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4[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/{{DOOM}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/doomxplbrrl_5060.png]]]]
5[[caption-width-right:350:''Sing [[MadeOfExplodium boom]]-tarara, ring out a song of good cheer.'']]
6
7%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries commented out.
8
9->''"Snipers on ledges wearin' bulletproof apparel.\
10Why are these idiots standing next to those flammable barrels?\
11Red containers of death they make for easy kills.\
12They must spend a fortune on the fuel bill!"''
13-->-- '''Music/MiracleOfSound''', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALd0ILisKvI Shooter Guy]]''
14
15In some action games and many first-person shooters, explosive barrels or {{crate|Expectations}}s are present. Generally [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience red]] and marked with some sort of warning, [[HairTriggerExplosive they will explode when shot]] and kill any nearby enemies. They are sometimes located conveniently near a horde of enemies. Sadly, your own AI comrades may decide to take cover behind the barrels too, if they're as dumb as the enemies.
16
17In platform games, the nature of exploding barrels usually varies somewhat. Instead of being a means to take out a large group of enemies, they usually pose a hazard to the player that should be avoided.
18
19Exploding Barrels is a sister trope to CrateExpectations and these tropes sometimes combine to form Exploding Crates.
20
21The first instance of Exploding Barrels in video games can be traced back to ''VideoGame/TheSpeedRumbler'' from 1986 but the trope gained popularity a few years later. Nowdays, Exploding Barrels is a well-worn trope, but with [[UndeadHorseTrope no signs of going away]]; sure, the presence of these barrels may be inexplicable at best, but RuleOfFun is king, and players will never get tired of having convenient sources of StuffBlowingUp lying around.
22
23In RealLife, storing explosives requires special permits, separation of batches and so forth to prevent [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEPCON_disaster "Pepcon"]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AZF_(factory) AZF]] type explosions. Video game environments are [[NoOSHACompliance not required to comply with such regulations]]. Furthermore, usually one would actually have to go out of their way to make a barrel's contents so volatile as to explode from getting shot. But even on the rare occasion where you've got a material on your hands that's ''already'' that volatile to begin with, 1) it'd be stored far more securely than in random barrels strewn haphazardly (emphasis on hazard) out in the open, and 2) nobody with a gun would be allowed to get anywhere near it to begin with.
24
25See also EveryCarIsAPinto: cars often play a parallel role to barrel as a source of StuffBlowingUp -- with similar burn-then-explode dynamics. Particularly in games where barrels would look really out of place. This too can be combined if the game has the proper scale into exploding fuel trucks.
26
27----
28!!Examples:
29
30[[foldercontrol]]
31
32[[folder:General]]
33* Most {{Light Gun Game}}s will have these present to clear the screen of enemies and move on to the next area quickly, especially in time-based games such as ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'' where they can easily cut down the total time taken to clear a stage.
34* A staple of {{Rail Shooter}}s, such as ''Maximum Impact''.
35[[/folder]]
36
37[[folder:Action]]
38* ''VideoGame/{{Broforce}}'' features explosive barrels extensively. There is a red variety that explodes almost immediately upon being damaged, and a gray variety that explodes after a short delay upon being damaged. It also features some other barrel types such as gas canisters that fly away before exploding, and toxic barrels that release toxic sludge.
39* ''VideoGame/{{Deadpool}}'': Lampshaded. The player can not only operate a machine that generates exploding barrels, but can use the machine so often that the machine's code breaks and the machine disappears, only to appear in a future level for revenge. Also lampshaded in one scene where he uses them to blast through a door, saying, "Explosive barrels, how ''convenient!''" (Seeing as there was really no reason for them to be there.)
40* ''VideoGame/HarryTheHandsomeExecutive'': Lampshaded. The instructions state that toxic waste barrels ([[NoOSHACompliance found in your office building]]) explode when hit, "as strictly regulated by game design law."
41* ''TheSpeedRumbler'' features blue and red barrels. Red barrels explode when hit, blue barrels turn red when hit.
42* ''VideoGame/WildcatGunMachine'' have exploding oil tanks all over the place, helpfully marked with a red skull symbol. Unlike other similar games though, this one helpfully marks the blast radius with a transparent red circle before it blows so you can get out of the way via FlashStep.
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:Action-Adventure]]
46* ''VideoGame/BaldursGateDarkAlliance'' had gunpowder barrels scattered throughout a few levels.
47* ''VideoGame/BatmanDarkTomorrow'': Present, although triggering an exploding barrel is pretty much the ''only'' practical use for Batarangs in the game.
48* ''VideoGame/BloodOmen2LegacyOfKain'' has a particularly baffling kind of exploding barrels: they explode when a switch ''on the barrel'' is pulled.
49* ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'' also has exploding barrels, although they are grey in color instead of the usual red.
50* ''VideoGame/HypeTheTimeQuest'': Every barrel will explode at any sword strike, hurting Hype in the process is he stands too close. And no, none of them contain any actual explosives.
51%%* ''VideoGame/LANoire'' has them in some shooting sequences.
52* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
53** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'': There is a type of bomb that is just a Barrel filled with gunpowder. You can wait for its fuse to run down, or just shoot it with a bow. Also bomb flowers, bombchu and bomblings take the place of barrels in many games.
54** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'':
55*** In certain areas of the Great Sea, there are explosive barrels whose sole purpose is to be obstacles that make Link fly off the King of Red Lions if not dodged carefully.
56*** The bomb flowers (what you use to blow stuff up before you get your own bombs) are especially a barrel-like hazard. If struck, they go boom and don't take ''nearly'' as long to do so as when you pluck one and place it near a big rock in your way (they actually have a longer time limit than your own bombs). In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'', they blow up the ''instant'' they're struck, no delayed reaction.
57** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': Exploding Barrels assist in taking out enemies in a Western sequence.
58** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' and 'VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'' frequently have explosive barrels -- bright red, with a skull-and-crossbones marking -- around enemy camps, which will violently explode on contact with fire or when struck with sufficient force. If they're within each other's explosion radii, blowing one up will set off an explosive chain reaction. By sneakily repositioning these and detonating them with Fire Arrows or Bomb Arrows, Link can take out all the monsters without them ever detecting him.
59* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' has quite possibly the most blatantly enormous Exploding Barrels of any game ever, and setting them off does some rather impressive damage, such as demolishing entire buildings in chain reactions.
60* ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'':
61** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'': The first game takes it a step further by having exploding ''plants''.
62** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' fulfills this trope with its Phazon containers. Should a space pirate be standing next to one while Samus destroys it, they will be promptly evaporated.
63* ''VideoGame/MirrorsEdge'' has exploding barrels. Blowing them up is rarely helpful, however, as enemies are almost never anywhere near the things. They pose a much greater risk to ''you'', as enemies love to shoot the barrels when you're near them.
64* ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsGame'': Explosive barrels, which can be set off by projectiles or physical strikes, appear in multiple levels. They're also one of the game's Video Game Cliché Moments collectibles. "Lisa the Tree Hugger" also contains a pair of extra-large such barrels that must be fed into a conveyor belt to destroy it.
65-->'''Comic Book Guy:''' The explosive barrel: frustrating AND hackneyed.
66* ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'': This is something of a central game mechanic. "Fuel barrels" are used to break walls, hold switches and later defeat a boss. This is actually the first item introduced in the game and the only weapon Krystal ever gets a hold of.
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:Beat 'em Up]]
70* ''VideoGame/NinjaShadowOfDarkness'' have barrels which blows up from a single ''punch'', somehow. Although a good strategy is to set them off from a distance away with throwing knives.
71* ''VideoGame/PirateHunter'' contains gunpowder barrels in several levels, on the deck of pirate ships, which explodes after a few hits doing massive damage to anyone within their blast radius. There are even barrels with a JollyRoger skulls and crossbones painted on them, where getting caught in it's blast leads to a OneHitKO.
72* Oil barrels in ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame'' and its NES port would smoke for a little bit when struck, then explode! ''[[VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime Turtles in Time]]'', too, features them.
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Fighting Game]]
76* In ''VideoGame/StickFight'', a number of stages have large barrels which swell and then violently explode after being shot or struck.
77* In the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series, all item containers (Barrels included) have a chance to be explosive, which can be an unpleasant surprise for those who try to open them with short ranged attacks, but a boon for those who prefer to chuck them at their opponents. Brawl introduces very conspicuously marked crates that detonate in a huge explosion if they sustain enough damage or are hit with fire.
78[[/folder]]
79
80[[folder:First-Person Shooter]]
81* Exploding barrels are common in ''VideoGame/AlienTrilogy''. They are impervious to small arms fire and thus require a Shotgun or stronger to detonate. Their blast radius is deceptively small however so careful timing is required to use them to take out enemies.
82* ''VideoGame/BioShock1'' features hundreds of oxygen cylinders and oil drums scattered around Rapture. These can be picked up with Telekinesis (or punted with Sonic Boom) and flung with enough force to rupture them. You can add some proximety mines to them for a little more "''Oomph''".
83* ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'' has red white and blue barrels filled with fireworks in early levels. The result of shooting them is a rather spectacular light show that deals deceptively high damage.
84* ''VideoGame/BattlefieldBadCompany 2'' has explosive crates and barrels as well as gas tanks scattered around the maps causing great damage on the destructible scenery (and players) when destroyed. However, for some reason, many players seem to think they are great to hide behind, with predictable results. This is lampshaded in the campaign, with one of the conversations between Haggard and Sweetwater: "So here we are, in South Americastan or wherever, all [=SpecOps=]'d up... and we're still blowin' up barrels." "What would you rather be doing?" "I'm just sayin'... rescuin' hostages, doin' slo-mo weapons kills on terrorists, tellin' people to 'Get off my plane'." "You wanna be Harrison Ford in Film/AirForceOne?" "Don't you?"
85* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' has these in Plain Explosive, Fire, Electric, and Corrosive flavors. And as of the sequel, Slag barrels. ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' also gives you the option of driving a Catapult Technical, which is basically a bandit runner with a catapult that flings explosive barrels.
86* ''VideoGame/{{Bulletstorm}}'s'' developers [[http://www.peoplecanfly.com/blog/2011/01/we-had-to-use-red-barrels/ found that making them]] not red doesn't really work. There's also hot dog stands that can be shot, earning a "Sausage Fest" skillshot for enemies caught in the explosion and sending any enemy who survives flying back in slow motion, or simply kicked into enemies for a "Fast Food" skillshot.
87* Every single ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' game has exploding fuel barrels. Sometimes the placement is logical like at a fuel depot, but most the time they're somewhat random.
88* ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonor'': The research facility level in ''Frontline'' has lab vials that explode violently when shot, as well as gas cylinders.
89* In ''VideoGame/{{Crysis}}'', they are spread around as expected, and when shot burst into flames and then explode. But what deserves the mention are a few facts together: the game is highly mod-able, Crytek provides the map editor and the physics engine is very advanced. Cue user created maps filled with kilometer high buildings made of barrels and then set to explode, or a tornado throwing barrels around and then set to explode, the sky's the limit. Just search Website/YouTube.
90* Barrels in all but name, Power Generating Units in the ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'' are glowing blue-white pods with a vaguely lantern-like appearance that explode with the power of a concussion rifle blast when damaged. Enemies are inexplicably fond of them and the devs like to hide power ups in clusters of them, encouraging players to shoot every PGU they come across (while a safe distance away, of course). Interestingly, they are fragile enough to explode when punched as well, so don't go blindly swinging around them either.
91* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}} 3'' had several different versions of these somewhat justified in that the series took place in a futuristic mine so it makes sense there would be explosives lying around. The second game used [[SpaceMines mines]] instead and the first didn't have any at all.
92* ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' has both exploding barrels and crates of dynamite (as well as barrels of poison gas). Crates of TNT are so volatile that simply dropping them on the floor from chest height will cause them to explode. And these crates are frequently just left lying around in city environments!
93* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' bears honorable mention for being the [[TropeCodifier first]] shooter to feature exploding barrels, filling them with something other than implied fuel, and ''not'' painting them red -- at least not at first.
94** The classic games feature barrels full of nuclear waste, that [[MadeOfExplodium somehow explode when shot]], with the same SplashDamage of a rocket. They often appear with packs of enemies stationed near them, for maximum carnage, and curiously, a monster exploding a barrel can make enemies of the same kind, that are normally FriendlyFireproof, [[SetAMookToKillAMook fight amongst themselves]]. ''VideoGame/DoomII'' has an entire level packed with them named "Barrels O' Fun".
95** ''VideoGame/Doom3'': They're present in two flavors in the game: the red ones labeled HIGHLY VOLATILE, that explode instantly when damaged in any way, and the yellow FLAMMABLE ones that catch fire and explode a fair few seconds after if they're shot, but go boom right away if caught in an explosion. They tend to be placed most often in places where demons teleport in, for added fun. ''[[ExpansionPack Resurrection of Evil]]'' introduces the [[WreakingHavok Grabber]], with which you can pick up and throw both kinds of barrels for an instant dose of kablooie.
96** ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'': The explosive barrels are back... and upgrades make them ''give ammo, regenerate and only hurt bad guys'', meaning that you can exploit them even without bad guys around.
97** ''Videogame/{{DRL}}'' keeps them, adding [[HollywoodAcid acid barrels]] and [[LavaPit lava barrels]] to the mix, both of them leaving a pit of their respective liquids after exploding. They also destroy any items that are caught in their explosion, meaning plenty of players utterly despise them.
98** ''{{WebVideo/Ahoy}}'' decided to email John Romero about why explosive barrels were included in ''Doom''. [[https://youtu.be/LMYEE8lvlvA?t=560 Romero's response?]] "We felt that shooting a barrel full of toxic waste should explode, and that it would be another great way to kill demons, so we made that happen." [[RuleOfFun He wasn't wrong]].
99* ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'' has explosive barrels in the form of somewhat more realistic explosive gas canisters, as well as less realistic fire-extinguishers.
100* ''VideoGame/FashionPoliceSquad'' has a variation in form of Fab Barrels. Exploding these solves any fashion crimes, regardless which fashion criminal gets caught in the explosion. Unlike most barrels, the explosions also heal the player.
101* ''VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon'' gives us not only barrels, but fuse boxes and fire extinguishers, all of which deal more damage than a frag grenade upon detonation. They're one of the most reliable ways to kill more than one enemy at a time, moreso than even the bombs you can carry. DummiedOut parts of the game, like unused Replica EnemyChatter lines, imply that [[ArtificialBrilliance the AI should have been able to use them against the player]]; fortunately, they never do so on purpose (an enemy grenade may set one off, though).
102* The ''Franchise/JamesBond'' game ''VideoGame/GoldenEye1997'' not only has exploding barrels, but nearly [[DieChairDie every other prop explodes too,]] including such things as office chairs and monitors. Apparently [[MadeOfExplodium C-4 is common building material]]. Only barrels, however, tend to be used for the "please shoot me and blow up a whole squad of enemies!" variety. Not that you can't engineer your own fun with other objects, of course. Future 007 games would use this trope as well.
103* The ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' series. In ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' the Gravity Gun opens up the possibility of using the exploding barrels as a makeshift impact-fused grenade. The Combine also makes much use of the barrels: Civil Protection's tactic is to light them on fire and roll them down into the canal you're in.
104* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
105** They were absent in ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', but ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'' added many such items, namely the UNSC fusion core, the Covenant plasma battery, and the Forerunner power core, which have remained franchise staples ever since. Bungie even [[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12345 mocked themselves heartily in a news post]] for doing so.
106** The Flood Carrier Form is a mobile exploding crate; you can shoot them to take out nearby enemies.
107** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' has them scattered liberally in multiplayer levels; they also respawn. Thanks to a plentiful grenade supply, you WILL get toasted for inadvertently standing too close to them. The sniper position on "Guardian", the shotgun location on "Snowbound", and the ones next to lifts on "Construct"/"Valhalla" come to mind.
108** ''VideoGame/HaloInfinite'' does a major overhaul to the exploding canisters, giving them unique properties in how they explode as well as allowing you to pick up smaller ones and throw them as an ImprovisedWeapon. Kinetic coils give a straight forward explosion akin to a grenade, while plasma coils liter the ground with a napalm-like substance and shock coils will stun groups of enemies with ChainLightning.
109* ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' has exploding green pod things which can be pushed around. Some are ExplosiveBreeders as well, creating semipermanent barrier/minefields.
110* ''VideoGame/{{HROT}}'' featured grey barrels that explode when damaged enough.
111* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'':
112** The game gives you propane tanks (explode instantly), gas cylinders (explode a few seconds after being shot) and gas cans (create a wide splash of fire) to use as mobile exploding barrels. On higher difficulties, where to place them and when to use them is a significant part of the strategy.
113** The Sacrifice DLC added actual exploding barrels to the game in the campaign it included. Barrels aren't portable, but when shot they instantly explode like a propane tank and set fire to the area around them like a gas can, while the top half flies off and creates another swathe of fire where it hits the ground. [[GameMod Custom campaigns]] tend to feature them quite heavily.
114** [[VideoGame/Left4Dead2 The sequel]] also introduces boxes of fireworks for the finale of Dark Carnival. When shot at, the firecrackers inside ignite and spread out, burning just like a gas can.
