Iron Barrel

Iron Barrel
Artwork of a steel keg from Donkey Kong Country
First appearance	Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance	DK: Jungle Climber (2007)

“Steel kegs are indestructible, follow them and they'll mow down all baddies in their path!”

—Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country

An Iron Barrel, also known as a steel keg (also formatted as Steel Keg), Steel Barrel, or metal keg, is a type of barrel first appearing in Donkey Kong Country. Iron Barrels' main distinction is being made of steel.

History

Donkey Kong Country series

Donkey Kong Country

In Donkey Kong Country, steel kegs are found as early as the first level, Jungle Hijinxs, but they do not appear in many levels. The player can usually find a steel keg by dropping onto a ground patch from high enough. Steel kegs can be picked up and thrown like regular Barrels, but steel kegs are more durable because they do not break from hitting a wall or enemy. Upon hitting a wall, the steel keg ricochets, and it continues to roll until it falls into a gap or by hitting one of the stronger enemies. The steel keg defeats almost every enemy that it rolls into; as such, it can be used to defeat entire chains of baddies. The Kongs can even jump on top of a rolling steel keg as it travels on the ground and defeats enemies. Steel kegs can be reused, as a Kong can pick up a thrown barrel as it rolls by (and thus carry the barrel to a new location and throw it again).

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Steel Barrels reappear in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, being a lot more common than in Donkey Kong Country and appearing in every level except boss levels. Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong are required to use a Steel Barrel to defeat a Koin for its DK Coin. The Koin is always facing the Kongs, holding a shield to protect itself from frontal attacks. The lead Kong must pick up a nearby Steel Barrel and throw it at a surface behind Koin. Kiddy can throw Steel Barrels faster. The Steel Barrel bounces off the wall and rolls behind into the Koin, defeating it and releasing its DK Coin. After the Kongs use the Steel Barrel, another one appears in its place (except for ones that appear from a No Animal Sign). Some Bazukas blast out a Steel Barrel from their cannon, capable of hurting the Kongs. Dixie and Kiddy usually have to jump from the Steel Barrels to cross large gaps. The Bazukas sometimes fire TNT Barrels, which can be changed to Steel Barrels by activating a Switch Barrel. The bottom of Criss Kross Cliffs features a Bazuka blasting Steel Barrels upward.

Donkey Kong Land series

The role of Steel Barrels in the Donkey Kong Land series is largely based on their games' counterpart in the Donkey Kong Country series, respectively. In Donkey Kong Land, Iron Barrels have the same purpose as in Donkey Kong Country, while in Donkey Kong Land III, their role is retained from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, though are not in every level since DK Coins appear by themselves in underwater levels.

Donkey Kong 64

A model of a metal keg from Donkey Kong 64

In Donkey Kong 64, three metal kegs appear in a mill in Fungi Forest, and they are larger and heavier than in previous games. Chunky Kong is the only Kong with the strength to carry them. He must pick up each one and throw them into a grinder within a time limit to obtain a Golden Banana. They explode when they crash into the grinder.

Donkey Konga

Steel Barrels also appear in Donkey Konga, where one is used in the unlockable mini-game, Bash K.Rool. To fit the Whac-A-Mole theme, it is referred to as the "Barrel Hammer". In the mini-game, the player's objective is to whack the Barrel Hammer onto King K. Rool's head. Despite its name, the Barrel Hammer is not connected to a hammer handle but rather to metal chains capable of lifting it up and down. Two Steel Barrels appear in the background of Challenge mode, on the bottom screen next to Rambi. The Steel Barrels show which song number the player is on.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Iron Barrels appear as obstacles in the racing game Donkey Kong Barrel Blast. Racers can destroy an Iron Barrel while invincible.

DK: Jungle Climber

Iron Barrels appear as obstacles in DK: Jungle Climber. They float in the air, blocking pathways, and Iron Barrels can be destroyed by either using Diddy Kong's hammer, detonating a TNT Barrel near the Iron Barrel, or by throwing a Bomb at it.

Profiles

Donkey Kong Country

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System instruction booklet: "Unlike regular barrels, steel kegs are basically unbreakable. Once you throw one, it will keep on rolling, knocking out any enemies it runs into. You can also throw one of these barrels against a wall and jump on top of the rebound. You'll be in for a wild ride if you can pull off this move!"
• Game Boy Color/Advance instruction booklet: "Roll steel kegs to take out several enemies at a time. You can also bounce one off a wall, then hop onto it for a smooth ride."

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

• Game Boy Advance instruction booklet: "Throwing one of these is a fantastic way to clear and area of enemies. And they're reusable, too, if you're careful!"

Gallery

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  Artwork of Donkey Kong rolling on a steel keg from Donkey Kong Country

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  Donkey Kong Country sprite

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  Donkey Kong Land sprite

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  Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! sprite

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  Donkey Kong Land III sprite

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  Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong sprite

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  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color) sprite

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  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance) sprite

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  Donkey Konga sprite (Bash K.Rool mini-game)

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  Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance) sprite

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  DK: Jungle Climber sprite

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	鋼鉄製タンク Kōtetsusei Tank	Steel-made Tank
	アイアンバレル Aian Bareru	Iron Barrel
Italian	Barilotto d'acciaio	Little steel barrel	Donkey Kong Country
	Barile di Acciaio	Steel Barrel	Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
	Barile d'acciaio	Steel barrel	Donkey Kong Land III, Donkey Kong Country remakes
	Barile di ferro	Iron barrel	Donkey Kong Country 3 and Donkey Kong Jet Race