Donkey Kong: Bananza

Nintendo EAD Tokyo Software Development Department Nintendo
10

How long to beat

18hrs
MAIN STORY
27hrs
STORY + SIDES
46hrs
EVERYTHING
27hrs
ALL STYLES

Donkey Kong Bananza Review

10
Masterpiece

Donkey Kong Bananza is a truly groundbreaking 3D platformer, with satisfying movement, powerful abilities, impressive destructible environments, and clever challenges that all come together in complete harmony to create Nintendo’s first Switch 2 masterpiece.

Summary

The leader of the bunch is finally back to kick some tail in Donkey Kong Bananza, a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey and a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character. It was a bold choice to build the Switch 2’s first 3D platformer around Donkey Kong instead of Mario, but it’s proven to be the best decision Nintendo could’ve made. DK’s satisfying, expressive movement and powerful, dynamic abilities create a truly groundbreaking adventure. The ambitious, destructible layers of this underground world are densely packed with satisfying collectibles, abundant charm, and clever challenges that never seem to run out of smart ideas, even long after the credits have rolled. Bananza is a constant crescendo across its 20-hour campaign and beyond, with puzzle-platforming concepts that only grow richer as DK and Pauline dive deeper toward the Planet Core. Every element comes together in complete harmony to create Nintendo’s first Switch 2 masterpiece.

Release Date
Platforms

Donkey Kong: Bananza - Latest Contents

1 day, 9 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Forbidden Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

1 day, 9 hours - The Forbidden Layer certainly sounds off-limits in Donkey Kong Bananza, but if you want to defy the rules, you can find another helping of Battle Challenges, Challenge Courses, and Bonus Stage there. This video guide will show you how.0:00 - Battle 1: Nighty Night, Nemesis 1:00 - Battle 2: Forged Path Upward1:48 - Battle 3: Shuffling Walls2:46 - Course 1: Slippery, Soaking Shuffle - Soggy First Steps3:40 - Course 1: Slippery, Soaking Shuffle - Swift Sideways Shuffle4:44 - Course 1: Slippery, Soaking Shuffle - No Swimming, No Slipping5:11 - Course 2: Lost in the Shuffle - Halfway Shuffled7:22 - Course 2: Lost in the Shuffle - Balloons in the Shuffle8:04 - Course 2: Lost in the Shuffle - Survived the Shuffle8:38 - Course 3: Ostrich Bananza: Free Climbing - Shuffling Ascent9:34 - Course 3: Ostrich Bananza: Free Climbing - Behind the Shuffle10:06 - Course 3: Ostrich Bananza: Free Climbing - Atop the Shuffle10:33 - Bonus: Surfing for Gold
1 day, 9 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Feast Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

1 day, 9 hours - This deep-fried theme park is one of the final levels in Donkey Kong Bananza. If you’re looking to find all the Battle Challenges, Challenge Courses, and Bonus Stage it’s hiding, then this video guide has you covered.0:00 - Battle 1: Bouncy Beatings0:53 - Battle 2: Wallapoid Warfare1:45 - Battle 3: Muck on Parade2:49 - Battle 4: Mine-Cart Muck3:46 - Battle 5: Labyrinth Lurkers4:34 - Battle 6: Ducking the Muck Wall5:08 - Course 1: Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash - Wrecked by Freestyle Bananzas / Fast-Paced Freestyle Bananzas6:30 - Course 1: Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash - Lost and Found Under the Building6:42 - Course 2: The Trap-Filled Towers - Through the Mauling Walls7:36 - Course 2: The Trap-Filled Towers - A Wall All Alone8:08 - Course 2: The Trap-Filled Towers - Falling Mauling Walls8:35 - Course 3: Branching-Track Roarcoaster - Roarcoaster Rest Stop10:01 - Course 3: Branching-Track Roarcoaster - Behind A Roaring Waterfall10:52 - Course 3: Branching-Track Roarcoaster - A Roaring Finish11:39 - Course 4: Steady Flow of Salt - A Secret Salty Snack12:27 - Course 4: Steady Flow of Salt - Slinging the Salt12:38 - Course 4: Steady Flow of Salt - Melting the Muck13:22 - Course 5: Waves of Walls - Resist the Tide of Walls14:30 - Course 5: Waves of Walls - Strike Back Against the Walls16:40 - Course 5: Waves of Walls - Bouncing Tall Off A Wall17:03 - Bonus: Bouncing for Gold
2 days, 8 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Groove Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