115* Most heists in ''VideoGame/PAYDAY3'' feature fire extinguishers which explode upon being shot. Heists in less urban areas (such as ''99 Boxes'', which take place in a shipment yard) will use standard exploding barrels instead.
116* ''VideoGame/{{Prodeus}}'' has yellow explosive barrels throughout most of the levels, especially in the first chapter. They are most common in Fuel level.
117* ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'' single player games have lots of barrels that explode.
118%%* ''VideoGame/PerfectDark''
119* The first level of ''VideoGame/SoldierOfFortune II'' has an exploding propane tank, although utilizing it will [[TeleportingKeycardSquad cause extra enemies to spawn]]. The first RailShooter level has several more towards the end. In the first game, shooting the backpack tank of a [[GasMaskMooks gas-masked mook]] causes it to explode and light them and passersby on fire.
120* ''VideoGame/SeriousSam'' games feature explosive barrels from ''Serious Sam II'' onwards. However, explosive barrels do not do much damage, whether to enemies or to player.
121* ''VideoGame/{{Supplice}}'', a game that started off as a ''Doom'' mod before becoming it's own game, have barrels like it's inspiration. The ones with a flammable logo on it's side notably explodes when shot.
122* ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' has radiation and bio-hazard safety barrels that can be exploded.
123* Red explosive barrels can be summoned with a spawner arm in ''VideoGame/{{ULTRAKILL}}''. They do not appear in the game naturally.
124* ''VideoGame/TurboOverkill'' features red barrels that explode upon taking damage. They're usually clustered together and are located near enemies. One of the secret levels centers around avoiding damage from Exploding Barrels.
125* ''VideoGame/WarstrideChallenges'' featured glowing barrels that explode upon being damaged.
126* For some weird reason, ''VideoGame/WillRock'' features large wooden explosive barrels scattered around ''ancient Greek ruins''.
127[[/folder]]
128
129[[folder:Flash Game]]
130* The Flash animation game ''[[http://www.gamerival.com/index.cfm?play=23E94579&fromint=1 Goldminer]]'' and its semi-sequel ''[[http://gamerival.grab.com/index.cfm?play=C82B78FE&fromint=1&randint=8 Goldminer SE]]'' both have levels where barrels of dynamite are scattered among the gold and jewels for which you are "fishing". Hitting one with your grapple sets it off, destroying not only the barrel but anything too close to it.
131[[/folder]]
132
133[[folder:Hack and Slash]]
134* Exploding barrels feature in ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}''.
135* Justified in ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors''. In the various Nanman campaigns, there are usually exploding barrels. But these barrels have actually been placed with the intent to explode, so as to take out flammable enemy troops. This is loosely based off of something that happened in the books.
136* Every game in the ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'' series has them, and the third one as an achievement lampshading the fact.
137--> ''"Barrel of Laughs: You annihilated 30 enemies using explosive barrels. Isn't it nice how conveniently placed they are?"''
138* ''VideoGame/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'' has an entire level with explosives (And Orc suicide bombers!). Moreover, these items will explode when hit by swords or arrows...
139[[/folder]]
140
141
142[[folder:Light Gun Game]]
143* The arcade LightGunGame ''VideoGame/{{Area 51}}'' has brightly-colored jerrycan-like objects which explode when shot, liberally scattered throughout the infested complex.
144* ''VideoGame/DeadstormPirates'' has them in spades. They are red, marked with a skull, and present in all levels. If they are multiple at once, they can easily destroy a ''whole enemy wave'', and with them you finish the snake boss in the Cave level.
145[[/folder]]
146
147[[folder:Metroidvania]]
148* ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'': [[PirateGirl Risky Boots]] loves to pack a lot of Explosive Barrels in her ships to toss at Shantae. This tends to backfire on her since said Exploding Barrels are usually the only way for Shantae to damage those ships.
149[[/folder]]
150
151[[folder:MMORPG]]
152* ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'' contains three kinds of barrels, all which can be thrown or destroyed on the spot. First is the regular exploding variant. Second is a freezing barrel that creates an icy wind for a few seconds which freezes any enemies that enter it. The frozen enemies can then be picked up and used as weapons. Finally, there are healing barrels, which create a maelstrom of healing energies that will regenerate your HP as long as you stand in it.
153* ''VideoGame/DungeonsAndDragonsOnline'': Most quests have crates and barrels that the players can destroy for extra XP, but you have to watch out for barrels marked with little red Xs. When struck they explode causing fire damage to any nearby creatures (enemies or allies), so you generally want to shoot them from a distance instead of whacking them with a melee weapon. A cause of some annoyance if an "ally" shoots one that you happened to be standing next to!
154* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' has a variant in the "Barrel Full of Barrels'' zone. There are 36 barrels each day. Most give small items if you click on them. A couple of them, however, randomly explode and damage you for a huge percentage of your hit points.
155* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' has purple containers which explode after being hit a few times. Unlike most examples these give off smoke and glow for a few seconds before exploding giving players a fair warning. They are considerably more hazardous to players than enemies though due to the massive difference in health between player characters and enemies.
156* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' has several variant barrels that players can blow up with the Force or blasterfire to use against enemies. There are simple explosive barrels, coolant barrels that freeze enemies, gas barrels that cloud the enemies and prevent them from attacking, toxic waste barrels that deal heavy poison damage over time, and capacitors that deal electric damage.
157* Normally not present in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' due to technical limitations, kegs of blasting powder were added to the new remake of the Deadmines, which can make nice crowd control devices when detonated properly.
158[[/folder]]
159
160[[folder:MOBA]]
161* In ''VideoGame/{{Battleborn}}'', red glass canisters containing energy shards tend to litter areas. Due to the energy stored within, they naturally explode when hit.
162* ''VideoGame/{{Battlerite}} Royale'' has barrels labeled with "TNT". If you hit them, they create a large area of damage that lasts a long time. If there are multiple barrels close together, they all blow each other up. You can also place your own barrels if you find some.
