Donkey Kong Bananza is a lively 3D adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2, launched on July 17, 2025. In the Racing Layer (SL1100), the twelfth area, you’ll race through a speedy zone with Diddy and Dixie Kong. This guide shows you how to quickly find all 10 Banandium Gems (bananas) in the Racing Layer. Let’s grab those bananas fast!
What Are Banandium Gems?
Banandium Gems are shiny bananas that give Donkey Kong points to upgrade his skills, like running faster or hitting harder. You don’t need them to finish the story, but collecting all 10 in the Racing Layer helps you get stronger. Each gem is worth one point, and some are in bunches worth 3 points. Some are easy to find, while others hide in challenges or secret spots.
About the Racing Layer
The Racing Layer is a small, fast-paced area focused on racing and action. You’ll meet Diddy and Dixie Kong, see a podium, and find shops and challenge courses. The 10 Banandium Gems are scattered across the main area and special challenges. Some need Bananza powers like Zebra Bananza (unlocked in Freezer Layer) or Ostrich Bananza (unlocked after the main story).
Where to Find All 10 Bananas
Here’s the fastest way to collect every Banandium Gem in the Racing Layer (SL1100). Follow these steps to nab them all.
- Starting Point Banana (1 Point)
- Where: Right where you land when you enter the Racing Layer.
- How to Get It: As you drop into the layer, spot the glowing banana on the ground. Punch it with the Y button to collect it.
- Tip: It’s super easy to grab—just punch it as you start.
- Rambi’s Shop Cave Banana (1 Point)
- Where: In a cave behind Rambi the Rhino’s shop.
- How to Get It: From the entrance, go to the cliff base where shops are. Find Rambi’s shop and punch the glass wall to enter a cave. The banana is on the ground inside—punch it with Y to collect.
- Tip: Use Kong Bananza (L button when Bananergy is full) to break the glass quickly.
- Stompoid Battle Challenge (1 Point)
- Where: In a Battle Challenge below the entrance.
- How to Get It: Drop down from the starting girders and find a circular Battle Challenge door. Enter and beat three Stompoid enemies in 30 seconds. Use Kong Bananza to smash their stone armor, then punch their gold forms to get the banana.
- Tip: Build Bananergy before entering to finish faster.
- Diddy and Dixie’s Rowdy Race (3 Points)
- Where: On the main racing track with Diddy and Dixie Kong.
- How to Get It: Join the Rowdy Race on the track. Use Zebra Bananza to sprint and jump across gaps, beating Diddy and Dixie to win a bunch of three bananas.
- Tip: Upgrade to Better Turf Surfing in the Skill Tree for extra speed.
- Quiztone’s Quiz Banana (1 Point)
- Where: Near the Antickoid x15 Battle Ruins, close to the race track.
- How to Get It: Find Quiztone near the ruins and answer three easy game questions (like “Who is Donkey Kong’s friend?” Answer: Pauline). Get all three right to earn the banana.
- Tip: The questions are simple if you’ve played the story—just answer quickly.
- Liftoff Lope Challenge Banana (1 Point)
- Where: At the end of the Zebra Bananza: Liftoff Lope Challenge Ruins.
- How to Get It: Enter the triangular door behind the check-in desk. Use Zebra Bananza to run and jump through the obstacle course. Finish with at least 20 seconds left to grab the banana at the end.
- Tip: Practice Zebra Bananza’s jumps to clear gaps smoothly.
- Floating Island Banana (1 Point)
- Where: On a floating island left of the Rumble Reception area.
- How to Get It: Use Ostrich Bananza (available after the main story) to glide from the trophy podium’s top to the island. Punch the banana with Y. Without Ostrich Bananza, use a chunk jump (hold ZR to grab a chunk, press A, then A mid-air) from a high platform.
- Tip: Come back after beating the story for easier access with Ostrich Bananza.
- Cranky Kong’s Lair Banana (1 Point)
- Where: In a secret lair behind a glowing triangle wall near the podium.
- How to Get It: Drop below the podium and find a monkey looking at a glowing triangle on a wall. Punch above it to open Cranky Kong’s lair. Punch the banana inside to collect it.
- Tip: Use Kong Bananza for a strong punch to break the wall fast.
- Antickoid Battle Ruins Banana (1 Point)
- Where: In the Antickoid x15 Battle Ruins inside the cave near Rambi’s shop.
- How to Get It: In the cave from Banana 2, find the Antickoid x15 Battle Ruins on the left. Enter and defeat 15 Antickoid enemies within the time limit. Use Kong Bananza to clear them quickly, and the banana appears at the end.
- Tip: Keep moving to avoid getting cornered by Antickoids.
- Rumble Reception Roof Banana (1 Point)
- Where: On top of the Rumble Reception building.
- How to Get It: Climb the cliff near the Rumble Reception by jumping and grabbing walls with A. At the top, use a chunk jump (hold ZR, press A, then A mid-air) to reach the roof. Punch the banana with Y to collect it.
- Tip: Grab a nearby rock for the chunk jump if you can’t reach the roof.
Quick Tips for Finding Bananas
- Boost Your Skills: Use 5 Banandium Gems to unlock Better Turf Surfing and Better Sonar in the Skill Tree. These help you move faster and find bananas easier in the Racing Layer’s speedy setup.
- Use Bananza Powers: Kong Bananza (from Lagoon Layer) and Zebra Bananza (from Freezer Layer) speed up battles and challenges. Ostrich Bananza (post-story) makes Banana 7 easier.
- Check Your Progress: Look at the Collection Menu to track your 10 bananas. Some may need post-story skills to show up.
- Return Easily: Use the Warp Gong near the Rumble Reception to come back if you miss a banana.
- Get Gold: Punch ore veins for Gold to buy Banandium Gem Maps at the Stuff Shop (1,000 Gold). Maps show one banana’s location.
Why Collect These Bananas?
The 10 Banandium Gems (including a bunch of 3) give points to unlock Skill Points (5 Gems = 1 Skill Point). These make Donkey Kong stronger, faster, or better at Bananza powers, helping with tough layers like the Planet Core. The Racing Layer is quick to explore, so it’s a great spot to boost your skills early.