Donkey Kong Bananza is the first game in the series to feature Skill Points and a full Skill Tree, allowing players to unlock powerful abilities and stat upgrades by collecting Banandium Gems. As you explore deeper layers and unlock new transformations, the Skill Tree becomes essential for improving combat, traversal, and survival. This guide covers how to open the Skill Tree, how to earn Skill Points, and which upgrades to focus on first.
How To Open the Skill Tree Menu
The Skill Tree automatically appears each time you earn a Skill Point. But if you want to access it manually:
- Press Up on the Left Joy-Con D-Pad to open the Skill Tree.
- Press R while in the Skill Tree to open the Status screen, where you can see DK’s clothing and any bonuses applied.
Clothing can enhance stats like Bananergy duration or sonar range, so checking this often is a good idea.
See also: Get the Last Banana in Bramble Country – Donkey Kong Bananza
How To Earn Skill Points
You earn Skill Points by collecting Banandium Gems, which are found across each layer:
- Every 5 Banandium Gems grants 1 Skill Point.
- Some rare “super” Gems from boss fights may give more.
- Use Hand Slam (R button) to detect hidden Banandium Gems, fossils, and puzzle entrances.
A five-banana progress bar appears under the gem location name to track your next Skill Point.
Banandium Gems can appear in hidden puzzle rooms, buried terrain, destructible blocks, and layer transitions, so always explore thoroughly.
How To Respec Skill Points
To reset your skills and redistribute points:
- Find and speak to an Elder, located in key layers like Freezer, Forest, Tempest, and Radiance.
- Choosing to respec refunds all your Skill Points for free redistribution.
It’s smart to save some points before unlocking a new Bananza transformation, so you can power up its skill branch right away.
Skill Tree Breakdown
The Skill Tree is divided into two sections:
See also: Donkey Kong Bananza Beginner Tips and Tricks Guide
Base Skills (Always Active)
These upgrades apply in every form and throughout all gameplay:
- Health – Increases DK’s max hearts (up to 10).
- Punch Power – Reduces punches needed to break stronger terrain.
- Bananergy – Extends transformation durations.
- Apple/Melon Juice – Increases healing capacity.
- Better Sonar – Expands Hand Slam sonar range to detect items and challenge rooms.
- Better Collecting – Increases DK’s pickup range.
- Charge Slap, Jump Shot, Spin Jump – Add vertical movement and terrain-clearing tricks.
- Better Turf Surfing & Surf Surf – Enhance land and water movement using terrain chunks.
Some skills, like Health, have up to 7 upgrade levels.
Bananza Transformation Skills
Each transformation unlocks a new skill branch:
- Kong Bananza: Charge Punch, Fast Charge, Kong Armor, Golden Punch (turns terrain into gold).
- Zebra Bananza: Charge Dash, Brake Blast, Spin Slam, Spin Shot.
- Ostrich Bananza: Glide, Better Flutter, Egg Bomb.
- Elephant Bananza: Better Inhaling, Stronger Lungs, Trunk Room, Quick Storage.
- Snake Bananza: Charge Jump, Better Glare, Meteor Punch, Jump Burst.
After finishing the main story, each transformation unlocks one final bonus skill.
Best Early Skills to Unlock First
Not sure where to spend your first few Skill Points? Prioritize these early on:
- Punch Power (1 Point) – Helps break 2-star terrain early.
- Better Sonar – Crucial for locating Banandium Gems and secrets.
- Bananergy – Longer transformation time is especially helpful in boss fights and puzzle layers.
- Better Turf Surfing – Slows chunk degradation while riding, great for navigating lava or spikes.
- Surf Surf – Lets you skim across water, making traversal much faster.
Avoid maxing out juice can skills early unless you’re dying frequently. Exploration and movement boosts pay off more.
See also: Donkey Kong Bananza Jump Shot Guide (Double Jump Tips)
Gameplay Tips
- The Skill Tree highlights suggested upgrades with a star icon.
- Drumbeat reduces time to activate transformations — useful in hectic combat zones.
- Jump Shot and Spin Jump give DK more vertical and area control during platforming.
- You’ll need 749 Banandium Gems to fully upgrade all base and transformation skills.
If you plan to complete every transformation tree and post-game upgrades, aim to collect nearly every Gem you find.
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The Skill Tree in Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t just about stat buffs — it’s your key to deeper exploration, better combat, and faster progression. Whether you’re unlocking a new transformation or just fine-tuning DK’s punch power, smart Skill Point investment goes a long way.
Press Up on the D-Pad to open the tree, assign your points, and keep optimizing DK’s build as you dive deeper into the game– Play Now!
