Bonus Barrel

A Bonus Barrel is a recurring Barrel that takes the Kongs to a Bonus Level. It first appears in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest as a replacement for the Auto-Fire Barrels from Donkey Kong Country that carry the Kongs up into a Bonus Level. Bonus Barrels have since appeared in many Donkey Kong titles. In most of their appearances, Bonus Barrels are identifiable from their large B symbol in the center, on a yellow explosion with a red border, and an opening on top.

Donkey Kong Country / Donkey Kong Land series
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, its sequel Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and their respective Game Boy counterparts, Donkey Kong Land 2 and Donkey Kong Land III, there is usually at least one Bonus Barrel hidden in almost every level. Bonus Barrels have the same function as the Auto-Fire Barrels taking the Kongs to a Bonus Area in both Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land.

When the Kongs jump into a Bonus Barrel, it automatically launches or warps them to a Bonus Area. In the Bonus Level, the Kongs can complete a challenge to win either a Kremkoin or a Bonus Coin, which are necessary for unlocking levels of a lost world and adding to completion percentage. If the Kongs lose the challenge, they are redirected back into a specific point of the main level; usually they are able to re-enter the Bonus Barrel and reattempt the challenge.

Bonus Barrels also appear in the Game Boy Advance port of Donkey Kong Country, as a replacement for the Auto-Fire Barrels carrying Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to a Bonus Level. The player can add to their completion score by simply entering a Bonus Barrel, more specifically the Bonus Area, in all three versions of the game.

In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and all three Game Boy Advance ports for the Donkey Kong Country games, when the Kongs jump into a Bonus Barrel, the 'B' and the explosive design fade out in a swirl-type effect.

Bonus Barrels do not appear in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, whose Bonus Areas are usually accessed by entering into a gap.

Donkey Kong 64
In Donkey Kong 64, the design for Bonus Barrels was altered to show its prize, a Golden Banana instead. It no longer has an opening appearing on the top. When the active Kong approaches a Bonus Barrel, purple sparkles appear around it. When the Kong jumps into a Bonus Barrel, it rapidly shrinks, and the Kong is warped into a Bonus Stage. By completing the challenge, the Kong is sent out of the Bonus Barrel, which shakes and breaks open, revealing a Golden Banana.

In Hideout Helm, there are five rooms connected to the main room with the Blast-o-Matic. Each room has two Bonus Barrels with a unique steel barrel-like design with King K. Rool's face. By completing each set of two challenges, the Kong is rewarded with a Banana Medal.

DK: King of Swing / DK: Jungle Climber
In DK: King of Swing, Bonus Barrels once again warp to a Bonus Level, which rewards a Crystal Coconut if Donkey Kong or Diddy complete the challenge. Bonus Barrels are also larger than in its previous game appearances.

In DK: Jungle Climber, Bonus Barrels redirect the Kongs into the bonus game, Banana Bonanza. When they complete the mini-game, they are sent back into the level.

Other appearances
In DK Country, one of 18-Volt's microgames from WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, the player must tap a moving Bonus Barrel to shoot Diddy Kong into the air while avoiding a Zinger.