Donkey Kong 64 beginner guide: colours, Tag Barrels and early moves
Start Donkey Kong 64 efficiently: banana colours, Tag Barrels, Cranky's moves and what to leave for later.
Original 1999 Nintendo 64 release, which requires the Expansion Pak packaged with it. The 2015 Wii U Virtual Console release offers the same game; later remakes, mods and randomisers are outside this guide.
Learn the five-colour rule
Bananas, coins, switches and doors come in yellow for DK, red for Diddy, blue for Lanky, purple for Tiny and green for Chunky. Only the matching Kong can collect or use them. When something will not respond, check its colour before assuming you need an unknown trick.
Switch Kongs with Tag Barrels
Tag Barrels appear throughout each level once you have more than one Kong. Jump in to swap characters without leaving the area. Carry a mental list of coloured objects you saw, then tag in the right Kong and clear them in one trip.
Buy moves from Cranky early
Pad moves, barrel moves and Kong abilities are the keys to most locked areas. Visit Cranky's Lab whenever you arrive in a level with coins to spare. A door that seems impossible is usually waiting for a move you have not bought yet.
Do not chase every banana on the first visit
Each level can be revisited at any time. Finish the obvious Golden Bananas, open the boss door with Troff 'n' Scoff if you can, and return later with new Kongs and moves. That avoids hours of searching for items that cannot yet be reached.
Check B. Locker's teeth before leaving a lobby: the numbers tell you how many more Golden Bananas you need before the next level opens.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.