Donkey Kong Bananza: Forest Layer Ancient Record Piece Locations Guide

In Donkey Kong Bananza, progressing through the Forest Layer means helping the Elder Ostrich recover a stolen Ancient Record—split into two pieces and hidden deep within the Eggshell Hotel. To earn the powerful Ostrich Bananza transformation, DK must explore both the Hotel Pool and Hotel Garden floors, solve puzzles, defeat VoidCo’s minions, and recover each fragment. This guide walks you through the exact steps to find both Forest Layer Ancient Record pieces and unlock your next transformation.

Why You Need the Ancient Record Pieces

The Elder Ostrich will only teach you the Ostrich Bananza form after you recover two broken Ancient Record pieces—fragments that VoidCo scattered across the Hotel Pool and Hotel Garden floors. Once combined, they unlock the flutter ability, allowing DK to glide over hazards and reach new heights.

You’ll also need this transformation to access deeper areas like Mossplume Marsh and defeat the Forest Layer boss, Abracajabya.

See also: How to Unlock Hardest Outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza

Quick Gameplay Recap

Before we dive into the guide, here are some gameplay mechanics you’ll use frequently:

• Vine Seeds: Toss them onto wooden walls to grow vine bridges.
• Boom Rocks: Blow open thorn-covered doors or enemies.
• Chunk Throws: Break thorns or throw at enemies and cracked walls.
• Surf Turf: Lets you spin-surf across poison water.
• Barrel Cannons: Used to return quickly to the rooftop or cross gaps.
• Centipedes: Can’t be attacked head-on. Jump on them or use chunks to defeat.

Ancient Record Piece #1 – Hotel Pool Floor

Location: First lower level of the Eggshell Hotel
Goal: Reach the floating eggshell-shaped pedestal across the poison pool

How to Get It:

1. Speak to the Elder Ostrich, then talk to the Ostrich NPC marked with a record icon.
2. Drop through the rooftop hatch into the Hotel Pool floor.
3. Look straight ahead to spot the record piece on an island in the poison pool.
4. Turn right and break through the door beside the red thorns.
5. Inside, grab the vine-seed used for growing vine bridges.
6. Return to the pool gap and throw the seed at the wooden wall to grow a path.
7. Cross and collect the Ancient Record Piece.
8. Use the nearby Barrel Cannon to launch back to the rooftop and place the piece on the turntable.

Bonus Tips & Hidden Rewards

• There’s a centipede enemy patrolling nearby—avoid its head and jump on its back or throw a chunk to disable it.
• Behind the seed room, break the cracked wall. Use Surf Turf to glide across poison and defeat a Crockoid guarding a hidden Banandium Gem.

See also: Spinning Laser Zone Donkey Kong Bananza: All Gem Locations

Ancient Record Piece #2 – Hotel Garden Floor

Location: One floor beneath the pool
Goal: Clear Void corruption to access the record

How to Get It:

1. Drop down through the second trapdoor from the Pool Floor.
2. Enter the Hotel Garden, overrun by red thorns and Void terrain.
3. Go to the back wall and begin climbing using the Void trail.
4. Follow the trail to the right and reach the Void Gizmo.
5. Destroy the gizmo to clear the corruption surrounding the record.
6. Drop back down and collect the now-accessible Ancient Record Piece.
7. Use the Barrel Cannon to return to the rooftop and place the piece.

Bonus Tips & Hidden Rewards

• Thorny centipedes patrol the garden walls. Use chunks to disable or carefully jump over them.
• After defeating the gizmo, exit through the back door to unlock Challenge Course #2 via the Constructone.
• Near the circular hedge, pull vegetables to reveal a tunnel. Inside: two Banandium Gems and a Beaver Fossil.

See also: Donkey Kong Bananza Jump Shot Guide (Double Jump Tips)

What You Unlock After Collecting Both

Once both pieces are placed:

• You’ll unlock the Ostrich Bananza transformation.
• While in this form, press and hold ZR in mid-air to flutter. This slows your fall and lets you glide over long distances.
• Flying over air vents boosts you upward and resets your glide timer—essential for reaching high platforms or distant gaps.
• Use your new flutter ability to fly left of the Elder and grab the Banandium Gem hidden on the golden hotel dome.

Where to Go Next

With the Ostrich Bananza form unlocked:

1. Use the air vent to the right of the Elder to reach a floating platform.
2. Collect the Void Key.
3. Unlock the sealed stake leading to Mossplume Marsh (SubLayer 601).
4. Use the nearby Constructone to unlock a shortcut back to Bellhop Burb.
5. During the return barrel flight, you’ll glide just over a hidden Banandium Gem—note the location and revisit if needed.

Related Guides You Might Like:

• Donkey Kong Bananza Beginner Tips and Tricks Guide
• How to Unlock Hardest Outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza
• Spinning Laser Zone Donkey Kong Bananza: All Gem Locations
• Donkey Kong Bananza Skill Tree: How to Open and Use It
• Get the Last Banana in Bramble Country – Donkey Kong Bananza
• Donkey Kong Bananza Jump Shot Guide (Double Jump Tips)

Both Ancient Record pieces are more than just items—they’re keys to unlocking DK’s gliding ability and progressing the story. With Ostrich Bananza unlocked, new vertical zones, poison-swamped gaps, and boss arenas become accessible.

Take time to revisit missed paths, gems, or outfits around the Forest Layer. Your new flight power opens the door to rewards you may have previously skipped. Play Now!