Banana

"Oh, sweet, creamy, potassium-rich irony! I hate bananas anyway!"

- King K. Rool

Bananas are common tropical fruit from the Mario, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong franchises. Bananas have various functions throughout the games: Banana Peels are used as hazards, most notably the Mario Kart series, Mario Party minigames, and various Mario sports games; bananas are also collectibles similar to coins in the Donkey Kong and Mario Party franchises.

Donkey Kong Jr.
A banana bunch lying under a vine is among the fruit Donkey Kong Jr. can drop on enemies in Stage 1 of his debut game. Like every other fruit in the game, this banana bunch awards the player 400 points if touched.

Donkey Kong Country series
Bananas are the most common items appearing in every Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land game to date. They work similarly to the Coins from the Mario franchise. In these games, for every one hundred bananas collected, the player is granted an extra life. Banana Bunches, which are worth ten regular bananas, appear very frequently as well.

In Donkey Kong Country, bananas and Banana Bunches are common within Bonus Areas, even having a type specifically featuring them, "Collect the Bananas!". Throughout the game, Donkey Kong can sometimes reveal a Banana Bunch by using Hand Slap in a specific location. Additionally, hoards of bananas can be seen in the boss areas.

In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, some groups of bananas are in the shape of an arrow, pointing at a wall. Brekaing the wall reveals the entrance to a Bonus Area. Sometimes a single, standalone banana in an higher area represents the location of either a hidden object (such as a Barrel Cannon or a hook), a hidden item (such as an Extra Life Balloon), or even a Bonus Barrel. This also occurs in the sequel, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! In both games, some bananas are arranged in the shape of a controller button, indicating the button that the player must press in that moment. One such example is in the Donkey Kong Country 3 level, Bobbing Barrel Brawl, where a group of bananas shaped as a "Y" tell the player to press for Ellie to draw over a TNT Barrel stuck between two red Buzzes. In the Game Boy Advance port, the arrangement of these bananas were updated to match with the appropriate Game Boy Advance button.

Bananas appear in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, reprising their role from the earlier Donkey Kong Country games. Additionally, there are winged bananas that float around in certain areas (mostly Bonus Areas), which are worth five bananas. In the Golden Temple, there are enormous, floating bananas (amongst other fruit) that serve as platforms for Donkey and Diddy Kong.

In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port, collecting one hundred bananas will enable the Kongs to perform a Kong POW, aside from receiving an extra life. Flying bananas are followed by trails of regular bananas and will turn into an important item, such as a Banana Coin or a Puzzle Piece, when all bananas behind it are collected.

Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS
In Diddy Kong Racing and its remake, bananas are a collectible that will increase the vehicle's top speed. The player can collect up to ten bananas at a time, each one increasing the vehicle's overall speed. If the player is hit by something, they lose two bananas. The banana counter resets to zero at the beginning of each race.

Donkey Kong 64
In Donkey Kong 64, bananas are featured in five different colors. Each color can only be collected by a certain Kong: yellow for Donkey Kong, red for Diddy Kong, purple for Tiny Kong, blue for Lanky Kong, and green for Chunky Kong. There are exactly 500 bananas (100 per color) in each of the game's seven levels, for a total of 3,500 bananas in the entire game. The bananas are required collectable items, as the Kongs must feed them to Scoff, who slowly grows larger for each banana that he eats. Eventually, Scoff becomes large enough to stomp his platform, allowing Troff to reach the key in the boss door.

Unlike the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, Banana Bunches are worth five bananas. A Banana Balloon is worth ten bananas, which the Kong can obtain by sniping their associated Banana Balloon.

Aside from this, bananas, or rather, their peels, played an important role in the final battle against K. Rool, more specifically when fighting him as Lanky Kong. Due to K. Rool being blinded due a light fixture falling on him, Lanky uses barrels containing giant banana peels to place one on the ring, and then deliberately play music to K. Rool to lure him over to the banana peel so he will slip on it.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Normal bananas and banana bunches also appear in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, this time called Beats. In this game, Donkey Kong's banana total acts as his overall health (in the New Play Control! version, they only act as his health for boss battles); losing all of his beats results in a Game Over. Normal bananas are worth one Beat, and bunches are worth three, but stringing together multiple combos and clap grabbing multiple bananas increases the amount of Beats they are worth. Lastly, there is a minigame after said levels involving Donkey Kong eating as many bananas as he can in the allotted period of time, to increase his Beat total for that level.