2 days, 8 hours - The Groove Layer is where Donkey Kong Bananza temporarily separates DK and Pauline, but the good news is, you can still take on the Battle Challenges and Challenge Course in this level all by yourself. This video guide will show you how.0:00 - Battle 1: Opposite Obliteration 1:16 - Battle 2: Cliff-Wall Ambush2:19 - Course: Quest for the Top - Destined for the Top3:24 - Course: Quest for the Top - Liftoff to the Top5:18 - Course: Quest for the Top - A Groovy Disco-very
2 days, 10 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Radiance Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

2 days, 10 hours - The snaking tunnels of the Radiance Layer are dark, which means there are lots of secrets to light up in this Donkey Kong Bananza stage. If you want to find every Battle Challenge, Challenge Course, and Bonus Stage hiding inside, we’ve got you covered with this video guide.0:00 - Battle 1: Some Light Smashing1:05 - Battle 2: Shining Through1:59 - Battle 3: Dive-Bombing Run2:56 - Battle 4: Shadow and Sunlight4:14 - Battle 5: Vaulting Virtuoso5:18 - Battle 6: Open the Window6:17 - Course 1: Snake Bananza: Charged Climb - Springing Off Sandy Steps7:10 - Course 1: Snake Bananza: Charged Climb - Sneaky Room Under the Sand7:20 - Course 1: Snake Bananza: Charged Climb - Swift and Shocking Ascent7:48 - Course 2: Dim Lights in the Darkness - Glowing Fruit in the Darkness9:08 - Course 2: Dim Lights in the Darkness - Sharp Eye for A Banana10:00 - Course 2: Dim Lights in the Darkness - Guided by Glowing Fruit10:21 - Course 3: Arcade Country - Hidden in the Girders11:35 - Course 3: Arcade Country - Jumpin’ Like Jumpman12:01 - Course 3: Arcade Country - Climbing to a High Score12:32 - Course 4: Surfing in Shadow - Shadow-Path Rest Stop13:43 - Course 4: Surfing in Shadow - Lit-Path Switchback14:24 - Course 4: Surfing in Shadow - Shadow-Path Finish Line15:29 - Course 5: Strong, Shady Clouds - Hidden in the Moving Wall16:23 - Course 5: Strong, Shady Clouds - Sticking to the Shadows16:33 - Course 5: Strong, Shady Clouds - Through Shadows and Thorns17:11 - Bonus: Blasting for Gold
2 days, 11 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza - Every Forest Layer Fossil Location | Rare and Legendary

2 days, 11 hours - Donkey Kong Bananza has three types of fossils to collect in every level, and we’re foraging through the forest to uncover them all! In this video we’ll be going over every fossil location in the Forest Layer. Whether you’re looking for the 10 rare fossils or the 61 common fossils, this guide will show you where to find them all so you can purchase and upgrade outfits for DK and Pauline!What You'll Find in This Video:Exact locations for all 10 Rare FossilsExact location for the Legendary FossilMap locations for all 72 fossils found in the Forest LayerTimestamps:0:00 Intro0:31 Common Fossils & All Fossil Map Locations2:42 Rare Fossil #13:05 Rare Fossil #23:27 Rare Fossil #33:49 Rare Fossil #44:12 Rare Fossil #54:41 Rare Fossil #65:02 Rare Fossil #75:27 Rare Fossil #85:53 Rare Fossil #96:35 Rare Fossil #107:03 Legendary Fossil
3 days, 9 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza - Every Freezer Layer Fossil Location | Rare and Legendary

