There are objects inside the levels that you must interact with to get from point A to point Z. Whether they are vines, grass, or air bubbles, they each help you to get to the end, but must be mastered symbiotically with the controls, while using them fluidly and professionally.
Air Bubbles
When you are struggling through an underwater level, breathing through air bubbles is the only way to survive. Be vigilant and aware of your breath meter while traversing underwater, and keep an eye out for the next air bubble. They usually sprout from abandoned scuba diving helmets or sea sponges.
Barrel Cannon
The Barrel Cannon is a type of barrel that can shoot Donkey Kong and friends, like cannonballs, between other Barrel Cannons to reach your destination. Some automatically shoot DK as soon as he enters the barrel, while others must be activated manually with the push of a button.
Burlap Hanging Sacks
These sacks have a big snowflake sigil on the front and contain some serious loot, from banana coins to Puzzle Pieces. Break them open every chance you get. Simply grab a throwable object or enemy, take aim, and fire.
Climbing Grass
This sturdy grass is wrapped around platforms, along ceilings, and walls. It may not look it, but it’s strong enough to hold up even the most mighty Kongs. Climbing grass often leads to a secret room where a Puzzle Piece is hidden, so keep your eyes out for it.
Collapsible Underwater Grass
This grass lines the ground under the surface of the water and often hides some common items. Swim down to the grass and spin with the Corkscrew move to collapse the grass, which exposes the items beneath. The grass will stand back up after a time.
Cracked Blocks
These blocks are riddled with cracks, which makes them structurally unsound. A simple Ground Pound above one will shatter the block’s integrity and allow Donkey Kong to collect the contents below or access a hidden room.
Flying Banana
These large sources of potassium emerge from containers or after you’ve pulled a hook out of the ground. These large bananas string a trail of regular bananas behind them, and each banana must be collected before the larger banana flies away. If you collect the entire trail of bananas, you will receive the prize item for your efforts.
Item Handle
These grips are scattered throughout almost every level, and they contain anything from hidden Puzzle Pieces to banana coins. To interact with them, stand atop the handle and press and hold ZL or ZR. The item will burst from the ground, allowing you to easily collect the contents.
Jelly Blocks
Jelly blocks—purple, blue, and green—are not only tremendous fun to bounce around on, they are also key to collecting items that are too high up to get otherwise. Items within the jelly molds can be launched out of a block by hopping on the jelly block directly next to it. Press and hold 
or 
to launch the items out of the molds successfully.
Green jelly molds, like the purple jelly molds, hold an assortment of items, but the green blocks bounce the Kongs higher than any other color of jelly block. Use that to your advantage when attempting to reach hidden rooms or items.
The blue jelly blocks are triggers for switching adjacent jelly blocks. Hop on a blue block to activate the mechanism inside, which will rotate the jelly mold next to it. This allows you to jump on the next blocks to proceed through the level.
Kong Barrel
These barrels hold any one of your Kong family members. Breaking one frees the corresponding partner. Some hold a specific Kong, if the current level dictates a certain partner would be particularly helpful in that section, but most of the time these barrels spin every few seconds, showing each partner’s corresponding color. Wait until the Kong’s colored symbol appears to receive that specific Kong as a supporting character. For instance, the blue DK letters indicate Diddy, pink is for Dixie, and yellow is Cranky Kong.
Normal Barrel
The barrels appear throughout most levels as a thrown projectile weapon that can be used to take out multiple enemies (since it rolls across the ground), knock out single enemies, break open hanging bags to recover the items within, or to break open targets to reveal hidden passages. They’re almost always placed in these locations for a reason, so whenever you notice one, be sure to survey your surroundings before using it.
Purple Flower Platforms
Platforms in this game are made up of many different materials, although some are living organisms, which must be taken into account. This type of platform is top heavy and can lean to the left or right depending on whatever edge DK happens to be standing on. While the flower platform is as sturdy as any, should you stand upon it for too long, its pedals will eventually give way under your weight, dropping you to your demise.
Slot Machine Barrel
This barrel is exactly how it sounds. Items rotate constantly in the barrel, so you must time your move just right to gain the item that you wish to receive. You can receive 5 bananas, a banana coin, a Red Balloon, or the DK symbol. The DK symbol essentially allows you to punch the barrel repeatedly for a random item.
Snowflake Shields
Shields that block some obviously hidden rooms are tied in place by rope. Once you spot one of these shields blocking an open passage, look around for a projectile. There will be a barrel or throwable enemy lurking around that can be used to destroy the obstruction, allowing you to access the hidden area beyond.
Spinning Platform
These platforms lead to hidden bonus rooms and Puzzle Pieces, which can be accessed by using the Ground Pound ability. The first spinning platform you come across has a noticeable arrow pointing downward. Most of these platforms are made of wood and are noticeable because of the unusual gap below them, which suggests a possible hidden area beneath. Keep your eyes peeled, as well as your bananas.
Spring Platforms
These platforms can be identified by the giant springs directly below them. Use these platforms to launch yourself up to climbing grass or higher platforms by using the Ground Pound ability. They launch you to your destination—just watch out for flying enemies above you.
Venus Trap Platforms
These platforms have plants sporting a set of razor sharp teeth growing on the bottom. They become triggered to attack once DK walks below them. You have a window to make your escape when you hear the snapping of its jaws before the attack. Just roll out of the way, then hop onto the connected platform as the plant rises, carrying you to your destination.
Vines
These dangling green lines of vegetation are, at times, Donkey Kong’s only form of platforming from point to point. Some vines hang firm, some allow you to swing, while others may decay and slowly give way under Donkey Kong’s weight. Whatever the case, be sure to time your jumps and keep a firm grasp on that grip button.
Vine-Triggered Platforms
These vines are short and are connected to the underside of a timed platform. Once you jump and grab the vine, the platform and corresponding platforms will drop so that you can access certain items or hidden areas. Remember that these platforms are timed, so act right away and be quick about it before the platforms drop out from under you.
Watermelon Fuse Bombs
They are round, they have a fuse, and they destroy whatever they touch. Once you grab one of these the fuse will light, giving you precious few seconds to throw it at the appropriate target without it blowing up in your hands. The bombs will also destroy barriers that block hidden bonus rooms, so keep your bananas and your eyes peeled.
Water Sacks
These are first featured on the third island and help immensely with putting out fires on vines as well as on the earth. They also make a great projectile weapon, and since you have an unlimited supply, you have the authority to go sick.
Zip-Line Vines
These can be a fun ride, and some levels are created around using these vines to progress. Jump to them and press and hold ZL/ZR to grip and hold on. This can be a bit tricky, so keep that hand-eye coordination in check when traveling by vine.