Stuck at 37/38? Smash Every Gold Banana in Strate des Collines

If you’ve ever lost sleep over that one stubborn Gold Banana in the Strate des Collines, you’re in good company. I spent over 10 hours darting through sunlit hills, hidden grottoes, and bustling bazaars to collect all 38 Gold Bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza. Some dangle in plain sight, others hide behind puzzles or precision platforming tests. Below is my complete playbook—your express route to 100% faster than you think.

Why Strate des Collines Is a Jungle Playground

The Strate des Collines is one of the first true open worlds you’ll explore in Donkey Kong Bananza. Picture rolling green hills peppered with vine swings, mossy temples, muddy markets, and secret caves. Each Gold Banana grants a skill point, unlocking abilities that become vital in later zones:

• Double Jump for extended aerial tricks
• Spin Jump to shatter ceiling panels
• Ground Pound for breaking heavy obstacles

Missing even one Banana can lock you out of late-game zones or hardcore side challenges. Let’s keep every path wide open.

Gear & Prep Checklist

• Zebra Transformation: Essential for long-distance leaps and digging through sand.
• Bananza Kong Form: Must-have for crushing reinforced walls with ground pounds.
• Spin Jump Skill: Clears fragile ceilings and reaches vertical shafts.
• At Least 3 Health Hearts: Some timed trials pack a punch if you’re underpowered.
• 300+ Gold Coins: The three-stage Pouston tree quests demand a hefty coin supply.
• Patience & Thoroughness: Peek under bridges, behind market stalls, and above rooftops—every nook can hide a Banana.

Don’t forget to flag these waypoints on your map: Central Plaza, Muddy Market, Northern Cave entrance, and Old Flower Shrine. You’ll thank me later.

1. Warm-Up Bananas (#1–3) in the Central Plaza

As soon as DK drops into the sunlit plaza, grab these quick three:

1. Climb the twisting vine on the west side and snag the Banana perched on a wooden beam.
2. Shoot the spinning bullseye target under the market arch.
3. Leap across the ledge behind the central fountain for Banana #3.

These warm-ups help you reacquaint with the controls before the real hunt.

2. Pouston Tree Donations (#4–6)

Head to the northeast corner of the Muddy Market. The Pouston tree accepts three coin donations:

• Stage 1: ~50 coins → Banana
• Stage 2: ~100 coins → Banana
• Stage 3: ~150 coins → Banana

I recommend dumping 300 coins in one go. Saves you back-and-forth trips and gets you all three rewards immediately.

3. Challenge Portals & Combat Trials (#7–12)

Six hidden portals scattered beneath awnings and tiled roofs lead to timed obstacle runs or enemy gauntlets. Key tactics:

• Dig & Smash: South of the plaza, transform into a Zebra to dig under a dune, then ground pound a concealed block.
• Combat Tactics: Herd Skeeters into narrow corridors, land a spin attack, then dodge the stunned group.
• Speed Routes: Pre-break nearby barriers, hug walls on boost ramps, and steer clear of stray projectiles.

Finish each trial under the time limit, then claim your Banana on the final platform.

4. Breakable Secrets (#13–17)

Subtle texture changes on rock faces often mark fragile walls hiding Bananas:

• Under the southern bridge: ground pound the cracked pillar.
• Behind the eastern waterfall: dive into the narrow crevice.
• In the mossy grotto east of the market: dig under sand, then spin jump up.
• Next to the fallen log by the campsite: ground pound the rim bricks.
• Inside the collapsed tunnel on the north cliff: follow faint glowing lines to the entrance.

5. Guardian Critter Escorts (#18–22)

Five jittery critters need a safe path through traps and slick floors. Follow these steps:

• Clear hazards first (plug holes with barrels for Snaggle Monkeys).
• Move at a snail’s pace—any glitch resets the escort.
• Deactivate falling boulders by hitting their triggers in advance.

6. Surf, Speed & Rails (#23–29)

Seven Bananas await on high-speed surfboards and rail stunts:

• Memorize thorn patterns on southern dunes—veer left, then cut under a log ramp.
• Double-jump mid-air between surfboards for extra height.
• Use the hidden ramp near the old watchtower to reach a secret ledge with two Bananas.
• Master the winding rail near the marketplace once your speed boost is maxed.

7. Puzzle Quests & NPC Bonuses (#30–34)

• Mining Request (#30): Clear five gemstone nodes to earn Bananas.
• Flower Shrine (#31): Smash overhead rocks to let sunlight illuminate the fruit.
• Jungle Quiz (#32): Answer three trivia questions correctly to unlock the reward pedestal.
• Cranky Kong’s Block Puzzle (#33): Arrange crates to spell D-K and earn your Banana reward.
• Trocton Trade (#34): Exchange a silver star for a Gold Banana—make it your first trade.

8. Retro 2D Side-Scroller (#35–38)

Enter the secret 2D level beside DK’s cabin for a nostalgic platforming challenge:

1. Use double-jump to grab a ceiling-mounted Banana right away.
2. Watch for retractable platforms that flip the stage—dive under the first path for another Banana.
3. Navigate barrel cannons and vine swings to reach the final two Bananas near the exit.

Pro Tips & Common Pitfalls

• Always confirm your transformation before chasing tricky ledges.
• Stockpile at least 300 coins for Pouston tree quests.
• Escort NPCs at walking speed—glitches mean a reset.
• Practice timed runs solo before diving in.
• Revisit rooftops after unlocking new skills—hidden secrets lurk above.

Efficient 100% Route Cheat Sheet

1. Warm-Up Bananas in Central Plaza (#1–3)
2. One-shot all Pouston donations (#4–6)
3. Chain Challenge Portals & Combat Trials (#7–12)
4. Solve Breakable Secrets (#13–17)
5. Escort Guardian Critters (#18–22)
6. Surf & Speed Runs (#23–29)
7. Puzzle Quests & NPC Bonuses (#30–34)
8. Finish in the Retro 2D Side-Scroller (#35–38)

Conclusion

With this playbook in hand, you’ll smash, spin, and surf your way to a flawless 38/38 haul in Strate des Collines. Stay patient, plan your stops, and don’t hesitate to backtrack once new abilities unlock. Before long, you’ll be flexing that perfect score—and ready for the next jungle gauntlet!