Trying to 100% Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt in Donkey Kong Bananza? Here’s where to pop every balloon and grab all 3 Banandium Gems hidden in the Canyon Layer’s trickiest challenge.
Welcome to Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt: It Spins, You Suffer
Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt is one of those DK Bananza stages that looks simple at first glance—just pop some balloons, right? But surprise: the whole thing takes place on a giant spinning dirt wheel that makes platforming feel like a circus act.
The good news? There are three Banandium Gems to snag here if you’re willing to look in all the weird corners. Here’s how to find all three bananas (each tied to a gem) and every balloon in this chaotic Canyon Layer course.
Location Recap: Where Is Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt?
- It’s the third challenge course in the Canyon Layer.
- The map code is SL300, and you’ll spot the challenge room as soon as you touch down on Big-Stretch Peak.
- Pro tip: You’ll need Pauline’s singing ability to unlock the door, so don’t show up without the vocals.
Banana 1 – Pop All the Balloons
This is the most obvious one, but it still takes some fancy footwork. You’ve got five balloons to find and pop. Here’s where they are:
🎈 Balloon Locations:
- Bottom of the wheel – Easy win. Right where you start.
- Up and to the right – Climb the spinning wheel and head diagonally up-right.
- Top center – Get some height and control your momentum.
- Very top of the wheel – You’ll need a steady rhythm to stay centered.
- Left side, mid-air – This one’s tricky. Use a Jump Shot to get up there.
Jump Shot Tip:
Pick up a chunk of dirt with ZR, then double-tap A while holding it to launch up. You’ll need the Jump Shot skill unlocked from your skill tree first — don’t sleep on it.
💎 Once all 5 balloons are popped, the first Banandium Gem appears right at the front of the course. Free gem? Don’t mind if we do.
Banana 2 – The Hidden Room Under the Wheel
This one’s easy to miss unless you’re in the mood for suspicious terrain poking.
Here’s how to get it:
- Stand at the very bottom of the dirt wheel.
- Jump with A, then while mid-air, press B to smash downward.
- You’ll bust through a chunk of dirt and land in a hidden cave.
Inside? A secret Banandium Gem just chilling like it owns the place.
Banana 3 – Wall-Crawler Special
Alright, this one requires some camera gymnastics and a bit of Spidey sense.
To reach it:
- Head to the right side of the spinning wheel.
- Rotate your camera so you can see the outer structure’s wall.
- Look for darker panels — that’s DK’s cue to grab and climb.
- Shimmy to the right until you find a small hole with the last banana inside.
Banana 3 is hiding in plain sight, but the camera makes it feel like a stealth mission. Adjust your view or you’ll walk past it like it’s not even there.
Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt Cheatsheet
- Banana 1 (Gem 1): Pop 5 balloons → Use Jump Shot for the last one on the left.
- Banana 2 (Gem 2): Break through dirt below the wheel → Hidden room.
- Banana 3 (Gem 3): Climb the right wall → Find climbable panels → Crawl to hidden nook.
Bonus Tips for This Stage
- Practice the Jump Shot beforehand. The timing is weird at first, but it’s key for platforming in this layer.
- Turn off motion controls if you’re struggling with camera wonk mid-spin. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
- Do all three in one run to save time. Bananas don’t reset if you fail, but you’ll waste time reloading otherwise.
Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt might look like a gimmick stage, but it packs some sneaky secrets and good rewards if you’re willing to explore. Nail these three bananas and you’re one step closer to a full Banandium loadout—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want more monkey power?
Also check:
Quiztone’s Hilltop Quiz in Donkey Kong Bananza: Answers, Location & Extra Loot
How to Use the Skill Tree in Donkey Kong Bananza (Without Losing Your Mind)
Donkey Kong Bananza Style Guide: How to Unlock Clothes & Customize DK and Pauline