Donkey Kong Bananza reportedly features a hidden language, and an enthusiastic fan has already cracked the code before its official release. Here’s what we know about the secret banana alphabet and how it was deciphered.

Donkey Kong Bananza's Secret Banana Alphabet Explained

Ancient Monkey Scrolls

Donkey Kong Bananza hasn't been released yet, but a committed fan has uncovered and decoded a secret banana alphabet. YouTube user 2Chrispy uploaded a video on April 27 titled "I Decoded the Ancient Monkey Scrolls of Donkey Kong Bananza," where he explained his step-by-step process of interpreting the mysterious "Ancient Monkey Scrolls." This symbolic banana writing system appeared throughout the game’s trailers, gameplay clips, and official website.

Invented languages in video games aren't new—Nintendo previously introduced Hylian in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But cracking such a code before a game even launches? That’s something entirely new.

This either shows the incredible dedication of Donkey Kong fans, or maybe just how eagerly they're awaiting news. Either way, while the alphabet hasn't been officially confirmed, 2Chrispy’s detailed analysis and careful reasoning have convinced many that he nailed the translation perfectly.

Thanks, Chip Exchange

In his video, 2Chrispy described how he started decoding each letter of the "bananabet," beginning with the term "Chip Exchange." When players collect a Banandium Chip, an on-screen message says: "Trade these for bananas at any Chip Exchange." By carefully reviewing the game’s trailers frame-by-frame, he searched for a Chip Exchange location and wondered if its signage might offer the first clue.

He noticed that the number of symbols on the sign matched the letters in "exchange," and the repeated letter "e" supported his initial idea. From there, he applied the same logic to other symbols he spotted in screenshots and trailers, using a word finder tool to help fill in unknown parts.

Although this is still just speculation, the amount of effort put into analyzing every bit of available content is remarkable. With fans growing more eager for updates, this discovery might inspire others to explore every trailer and screenshot for more hidden details.

Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled to launch on July 17, 2025, as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. For the latest updates and news, take a look at our article below!