Torn between the Freezer Layer or Forest Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza? Here’s which path to take first at The Divide—and why it’s honestly not a big deal.
Welcome to The Great Divide – Where Choices (Sorta) Matter
You’ve made it to Layer 4: The Great Divide, and suddenly Donkey Kong Bananza drops a pseudo-choice on you. Left path? Right path? One leads to the Freezer Layer (SL500), the other to the Forest Layer (SL600). The game doesn’t tell you much, and NPCs just vaguely hint at what’s ahead. Classic.
So what’s the move? Should you brave the cold or get lost in the jungle?
Let’s break it down.
First: Does It Actually Matter?
Short answer: not really.
Longer answer: You’ll need to explore both layers eventually. No content gets locked. No endings change. This isn’t a “you chose the wrong sibling” moment. You’re just picking which vibe you want to suffer through first.
The moment you finish one path, you can use fast travel to zoom right back to The Divide and hit the other. Easy clap.
Left Path = Freezer Layer (SL500)
What to Expect:
- Cold, slippery terrain
- Puzzle-heavy traversal (think sliding blocks and frozen hazards)
- Chill (literally) aesthetic, icy ambient tracks
- Good test of precision movement and Bananza stacking
Why Choose This First:
- It’s technically the next in numerical order (SL500 before SL600)
- Terrain strength: ★★★ — manageable but not a pushover
- If you like solving puzzles more than combat, this is your lane
Right Path = Forest Layer (SL600)
What to Expect:
- Dense jungle vibes
- Tricky vertical platforming and lots of turf-surfing routes
- More enemies and ambush-style encounters
- Great place to test your Jump Shot and mobility skills
Why Choose This First:
- It’s faster-paced and more action-focused
- Also ★★★ terrain strength, but less punishing than sliding off ice platforms
- Some players find the jungle layout easier to navigate than the Freezer’s puzzles
So… Which Should You Pick?
If you’re the kind of gamer who:
- Likes logical progression and hates doing things out of order:
➤ Go left to Freezer Layer (SL500) - Loves combat and platforming over puzzles:
➤ Go right to Forest Layer (SL600) - Doesn’t care and just wants bananas ASAP:
➤ Flip a coin. Seriously.
Pro Tip: Use Fast Travel Like a Boss
Whichever path you choose first, you’re never locked in. Once you reach the next save point or camp, fast travel unlocks the other layer instantly. So if you start freezing your fur off and want out? Zip back and try the forest instead.
Bananza respects your time. That’s rare.
Final Word: It’s All Just Layered Cake
This branching-path moment might look like a big decision, but in reality, it’s a chill way to let you choose your challenge. Whether you’re surfing through jungle ruins or punching frozen platforms into submission, you’re still on track for the full Bananza ride.
Just don’t overthink it. Grab some bananas, trust your gut, and remember—you’ve got a giant monkey’s strength on your side.
Also check:
What Amiibo Unlocks in Donkey Kong Bananza (and Whether It’s Worth Using)
Jump Higher in Donkey Kong Bananza: Jump Shot Guide & Climbing Tricks
Hangin’ on Roof Road in Donkey Kong Bananza: Complete Walkthrough & All 3 Banandium Gems
