Slot Machine Barrel

The Slot Machine Barrel is a special type of Barrel that appears in the games Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii, its 3DS port Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and the Wii U sequel Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. This barrel is found in every level of the game (except for the bosses and the hidden Key Temples), and Donkey Kong and his partner Diddy Kong must find to clear the level. The most prominent feature of this barrel is that if the Kongs find one and hit it, they receive a prize from the Barrel. The prize can be a Banana Bunch, a Banana Coin, or a Life Balloon, which are shown on a roulette on the front of the Slot Machine Barrel.

The roulette also shows the DK logo. If Donkey Kong hits the barrel with the picture of the logo, he is able to hit it several times before breaking it by shaking both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, or the Wii Remote alone when using the Wii Remote (horizontal) control scheme. The number of hits given to the barrel multiplies the prize given that can be any of the aforementioned objects. However, the multiplier does not exceed x15, even if he hits it more than 15 times. A distinctive sound can be heard once the Kongs find a Slot Machine Barrel and appears on the screen.

The Slot Machine Barrel also has a checkered flag for Time Attack mode. If the Kongs hit that, then Professor Chops will wave the checkered flag to stop the timer in addition to finishing the level. The Slot Machine Barrel also has a Mirror Trophy for finishing the Golden Temple. If the Kongs hit that, then Mirror Mode is unlocked for them to play.

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