Golden Banana

"Well, if it isn't my lazy, good-for-nothing son. Lost your Golden Bananas again?"

- Cranky Kong

Golden Bananas are large shiny bananas, which first appeared in games in Donkey Kong 64. They are considered a part of the Banana Hoard of the Donkey Kong franchise.

Donkey Kong 64
The main plot of Donkey Kong 64 centers around Donkey Kong and his allies trying to reclaim Donkey Kong's prized Golden Bananas from the evil King K. Rool. In this game, Golden Bananas are needed to access new worlds, since B. Locker will be blocking the world entrances. The Golden Bananas were stolen along with some of Donkey Kong's friends to distract him while the Blast-o-Matic was being charged. However, the Golden Bananas turn out to be essential in thwarting K. Rool's plot, as B. Locker will periodically grant access to the Kremlings' occupied territory as Golden Bananas are collected. Each world contains twenty-five Golden Bananas, with five for each Kong.

Donkey Kong Country Returns
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, a single Golden Banana makes an appearance. While leaving Cranky Kong's Shop, Cranky Kong can sometime ramble about finding a Golden Banana that transports one to another dimension. After accessing the Golden Temple via the Rare Orbs, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are surprised to see the giant Golden Banana, held by two golden DK-like statues. Peeling its skin and tasting it does indeed transport them to another world.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
"Gold Bananas" are an item in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. [Translation needed]

Donkey Kong Country television series
The animated series features a single Golden Banana of a different type in the episode "Raiders of the Lost Banana". This Golden Banana is found by DK in Inka Dinka Doo's Temple, and he decides to give it to Candy Kong as a present. As a result, however, DK sets off a curse that befalls anyone nearby the beholder. K. Rool later kidnaps Candy and demands she hand over the banana, but DK shows up to rescue her and returns the Banana to Inka Dinka Doo. However, Polly Roger then steals the banana back, but now only K. Rool is affected by the curse.

Trivia

 * In an early pitch for the original Donkey Kong Country, an artifact known as the Golden Banana would have driven the plot, after having been stolen from DK by an unused Kremling named Korporal Krizzle.
 * The numerous Golden Bananas of Donkey Kong 64 have the Nintendo 64 logo on them, while the "huge" Golden Banana in the game, only obtainable by Tiny Kong, obtained from the Banana Fairy Princess, has the Rare Ltd. logo on it.

Goldene Banane