Blasting through the dirt in Donkey Kong Bananza can be great fun. But you will improve your gaming immensely with effective terrain management and resource utilisation! Follow this complete guide that will help you dig smarter, fight better and build your way to victory.
Terrain Management Basics
Lost underground? No worries! It’s easy to dig yourself into trouble when the majority of surfaces can be destroyed (everything except the “bedrock”). While looking at the map, hit the + button to instantly refresh the terrain.
This reset button does not just reset your navigation; it also does a great job of regenerating gold deposits, giving you a new resource for your treasure chests.
Know Your Environment
Different terrain types behave uniquely across layers. For quick intel, grab a sample using the ZR controll, then hold the button to aim. This method shows both the type of terrain and its toughness level. When you see no toughness, you are likely against bedrock that is indestructible.
Combat Tactics
When dealing with tough enemies, especially the ones where shells are armored, use terrain chunks as ammo. You can deal more damage than normal when on most surfaces. Moreover, the surfaces give a tactical advantage against the skeletal enemy and other tough enemies.
Currency and Collectibles Guide
There are several currencies to collect in Donkey Kong Bananza.
- Banandium Gems (Bananas): unlock skill points. Special bunches award multiple points toward your next Skill Point and are earned through story progression. While countless bananas hide in every layer, they aren’t mandatory for advancement.
- Fossils: purchase layer-specific outfits. Larger layers contain three fossil types, while smaller areas have only one type for cosmetic fur dyes. These outfits can be upgraded and provide valuable bonuses worth pursuing.
- Gold: buys items, maps and more at the Stuff Shop (available from the Hilltop Layer onwards). Certain crystal-like NPCs also accept gold in exchange for constructions like getaways and blast barrels.
- Banandium Chips: found in the earth, chests, or boxes can be traded for Banandium Gems at Chip Exchange shops. Note that exchange rates increase with volume, and chips only count toward one collectible marker per layer.
Exploration Rewards
Results will start to show after continuous digging. Gold and Banandium Gems are found almost everywhere, while the treasure chests include gold piles and rewards like Balloons, Apple Juice, and treasure maps leading to Fossils.
Strategic Getaway Building
Beginning with Canyon Layer, you will see NPCs that look like houses that will offer to build getaway homes. As you establish yourself further in a layer, you gain additional benefits including extra hearts when sleeping, access to shops, and new fast travel points that help to navigate the map more easily.
Maximise Your Bananza Potential
Don’t hesitate to activate Bananza mode whenever possible. The tunnelling and combat speed is increased by a power boost, which only takes a small amount of gold to fill.
Skill Point Strategy
Resist the urge to spend Skill Points immediately. It is often better to wait and save for big upgrades, particularly when close to a new layer with a new Bananza to unlock. Stockpile points can instantly boost your new abilities when obtained.
Creative Combat Approaches
Smaller enemies make excellent improvised projectiles. As they charge, hold your ground, land a hit, and send them flying into the other foes. The terrain they impact often clears paths forward.
Fast travel provides an easy solution when stuck. Just warp to any checkpoint or built escape to continue.
Investment Protection
Purchase Balloons regularly! Dying in Bananza costs 10% of your gold (maximum 500). To prepare for Banandium Gem missions, items, travels and more, you will spend lots of money. Thus, it would be a good money move to buy plenty of balloons from each layer’s Stuff Shop.
You will be lifted safely to your last platform by a balloon if you fall from a ledge – whether at the edge of a layer or in a challenge room – allowing you to attempt riskier manoeuvres without any cash loss.
Movement Mastery
You get a free jump in mid-air when you roll off a ledge (similar to classic Donkey Kong Country). By chaining roll-jump-roll combinations, cover impressive distances. This is similar to the second jump after bouncing off Cappy.