Part 71

Learn about Tag Barrels, DK Portals, Wrinkly Kong Doors, and Bananaport Pads in Donkey Kong 64. Unlocking Mystery Mode secrets requires Banana Fairies.

Tag Barrel

The Tag Barrel is a crucial item found in each world of Donkey Kong 64. These floating barrels initially display DK's face, with question marks indicating which Kongs have been rescued. When you rescue a Kong, their face replaces the question mark on the barrel. To use a Tag Barrel, jump into it. You can then use the control stick to select a rescued Kong; unrescued Kongs will appear as question marks. Select a Kong by moving them into the spotlight and pressing any button. You will then reappear below the Tag Barrel as the chosen Kong. Tag Barrels are strategically placed in major areas and near Bananaport Pads, or where multiple Kongs have tasks, making them easily accessible.

Tag Barrels are essential for character switching, as only specific Kongs can perform certain tasks. Beyond character selection, Tag Barrels also function as a healing station. Selecting any Kong, even the one you are currently playing as, will restore your Kong to full health. This is a highly convenient method for recovery compared to defeating enemies when low on health.

DK Portal

Each world in Donkey Kong 64 features a lobby with a DK Portal that serves as the entrance to that world. These portals are blue doorways marked with the DK logo. Upon first entering a world lobby, B. Locker will block the portal. A counter on B. Locker indicates the number of Golden Bananas required to proceed. If you meet the requirement, he will move aside; otherwise, he will remain blocking the entrance. To enter the world, simply walk through the portal. You will then reappear in front of another DK Portal, which acts as the exit from the world.

Warning: If you do not have enough Golden Bananas (though requirements are typically very low), a Lanky Kong glitch can bypass B. Locker. Press B to perform his armstretch attack near the locker, and Lanky will get you inside for free. Since each world has only one DK Portal, remembering its location is important for exiting the level. Alternatively, you can select "Exit Level" from the start menu for a quick departure.

Wrinkly Kong Door

Within the world lobbies, alongside the DK Portals, you will find five doors marked with Wrinkly Kong's face. These doors are color-coded, with one corresponding to each Kong. Once a Kong is rescued, their face will appear on their respective door, replacing the question marks. While you cannot open a Kong's door until that Kong is rescued, any Kong can open it. Approach the door, and Wrinkly Kong will emerge to offer a helpful tip for the world, usually related to obtaining a Golden Banana for the corresponding Kong. Some Wrinkly Doors, such as those in Crystal Caves, may require an action to unblock them, like using Chunky to place a boulder on a switch.

Bananaport Pad

Each level in Donkey Kong 64 contains ten Bananaport Pads, numbered 1 through 5, with two pads for each number. To activate a pad, simply walk on it; it will become unfaded. Once another pad with the same number has been activated, you can use them for teleportation. Stand on an activated pad and press Z; a banana peel will launch you to the other corresponding pad. Given the large size of Donkey Kong 64's levels, Bananaport Pads are extremely useful for navigating different areas. Any Kong can activate and use these pads, provided they can reach them. The pads follow a consistent color scheme: 1 pads are light blue, 2 pads are light green, 3 pads are purple, 4 pads are red, and 5 pads are gold.

Warning: You cannot use Bananaport Pads while using the Hunky Chunky move. Some levels feature special areas with their own separate Bananaport Pads, such as the llama temple in Angry Aztec, the skull crypt in Creepy Castle, and the lobby of Hideout Helm in DK Isle. These pads only provide transportation within their specific area and do not form a complete set. DK Isle and all seven main worlds have a full set of Bananaport Pads, while Hideout Helm only has one pair.

Kong Switch

Kong Switches appear in three colors: green, blue, and red. The color of the switch indicates the required move to activate it, while the Kong face on the switch specifies which Kong must perform the action. At the start of the game...