163* In ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', this is one of the signature moves of [[{{Pirate}} Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge]], able to pull out "Powder Kegs" from {{hammerspace}}, which he then detonates [[HairTriggerExplosive with either a slash of his flaming sword or a shot of his gun]]. The explosions chain onto nearby barrels, allowing him to wreck his opponents with well-placed and well-timed abilities, though enemies in range are given a small window to harmlessly destroy them if he can't get to them first.
164[[/folder]]
165
166[[folder:Platformer]]
167* ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfLomax'' takes this to a different level by having walking barrel enemies who [[SuicideAttack explode when you get close]].
168* ''VideoGame/BionicCommando: Rearmed'' has a exploding red barrels littered all throughout the stages, which you can use to take out enemies, blow objects at a distance to take out enemies, throw to take out enemies, blow up bridges to both take out enemies and gain access to the areas below them, and on occasion activate puzzles and take out enemies and such.
169* ''VideoGame/{{Claw}}'' features barrels filled with gunpowder that the titular pirate can shoot with his pistol, or [[ThrowABarrelAtIt pick up and toss]]; they explode when hitting the ground, [[HairTriggerExplosive no matter the height]]. They're a viable alternative when you're low on dynamite.
170* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'': The levels are littered with exploding {{crate|Expectations}}s, including ones which would explode if you so much as touch them.
171* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' is full of different kinds of barrels, so of course one variety is explosive. Said variety is labeled "TNT" in bright white letters, has a wick, and [[HairTriggerExplosive explodes when thrown (or, in the original game's case, when put back down)]].
172* ''VideoGame/Gift2001'': With TNT sign on them. They can be exploded via burning gunpowder.
173%%* ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' -- The Eco barrels.
174* ''Kalevania'' features powder kegs. These will explode a few seconds after being hit.
175* ''VideoGame/MetaloidOrigin'': The game is full of red barrels that will explode if shot.
176%%* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank''
177* ''VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape'': Exploding powder kegs are a common feature.
178* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' has these in Twinkle Park. [[MalevolentArchitecture One wonders what exploding barrels, spike balls of varying sizes, and other various dangers are doing in]] a [[AmusementParkOfDoom theme park]]...
179* ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}} HD'' features powder boxes that will explode and destroy a good chunk of their surroundings if hit by ''[[HairTriggerExplosive anything]]'', even a blood drop.
180* ''VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy'': Gnorc Survivalists throw exploding barrels marked with skull-and-crossbones signs, in contrast to the realistic grenades that they lob in the original game.
181* ''VideoGame/TaiFuWrathOfTheTiger'' has a boss battle with exploding barrels appearing out of thin air. It has no explanation as to why the Rat Pirate loses his invulnerability when slapped upside the head with an exploding keg, or why he can even go invulnerable in the first place.
182* ''Videogame/TeslaTheWeatherMan'' has specially marked exploding crates that can be used to break certain walls.
183* ''VideoGame/ElViento'' features some barrels you have to push around and then hit for them to explode and take away lots of enemies with them. Then again, in El Viento almost everything is MadeOfExplodium...
184[[/folder]]
185
186[[folder:Puzzle Game]]
187* Aside from the bomb birds, ''VideoGame/AngryBirds'' has exploding crates of TNT that increase the damage done if hit just right.
188* ''VideoGame/MadAgeAndThisGuy'': Well, "Exploding Oil Drum" might be more accurate, but if a bomb goes off next to one, it starts swelling, then explodes. Plus, they have a bigger blast radius than bombs do.
189* ''VideoGame/{{Roboblitz}}'' has three levels with these, in which you have to activate the fuel production to power your moon base's gigantic cannon. In the final of the three levels, you have to throw the explosive barrels at the boss to stun him, allowing you to land a hit. It's one of the harder fights, especially once he TurnsRed and starts [[IncendiaryExponent Breathing Fire]], causing the barrels to explode near- instantly.
190* ''VideoGame/{{Scribblenauts}}'' takes this a step further. Yes, you have the exploding barrels. Then you have ''[[BigFreakingGun a gun that shoots out exploding barrels,]]'' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly named the exploding barrel gun, or EBG.]]
191[[/folder]]
192
193[[folder:Racing Games]]
194* In ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeed Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2]]'', if you attract enough police attention, they'll send out a helicopter which can drop these; if you hit one, it stops your car for a few seconds. They can also drop barrels that explode into extra spike strips, and shoot homing missiles that blind you and cause your car to stop.
195* In ''VideoGame/SplitSecond2010'', Survival mode has you racing around a track while semis drop an endless supply of these.
196* ''VideoGame/{{Carmageddon}}'' series has red explosive barrels. Driving into them damages the car, launching it in the air.
197* One of the levels of ''VideoGame/ZooRace'' has explosive barrels rolling downhill. These explode on contact.
198[[/folder]]
199
200[[folder:Real-Time Strategy]]
201* Found in the ''VideoGame/CannonFodder'' series of run-and-gun games. Made some sense when you were in the jungle/desert and there were oil barrels lying around for (presumably) fueling vehicles, but less so when they were replaced by exploding ''[[BaaBomb sheep]]'' in the farmland areas.
202* The ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'' series often uses them, usually in missions that place emphasis on your commando units. Most bizarrely, ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert2 Red Alert 2]]'' had several defence missions where a TooDumbToLive friendly [=NPC=] would add some fluff to your efforts to reinforce the area by heroically placing several of the things next to each of his buildings and parked units.
203** In the ''Commander's Challenge'' for ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3 Red Alert 3]]'', there's a challenge map where explosive red barrels keep teleporting into existence, until there's over 600 of them dotting the map, making most of the city a powder keg.
204* Appears in the ''VideoGame/{{Commandos}}'' series, where they sometimes have to be used to destroy some objectives. The Green Beret can carry them.
