Exploritone

Exploritone
Species	Fractone
Appears in	Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)

“We really must get around to writing the next part of our saga one of these years…”

—Exploritone, Donkey Kong Bananza

Exploritone is a Fractone in Donkey Kong Bananza. As their name implies, they are an explorer, having left their home of the Hilltop Layer to discover the origin of the Fractones. Traveling through the layers of the Underground World, they left behind stone tablets documenting their journey.

On Sublayer 1609 of the Planet Core, a tablet marks their resting place. However, by digging under the tablet, Donkey Kong and Pauline can find Exploritone napping with a fossil stuck to their back. Hitting them wakes them up. The cave they are found in is filled with books and crystal figurines of the various animal species found underground.

Initially, Exploritone's body is wide to accommodate the large fossil stuck to their back. They revert to a skinnier form once they are woken up, and keep it even after the fossil regenerates (albeit grayed out) upon returning to the layer.

Saga of the Exploritone

Hilltop Layer

Verse 1

SL200 - Right in front of the sinkhole.

Where did the Fractones come from? What is the origin of Us? Curiosity consumes us. After much research, we think we know where we will find our answers. The road leads underground… so underground we shall go. Into the depths… Deeper than we can imagine… We shall find this origin of Us.

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Canyon Layer

Verse 2

SL300 - After the first mine-cart track, next to Longneck Plateau Getaway.

We worked up our courage and leapt into our first sinkhole… The sensation of landing was jarring but not painful. We recovered quickly. The landscape here is very different than the hilltops we are accustomed to. The dry air and scent of sand on the hot winds is an intriguing change of pace. If the atmosphere of this new land is this exciting, then we cannot wait to meet those who reside here.

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Verse 3

SL301 - Near Smokestack Interior Gateway, next to the sinkhole leading to SL302.

We met some creatures here unlike any we have seen before… They had long necks, with a distinctive dappled pattern. Their bodies were flexible and fur covered. We observed them experimenting on Banandium Gems to process them as an energy source. They hope to build the Underground World's greatest refinery someday. They have great ambition. They dream of a day in which their long necks rise above the crowded throngs of history. It is time for us to head to the next sinkhole. What sort of creatures will we meet farther down?

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The Divide

Verse 4

SL400 - Directly above the Warp Gong, next to Rambi.

We have reached a fork in the road… One branch is snowy. The other is leafy. We are deeply curious about them both. Either one could lead to the origin of Us. In moments of indecision, we stand on one foot and spin around until we are overtaken by dizziness. Once we fall over, whichever path we point toward will be the one we follow. At least they both point down…

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Freezer Layer

Verse 5

SL500 - On Cold-Colt Crest, just past the Fractone that teaches snowboarding.

Every surface here is covered in white… The frigid wind in this layer chills us to our very core. Some sort of frozen cotton is falling from the sky. We are told it is "snow." Our source is a local resident with quite fashionable stripes.

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Verse 6

SL501 - In Canter Creamery, between the Chip Exchange and the Stuff Shop.

The stripey zebras gave us a warm welcome to their cold abode… A sweet artisan in training invited us to a tasting of experimental delicacies. Of all of it, the Choco Banana had the biggest impact on us. Our feedback was that it wasn't very sweet. They say they'll work on that.

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Verse 7

SL501 - Just outside of Floating Chocolava Lake Getaway.

Snow is an interesting substance... A firm step on snow leaves a footprint behind. You can also pack it together to make sculptures. Pile enough of it up, and you can live in it like a house. There are so many things in this world we never could have imagined!

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Verse 8

SL502 - Next to the Compressor.

The sublayer is warmer than the icy ones we explored above… The heat down here makes it a perfect environment for producing chocolate. They dip a sweet, soft banana into the molten chocolate, which is only possible in this area, and the result… Ah! Thinking about it has caused a rumbling in our insides. We must take in more delicious meals on this journey…

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Forest Layer

Verse 9

SL600 - Next to Bellhop Burb Getaway.

The air here is thick with the pleasant smell of plant life… We are surrounded by grass so tall that it tickles as we walk through it. In the distance, we can see a large nest sheltering its eggs amidst the deep blue waters of the lake. All these sights and scents taken together combine into a tableau of incredible beauty. It soothes our spirit.

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Verse 10

SL601 - On the final island, just before the sinkhole leading to SL602.

The tall birds here were very polite in their greetings to us... They call themselves "ostriches." They have an enormous egg in which they host guests to their layer. Inside it are beds crafted from leaves and tree branches, and soft carpeting woven from grass. We saw no reason to decline their gracious offer of lodging for the night.

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Verse 11

SL602 - Near Broodbud Isle Getaway, under the large root.

After we notified the hotel staff that we were departing, they surprised us… The full staff of the hotel appeared to extend their thanks and give us a proper send-off! Not only that, the manager who founded the place personally escorted us all the way to the sinkhole. Such hospitality! We have high hopes that the next leg of our journey will be just as luxurious.

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The Junction

Verse 12

SL700 - At Clash Point, at the end of the Freezer Bridge. Can only be read after the Freezer Bridge's Terravoider has been destroyed.

The branched path has become a single road once more… The chill winds of the snowy peaks and the sweet fragrances of the forest have left our heart full. We sing with joy as we write this.

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Verse 13

SL700 - At Clash Point, at the end of the Forest Bridge. Can only be read after the Forest Bridge's Terravoider has been destroyed.

