The 10 HARDEST Challenges in Donkey Kong Bananza

The 10 Hardest Challenges in Donkey Kong Bananza

Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza isnt that hard of a game. But if players really want to test themselves, it has more than enough areas to do so. Welcome to MojoPlays, and today were looking at the hardest challenges in DKs latest adventure. We arent discussing the story, but if you want to remain free of any spoilers, best turn back now.

Bramble Country

In the Forest Layer, you can find one of several challenges themed after an area of a past game. Bramble Country may not be quite as hard as the level that inspired it, but its still the hardest of these retro stages. Much of the level is unsafe, surrounded by thorny vines. And youll mostly use barrel cannons to get around. This can make exploration difficult, if youre trying to find all the Banandium Gems, since deadly obstacles and enemies are just waiting for you to slip up. I also once got stuck in between a moving platform and one of the brambles, which brought me instant death. Needless to say, youll need to watch your step here.

Surfing in Shadow

In the Radiance Layer, were introduced to enemies who alter what material theyre made of in shadow versus light. This leads to a pretty frustrating challenge called Surfing in Shadow. DK must lure Scorpions into the light so that their bodies turn to sand. He can then take their core, turn it back into the indestructible material in shadow, and surf across the bramble paths while avoiding moving patches of light. Naturally, if your makeshift surfboard turns back to sand, youre gonna have a bad time. Its especially hard when you have to reach the hidden Banandium Gem, done by actually staying inside the small, moving patches of light. Or towards the end when moving paths are introduced. Itll take a lot of lives to get through.

Switch Lane Skyway

Youll find this challenge in the Resort Layer, and its one where its really easy to fall and have to start sections over. At the beginning, DK must switch between two paths as they move along; one made of ice and one that can bounce him up high. There are unbreakable walls and bramble pillars in your way, combining with hindered movement to trip you up. After the first Banandium Gem, the ice path switches to explosive rock. Youd think that would make it easier to move around. But you rip off chunks to destroy obstacles. And if you arent precise in your aim, hard since you have to act quickly, you can end up exploding the very ground youre standing onwhich happened to me several times.

Snake Elders Rehearsal Hall

In the post-game, you can complete obstacle courses for each of the Elder animals. While the Kong and Zebra ones arent too bad, just long, the others will definitely test you. The Snake Elders Rehearsal Hall consists of a lot of vertical scaling, with a ton of hazards making it hard to do so. Enemies that try to destroy the ground youre standing on, hazardous terrain you either have to move around or avoid as its moving towards you. Specifically, DK is going to get electrocuted A LOT. Also, the levels design can, and will, lead to a lot of falls. So it can be hard to stay calm, especially when trying to find all of the hidden collectables.

Crossing Through Crosshairs

Found in The Junction, this challenge is a perfect recipe for panic. In it, DK rides on stone platforms while cannons constantly fire on him. Unfortunately, these cannons are one of the few things in the game that cant be destroyed. Even more unfortunate, the platforms youre riding on absolutely can be. Even if you dodge the blasts, youre left with less space to maneuver in. This is particularly stressful when the platforms grow smaller and the cannons closer together. The hidden Banandium Gem lost me plenty of balloons, lying behind a wall you must either destroy with the Kong Bananza or get the cannons to fire at. Its really easy to lose your cool, and then make lots of mistakes.

Ostrich Elders Rehearsal Hall

Like I said, these Rehearsal Hall challenges can be pretty tricky. As you might expect, the Ostrich one focuses heavily on flying. In several sections, you dont have time to plan your path, since youre already in the air. And most of the time, there will be some dangerous obstacle attempting to knock you out of the air, like massive spiked pillars or giant rings made of molten rock. Other times, youll have to precariously bounce, whether it be over electrified floors or an abyss. Clearly, that means youll be attempting these sections over and over, as it can take a lot of practice to line up your flight paths. And its one of the Rehearsal Halls that will likely take you the longest.

Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash

Across the game, youll find challenges that task you with destroying most of a building as one of your Bananza forms in 60 seconds, or 40 if you want an extra Banandium Gem. I thought they were pretty toughand then I learned about a harder version in the Feast Layer. In Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash, youre given the option to swap between forms. But figuring out which one is best suited for which area is what makes it tough. Naturally, this comes with a lot of trial and error. And even when you complete it within 60 seconds, that doesnt mean that strategy will also work for making it under 40. You have to be perfect to get that second gem, and it can be infuriating to constantly lose until you figure it out.

Elephant Elder's Rehearsal Hall

Of the five Elder Rehearsal Halls, the Elephant one is probably the hardest. While this Bananza form can make challenges that involve destroying terrain a breeze, this level is more designed around the Elephants other ability: producing balls of the terrain you suck up. Theres more of a puzzle solving aspect in this one than in any of the others. You have to use the right terrain for different scenarios, including traversal and when dealing with enemies. And in some cases, you have to change the terrain of different platforms by hitting harps at certain points. You also have to be careful not to run out of material, or else youll regret it. Its a series of severe brain teasers.

Bunch of Battles

Another post-game challenge comes in Ingot Isle, where you can unlock a rush of combat encounters. Ordinarily, any of these individual fights should be no problem for you. But when theyre all strung together, with each one getting a time limit, it can be a pretty hefty challenge. There are 13 fights in total. And although there are two recovery floors to refill health and your banana meter, that isnt really the issue. If you mess up, and run out of time on any fight, you have to start the whole thing over. And thats what makes it a hassle. You unlock another challenge after this one, a rush of five bosses. But with recovery floors in between each fight and no time limits, its definitely easier than this one.

Great Harmoneel's Windpipe

To unlock this secret final level, you must first have completed each of the Elders Rehearsal Hall challenges. Obviously, that means itll be pretty hard. It starts off with Ostrich DK gliding through a tunnel of thorny vines giving him VERY little room to avoid them. And it doesnt get any easier. This level is meant to test how well you can exploit DKs movement mechanics, as well as how good you are at avoiding damage. There is an abundance of well-placed hazards and enemies that can easily demolish you. So, if you dont come stacked with as many balloons and apple juices as you can, youll be sorry. But it will feel all the sweeter when you finally conquer it.

What do you think is the hardest challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza? Share your thoughts in the comments!