3 days, 9 hours - Donkey Kong Bananza has three types of fossils to collect in every level, and we’re digging through the snow to uncover them all! In this video we’ll be going over every fossil location in the Freezer Layer. Whether you’re looking for the 10 rare fossils or the 61 common fossils, this guide will show you where to find them all so you can purchase and upgrade outfits for DK and Pauline!What You'll Find in This Video:Exact locations for all 10 Rare FossilsExact location for the Legendary FossilMap locations for all 72 fossils found in the Freezer LayerFor more on the individual common fossils of this layer, check out the wiki page: https://www.ign.com/wikis/donkey-kong-bananza/Freezer_Layer_Fossil_LocationsTimestamps:0:00 Intro0:31 Common Fossils & All Fossil Map Locations3:06 Rare Fossil #13:27 Rare Fossil #23:50 Rare Fossil #34:09 Rare Fossil #44:35 Rare Fossil #54:53 Rare Fossil #65:11 Rare Fossil #75:41 Rare Fossil #86:12 Rare Fossil #96:35 Rare Fossil #107:11 Legendary Fossil
3 days, 15 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: Hilltop Layer - All Banana Locations

3 days, 15 hours - Here’s the location of every banana (Banandium Gems) in the Hilltop Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza. A few of them you can only get after completing the game, so we’ll add those at the end after a spoiler warning.Timecodes:00:00 - Banana 1 - Bruised Peekabruiser00:16 - Banana 2 - Cave-Dwelling Treasure00:55 - Banana 6 - Battle - Dig, Dig, Dig on Down01:39 - Banana 7 - The Shifty Path under the Village02:12 - Banana 8 - A Shifty Path Forward02:54 - Banana 9 - An Out-of-the-Way Room03:21 - Banana 10 - Make-Your-Own Platforms04:00 - Banana 11 - Hilltop Fragmentone Recovery04:55 - Banana 12 - Hilltop Fragmentone Restoration05:46 - Banana 13 - Battle - Spike-Spout Scrap06:40 - Banana 14 - Hilltop Hide-and-Seek07:41 - Banana 15 - Hilltop Smashin Stats09:18 - Banana 16 - Bloomed in the Hilltop Layer09:53 - Banana 17 & 18 - Thorny-Hill Finish Line/Thorny-Hill Buzzer Beater11:18 - Banana 19 - Thorny-Hill Hideaway11:32 - Banana 20 - Shifty Smash - Break the Canopy12:09 - Banana 21 - Battle - Three-Tiered Tussle13:27 - Banana 22 - Peeled from Peel Peak14:00 - Banana 23 - The Skies over Peel Peak14:29 - Banana 24 - Bananas All the Way Down15:00 - Banana 25 - Shifty Smash - The Rotating Ring15:41 - Banana 26 - Against the Oncoming Tide16:34 - Banana 27 - Against the Winding Tide17:28 - Banana 28 - Amidst the Hidden Tide18:15 - Banana 29 - The Flying Banana18:32 - Banana 30 - Gold-Dipped Banana19:09 - Banana 31 - Hilltop Quiz Master20:08 - Banana 32 - Cranky's Hilltop Rant20:55 - Banana 33 - Shifty Smash - Downhill Run21:31 - Banana 34 - Tunneling Through the Pit23:23 - Banana 35 - Treasured Memories23:58- Banana 36 - Over the Valley24:41 - Banana 37 - Hijinxs in the Jungle25:17 - Banana 38 - Hilltop Chip ExchangePostgame Bananas25:41 - Banana 3 - The Hilltop Growtone26:03 - Banana 4 - The Hungry Hilltop Growtone26:15 - Banana 5 - The Sated Hilltop Growtone
4 days, 14 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Landfill Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

