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Subscribe from just £3 Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From£9.99Subscribe now The Fantastic Four: First Steps Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Starter Pack Recommended reading Platforming Games All Donkey Kong Bananza Bananzas and how to unlock them Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza takes notes from the best Mario and Zelda games: it has its own shrines, you can totally destroy levels, transform into animals, and dive into the underground Platforming Games Donkey Kong Bananza is a destructive delight that's basically Super Mario Odyssey+, and I can't believe it wasn't a Switch 2 launch title Donkey Kong 26 years after Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo finally wants to establish "two separate branches" of Donkey Kong with the Switch 2's Bananza: 2D and 3D "just as we did with Mario" Platforming Games How long is Donkey Kong Bananza? Platforming Games Will Donkey Kong Bananza be on Switch 1? Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza Review: "Destruction isn't just a flashy gimmick for the Minecraft generation, it's one of the best inventions Nintendo has had in years" Platforming Games Donkey Kong Bananza Which Donkey Kong Bananza branching path should you take in the Divide? Will Sawyer 16 July 2025 When you reach the Divide in Donkey Kong Bananza, you have to choose which layer you go to next When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Nintendo) The Donkey Kong Bananza Divide choice forces you to pick between the branching paths of the frigid Freezer Path and the tropical Forest Path. Your decision here doesn't really matter a whole lot as you must eventually visit both layers anyway, so you won't miss out on anything in Donkey Kong Bananza. Numerically, the Freezer Layer comes first as SL 500 but the Forest Layer, SL 600, has a better Bananza form to unlock. To help you make the decision, I've explained in more detail how the Divide's branching paths work in DK Bananza and what to expect in each layer. Should you pick the Freezer Path or the Forest Path in Donkey Kong Bananza? As I've said, the choice between the Freezer Path to the left and the Forest Path to the right in The Divide doesn't actually matter as once you complete either layer and reach SL 700, you'll be promptly sent back to the Divide to dive down to the layer you didn't play. That means you won't miss out on anything by choosing one over the other and it's just a matter of the order in which you unlock certain things (mainly the Donkey Kong Bananza Bananzas). Both levels are similarly large with multiple sublayers and many, many bananas. Here are the main features and hazards to be aware of it in each area: (Image credit: Nintendo) Freezer Layer – SL 500: Zebra Bananza: Unlocked by collecting the Ancient Record pieces for the Elder. Clothes for DK and Pauline: DK can get Britches that reduce the damage ice water deals and Pauline's outfits increase the duration of the Zebra Bananza. Ice water: Inflicts damage whenever DK is swimming in it. Molten chocolate lava: Burns DK when touched. Fresh snow and mud: Slows DK's movement while wading through. Ice: DK slides around when walking on it but the Zebra Bananza can walk on it without slipping. Collapsing terrain: Fragile structures break immediately when DK stands on them, but the Zebra Bananza can outrun the collapses. Two boss fights (Image credit: Nintendo) Forest Layer – SL 600: Ostrich Bananza: Unlocked by collecting the Ancient Record pieces for the Elder. Clothes for DK and Pauline: DK can get Britches that reduce the damage poison water deals and Pauline's outfits increase the duration of the Ostrich Bananza. Poison water: Inflicts high damage whenever DK is swimming in it. Red thorns: Damage DK whenever he touches them. Many enemies are also covered in these thorns. Mud: Slows DK's movement while wading through. One boss fight The Freezer Layer certainly seems more dangerous, but most of the hazards can be dealt with or avoided quite easily and some aren’t even that common. Conversely, the Forest Layer's poison is seemingly everywhere and can be a massive nuisance. You may like All Donkey Kong Bananza Bananzas and how to unlock them Donkey Kong Bananza takes notes from the best Mario and Zelda games: it has its own shrines, you can totally destroy levels, transform into animals, and dive into the underground Donkey Kong Bananza is a destructive delight that's basically Super Mario Odyssey+, and I can't believe it wasn't a Switch 2 launch title While the Ostrich Bananza would arguably be good to get early to help in the Freezer Layer, I think it's marginally better to do the Freezer Layer first to gather bananas to upgrade DK's health and unlock some of the best Donkey Kong Bananza skills in preparation for the Forest Layer's poison swamps. This is also the only instance of branching paths in the whole game, so you don't need to worry about making more choices like this in DK Bananza. If you're after more Donkey Kong Bananza tips, we can help you out there. And if you want to try out Donkey Kong Assist Mode, we've also explained how to turn it on and what it actually does. © GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Nintendo Switch 2 Will Sawyer Social Links Navigation Guides Writer Will Sawyer is a guides writer at GamesRadar+ who works with the rest of the guides team to give readers great information and advice on the best items, how to complete a particular challenge, or where to go in some of the biggest video games. Will joined the GameRadar+ team in August 2021 and has written about service titles, including Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Warzone, as well as some of the biggest releases like Halo Infinite, Elden Ring, and God of War Ragnarok. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. All Donkey Kong Bananza Bananzas and how to unlock them Donkey Kong Bananza takes notes from the best Mario and Zelda games: it has its own shrines, you can totally destroy levels, transform into animals, and dive into the underground Donkey Kong Bananza is a destructive delight that's basically Super Mario Odyssey+, and I can't believe it wasn't a Switch 2 launch title 26 years after Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo finally wants to establish "two separate branches" of Donkey Kong with the Switch 2's Bananza: 2D and 3D "just as we did with Mario" How long is Donkey Kong Bananza? Will Donkey Kong Bananza be on Switch 1? Latest in Platforming Games Best skills in Donkey Kong Bananza to unlock first Sega hands physical media a win amid Nintendo's push toward digital with Switch 2 game-key cards — Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is confirmed to have "the full base game on a 64GB cartridge" Donkey Kong Bananza doesn't use Switch 2's frame rate-boosting DLSS tech, joining Mario Kart World in dodging what we thought would be one of the console's defining features What does Assist Mode do in Donkey Kong Bananza? Donkey Kong Bananza Metacritic score not only makes it the highest-rated Switch 2 exclusive yet, it ties Donkey Kong 64 as the highest-rated game in the series 10 Donkey Kong Bananza tips we wish we knew before going to the Planet Core Latest in Guides Best skills in Donkey Kong Bananza to unlock first Fortnite Fortress of Solitude: Where to find it Destiny 2 Dark Academia quest walkthrough What does Assist Mode do in Donkey Kong Bananza? 10 Donkey Kong Bananza tips we wish we knew before going to the Planet Core How long is Donkey Kong Bananza? 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