Want to respec in Donkey Kong Bananza? Here’s how to reset your skills by finding Elders, plus where to find all five across the layers. Get the perfect DK loadout.
Why You Might Wanna Respec in DK Bananza
Look, weโve all been there. You dumped your hard-earned skill points into โPunch With Extra Banana Energyโขโ early on, only to realize later that Jump Shot and Vocal Charge are waaaaay more your jam.Good news: Donkey Kong Bananza lets you respec your skills โ but like everything in this gloriously chaotic jungle adventure, it’s not exactly obvious how.

How to Respec Skills in Donkey Kong Bananza
Step 1: Find an Elder (Seriously, Thatโs It)
The first one you’ll meet is Kong Elder, and youโll bump into him naturally during the main story in Lagoon Layer SL101. Heโs the tutorial guy for transformations, fast travel, and all things Bananza.
Step 2: Talk to the Elder Again (After the Record Event)
โ โReset Skillsโ
Click that, confirm it by saying โReset my skills!โ, and boom โ your entire skill tree is wiped clean and all your skill points are refunded.
Youโre free to rebuild your build however you want. Full banana brawler? Jungle juggernaut? Vocal blast sniper Pauline? The skill tree is your playground.
Important Respec Notes (Donโt Skip These!)
- Extra juice gets converted into gold โ Any overflow beyond your base Bananergy caps disappears (into shiny gold), so respec smart.
- Not every layer has an Elder โ So do it when you find one, not when you need one.
- No penalties for respeccing โ Mix, match, experiment. Itโs free and fun.
If youโre in a layer without an Elder, fast travel back to one using the Warp Gong + Mother Eel combo. Teeleport life, baby.
All Elder Locations in Donkey Kong Bananza
Wanna know where all the wise old critters are hanging out? Here’s your Elder cheat sheet (minor location spoilers ahead):
Elder | Location |
Kong Elder | Lagoon Layer |
Zebra Elder | Frozen Layer |
Ostrich Elder | Forest Layer |
Elephant Elder | Tempest Layer |
Snake Elder | Radiance Layer |
Each of these sages offers a respec option once you interact with them, so donโt skip the side paths and caves in later layers โ you might just find your next skill reset savior.
Best Times to Respec (Pro Tips)
- โจ Just unlocked a new Kong Form? Respec to focus on abilities that boost that formโs playstyle.
- Struggling with a boss or battle challenge? Reset and load up on defense, mobility, or combat skills as needed.
- Chasing collectibles? Prioritize skills that improve traversal and exploration.
Build the DK You Wanna Be
Respeccing in Donkey Kong Bananza gives you freedom to evolve your playstyle โ and it feels dang good to retool DK from a brawling banana brute into a platforming powerhouse.
So donโt sweat your early game skill choices. Just find an Elder, hit the reset button, and become the Kong you were always meant to be.
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