Warp Barrel

Warp Barrels are rare, uncommon barrels found in the Donkey Kong Country series, as well as Donkey Kong Land 2 and Donkey Kong Land III. Warp barrels are quite useful when found, as they act as quick shortcuts through most of a level, and are very useful for speed-runs, though often found in well-hidden or plain dangerous locations.

Donkey Kong Country
Warp barrels are found in some of the early world's levels in the original Donkey Kong Country. Warp Barrels were not common in many levels, though often found in difficult early levels, such as the famous Stop & Go Station's warp barrel found by going back through the door the Kong's entered at the very start of the level. In the GBA version, more warp barrels were added to earlier levels, and even got its own theme, complete with a trail with bananas.

Donkey Kong Land
While Donkey Kong Land does not have any true warp barrels, there are a few levels with some well-hidden alternate exits at the very beginning. These levels are Arctic Barrel Arsenal, Sky High Caper, and Skyscraper Caper.

Donkey Kong Country 2
Warp barrels reappear in Donkey Kong Country's sequel, Donkey Kong Country 2. Instead of appearing in random early levels, a warp barrel can be found in every level of the first two worlds, Gangplank Galleon and Crocodile Cauldron. Warp Barrels were still very hard to find, and when they are found, Kongs are teleported to a secret room, with bananas in the shape of a "!", indicating the surprise of discovering the warp.

Donkey Kong Land 2
Warp barrels also appear in Donkey Kong Land 2. Strangely, they are marked with the letter "B", just like regular bonus levels. This time, though, they are only found in the first world. Like in DKC2, warp barrels also teleport the Kongs to a secret room, although the bananas are no longer in a "!" formation.

Donkey Kong Country 3
Donkey Kong Country 3 marked the warp barrel's fourth appearance. As with DKC2, they appeared in the first two worlds exclusively, Lake Orangatanga and Kremwood Forest. The warp barrel would appear just in front of the level's end flag when used. Now warp barrels are marked with a "W".

Donkey Kong Land III
Warp barrels appear in DKL3 for the last time, and like in DKC3, warp barrels are marked with a "W". Like in DKL2, Warp barrels are only found in the first world of the game, Cape Codswallop. Also, like in DKC2 and DKL2, but unlike DKC3, Warp barrels teleport the Kongs to secret rooms, instead of just taking them instantly to the level exit.