Slot Machine Barrel

Slot Machine Barrels are a unique type of barrel that appears in Donkey Kong Country Returns, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (and its Nintendo Switch port). They have the same purpose as End of Level Targets and Level Flags from earlier Donkey Kong Country titles, even giant fruits from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, in that they represent the ends of all levels (except boss levels and Key Temples).

At first, a Slot Machine Barrel is idle and displays a yellow star on a red background. When the Kongs go near a Slot Machine Barrel, the roulette in its center begins to spin between prizes. They include a banana (which represents five), a Red Balloon, a Banana Coin, and a DK symbol. By hitting the barrel, the Kongs win the displayed prize, and the level ends. Unlike with End of Level Targets, the prizes for Slot Machine Barrels are consistent in every level.

If the Kongs hit a Slot Machine Barrel just as it displays the DK logo, the player can shake the Wii Remote (and Nunchuk, depending on play mode) in Donkey Kong Country Returns or press / or / (depending on the control scheme) in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D to hit the Slot Machine Barrel several times until it breaks. The number of hits given to the barrel provides the same number of a random prize to the Kongs. The count does not exceed 15, even if the Slot Machine Barrel is hit more than 15 times.

In the Time Attack mode, a Slot Machine Barrel displays a checkered flag. By hitting the barrel, Professor Chops waves the checkered flag to stop the timer, and the Kongs finish the level. In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Slot Machine Barrel of the Golden Temple displays a Mirror Trophy. When the Kongs hit that Slot Machine Barrel, the player unlocks Mirror Mode.

In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, some levels contain more than one Slot Machine Barrel. These additional barrels mark a secret exit, much like secret Goal Poles from the New Super Mario Bros. series, and they unlock a hidden, alternate path on the world map.

Trivia

 * The jingle that plays just before the barrel spins is the same sound effect that plays when a Gōrumondo or Mini Panda is defeated in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.