DK: King of Swing
In DK: King of Swing, up to 300 bananas can be collected. Donkey Kong can then use the bananas to heal his health or become invincible.

Mario Kart series
The Banana (also known as the Banana Peel or Banana Skin ) is one of the most common items in the Mario Kart series and has appeared in every game of the series. A Banana Peel causes a kart to spin-out if the vehicle touches the slippery item, slowing them down a bit. Banana Peels can either be placed behind a kart, or be thrown forward down the track. It can also be held behind the kart as a defensive countermeasure against homing Red Shells and, to a lesser extent, Green Shells. Bananas can also come in threes, known as Triple Bananas. When used, three bananas automatically attach themselves to the back of the kart. Like many other items in the Mario franchise, the Banana has eyes and a mouth. The Banana also appears as the emblem of the Banana Cup.

Mario Kart 64
In Mario Kart 64, along with single bananas, there are Banana Bunches, which grant five normal Bananas. The game also introduces the Fake Item Box, which acts similar to Bananas, but can't be tossed forward.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Bananas return again in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, but only the single variation is available, and the Banana Bunch is absent.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Bananas return in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! There is also a larger variant in the game called the Giant Banana, which Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong can use, and also Petey Piranha and King Boo, since the latter two can use any special item.

Mario Kart DS
Bananas return in Mario Kart DS. The Triple Bananas are also introduced in this game, and it acts like the previous Banana Bunch, except it only gives three Bananas that line up behind the kart.

Mario Kart Wii
Bananas appear again in Mario Kart Wii, behaving like the previous two games. The Triple Bananas also return from Mario Kart DS.

Mario Kart 7
Bananas and Triple Bananas return again in Mario Kart 7, and unlike the previous three games, when a Banana is struck, the racer spins out for slightly longer.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Bananas and Triple Bananas return in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; however, rather than following behind the Kart, Bike or ATV, the Triple Bananas orbit it, similarly to Triple Green or Red Shells. A single banana appears the adverts for BaNaNa Boy.

Mario Kart Tour
Bananas reappear in Mario Kart Tour. The Giant Banana also returns, with the same function as in previous games. However, unlike in previous games, the Giant Banana is exclusive to Donkey Kong, Morton, and Mario (Sunshine). Diddy Kong and Funky Kong's new exclusive item, the Banana Barrels, shoot out Bananas in front of them for a certain amount of time. Triple Bananas also return as an exclusive item for Daisy (Swimwear), Dixie Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. (SNES), and Waluigi (Bus Driver).

The following gliders increase the chance of getting Bananas and points for hitting racers with one.

Club Nintendo comics
In the Club Nintendo comic "Super Mario Klemp-Won-Do: Muskeln sind nicht alles!", Mario used some bananas to make his opponent Blanka slip and fall.

Being the Kongs' favorite food, bananas serve as the main victuals in the comic "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24" when Donkey Kong and his friends travel to Outer Space in order to stop aliens from pulling Earth away from the sun. As it turns out, the culprits just erroneously took the planet for a huge coconut, a fruit their species adores. Diddy suggests to give bananas to the extraterrestrials as a compensation to get Earth back. This plan works, and the aliens are enthusiastic about the bananas' taste.

Their use as weapons in the Mario Kart series was referenced in the comic "Die Jagd nach dem Nintendo 64: Krawall im All," when Mario and Luigi dropped some Banana Peels in front of Wario and Bowser, as they were competing to find a Nintendo 64-like spaceship.

Yoshi's Story
Bananas are the favorite fruit of Yellow Yoshis in Yoshi's Story, along with the universally loved Melons.

WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase
Bananas appear in WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, in which a microgame called DK Country has Diddy Kong getting shot out of a Bonus Barrel and collect six bananas, whilst avoiding a Zinger.

WarioWare Gold
In WarioWare Gold, Bananas appear as obstacles in the Super Mario Kart microgame, where the player must stay on Rainbow Road. They also appear in the Donkey Kong Country microgame, where Donkey Kong must be fired from a Barrel Cannon into a row of bananas.

WarioWare: Get It Together!
In WarioWare: Get It Together!, the Mario Kart series banana peel makes a cameo in Shadow Sports.

Mario Party series
Bananas have made various appearances in minigames in the Mario Party series such as in Tree Stomp in Mario Party 4, acting as hazards (and golden variants increase the speed of any player that collects it). Players tripping over banana peels also determine a path is taken in Koopa's Seaside Soiree in Mario Party 4. Bananas are prominently featured in Donkey Kong minigames, where bananas are worth one, two, or three coins depending on a random multiplier determined by whoever has landed on a DK Space before the minigame starts. In Mario Party 5 and the other Mario Party games after, there is a kind of banana called Banana Bunches. Banana Bunches are worth five bananas. They are mainly found in Donkey Kong minigames.

Mario Party 9
In Mario Party 9, Bananas replace Mini Stars in the unlockable board DK's Jungle Ruins. On this board, the players' goal is to collect the most Bananas. They can be won on this board in all the same ways that Mini Stars can be won on other boards. Z-Bananas also appear on this board as a counterpart to Mini Ztars.

Mario Party: Star Rush
Bananas appear in Mario Party: Star Rush as obstacles in Bowser's Shocking Slipup, where they appear as one of only two items on the roulettes. They stun the player for a few seconds if touched.

Super Mario Party
In Super Mario Party, Bananas appear in the minigame Trip Navigator as the main obstacles. If a player touches them, they are stunned for one second.

Luigi's Mansion
In Luigi's Mansion, Garbage Can Ghosts will throw banana peels on the floor. Luigi can slip on these peels, damaging the plumber with 5 HP taken away (10 HP in the Hidden Mansion). They can also be found lying on the ground in the Dining Room, where Mr. Luggs resides.

Luigi's Mansion 3
In Luigi's Mansion 3, Banana Peels can come out of trash bins. If Luigi or Gooigi walks on a banana peel, they slip and lose 1 HP. Regular Bananas also appear in the game.

Super Smash Bros. series
Bananas are one of many food items in the Super Smash Bros. series. In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they restore 5% damage; in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, however, bananas restore only 3% damage, and only appear in Tortimer Island stage. The Banana Peel also appears as an item in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Once thrown, anyone who walks over it will trip and fall onto their back. It is also used in Diddy Kong's down special move. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, an offensive item known as a Banana Gun also appears.

Super Mario Sunshine
In Super Mario Sunshine, Bananas grow throughout the Isle Delfino and are sold in Delfino Plaza's market sector by a street vendor. A local woman took enough interest in them to request Mario's help in gathering them. In Ricco Harbor, a supply of bananas and other fruit are stored in a gigantic tank used in the episode "Yoshi's Fruit Adventure". Hotel Delfino in Sirena Beach sell the fruit at fruit bars as well. The Yoshis on the island turn pink after eating them, allowing them to spit Juice of the same color that turns enemies into pink ascending platforms. They also fall faster and have more friction than other fruits.

Super Mario Maker
In Super Mario Maker, a peeled banana appears in the Diddy Kong costume's pose when the player presses.

Mario Power Tennis
In Mario Power Tennis, in the mode where players can hit the balls through Item Boxes, the banana tends to appear, known as "Slippery Danger" within the game. The player has to hit the ball with the racquet in order to use the item. When used, the banana will be attached with the ball until it stays still on the ground in the case the ball bounces. Also,the Garbage Can Ghost in the Luigi's Mansion stage throws bananas that have the same function as the regular bananas as a stage gimmick.

Mario Tennis Open
In Mario Tennis Open, plenty of bananas are seen on the DK Jungle court. The banana is the emblem for the Banana Cup and appears on its trophy. Tennis gear for Miis are designed based on this item.