4 days, 14 hours - As you dig down through Donkey Kong Bananza’s Landfill Layer, you’ll encounter another group of Battle Challenges, Challenge Courses, and a Bonus Stage beneath the surface. Want to find them all? Then this video guide is for you.0:00 - Battle 1: Search and Destroy1:19 - Battle 2: Hundred-Harasser Horde2:04 - Battle 3: Explosive Excavation3:11 - Course 1: Mazy Cave: Pop Party - Mazy-Cave Balloons5:10 - Course 1: Mazy Cave: Pop Party - Mazy-Cave Hidden Room6:05 - Course 1: Mazy Cave: Pop Party - Mazy-Cave Buried Banana6:25 - Course 2: Elephant Bananza: City Smash - Wrecked by Elephant Bananza / Quickly with Elephant Bananza8:05 - Course 2: Elephant Bananza: City Smash - Sniffing Out a Secret8:16 - Course 3: Quick-Service Ice Treats - Delivery Complete / Speedy Delivery9:51 - Course 3: Quick-Service Ice Treats - Beneath the Bowl11:01 - Bonus: Quaking for Gold
4 days, 14 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: Lagoon Layer - All Banana Locations

4 days, 14 hours - Here’s the location of every banana (Banandium Gems) in the Lagoon Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza. A few of them you can only get after completing the game, so we’ll add those at the end after a spoiler warning.Timecodes:00:00:00 - Banana 1 - First Crockoid Cracked00:24:00 - Banana 2 - Cave by the Cape 00:44:00 - Banana 4 - Bathing Banana 01:13:00 - Banana 5 - Shifty Smash: Beyond the Wall 01:48:00 - Banana 6 - Battle: Stoney, Grassy Goons 02:37:00 - Banana 7 - A Nook behind Concrete 03:19:00 - Banana 8 - Battle: Both Sides of the Bridge 04:36:00 - Banana 9 - Smash through the Floor 05:05:00 - Banana 10 - Cranky's Lagoon Rant 06:06:00 - Banana 11 - A Real Mouthful 06:23:00 - Banana 12 - Rest Stop on Roof Road 07:12:00 - Banana 13 - Hidden on Roof Road 07:57:00 - Banana 14 - At the End of Roof Road 08:39:00 - Banana 15 - Lakeside Low Road 09:13:00 - Banana 16 - Battle - Swarms among the Pillars10:10:00 - Banana 17 - Follow the Voided Terrain11:07:00 - Banana 18 - Fishin' for Bananas11:32:00 - Banana 19 - Rise and Rinse11:55:00 - Banana 20 - Placed in a Pipe12:17:00 - Banana 21 - Shifty Smash - Atop the Pipes13:31:00 - Banana 22 - Battle - Wings and the Wobbly Disc14:22:00 - Banana 23 - Beyond the Cloudy Platforms14:44:00 - Banana 24 - Blasting for the Banana15:09:00 - Banana 26 - Landed in Salvager's Landing16:15:00 - Banana 27 - Shifty Smash - A Wall Hanging in Air17:05:00 - Banana 28 - On the Ceiling of the Floor18:17:00 - Banana 29 - Over the Thorny Path18:56:00 - Banana 30 - Into the Thorny Nook19:41:00 - Banana 31 - Through the Thorny Walls20:10:00 - Banana 32 - The Salvager's Stash20:38:00 - Banana 33 - Battle - Concrete-Wall Clash21:30:00 - Banana 34 - Up, Over, and Across21:46:00 - Banana 35 - Within the Fast Growing Grass22:17:00 - Banana 36 - Hanging on the Orangu-Hang Highway22:51:00 - Banana 37 - Concrete Wall on the Moving Floor24:44:00 - Banana 38 - Outskirts of the Fishing Village25:53:00 - Banana 39 - Crossed to the Kong Elder's Court26:12:00 - Banana 40 - The Ship Stern's Snack27:28:00 - Banana 51 - Dipped into Chimpy Channel28:05:00 - Banana 52 - Pop and Destroy29:52:00 - Banana 53 - Atop the Concrete Roof30:15:00 - Banana 54 - Hung from the Ceiling30:49:00 - Banana 55 - Shipwrecked TreasurePostgame Bananas31:31:00 - Banana 3 - Lagoon Smashin’ Stats32:13:00 - Banana 25 - Lagoon Chip Exchange32:34:00 - Banana 56 - Lagoon Hide-and-Seek34:01:00 - Banana 41 - Past the First Scrappin’ Ground37:02:00 - Banana 42 - Lure and Destroy!37:45:00 - Banana 43 - Past the Second Scrappin’ Ground40:07:00 - Banana 44 - Lift and Destroy!41:31:00 - Banana 45 - Past the Third Scrappin’ Ground43:57:00 - Banana 46 - Wallop and Destroy!44:54:00 - Banana 47 - Past the Fourth Scrappin’ Ground46:56:00 - Banana 48 - Launch and Destroy!47:37:00 - Banana 49 - Bounce and Destroy!49:45:00 - Banana 50 - Past the Fifth Scrappin’ Ground
5 days, 11 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Racing Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

