shot.
Trophy information[edit]
| Name |
Image |
Game |
Description
|
| Rocketbarrel Pack
|
|
N64 Donkey Kong 64
|
An item that looks like regular barrels but becomes a rocket-powered jet pack when Diddy Kong straps them on his back. It's a convenient gadget to have when adventuring, but for whatever reason, Diddy also uses it when playing tennis and basketball. The moves he can pull off with the rocketbarrel pack are so cool that they're almost not fair. Almost.
|
| Wii Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast
|
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]
| Name |
Image |
Appears In
(Wii U version only) |
Description
|
| Rocketbarrel Pack
|
|
N64 Donkey Kong 64 (11/1999)
Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns (11/2010)
|
Two barrels modified into jet engines - throw them on and you're airborne! You can charge them up for a bigger, more accurate boost, but be careful while using these. If you get hit while you're powering up on the ground or zipping around the sky, you'll lose all control of this jet pack!
|
References[edit]
- ^ Donkey Kong Country Returns instruction booklet, page 15
- ^ Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet, page 7
- ^ Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy description