205* They're barrel-shaped, at least: all of the wildlife and livestock that appear in the ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' RealTimeStrategy games are explosive if you [[EasterEgg click on them enough times]]. The Frozen Throne expansion added actual explosive barrels which are used in the classic way in some missions. While it seems logical that the dwarves would carry around gunpowder, their placement is more than a little suspicious.
206[[/folder]]
207
208[[folder:Roguelike]]
209* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' has wooden barrels in some of the rooms. These will explode when damaged enough.
210[[/folder]]
211
212[[folder:Role-Playing Game]]
213* In ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'', there are explosive barrels around places where it seems sensible to do so, like on the outer walls of a castle or in a mine. Somewhat unusually for this trope you need fire to trigger them, hitting them with anything else just breaks them.
214** Of course, upon entering a room filled with explosive barrel, you'll VERY often have a conveniently placed enemy toss a fire bomb or a fire spell into the room to blow you to smithereens. One of the rare examples where the barrels are an obstacle.
215* ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice'' adds exploding barrels that detonate when thrown.
216** Beginning with this game, Thieves are now able to create said barrels on their turn.
217* ''VideoGame/DungeonSiege'': If you see a red barrel, chances are shooting it will open up a "secret" room.
218* In the ''Franchise/{{Fallout}}'' series, the countless abandoned nuclear-powered cars act like these, exploding with miniature mushroom clouds. In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', the generator room at Nellis Air Force Base is littered with howitzer shells that will go off in a massive explosion if shot, possibly starting a chain reaction killing everyone in the room, AND it is infested with [[ActionBomb exploding giant ants]] that can set them off as well.
219* ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' features a primitive version of this: there are barrels filled with [[BlobMonster Slimes]] that will explode when attacked. [[PlayingWithFire Pyro]] Slime barrels produce the expected fiery explosion which will send any players or enemies flying, while [[AnIcePerson Cryo]] Slime barrels instead make an icy explosion that will freeze anyone previously affected by [[MakingASplash Hydro]].
220* The Challenger class in ''VideoGame/GrandKingdom'' launches explosive barrels and cases as his main method of attack. He can also set them down on the battlefield to trick enemies in attacking them, or launch himself at an enemy with a barrel in his hand as a form of SuicideAttack.
221* ''VideoGame/InfiniteUndiscovery'' for the Xbox 360 has many exploding red barrels in the opening dungeon (complete with Achievement for detonating them all). Given that the setting seems to have no gunpowder (or anything else similarly advanced) and the dungeon in question is a prison, one has to wonder what's in the barrels that would make them blow up.
222* Some boxes in ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' are trapped to explode, but if your Focus is high enough you can do a cool backflip or a leap backwards to avoid the blast. The evasions are random. Having a high Focus just increases the chance that you'll avoid it. Which makes it ''unnecessarily annoying''.
223* In ''Videogame/JulyAnarchy: Prologue'', exploding barrels are scattered all around the outside areas of the game. This is lampshaded during a dialog, in a late part of the game:
224-->I'll just drag over a few of those explosive barrels that inexplicably seem to be everywhere.
225* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', there's the Barrel Spider heartless, which is [[ActionBomb an animated version]]. The [=PS2=] remake of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'' adds the more conventional type, which can be chucked at enemies in the field in order to stun them (And yourself if you're too close). They reappear in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' and ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance Dream Drop Distance]]'', where they can be used for a similar purpose.
226* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has exploding rocks. In a volcanic area. Also, the game features several flavours of handy ''portable'' exploding barrels which you can plant just about anywhere.
227* ''VideoGame/{{Odium}}'' has these showing up during many battles. One of the battles takes place near a truck filled with these. One of your teammates even warns you to not use firearms during the battle, lest you blow yourself to kingdom come--though it's not true, as you can shoot at your leisure without anything bad happening; the truck is nothing more than scenery.
228[[/folder]]
229
230[[folder:Simulation Game]]
231* In some ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' games there are fuel-containing vehicles or what-not that will take out adjacent targets when destroyed.
232* "Chemfuel" in ''VideoGame/{{Rimworld}}'' might or might not be kept in literal ''barrels'' (the in-game icon is a jerrycan, but containers for fuel and other liquids are abstracted in-game) but it will explode rather violently if hit by enough gunfire or set alight. Leaving it lying around unsecured in a warehouse full of other goods or in a wooden shed next to the generator is the kind of mistake few players make twice.
233* In the 2013 ''VideoGame/SimCity'', one of the low tech industry buildings is "exploding barrels corp."
234[[/folder]]
235
236[[folder:Stealth Games]]
237* This is present in ''VideoGame/{{Gloomwood}}''. Like in any typical FPS, they will explode when shot at or, in this game's case, if the still-lit torch of that guy you just killed touches the barrel. Projectiles like bottles will not detonate these barrels, which can be used as a way of luring enemies towards them before blowing them up.
238[[/folder]]
239
240[[folder:Survival Horror]]
241* ''VideoGame/FearAndHungerTermina'': Gasoline canisters can be set up in battle, then attacked, causing them to explode and do a lot of damage to all of an enemy's body parts at once.
242* Classic big, red, explosive barrels can be found in ''VideoGame/ThePersistence'' for you to shoot or launch at enemies with the Gravity Hook.
243* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' has made frequent use of red-colored exploding barrels, and occasionally similar "shoot to harm enemies" objects in the game.
244** Exploding barrels were introduced in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis''. Usual use applied -- shoot barrel, make enemies explode in a shower of blood and flying limbs. You could also kill yourself with these although Jill and Carlos were nowhere near as willing to detatch body parts and explode as readily as the undead. Wall-mounted explosive charges can be targeted for the same effect. There are also two obscure variants of this trope that many fans never realized existed: the hanging pallets in the industrial area where the Brainsuckers appear can be shot down to crush whatever is under them, whilst the lamps in the park can be shot to generate sprays of flaming pellets, similar to a fire grenade.
245** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' curiously decided that the best location to place almost every explosive barrel found in the game was the military base. They can be found lying everywhere, even in places where shooting them has absolutely no purpose aside from the pyrotechnics. In the Village and Castle areas, colorful glass oil lamps hanging from the ceiling can also be shot down to create short-lived walls of flame that fatally ignite any Ganado that touches them.
246** The opening cutscene of ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilCodeVeronica'' features Claire Redfield infiltrating Umbrella HQ and coming into a room chock-full of guards with guns trained on her. She puts her hands above her head, drops her gun...and then dives down, catches the gun before it hits the ground, and shoots the exploding barrels behind the guards. [[RuleOfCool It's pretty awesome]]. She then gets captured anyway, but you can't have everything. Explosive barrels proceed to show up in the game proper.
247** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' also has a type that doesn't explode, but lights the surrounding area on fire. Transformers can also be shot down to electrocute enemies.
248** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6'' sees the classic exploding barrels. Fire extinguishers can also be shot to create smokescreens.
249[[/folder]]
250
251[[folder:Third-Person Shooter]]
252* ''[[VideoGame/{{Crackdown}} Crackdown: Pacific City]]'' is full of these, ''everywhere''. In the Keys to the City mode you can make them by the hundreds and make a kind of exploding dominoes.
253* The ''VideoGame/{{Crusader}}'' games have what you might call a suspicious amount of explosive barrels (and [[StuffBlowingUp explosive everything else]], for that matter). And then you realize [[NoOSHACompliance none of those workplaces are OHSA-compliant]], and it all makes sense...
254* In ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', these barrels are all over. In one particularly idiotic case, some friendly soldiers decide, for some reason, to take cover behind one of them. Kaboom.
255* ''VideoGame/JetForceGemini'', right there in the tutorial level; though they themselves need no explanation.
256* ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' has various kinds of Exploding Barrels: various "containment units" which have various effects that are suspiciously similar to those of grenade upgrades. At least unlike most examples, they need to take a shot or two from a hyper velocity military grade kinetic weapon to explode. ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' doesn't have the containment units, but it ''does'' have (white, not red) explosive crates. And explosive containers which look suspiciously like the containment units from the first game. Using the 'overload' power on either one, will significantly increase the radius and amount of damage they cause, over just shooting them.
257* ''VideoGame/MaxPayne''
258** The original ''Max Payne'' aims for a degree of realism. It used tanks of acetylene or some other flammable gas instead of barrels, and only putting them on levels where someone might plausibly need welding equipment or a gas cooker. When hit, the tanks react by shooting off a lengthy plume of fire from the valve, much as a gas cylinder might plausibly act if you clipped the valve off with a gunshot... and then [[MadeOfExplodium explode a few seconds later]] for [[RuleOfCool no readily apparent reason]]. Occasionally you'll even find one [[NoOSHACompliance that's not been chained upright]] and has fallen over, ready to be turned into a field-expedient cruise missile for a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.
259** ''VideoGame/MaxPayne2TheFallOfMaxPayne'' includes the classic Exploding Barrels and fuel canisters, which catch fire once shot a few seconds before going kaboom, and also includes ammo boxes which blow upon taking enough damage. Either method is a very nice way of clearing out cleaners or other bad guys.
260* Subverted in the [=PS2=] videogame ''VideoGame/{{The Punisher|THQ}}''. Certain levels, such as the Chop-Shop, have barrels clearly marked as "Flammable" or "Gasoline" standing around, including a few that happens to be standing right next to entrenched enemies. What happens if you shoot them? Nothing. Realistic, and potentially dangerous, since your gunshot just alerted those entrenched enemies to your position...
261* Tequila encounters lots of explosive barrels during the Tai-O mission in ''{{VideoGame/Stranglehold}}'', first in the form of Golden Kane drug labs (real life drug labs can be quite dangerous, particularly meth labs, as any cop who's had to deal with one can tell you), but later on when Tequila takes the gunner's seat on a chopper, he can blast away at barrels that are all over the place for some massive John Woo style explosions that can blow the crap out of lots of mooks.
262* ''{{VideoGame/Warframe}}'' features many barrels scattered throughout the missions that will explode and scatter their contents around when destroyed. You can also find large variants of barrels which will usually open a way to a hidden room when destroyed; these must be dealt with from afar as they are a guaranteed OneHitKill.
263* ''VideoGame/{{Wet}}'', like a lot of other games, is a proud user of this trope. Rubi often gets the opportunity to shoot up lots of them (as well as lots of bad guys) during the minigun segments of the game. They also appear as a common hazard later on in the game.
264[[/folder]]
265
266[[folder:Tower Defense]]
267* ''Videogame/IronBrigade'' features a mine-layer that deploys a constant stream of explosive barrels. Also present is an artillery cannon that launches explosive barrels and is hand-loaded by a tiny man living in the weapon.
268* In ''VideoGame/OrcsMustDie'', you get to use these as traps after completing the first two levels. You can hurl them at oncoming orcs, or set them and shoot at them with your crossbow to reduce a group of orcs to a shower of LudicrousGibs.
269** In the sequel, a wall trap exists which spawns these (on their side and rolling). One upgrade path gives the barrels proximity triggers.
270[[/folder]]
271
272[[folder:Turn-Based Strategy]]
273* ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' has oil drums that explode and also rain down fiery death. ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' has ''[[MadeOfExplodium everything]]'' that explodes.
274* ''VideoGame/XCom'' uses exploding barrels as fuel storage in your base, exploding gas pumps in urban maps, and a few explosive tank thingies in alien bases. Fun times with Blaster Bombs clearing out aliens in the hanger. Those things have a ''wide'' blast radius.
275[[/folder]]
276
277[[folder:Wide-Open Sandbox]]
278* ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' and ''IV''.
279** They appear in III and Vice City too.
280* In ''VideoGame/RedFactionGuerrilla'', this is {{lampshaded}} in a side-mission. "If the [[TheFederation EDF]] didn't want us shooting their fuel tanks, they wouldn't keep leaving them around, right?"
