Grumpy Kong might look like a total menace when he shows up in Donkey Kong Bananza, but don’t let that massive dirt-club fool you, he’s more bark than bite if you know what to do. As the first major boss battle in the game, he’s designed to test your timing, movement, and how well you’ve mastered Bananza Mode. If you’re stuck or just want a clean win, here’s your complete guide to defeating Grumpy Kong with ease.

Phase 1

The first phase of the Grumpy Kong fight starts with him piloting a massive statue-like machine with a dirt-based outer layer and a huge dirt club. This club is his main weapon early on, and he’ll swing or slam it whenever you get close. To make the fight much easier, your first goal should be to destroy that club. Activate Bananza Mode by holding L + R, then bait him into slamming the club into the ground. As soon as it lands, rush in and unleash a flurry of Bananza punches to break the club quickly. With the club destroyed, Grumpy Kong becomes much less dangerous. From there, continue using Bananza Mode to attack the bottom dirt layer of the machine. It doesn’t take many hits to remove it, allowing you to transition smoothly to the next phase.

Phase 2

After the dirt layer is gone, Grumpy Kong’s machine reveals a second layer. Many players might think using charged punches is the fastest way to break it down, but this strategy can actually slow you down and leave you open to attacks. Instead, stay in Bananza Mode and rely on standard punches. These attacks are fast and still powerful enough to rip through the layer without the long wind-up time of charged moves. Since Grumpy still uses slow slam attacks during this phase, avoiding them with quick movement and continuous punches is the safest and most efficient way to bring him down to the final stage.

Final Phase

After you blast through the second defense layer, Grumpy Kong himself rises inside the cockpit, glaring down from the mech’s highest perch. To seal the deal, you must scale or leap up the exterior and start hammering his figure with punches. A bright purple health meter appears beside his name, showing you how far you are from the finale. At this stage, Grumpy Kong will periodically wind up a massive club attack, trying to swat you from the ledge whenever you’re level with him. The good news is that Pauline’s voice crackles through the noise, warning, “Look out!” just before the club arcs your way. Take the hint, drop to a lower rung, and the blow will sail harmlessly overhead. The instant the attack finishes, scramble back up and keep the fists flying. Stick to that rhythm, remain watchful for the next swing, and a few more hits will send him crashing for good.

Tips for Easier Win 

• Lower the difficulty: Don’t be afraid to tweak the settings in the menu if the fight feels overwhelming.
• Practice dodging with ZL: Mastering the roll can make this boss feel way easier.
• Keep Bananza Mode active: It’s the secret sauce to fast damage and smoother progression through all phases.

Grumpy Kong might seem intimidating at first, but he’s really just a layered puzzle boss. Once you learn his patterns: club slam, phase breaks, and final swings, he becomes a fast, fun, and satisfying fight. Stay in Bananza Mode, keep moving, and let Pauline's shoutouts guide your timing.