To reach elevated platforms or hidden Banandium Gems in Donkey Kong Bananza, you’ll need to master the Jump Shot—also known as the Chunk Jump. This technique lets Donkey Kong perform a double jump by throwing a chunk beneath him midair, and with the right timing, it can even be extended into a powerful triple jump. This guide explains how to unlock and use the Jump Shot effectively, along with tips to maximize its vertical and horizontal potential.
What Is the Jump Shot in Donkey Kong Bananza?
The Jump Shot is a traversal skill that allows Donkey Kong to perform a double jump using a chunk of terrain. This ability is vital for climbing to elevated platforms and grabbing tricky collectibles throughout the layers.
It also works as an aerial attack when upgraded, causing the thrown chunk to deal impact damage to enemies or breakable terrain below.
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How to Unlock the Jump Shot Skill
Before you can use Jump Shot, you must unlock it from the Skills Menu:
- Skill Name: Jump Shot
- Skill Cost: 1 Skill Point
- Effect: Pressing A, then A again while holding a chunk causes DK to throw the chunk downward and launch upward.
Skill points are earned by collecting Banandium Gems—one point for every five gems.
Banandium Gems are hidden across different layers and challenge ruins. You can use the Better Sonar skill to detect them from farther away.
How to Perform a Jump Shot (Double Jump)
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the Jump Shot:
- Tear Off Terrain: Hold ZR to tear a chunk of terrain from the ground. DK will hold it above his head.
- Jump: Press A to perform your initial jump.
- Double Jump: While in mid-air and still holding the chunk, press A again. DK will throw the chunk down and be propelled upward.
This action increases your vertical height and works as a reliable double jump mechanic.
Note: The chunk must be held before jumping—attempting a second jump without holding a chunk will not trigger the Jump Shot.
Advanced Chunk Jump (Jump Shot) Tips
Triple Jump Combo: Chunk Jump + Turf Surf
You can combine Jump Shot with Turf Surfing to pull off an advanced triple jump:
- Start a Turf Surf: Press ZL while holding a chunk to surf over terrain.
- Cancel the Turf Surf in Midair.
- Quickly Jump (A) and then Jump Again (A) to launch higher.
This triple jump technique provides massive horizontal and vertical mobility, perfect for crossing large gaps and reaching layered platforms.
Turf Surfing can be further enhanced with the ‘Better Turf Surfing’ skill, which slows the rate at which your surf chunk wears down.
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You can also chain Jump Shot and Turf Surf to escape enemy attacks or bypass environmental hazards like spikes or water.
Other Tricks to Jump Higher
If you’re trying to reach extremely tall places, here are additional tips:
- Use Chunks as Platforms: After tearing a chunk (ZR), press R to place it on the ground. Jump from the placed chunk to get extra height.
- Stack Chunks: Stack two or more terrain chunks, climb up, and perform a Jump Shot from the top. This trick lets you leap unusually high, especially useful for reaching Banandium Gems in zones like Nostalgia Country and Thorny Hill Speed Surf.
Tip: Use the ‘Better Collecting’ skill to make DK’s hand slap range wider—this helps when clearing space to place chunks or collect nearby resources
Upgrade Effects of Jump Shot
Once unlocked, the Jump Shot skill can be upgraded:
- Impact Bonus: When you throw the chunk beneath DK during the second jump, it now damages enemies below on impact.
This can be tactically used during vertical combat situations or to clear destructible ground under DK. Some environmental puzzles and challenge rooms even require you to use Jump Shot to hit floor switches from above.
When to Use Jump Shot in Gameplay
- Reaching collectibles hidden on high ledges
- Navigating vertical ruins or cliffside gaps
- Escaping enemy zones quickly with height
- Engaging enemies from above with chunk impact
- Accessing certain secret paths and Banandium Gem areas that are unreachable via normal jumping
- Comboing into aerial enemies or as a finisher to hit multi-level targets
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Related Skills to Enhance Jump Shot Usage
- Better Turf Surfing – Slows terrain decay while surfing, ideal for setting up triple jumps
- Surf Surf – Lets you skim water while holding a chunk
- Spin Jump – Adds a spinning aerial attack, great for midair enemies
- Charge Slap – Clears surrounding debris, useful before setting up chunk jumps
- Drumbeat – Reduces Bananza activation delay, allowing you to switch forms faster mid-puzzle
- Better Sonar – Helps locate nearby terrain chunks or collectible items before initiating jump setups
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Mastering the Jump Shot takes a bit of timing but pays off big in exploration. Always keep a chunk nearby when exploring vertical zones, and experiment with combining jump styles to reach even the trickiest Banandium Gems.
Practice timing the second press of ‘A’ at the peak of your jump to maximize vertical distance. Rushing it may reduce your launch height.
In challenge ruins, plan your chunk route carefully—terrain is limited and missing a chunk throw could prevent retrying without restarting.
Quick Jump Shot Commands
| Action | Input |
|---|---|
| Tear Chunk | Hold ZR |
| Jump with Chunk | A |
| Jump Shot (Double Jump) | Press A again while midair with chunk |
| Place Chunk | Press R |
| Start Turf Surf | ZL (while holding a chunk) |
Whether you’re trying to complete every collectible set or simply reach new areas faster, the Jump Shot is a must-have move for every Donkey Kong Bananza player- Play Now!