281* ''VideoGame/ScarfaceTheWorldIsYours'' has context-sensitive exploding barrels. Play as Tony, who doesn't like hurting the innocent and the barrels will only cause bruises and confusion to civilian bystanders. Play as one of his henchmen? Barrels are fatal.
282[[/folder]]
283
284[[folder:Non-Video Game Examples]]
285* A variation in ''Film/{{Backdraft}}'' when barrels are shown shooting into the air as their contents ignite during a fire in a warehouse full of volatile materials.
286* This happens in the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "[[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE56HarleyAndIvy Harley and Ivy]]". The Joker winds up setting the former toxic waste dump on fire by shooting at some barrels.
287* {{Film/Dhoom}}: Near the end of the first movie, a few shots with a handgun suffice to cause a stack of conveniently placed fuel barrels to explode.
288* At least two instances shows up in ''Film/TheKiller1989''. The beach shootout have Ah Jong blowing up a mook by shooting a stack of drums that just ''happens'' to be right there (probably gasoline for boats) and the climatic church shootout somehow contains propane tanks outside, which explodes when shot at incinerating a few thugs.
289* Spoofed in the ''Half-Life 2'' webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Concerned}}'':
290** Not only does the main character accidentally order 100,000 explosive barrels for the Combine instead of just [[http://www.screencuisine.net/hlcomic/index.php?date=2005-06-24 100]], thus explaining their abundance, but the Combine soldiers are specifically [[http://www.screencuisine.net/hlcomic/index.php?date=2005-10-07 instructed]] to stay near them. [[note]]The author's notes on one of the strips after this even mentioned that he had originally planned on putting the barrels in every single page from that strip forward, though this running gag was forgotten about within that week.[[/note]]
291** Several strips later, he uses them to launch his boat over a barrier. Instead of creating a ramp with floating barrels.
292* Played with in [[http://comics.phwonline.info/archive/single/45/ one PHW comic]]. Apparently, people just love shooting [[RedShirt red]] barrels.
293* [[http://www.arminbwagner.com/crates_and_barrels/barrels.html This website]] has a collection of video game barrels.
294* ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' lampshades this trope in the AltText for [[http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=41&issue=13 this comic.]]
295* Believe it or not -- Xbox 360 Magazine actually awarded the exploding barrel their 'Best Friend in a videogame' award, since no matter how little ammo you have left, they will ''always'' clear out the enemy.
296* ''Webcomic/TropeOverdosedTheWebcomic'' [[http://tropeoverdosed.pcriot.com/?p=19 has Bob blowing himself up with a collection of these.]]
297* The ''Literature/{{Doom}}'' novels, like the original game, have exploding barrels scattered throughout Phobos and Deimos. Fly learns about them by accident while pinning down by enemy fire, one gets hit and starts a chain reaction that clears the room.
298* The ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' episode "Missing In Action" has a climactic OneManArmy battle waged via conveniently arrayed barrels of volatile fuel.
299* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' added rules for these in the 6th edition. They [[GenreBlind can be used for cover]], but if a model ''passes'' a cover save while hiding behind a barrel, there is a chance of the barrel exploding.
300[[/folder]]
301
302[[folder:Real Life]]
303* Terrifyingly, this trope actually has a basis in reality! As late as sometime in the 1980's, Field Lab employees at the [[http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Santa_Susana_Field_Lab/ Santa Susana Field Laboratory]] in Simi Valley, California, 'disposed' of barrels of toxic radioactive waste by [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_Laboratory#Sodium_burn_pits shooting them with rifles so they exploded and released their contents into the air]]. The barrels in question contained radioactive sodium metal, among other wastes, making them sensitive to the shock from a rifle bullet. This could well explain the exploding barrels of radioactive waste featured in Doom, mentioned above.
304* In the history of naval warfare, more than a few ships have suffered severely due to ammunition explosions. The examples closest to this trope would probably be cases where depth charges (explosive barrels used by light warships for hunting submarines) were set off by enemy fire (justified, as most ships of the era stored depth charges on racks on deck, so they could be quickly rolled off in battle). Torpedoes, if launched from racks rather than internal tubes, had similar associated risks.
305* Dutch naval commander Jan van Speyks, who fought against the Belgian Revolution, was boarded by the Belgians in 1831, who demanded he take his Dutch flag down. He refused and fired his pistol into a barrel of gunpowder, [[TakingYouWithMe blowing up the entire ship]].
306* ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ZLefQC_oU took this one on]], citing the scene from ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' where James Bond shoots a propane tank with his pistol. The team found that they were unable to replicate this with a standard 9mm pistol or even a weapon loaded with tracer rounds. Eventually, they do manage it, but it takes [[GatlingGood a minigun]] [[MoreDakka loaded with]] [[KillItWithFire incendiary rounds]], making it AwesomeButImpractical.
307* Austin Hourigan of Creator/{{Shoddycast}} fame [[https://youtu.be/-g0n8FkJb6Y posted a video]] discussing this very trope and why it shouldn't work.
308* Stuart Brown of the Youtube channel ''WebVideo/{{Ahoy}}'' made [[https://youtu.be/LMYEE8lvlvA an entire mini-documentary on explosive barrels]]. He mainly points to the original ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' as the main reason why this trope is so prominent, and from there he tries to find [[UrExample anyone that could have done it before]]. He couldn't find a ''definitive'' inspiration, only a definitive first game for the prominent use of barrels in general: the original ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''. He considers ''Doom'' to be the TropeMaker as well as [[TropeCodifier Codifier]], as it was ''the'' main reason why so many games after it started using the trope.
309* Before the advent of ammunition cartridges, loose gunpowder were stored & transported in barrels called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_keg powder kegs]]. Obviously, these has a high risk of exploding if not handled properly much less get shot, which is why this term survive till today as a metaphor for extremely unstable situations.

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