Confused about Skill Points in Donkey Kong Bananza? Here’s how to earn, use, and respec your points, plus the best early skills to pick. No fluff—just gamer-to-gamer tips.
So… Donkey Kong Has a Skill Tree Now?
Yeah, you read that right. In Donkey Kong Bananza, our favorite barrel-chucking primate is officially entering RPG territory. This game introduces a legit Skill Tree and stat upgrades — and honestly, it’s kind of awesome. But the game is weirdly quiet about how any of this actually works. Like, hello? A tutorial would’ve been nice.
Don’t worry though. Whether you’re just getting started or hoarding Skill Points like a digital dragon, this guide has your back.
How to Get Skill Points in Donkey Kong Bananza
Skill Points don’t just fall from the sky — you gotta grind a bit. Here’s the scoop:
- Collect Banandium Gems — these shiny, oversized banana crystals are hidden around levels, sometimes buried underground, sometimes earned through puzzles or challenges.
- Every five Banandium Gems you pick up nets you one Skill Point.
- To track your progress, look for the little banana bar under the gem’s name when you find one — each gem fills one banana slot.
Pro Tip:
Use DK’s Hand Slam move by pressing R — it’ll ping nearby Banandium locations. It’s like echolocation, but for bananas.
How to Open the Skill Tree (When the Game Doesn’t Tell You)
Sure, the Skill Tree auto-pops when you earn a Skill Point. But what if you skipped it? Or changed your mind? The game totally ghosts you here.
Here’s how to manually open it:
- Press Up on the left Joy-Con D-Pad — boom, Skill Tree opens.
- Hit R while you’re in the menu to check your Status screen — this shows your gear and stat boosts, in case you’re also fashion-focused (no judgment).
Early Skills That Are Actually Worth It
At the start, you’ll have access to 10 beginner skills. Some are clutch. Some are… there. Here’s what’s worth grabbing early:
Best Early Picks:
- Banana Magnet – Collects bananas without needing to touch them. Feels like hacking.
- Hand Slam Radius Boost – Lets you sniff out more hidden goodies.
- Health Boost I – A no-brainer if you’re clumsy like me.
Skip For Now:
- Banana Toss Upgrade – Cool in theory, but there are better damage upgrades later.
- Clothing Buff Slots – Save that for mid-game when gear gets real.
Basically, don’t waste points on gimmicks. Focus on survivability and utility till the game starts throwing harder enemies and bigger zones at you.
How to Respec (Undo Your Bad Skill Choices)
Screwed up your build? We’ve all been there. The good news: DK Bananza lets you respec — but only if you find the right NPCs.
- You’ll need to track down one of the game’s five Elders.
- Talk to them to fully reset your Skill Tree and get your points back to reallocate.
They’re spread across the map, so maybe mark them when you stumble on one. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Final Tips from One Gamer to Another
- Don’t hoard Skill Points forever — the game scales up and your survival depends on good abilities.
- Always Hand Slam when you enter a new area. You’ll be shocked how much loot’s under your feet.
- Unlock skills that match your playstyle. If you’re more of a speed-runner, prioritize movement. If you love combat, go full brawler.
Quick Summary:
- Collect 5 Banandium Gems = 1 Skill Point.
- Press Up on D-Pad to open the Skill Tree.
- Prioritize early skills that boost health, banana collection, or slam range.
- Elders = your Skill Tree reset button.
Want more DK Bananza guides? Stick around — we’ve got breakdowns on boss fights, transformations, and gear coming soon. Go get those bananas, champ 🍌
Also check:
Donkey Kong Bananza Style Guide: How to Unlock Clothes & Customize DK and Pauline
Cranky Kong Location in Hilltop Layer (SL200) – How to Get Banandium Gem #32
Donkey Kong Bananza Full Layer Map & Collectibles Checklist (All 17 Layers Explained)