5 days, 11 hours - Donkey Kong Bananza’s Racing Layer is a short stop on your way to the Planet Core, but it’s a memorable one. In between rhino races, you can find an assortment of Battle Challenges and a Challenge Course to test your skills in other ways. This guide will show you where to find them and how to beat them too.0:00 - Battle 1: Jumping Jukes0:40 - Battle 2: Turf Surf Trampling1:46 - Course: Zebra Bananza: Liftoff Lope -Liftoff-Lope Finish Line / Liftoff-Lope Buzzer Beater3:03 - Course: Zebra Bananza: Liftoff Lope - Tower at the Finish Line
5 days, 11 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Tempest Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

5 days, 11 hours - The Tempest Layer is a rainy, rocky place in Donkey Kong Bananza, but even this storm center has a set of Battle Challenges, Challenge Courses, and a Bonus Stage to conquer. Follow this video guide to find them all!0:00 - Battle 1: Revolving-Ring Rumble0:57 - Battle 2: Iron-Inferno Imbroglio1:49 - Battle 3: Elevator Encounter2:51 - Battle 4: Ground-Gulping Glory3:35 - Battle 5: Strike Like Lightning4:30 - Battle 6: Zip-Line Zones5:22 - Course 1: Liftoff Labyrinth - Rocketing Over Lava6:21 - Course 1: Liftoff Labyrinth - Lurking Behind Lava6:53 - Course 1: Liftoff Labyrinth - Rocketing Through Lava7:16 - Course 2: Elephant Bananza: Heating Up - Piping-Hot Platforms8:36 - Course 2: Elephant Bananza: Heating Up - A Scalding Secret9:27 - Course 2: Elephant Bananza: Heating Up - Roasting While Rotating9:52 - Course 3: Zip-Line Valley - A View of Zip-Line Valley10:37 - Course 3: Zip-Line Valley - Zipping Through the Valley11:13 - Course 3: Zip-Line Valley - Zips, Hops, and Swaps12:12 - Course 4: Hot-Lava Hotfoot - Crossing the Lava Road13:01 - Course 4: Hot-Lava Hotfoot - Atop the Lava Road13:20 - Course 4: Hot-Lava Hotfoot - End of the Lava Road13:30 - Course 5: Sharpshooter Scramble - Slip By the Snipers14:24 - Course 5: Sharpshooter Scramble - Sniper-Free Safe Spot15:24 - Course 5: Sharpshooter Scramble - Scramble Through the Snipers16:09 - Bonus: Smashing for Gold
5 days, 11 hours

