DK Barrel: Difference between revisions

'''DK Barrels''' (sometimes called '''Buddy Barrels''') are a type of [[Barrel]] that can be found in just about every [[level]] of the ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' series.  If a [[Kong]] is traveling with its partner and is hit by an enemy or an obstacle, the ape will run away and the partner will become playable. If a Kong is hit when traveling alone, the heroes will lose an [[extra life]]. Fortunately, the lone Kong can break open a DK Barrel to reunite with his or her lost partner. Presumably, the Kongs that run away are captured and stuffed into these barrels by the [[Kremling Krew]] (as [[Diddy Kong]] was explicitly sealed in a DK Barrel in the game ''Donkey Kong Country''). The DK Barrel can be identified by the red and yellow letters "DK" painted on its side. This is the symbol of [[Donkey Kong]] and the [[Kong Family]].

If a DK Barrel is on the ground, the barrel can be picked up and thrown like a normal Barrel (although it will break upon impact with the ground, instead of rolling across it). As such, a DK Barrel on the ground can be used as a weapon to destroy enemies. However, if the barrel is located in mid-air, the DK Barrel will simply break when touched by a lone Kong, releasing the lost partner.  From ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' and on, if both partners are in play, the DK Barrel cannot be broken – it simply stays in mid-air until needed. Most DK Barrels in ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'' are found in mid-air, and cannot be used as weapons; in ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Land III]]'', ''all'' DK Barrels are found in mid-air. DK Barrels that are found in [[Treasure Chest]]s can be picked up like normal Barrels – these appear in ''Donkey Kong Country 2''. Additionally, there is a cheat in ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' and ''Donkey Kong Country 3'' that causes all DK Barrels and [[Star Barrel]]s to deactivate. When the DK Barrels are disabled, a level is started automatically with two Kongs.

In ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', DK Barrels were replaced by [[Tag Barrel]]s. DK Barrels returned in the game ''[[DK Jungle Climber]]''.