With the release of Nintendo Switch 2, we are also having a new kind of platformer for the console. Unlike typical platformers, Donkey Kong Bananza is about surviving and getting back your diamonds. You control gorilla Donkey Kong and go underground with a partner and get your banana-shaped diamonds back from enemy apes.
It’s as fun as it sounds. So, if you are looking to play this game or just starting out, here are some amazing and helpful tips for you. If you know these things, you will save a lot of time and effort as well as frustration.
10 Tips For Beginners in Donkey Kong Banaza
1. Bananas Are Just The Start
The main goal in this game is not to collect bananas like in any other games in the series. You will experience some amazing underground sublayers filled with enemies, puzzles, and hidden loot. Gold and Banandium Gems matter just as much.
They let you unlock skills and build structures as well as afford death fees. Gold fuels your entire progression, so you should never ignore it.
2. Start With the Ingot Isle
Before heading deeper, you need to make the most of the Ingot Isle. It’s an early tutorial zone that is rich with gold. In this zone, you need to gather as much as you can because you won’t return here until the end.
You’ll need the extra gold to survive deeper layers as well as buy Red Balloons and build getaways. It’s better if you have at least 5,000 gold before leaving.
3. Movement Decides Your Match
The core mechanic of Donkey Kong Bananza is movement.
You can use ZL to roll mid-air and reach far platforms. Learn how to Turf Surf to gain speed. Remember, DK doesn’t sprint, so these mechanics are your best tools for quick traversal.
If you’re climbing, almost any surface is fair game. DK can scale most walls and cliffs. Take advantage of that to explore hidden areas.
4. Chunks Beat Punches
Upgrading DK’s punch is tempting, but using chunks clears more space and behaves better with the camera.
You can also toss a chunk to clear large areas quickly. It also helps when you’re digging for treasure or navigating tricky terrain.
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5. Hand Slap Upgrade Quickly
The hand slap does more than break things. It’s a sonar tool. Use it to detect hidden chests, fossils, or Banandium Gems.
It’s better if you spend your first few skill points to improve its range. It’ll save you hours of aimless digging.
6. Don’t Hoard Bananergy
Your Bananza forms are there to be used and you should use them right away instead of waiting for the perfect moment. Gold is everywhere, and Bananergy builds fast. So, transform into your Kong Bananza or others as needed.
Also, try to fully upgrade the Kong Bananza early on because it’s the most useful form, turning DK into a walking wrecking ball. When you do it early, you’ll move faster and break more with better ability to deal with enemies.
7. Try To Build Getaways Often
The huts you build in the game will help you a lot. The getaways act as fast travel points that you can use as healing stations and wardrobes. The more you build in a layer, the more bonus hearts you’ll gain when resting.
It is recommended to put more focus on building getaways than spending skill points on health early on.
Once you build a second getaway in a layer, a concierge shows up. They let you access all three shops:
- Style Shop
- Stuff Shop
- Chip Exchange
Everything you need, right there.
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8. Carry Red Balloons With You
You are going to fall in the game and it’s inevitable. However, Red Balloons save you if you fall off a ledge.
The Red Balloon floats you back up, saving your life and 500 gold (per life fee). You need to buy them in stacks from the Stuff Shop. It’s better if you already have two or four stacks early in the game.
9. Respec Your Skills Freely
Skill builds are important but they are not everything. Instead, try to find an Elder and ask them to reset your skills.
The reason for that is because it’s free. This way, you can test new builds and explore different paths to see what fits your playstyle. So, you’re never locked into one setup.
10. Outfit Perks Are Important
DK and Pauline’s outfits provide buffs tied to hazards and Bananza forms. If you’re dealing with lava rain or poison swamps, the right outfit makes survival easier.
You can buy them from the style shop using fossils. Usually, the best clothes for a layer are sold in that layer’s Style Shop. If you can’t afford them yet, wear the next best available outfit.
How To Complete The Core Challenge
Donkey Kong Bananza hides several mechanics that are easy to overlook.
These extras might give you the edge:
- Smashin’ Stats: Open the Collection tab to see progress on terrain destruction. Meeting goals earns bonus gold or Banandium Gems.
- Reset Terrain: Regret breaking something? Press the Plus button on the map to reset a layer’s terrain.
- Fast Travel: Use tuning forks, gongs, or getaways to move quickly. Lost your way? Call the teleporting eel.
- Healing: Break glowing red mounds for apples or rest at a getaway.
- Use the Camera Mode: Down on the D-pad opens Photo Mode. Save hilarious or impressive moments.
- Challenge Yourself: Want a harder run? Avoid spending skill points. It’s brutal but fun.
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What You Should Not Do
- Don’t ignore gold mounds. You’ll regret it later.
- You don’t need to dig randomly. Use sonar and visual clues.
- Do not try to skip on building getaways. They’re essential.
- Never sit on full Bananergy.
- Don’t hoard skill points forever. Test new abilities.
Hidden Loop
What appears to be a straightforward voxel-puncher has meaty systems.
You’ll move around, collect, build, and combat. But Donkey Kong Bananza’s stand-out comes when you begin syncing all these components. This is a game where your moment-to-moment choices shape your momentum.
If you’re struggling, slow down and collect. If you’re flying, push forward and smash everything. It’s that flexible.
All the mechanics, whether it’s gold farming or changing clothes, all relate back to progression. It’s all important. That’s why Donkey Kong Bananza is so genius. If you want to stay updated on all games news and reveals, make sure to check Electronic First Blog. We constantly share the latest news for gaming, consoles, and eSports. Get all your info at one place.