Donkey Kong Bananza: All Resort Layer Challenge Rooms | Locations and Solutions

5 days, 11 hours - Donkey Kong Bananza’s Resort Layer is a pretty chill place, but it still has its challenges. In fact, it has its own set of Battle Challenges, Challenge Courses, and a Bonus Stage to locate and clear. This video will guide you through all of them.0:00 - Battle 1: Pulverizer’s Path0:47 - Battle 2: Aerial Aiming1:31 - Battle 3: Baited to a Bruising2:38 - Course 1: Mine Cart Country - A Daring Drop3:37 - Course 1: Mine Cart Country - Rail-Ride Rest Stop3:49 - Course 1: Mine Cart Country - End of the Line4:22 - Course 2: Switch-Lane Skyway - Changing Lanes5:19 - Course 2: Switch-Lane Skyway - Clearing the Lanes6:28 - Course 2: Switch-Lane Skyway - Pause for the Underpass7:00 - Course 3: Ice-Swerve Switcheroo - Shaved-Ice Trainee9:12 - Course 3: Ice-Swerve Switcheroo - Shaved-Ice Artisan10:32 - Course 3: Ice-Swerve Switcheroo - Shaved-Ice Master12:34 - Bonus: Surfing for Gold
1 week, 1 day

Donkey Kong Bananza - Every Transformation and Skill Tree

1 week, 1 day - SPOILERS IN TIMECODES!One of the big gameplay features of Donkey Kong Bananza is the unlockable transformations. This video shows where you'll get each one, as well as a quick demonstration of how they're used, and a quick look at each skill tree.Timecodes0:00 - Kong Bananza1:46 - Kong Bananza Skill Tree2:11 - Zebra Bananza3:31 - Zebra Bananza Skill Tree3:50 - Ostrich Bananza4:51 - Ostrich Bananza Skill Tree5:03 - Elephant Bananza6:51 - Elephant Bananza Skill Tree7:08 - Snake Bananza8:46 - Snake Bananza Skill Tree
1 week, 2 days

Donkey Kong Bananza - Every Canyon Layer Fossil Location | Rare and Legendary

1 week, 2 days - Donkey Kong Bananza has three types of fossils to collect in every level, and we’re digging deeper to uncover them all! In this video we’ll be going over every fossil location in the Canyon Layer. Whether you’re looking for the 10 rare fossils or the 61 common fossils, this guide will show you where to find them all so you can purchase and upgrade outfits for DK and Pauline!What You'll Find in This Video:Exact locations for all 10 Rare FossilsExact location for the Legendary FossilMap locations for all 72 fossils found in the Canyon LayerTimestamps:0:00 Intro0:31 Common Fossils & All Fossil Map Locations2:50 Rare Fossil #13:03 Rare Fossil #23:19 Rare Fossil #33:39 Rare Fossil #43:59 Rare Fossil #54:15 Rare Fossil #64:30 Rare Fossil #74:46 Rare Fossil #85:09 Rare Fossil #95:25 Rare Fossil #105:40 Legendary Fossil
1 week, 3 days

Donkey Kong Bananza Post-Game Guide: Endgame, NG+, and World Changes

1 week, 3 days - You rolled credits in Donkey Kong Bananza – but the real adventure is just getting started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything the postgame has to offer without spoiling the surprises. From secret story content and the elusive Bananza Rehearsals to massive gold sinks and that one mysterious final platforming gauntlet – there’s still so much left to explore. Whether you're chasing every last Banandium Gem or just looking for more DK mayhem, we’ve got you covered.This video breaks down Donkey Kong Bananza’s endgame content, including how to unlock Bananza Rehearsals, how to activate Boss Rush and Battle Challenges, the return of Ingot Isle, and how to earn all those save file stars. We’ll also explain world changes after the credits, what’s different in Ingot Isle, and how to 100% complete the game.00:00 - Intro00:44 - Is There a New Game Plus?01:07 - Can You Play After the Credits?01:29 - Is There a World-State Change?02:16 - What Is There to Do?