Written by Andrew Hammel | Donkey Kong Bananza

Start strong in Donkey Kong Bananza with tips that actually matter. These mechanics, tricks, and systems will save gold, boost power, and help you reach the core with every chunk and punch.

Loot Ingot Isle Before You Leave

You can't return to Ingot Isle until after the credits. Mine every gold node now. A full clear nets around 5,000 gold, which is enough for early shop items, balloons, and skill point investments.

Get the Treasure Tie First

The Treasure Tie boosts treasure chest spawn rates by up to 30 percent at Level 3. Even at Level 1, it’s one of the best early game tools. Chests can contain gold, items, or maps that reveal Fossils and Banandium Gems.

Upgrade it, then go full Bananza in rocky layers for a steady stream of treasure.

Smash for Smashin’ Stats

Every piece of terrain you break adds to your Smashin’ Stats. These unlock bonus gold payouts and extra Banandium Gems. Open the Collection tab in your map to see your progress, then talk to the layer’s Smashintone when it's full.

Use ZR to Read the Terrain

Hold ZR while aiming with a chunk to check terrain strength. Stars mean it's breakable. No stars means it's bedrock. This helps avoid wasting Bananza meter on terrain you can’t destroy.

Chunks Beat Fists in Fights

Pick up terrain or stunned enemies and throw them. Chunks deal more damage than regular attacks, especially against armored foes. You can also use enemies as weapons by punching them into each other.

Build Every Getaway

Getaways give fast travel, bonus hearts, wardrobes, and shops. Build more to unlock permanent amenities like the concierge, who combines all three shop types into one. You’ll find them starting in Canyon Layer and beyond.

Buy Balloons in Bulk

Red Balloons save your life when you fall. Without one, DK loses 10 percent of his gold, up to 500. Balloons cost just 40 gold each and can be bought in stacks of 10. May wanna keep some on hand.

Roll Jump Like a Pro

After rolling off a ledge, press jump to extend your leap. You can chain roll-jumps with double jumps or chunk throws to reach challenge rooms and hidden ledges. This stacks with abilities like Turf Surf and Jump Shot.

Invest in Bananergy and Punch Power

Bananergy extends the duration of all Bananza forms. Punch Power reduces how many hits it takes to break through terrain. These two upgrades are essential for smoother traversal and combat.

Upgrade Kong Bananza Early

The Kong form is your strongest all-purpose transformation. Fully upgrading Charge Punch lets you destroy terrain and enemies from a distance. It’s useful in nearly every layer and worth prioritizing.

Fast Travel from Anywhere

Hold minus to open the map, then press fast travel to instantly warp to any unlocked checkpoint, getaway, or tuning fork. If you’re stuck, don’t restart; just teleport out.

Save Your Skill Points

When entering a new area with a Bananza Elder, hold off on spending skill points. You’ll unlock a new transformation that needs investment. Save at least 10 to 12 points ahead of time.

Rope Winches and Constructones Are Free Progress

Rope winches act as one-way shortcuts and just need a slap to activate. Constructones cost a little gold but unlock cannon routes or bridges that save time. Always trigger both when you find them.

You Can Respec at Any Elder

Talk to any Elder after unlocking their Bananza and you can refund all your skill points for free. This lets you respec to fit the current challenge without wasting resources.

Change Outfits for Hazards

Most outfits give perks tied to a hazard or Bananza form. Some reduce damage from poison or lava, others buff transformation abilities. Buy what you can from each Style Shop, then switch them at any getaway.

Final Blurb

Donkey Kong Bananza’s early hours are packed with systems that reward planning. These tips help you cut through the dirt faster, survive longer, and make every resource count. Focus on upgrades that impact traversal and combat first, then layer in situational perks.