Donkey Kong Bananza is out in roughly a month, and if you’re still not sold on DK’s platforming antics, the latest Direct may help. Alongside confirmation of Pauline and the reveal of the Void Company, the main antagonist, it also delved into some of the optional activities.
As noted previously, Banadium Gems are one of the more essential collectibles. They’ll grant skill points to improve stats like improved punching damage or even strengthening your Sonar to detect treasure from farther away. You can even learn new skills, like Surf Surf for boosting while surfing on chunks.
Banadium Gems are hidden throughout the world, and while you might come across them by smashing through environments, you can also obtain them in Challenge Course Ruins. These offer challenges like time-limited battles, side-scrolling stages, destroying statues while riding a mine cart, avoiding lasers and more.
Alternatively, you can collect Banadium Chips and exchange them for Gems. Gold is also exchangeable for items, including the iconic Red Balloon to recover after falling into a bottomless pit. Then there are Fossils to trade for unique outfits for Pauline and Donkey Kong, which also confer unique bonuses. The Cyan Lagoon Vest expands your Sonar range by 20 percent, while the Swimmin’ Britches improve swimming speed by 15 percent.
Treasure Maps help locate Gems and Fossils and are ideal for checking how many collectibles remain. Other notable options include the ability to change Donkey Kong’s fur color, build gateways for resting and listening to music (with enemies dropping new tracks upon defeat), and Photo Mode. And if you ever want to return to previous layers, the Subterranean Eels are at your service.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches on July 17th for Nintendo Switch 2 at $69.99.