Mario Golf: World Tour / Mario Sports Superstars
In Mario Golf: World Tour, bananas are seen in food bowls on some tables of the Castle Club's Royal Room, as well as inside barrels, which are the tee markers of the DK Jungle course. Golf gear is designed based on this item and available for use by Miis. In Diddy Kong's Bogey animation, he eats a banana while lying down and throws it on the ground. He does the same when he gets a Double Bogey or worse, but then he tries to get up and walk, only to slip on the banana. This animation is reused in Mario Sports Superstars.

Mario Golf: Super Rush
In Mario Golf: Super Rush, bananas appear as obstacles. They only appear in the Battle Golf mode inside clear spheres. If a player steps on one, they lose coins. There are also multiple bananas inside the spheres which surround the player with bananas.

Mario Strikers series
In the Mario Strikers games, the banana acts as an item that players can collect. Once used, the player will drop three or five banana peels behind them, which will proceed to knock over any player who runs into them. This includes both the opponent, and the user. If used near an edge, only a few bananas will stay on the field, as the other bananas will fall off the stadium. A similar item is the Giant Banana.

During Diddy Kong's ground entrance, he pulls out a banana, and whacks it on his hand, which is used to say that he is going to crush his opponent.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its remake, bananas are used by Crawfuls as part of one of their attacks. The Crawful throws the banana in front of it and slips towards the character currently being used, who must punch it away or hammer it respectively.

Mario Sports Mix
Banana Peels reappear in Mario Sports Mix. They can either stop opponents for a short time, or power up the ball or puck. When used as an item shot, the ball will make a curved path, a reference to the face that bananas themselves are curved, and can cause opposing players to slip if they touch it. In Western Junction, a train with cars full of Banana Peels may drive through the court, and Shy Guys on board the train will throw Banana Peels on the court so any player may slip over them.

Nintendo Land
In the Nintendo Land attraction Donkey Kong's Crash Course, the objective is to collect bananas and reach Donkey Kong and Pauline.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Bananas reappear as currency exclusively in the Donkey Kong Adventure mode of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, replacing coins from the main game.

Item description

 * Banana Statue: "This banana peel can cause a lot of mayhem in Mario Kart. Careful not to step on it!"

Super Mario Kart

 * Wii Virtual Console manual bio: "Drop a banana peel on the course. The first kart to touch it will spin out. Hold up on and press  to throw the banana peel ahead of you."

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

 * 3DS Virtual Console manual bio: "If you drive over it, you will skid out."

Mario Kart Wii

 * Trading card bio: "A delicious fruit and a great source of potassium, the single Banana is, simply, good for you. But this is Mario Kart Wii we're talking about and there are no edible bananas here...only the slippery Banana peel that you and your racing rivals can toss out on the track. If your Kart or Bike touches a Banana you won't peel out, you'll spin out. That, of course, leads to longer lap times."
 * Game Tip!: "When tossing a Banana out in front of your vehicle, be aware of where it lands. You don't want to be the recipient of your own nefarious tactics."

Mario Kart 7

 * Instruction manual bio: "Karts that run over bananas will spin out. Hold or  to equip a Banana, and then release  or  to drop it."
 * North American website bio: "Slippery banana peels can give opponents a headache, but they may come back to haunt you on the next lap."

Mario Kart 8

 * Instruction manual bio: "Will send anyone who hits it into a spin."

Mario Kart Tour

 * Tips & Tricks: "Don't let this one give you the slip! Your kart will spin out if you hit one. You can carry one behind your kart to protect yourself from a single attack."
 * Mario Kart Tour Twitter: "Item introduction: Banana Throw it out in front of you, or drop it off behind you. Karts that hit it will spin out! Watch out during the second lap of the race...chances are there will be more Bananas waiting for you the second time around!"

Donkey Kong Country

 * Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "Collect 100 bananas to get an extra life."

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

 * Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "If you collect 100, you will gain an extra life. A bunch counts as 10 bananas."

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.