If you're playing Donkey Kong Bananza and want to unlock new abilities for DK, collecting
Banandium Gems is essential. These golden bananas allow you to upgrade DK’s skills and learn powerful new moves.
In
Lagoon Layer’s Sublayer 102 (SL 102), you’ll encounter
Challenge Course 3: Kong Bananza – Pop Party, where you can earn
three Banandium Gems. While these gems aren’t required to progress in the story, they’re crucial for maximizing DK’s potential.
This guide will help you locate all three Banandium Gems and the five hidden balloons in the Pop Party challenge. Let’s dive in!
How to Access Lagoon Layer Challenge Course 3
Before you can start the challenge, you’ll need to:
Progress through the story until you unlock Pauline.Enter Sublayer 102 (SL 102) in Lagoon Layer.Follow the main path until you see a sealed door on your left.To open the door, you must
transform into Kong Bananza mode (L+R)—regular DK isn’t strong enough to break it. Inside, your goal is to
pop five balloons and
collect three Banandium Gems.
All Balloon Locations in Pop Party Challenge
Before the Banandium Gems appear, you must first destroy all five hidden balloons. Here’s where to find them:
Balloon 1
- Location: Near the fast-travel fish at the start of the course.
Balloon 2
- Location: Just past the first balloon, turn right to find a stone enemy with a balloon on its head.
Balloon 3
- Location: In the corner of the map—another stone enemy holds this balloon.
- Pro Tip: Use DK’s Sonar Slam (ground pound) to reveal hidden balloons.
Balloon 4
- Location: Opposite side of the course near a spinning mechanism. Enter the adjacent room to find another stone enemy with a balloon.
Balloon 5
- Location: Dig underneath the spinning mechanism to uncover the final balloon.
Once all five balloons are popped, the first Banandium Gem will spawn.
All Banandium Gem Locations in Lagoon Layer Challenge Course 3
Now, let’s track down those precious Banandium Gems!
Banandium Gem 1
- Where to Find: Automatically appears near the exit/entrance after popping all five balloons.
Banandium Gem 2
- Where to Find: Climb to the top of the central structure—it’s sitting in plain sight.
Banandium Gem 3 (The Tricky One!)
- Where to Find: Look underneath the floating platform above the course.
- How to Reach It:
- Climb the nearby wall.
- Hang from the edge of the platform.
- Drop down to grab the hanging banana.
Why Collect Banandium Gems in Donkey Kong Bananza?
While not mandatory for story progression, Banandium Gems allow DK to:
✔ Unlock new abilities
✔ Upgrade existing moves
✔ Gain combat advantages
If you’re aiming for 100% completion, collecting all Banandium Gems is a must!
Final Tips for Lagoon Layer’s Pop Party Challenge
- Use Sonar Slam frequently to reveal hidden objects.
- Explore every corner—some gems are well-hidden.
- Transform into Kong Bananza mode to break obstacles.
Now that you know where to find all three Banandium Gems, go ahead and power up DK for even more chaotic Kong action!
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2
Genre(s): Platform, adventure
Developer(s): Nintendo EPD
Release date: July 17, 2025
Mode: Single-player, multiplayer
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