Peanut Popgun

The Peanut Popguns are unique weapons belonging to Diddy Kong, introduced in Donkey Kong 64. Their appearance is that of two small pistols made of bamboo. The Popguns are used, among other things, to shoot enemies, Peanut Switches, and Banana Balloons. The peanut popgun appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and then reappears in Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Donkey Kong 64
The popguns first appear in Donkey Kong 64 as Diddy's main weapon. He first purchases them from Funky Kong in the Jungle Japes area of the island. Diddy will have to use the popguns to shoot the three peanut switches in the level. Once that's done, more areas of the level become accessible.

Later in the Fungi Forest area, homing ammo can be acquired for the popguns. He also can use these guns while using his Barrel Jets.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The Popgun appeared again in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as Diddy Kong's neutral "B" special attack. The Peanut Popgun fires out peanuts that damage the opponent. The player can boost the speed and lower the angle of the shot by holding down the "B" button. If the player holds the button down too long, the Peanut Popgun will explode, briefly stunning Diddy Kong, but otherwise not dealing any damage. The shelled peanuts shot out may break, dropping a small edible peanut, which will recover a small amount of damage when eaten. Interestingly, the Peanut shells fired from the popgun count as items and thus can be caught and thrown back. The Popgun is fully charged when Diddy reaches up and grabs his hat.

The Popguns are also the primary weapon in Diddy's Final Smash, Rocketbarrel Barrage. Diddy uses his Barrel Jets to float around the stage and boosts himself using the knockback from the popguns, simultaneously attacking his enemies with the newly-explosive peanut shells.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Adventure Mode, the guns appear in two cutscenes. In the first cutscene, Diddy is dropped out of the Arwing, he propels himself up to the Smash Skiff, and blasts the Primids with peanuts. When he and Donkey Kong fight off the Koopa Troop, he blasts the Bullet Bills with peanuts, and poses with DK, as one of the defeated bills explodes behind them.

Trophy Description
''A unique firearm that only Diddy Kong can use. It's made of a chunk of wood and shoots peanuts. In Donkey Kong 64, he carried two pistols and could fire two shots at a time. In Smash Bros., the peanut ammo bursts out of its shells when fired. The peanuts can be grabbed and eaten to reduce damage. The longer the gun is charged before firing, the faster the peanuts fly.''

Donkey Kong Country Returns
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Popguns return as weapons for Diddy Kong. They now shoot only in the direction directly in front of Diddy and stun certain enemies; Bosses are immune to the peanuts as well as new Tiki enemies. The popguns are also used for the Popgun Pound ability that is similar to Donkey Kong's Ground Pound ability. It involves Diddy rapidly firing his ammo to the ground, making it shake and stunning nearby enemies.

Though the peanuts will not damage bosses, it is worth noting Diddy can "feed" peanuts to the bosses Mugly or Thugly. If either of their mouths are open, they will catch them. After a certain amount of peanuts, they will stop to chew on the nuts, and expose their weak points, making them vulnerable to attack. This is indicated by hearts surrounding their heads, and only lasts for a short time. The player can only deal one hit, and then the boss will come back to their senses.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
In the upcoming Wii U game Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the guns are set to return, behaving as they did in said game's prequel, though it is unknown if the ability to "feed" the bosses will return, or if there will be any bosses where the player is able to do such.

Trivia

 * In DKCR, during the cutscene where the Kongs enter Thugly's fortress, if Diddy shoots nuts in that cutscene, he will twirl the guns and put them in his backpack after landing. This is the same backpack the Barrel Jet is concealed in.
 * In addition, DKCR marks the Peanut Popguns' debut in the Donkey Kong Country series.