Unlock Every Hidden Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza’s Hilltop Layer – Ultimate Guide!

Discover Every Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza’s Hilltop Layer

If you’re diving into Donkey Kong Bananza and wondering where to find all those shiny Banandium Gems in the Hilltop Layer, you’ve come to the right place. This layer might be smaller than Lagoon, but it’s packed with hidden treasures and challenges that will keep you on your toes. Let’s break down everything you need to know to collect these gems efficiently and enjoy the game to the fullest.

Overview of the Hilltop Layer and its Banandium Gems
Key locations and how to unlock hidden gems
Tips for completing challenges and battles for rewards
How to use chips and gold to exchange for gems

What Makes the Hilltop Layer Special?

The Hilltop Layer is the second major area you’ll explore. Unlike the sprawling Lagoon Layer, Hilltop is more compact but packed with crystal-like creatures who excel at turf surfing. These locals encourage you to skate around the hills and flat areas, grabbing gold and Banandium Gems along the way. Expect a mix of exploration, platforming, and battle challenges here.

Finding Banandium Gems: Key Spots and Challenges

So far, there are about 38 Banandium Gems scattered throughout the Hilltop Layer. Some are available immediately, while others require you to progress further or even finish the main story to unlock. Here are some highlights:

Bruised Peekabruiser (#1): Your first gem, rewarded for beating the boss on Sublayer 102 right as you arrive.
Cave-Dwelling Treasure (#2): Drop down the cliff near Fractone Village to find a cave inside a giant stone banana. Use Kong Bananza to smash through walls and grab the gem hanging from the ceiling.
Hidden Gems (#3, #4, #5): These aren’t available on your first visit—come back later or after beating the main story.
Battle Challenges (#6, #13, #21): Several gems are rewards for completing battle challenges in Fractone Village and other locations. Keep an eye out for taped-off doors and challenge rooms.
Shifty Paths and Platforming (#7, #8, #9, #10): Behind the shops and in ruins, use chunks to create platforms and break through walls to find hidden gems.
Fragmentone Quests (#11, #12): Help Fragmentones find their missing pieces in caves and get rewarded with gems.
Construction Site Secrets (#15, #16, #35): Smash terrain to meet gem quotas, help plants bloom by breaking bananas, and explore DK’s house for hidden rewards.
Challenge Courses (#17, #18, #19, #26, #27, #28): Speed runs and obstacle courses reward you with gems if you complete them within time limits or find hidden areas.
Peel Peak Adventures (#22, #23, #24, #25): Climb, destroy purple metal clogs, and smash rotating walls to reveal gems.
Chip Exchange (#38): Trade 10 chips and 100 gold at Fractone Village for a Banandium Gem. You can do this multiple times, but only one counts toward your collection. These gems also contribute to skill points.

Tips for Collecting Banandium Gems

Explore thoroughly: Many gems are hidden behind breakable walls or require using Kong Bananza abilities. Don’t hesitate to revisit areas after progressing.

Complete battle challenges: These often provide some of the more rewarding gems and test your combat skills.

Use chunks wisely: Tossing chunks at moving platforms or walls can open new paths and reveal hidden gems.

Check out the chip exchange: If you’re short on time, trading chips and gold is a quick way to add to your gem count.

Keep in mind, some gems only appear after story progression, so patience is key!

Visual Guide to Gems

For those who prefer visual aids, each gem location comes with an image reference to help you spot exactly where to go. For example, the Bruised Peekabruiser gem is shown here:

Similarly, the Cave-Dwelling Treasure gem looks like this:

These images can be a handy companion as you explore the Hilltop Layer.

Stay Updated

The guide to Banandium Gems is still being updated as new discoveries are made. Keep an eye out for new gems and challenges as you progress through Donkey Kong Bananza!