Artwork of the Jumbo Barrel

“My bodacious Jumbo Barrel can launch you to any point on the island!”

—Funky Kong,Donkey Kong Country

TheJumbo Barrel, also known as theFunky Barrel^[1][2] and thebarrel plane,^[3] is abarrel shaped like an airplane. Its appearance and name are most likely taken from the real-worldjumbo jet. It is owned byFunky Kong and first appears inDonkey Kong Country.

History[edit]

Donkey Kong Country series[edit]

Donkey Kong Country[edit]

The Jumbo Barrel

InDonkey Kong Country, ifDonkey Kong andDiddy Kong pay a visit to one of the sixFunky's Flights onDonkey Kong Island, Funky will let them ride in his Jumbo Barrel to any area of the island that they have already visited, free of charge. The Jumbo Barrel cannot travel to areas that theKongs have not accessed yet, as a means of preventing level-skipping. The Jumbo Barrel is the safer alternative for traveling between worlds rather than defeating a world's boss again. In theGame Boy Advance version, the Jumbo Barrel can also be used from the world map if Funky's Fishing has been visited at least once, and the "Funky's Fugue" using the Jumbo Barrel and at Funky's Fishing is different.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]

InDonkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, the Jumbo Barrel is replaced with theBiplane Barrel. Although it serves the same purpose as the Jumbo Barrel, Funky will charge twoBanana Coins for the first ride at eachFunky's Flights II location, but each ride afterwards is free. The Jumbo Barrel instead makes a cameo appearance and is seen behind the Funky Flights sign, seemingly having been retired from use. It also reappears in the Game Boy Advance version, being barely visible behind the screen that records the player's best time from the Funky's Flights II minigame.

Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle[edit]

In the 1995 novelDonkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle,Diddy Kong is given a ride in Funky Kong's barrel plane, which is described as a "custom-built flying machine [resembling] an oversized barrel that had sprouted wings and a tail". In this appearance, Funky Kong uses the barrel plane for his business of transporting people from place to place on Donkey Kong Island. Diddy Kong is initially afraid of joining Funky for a ride, due to Funky's enjoyment in performing loops and dangerous tricks in the air. While in the plane, Diddy Kong spots smoke rising fromBig Ape City, which was thought to have been completely abandoned. After Funky Kong returns Diddy Kong to the ground, a beep from the cockpit alerts Funky Kong that someone else needs a flight, so he hastily leaves, accidentally leaving behind his walkie talkie. Contacting him,Donkey Kong hears that Funky Kong had been attacked by someflying pigs while flying over Big Ape City. Donkey, Diddy andCranky Kong decide to travel there to rescue him.

After reaching the city, the Kongs hear that Funky Kong has been kept in a cell in theKremlings' factory, as they thought he was a spy sent in a plane. Donkey Kong find him and breaks him out, and Funky Kong leads them to a cargo room where his damaged plane is being kept. After inspecting the barrel plane, Funky says that he requires a new water pump, which Diddy Kong retrieves from the factory's store room. After Funky repairs the barrel plane, they escape through a hole in the factory wall, although they are swarmed by more flying pigs. Funky Kong asks the Kongs to pour the barrel plane's entire supply of banana shakes over the pigs, causing their wings to become sticky. Later, Funky Kong skillfully maneuvers the plane in order to dodge the rockets launched fromKing K. Rool's zeppelin. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong them decide to jump from the plane, in order to land on the zeppelin. They then proceed to plant it with time-delayedTNT Barrels, and they safely escape from Big Ape City together in the plane, returning to theirtreehouse.

Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24[edit]

The Kongs in the cramped Barrel, as seen inBanana Day 24

TheKongs also use the Jumbo Barrel for their journey from their jungle to theUnited States of America in theClub Nintendo comicDonkey Kong in: Banana Day 24. Donkey, Diddy,Dixie,Kiddy, andCranky Kong all use it at the same time, so the Barrel is cramped and the Kongs are not enjoying their ride; only Donkey Kong stays calm and confident.

Super Mario-kun[edit]

Super Mario-kun

In issue 14 ofSuper Mario-kun, Funky Kong lets Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong,Mario, andYoshi ride the plane. The plane's flight goes awry, however, turning the plane upside-down and dumping the four into the ocean.

Gallery[edit]

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  Illustration of the barrel plane, fromDonkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle

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  The Jumbo Barrel inDonkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

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  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color) sprite

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  Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance) sprite

Names in other languages[edit]

References[edit]

• Barrels
• Aircraft
• Donkey Kong Country objects

• Articles with unsourced foreign names