Unlock Every Banandium Gem: Ultimate Planet Core Layer Guide for Donkey Kong Bananza

Planet Core Layer Banandium Gem Locations in Donkey Kong Bananza

Getting ready for the finale of Donkey Kong Bananza? The Planet Core Layer is where the story reaches its climax, but before you wrap things up, there are plenty of Banandium Gems to collect. This guide breaks down where to find all these golden bananas across the different sublayers of the Planet Core, helping you grab every last one.

Overview of the Planet Core Layer challenges and enemies
Banandium Gem locations by sublayer (1600 to 1609)
Tips for tricky spots and hidden bananas
Hints on gems unlocked only after story progression

What to Expect in the Planet Core Layer

The Planet Core is packed with the usual baddies, gold, and lots of thorns to dodge. You’ll need to use all your Bananza forms—like Ostrich Bananza for gliding and Snake Bananza for climbing—to navigate the dangerous terrain and collect bananas efficiently. Keep in mind, this is the final chapter, so spoilers ahead if you haven’t reached this point yet!

Sublayer 1600: Early Gems

Here you’ll find three Banandium Gems:

#1 Victory over Void Kong! – Right in front of you as you drop down to this sublayer.
#2 A View of the King – Turn around from your landing spot to spot this banana on a distant platform. Use Ostrich Bananza to glide over, then switch to Snake Bananza to climb up.
#3 In the Belly of K. Rool – Punch through the K. Rool statue’s stomach to uncover this gem inside.

Sublayer 1601: Challenges and Exchanges

Four gems await you here, with some requiring extra effort:

#4 Floating over Fractone Fort – Climb behind the Warp Gong and use a chunk to reach a floating platform via Ostrich and Snake Bananza forms.
#5 Shifty Smash: Inhale and Destroy – Complete the Shifty Smash challenge by turning into an elephant to suck up lava, then smash through obstacles as Kong Bananza.
#6 Planet Core Smashin’ Stats – Talk to the Smashintone next to the Warp Gong after smashing 70,000 cubic meters of gold.
#7 Planet Core Chip Exchange – Trade Banandium Chips and gold at the concierge or the Chip Exchange on Sublayer 1606.

Sublayer 1602 to 1605: Progression and Story-Linked Gems

#8 Survived the Gravel Gauntlet (1602) – Grab this gem naturally while navigating the rough dirt path.
#9 Klaptrapped behind the Goo (1603) – Use crocodiles to create goo paths and climb to the banana.
#10 The Switcheroo Chase (1603) – Found at the top of the pink/blue goo path.
#11 Korner of the Krevasse (1604) – After detonating explosives on a spinning platform, look below for a floating banana.
#12 Cracking Open the Way (1604) – Story progression gem after completing the switch and gliding section.
#13 ??? (1605) – This gem is locked on your first visit; likely requires returning post-story.
#14 Stomped Stompenclomper! Again! (1605) – Earned after defeating the Stompenclomper boss.

Sublayer 1606: Tests of Skill and Climbing

#15 Planet Core Quiz Master – Answer Quiztone’s questions correctly under the minecart station. Answers: Seals, Powerful, Quiztone.
#16 Shifty Smash: Skyward Smashing – Before dropping into the hole, climb the stone to spot a challenge below. Use Snake Bananza with a chunk to charge jump through the platforms.
#17 Fractone Cradle Climb – Climb to a banana at the peak by navigating a metal structure; upgrading your charge jump helps.

Sublayer 1607 to 1609: Final Bananas and Secrets

#18 Turf Surf Pit Stop (1607) – While turf surfing, hit an enemy into thorn pillars to clear a path and climb up for a banana.
#19 Turf Surf Finish Line (1607) – Found at the end of the Turf Surfing segment.
#20 Cranky’s Planet Core Rant (1609) – Listen to Cranky Kong on a raised platform before the minecart ride to the core.
#21 Rocked King K. Rool! (1609) – Earned after defeating K. Rool.
#22 & #23 ??? (1609) – Locked gems that likely require returning after story completion.

Need More Help?

If you’re still monkeying around in Donkey Kong Bananza, check out our other guides covering Banandium Gems on Groove Layer, Feast Layer, and Forbidden Layer. We also have tips on unlocking music discs and understanding Ancient Bananza Powers and the skill tree.