Donkey Kong Bananza: How To Play DK Artist

How To Play DK Artist in Donkey Kong Bananza

By Daniel Hidalgo | 2025-07-20 21:21:10

Donkey Kong Bananza has a hidden gem that fans of creativity and art will love—DK Artist Mode. This secret feature transforms the game into a 3D sculpting and painting playground, reminiscent of classics like Mario Paint but with modern mechanics.
Unlike other game modes, DK Artist isn’t accessible in-game—you’ll need to launch it separately. This guide will walk you through how to unlock DK Artist, master its controls, and create stunning 3D models using the Switch 2’s mouse functionality.

How to Access DK Artist Mode in Donkey Kong Bananza

To enter this hidden creative mode, follow these steps:

Return to the Main Menu – Save your progress first to avoid losing any data. You can exit via the Save Data settings or restart the game.

Look for the Secret Option – On the title screen, check the top-right corner of the DK Bananza logo. You’ll see a small DK Artist prompt.

Press the + Button – Use the right Joy-Con to select it, and you’ll enter the artistic sandbox mode.

DK Artist Controls – Full Breakdown

DK Artist turns the game’s physics engine into a sculpting simulator, blending elements from Mario Paint and Super Mario 64’s manipulation mechanics. However, it only works with the Switch 2’s mouse controls, so you’ll need to detach the Joy-Cons and calibrate them properly.

Setting Up Mouse Controls

Place the right Joy-Con on a flat surface and follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate the cursor.
Once active, press R to break open the rock and reveal your base model and toolset.

Left Joy-Con Controls (Tool & Camera Management)

Input	Function
D-Pad Left/Right	Switch between four tools: • Paint Brush (apply color) • Smoothen (flatten surfaces) • Carve (dig into model) • Raise (build up model)
D-Pad Up/Down	Cycle through color options
L Button	Zoom in
ZL Button	Zoom out
Left Analog Stick	Rotate camera
Click Left Stick	Reset camera position
Minus (–) Button	Undo last action (press again to redo)
Hold Minus (–)	Randomly change base model

Right Joy-Con Controls (Mouse & Artistic Functions)

Input	Function
R Button	Apply selected tool/brush
ZR Button	Move canvas without rotating camera
X Button	Hide UI for screenshots
Y Button	Add a colored spotlight
B Button	Add rotating bananas in the background
Plus (+) Button	Open menu to exit to title screen

Tips for Mastering DK Artist Mode

Experiment with Layers – Use Raise and Carve to add depth before painting.
Use Undo Wisely – Since you can only undo one action, plan your moves carefully.
Try Different Base Models – Holding Minus (–) gives you new shapes to work with.
Take Screenshots – Toggle the UI off with X for clean captures of your creations.

Final Thoughts

DK Artist Mode is a fantastic creative outlet hidden within Donkey Kong Bananza. Whether you're sculpting, painting, or just experimenting, this mode offers endless artistic possibilities. Now that you know how to unlock and control it, let your imagination run wild!

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2

Genre(s): Platform, adventure

Developer(s): Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s): Nintendo

Release date: July 17, 2025

Mode: Single-player, multiplayer

Age rating (PEGI): +7

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