The clouds stretching into the distance are a sobering sight… We can see a giant hole ahead, as though someone shaved a chunk out of the sea of clouds. We have come to the next sinkhole. It is…quite large… When we jump into it, we will pretend that we are flying through the sky.

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Resort Layer

Verse 14

SL800 - At the base of the banana-shaped island that the big watermelon sits on.

There is water as far as we can see… It's warm here… The sunlight is strong… It feels nice to dip our feet in the water. We feel saltiness against our stone hide. The sand is damp and claylike, with vibrant fruits buried in it everywhere. After eating our fill, we slept in the shade of a tree. Before we knew it, our nap had lasted several years. Now that we are well-rested, it's time for us to head for the next sinkhole. Onward, to the origin of Us!

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Tempest Layer

Verse 15

SL900 - Above Lava Lake Walkway, in a small recess on the cliffside.

When we arrived, the sky was as blue as it had been in previous layers… As soon as we noticed this, a dark cloud appeared over us and began to rain. Only a moment later, the enormous boulder in front of us turned our way. It turned out to be a local—one which was many times bigger than us.

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Verse 16

SL902 - Near the Sauna Getaway, in the hall just before reaching the outside.

We have been told of a massive bird on this layer That can control the weather… The equally massive "elephants" here live alongside this bird, observing the weather and conducting experiments. We had some of the trainee forecasters predict the weather for us. The verdict was that the road ahead for us, as well as our destination, would see "sunny skies."

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Verse 17

SL902 - On the island at the base of Stormy Station, under a stone elephant.

With umbrellas held in their trunks, the elephants guided us to the sinkhole... The weather and scenery has changed constantly since our arrival. Sometimes it snows. Sometimes there is lightning. But when we arrived at the sinkhole, the skies were completely clear.

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Landfill Layer

Verse 18

SL1000 - In the Upper Pit, behind the statue of the Great Harmoneel.

There is something strange about the ground here… We looked closer and made a surprising discovery. Small scraps of debris seem to have settled into the layer here creating an unusual sediment. Strange, wiggly creatures spend their days swimming through these odds and ends. They have long, undulating bodies. When we asked, they told us that they are underground eels. There was no sinkhole, so we didn't know where to go from here. But the eels dug a hole for us, opening a way forward. Thanks to them, our quest to find the origin of Us continues!

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Racing Layer

Verse 19

SL1100 - On the floating island next to the Stampedeway Entrance, at the base of the stone banana.

We have come to a dreary and empty clearing… Nothing is here but a breeze blowing through a vast meadow. It reminds us somewhat of home. Are the Fractones of the Hilltop Layer singing and dancing from their hearts as we write this? Will this barren meadow someday be home to lively locals of its very own? We hope so. For now…we head deeper.

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Radiance Layer

Verse 20

SL1200 - Near the end of Shedlight Cave, between the sinkhole and the final concrete pillar.

The moment we arrived, we sunk deep into the soft sands… We do not know how many years we spent immobile there. But eventually, we felt a tapping on our head. A long, tubelike creature had mistaken us for ore and was attempting to dig us out with its tools. This "snake," as it called itself, apologized profusely for its error and set about making amends. Lacking the arms or legs that other creatures possess, the snake used its tail to deftly extricate us from the sand.

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Verse 21

SL1201 - At the very beginning of Glowboa Grotto.

After following a long, snakelike path, the landscape suddenly opened up… Before us was a glowing lake…but not truly a lake. Instead, it was light-refracting rocks that filled the grotto floor. The snakes told us they chisel off pieces of these rocks and use them to make light fixtures. Enlightening!

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Verse 22

SL1202 - On a small floating island above Sculptor's Studio.

We met a snake who referred to himself as a "sssculptor of light…" He showed us a number of his works in progress and we were impressed. Though unfinished, the pieces crafted with crystals and shining stones all seemed very promising. Before we left, the sculptor of light had a proposal for us. "Your translucency is perfect. Would you consssider becoming part of one of my piecesss?" We politely refused.

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Verse 23

SL1203 - In the underground tunnels, at the midpoint between the Oasis Observation Deck, Desert Outskirts Getaway, and the statue of Void Kong.

The ground here is an unbroken blanket of dazzling sand… It forms hills and slopes as though it is undulating. We step lightly so as not to get buried again. The sand squeaks whenever our hard feet rub against it. It has a different consistency here. It is glossier and highly translucent. Under bright light, we believe that it would sparkle most beautifully.

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Verse 24

SL1204 - Next to Crystal-Cobra Den Getaway.

Crystals grow in clusters here... They seem to slither through these caverns like snakes. We have heard that the crystals will one day be used to make light fixtures or other works of art. Perhaps the snakes' creations will make their way to other lands one day?

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Groove Layer

Verse 25

SL1300 - In the Disco Hall, between the Bass Path and Melody Path.

Finally! We have arrived at the source of all Fractonium! The origin of Us! At least, this was our hope. But it does not seem to be the case. Despite this, we are thrilled to see a greater gathering of Fractones than we have ever experienced before. And oh, how the music flowing from the floor's center moves us! We asked around as we danced and received important information. Apparently, the origin of Us is still farther below. We seek a place called the Planet Core.

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Feast Layer

Verse 26

SL1400 - On the path leading to Mane Gate Market, next to an ostrich-shaped Fractone.

Just now, an appetizing aroma stopped us in our tracks. A gallant-looking creature with a bushy tuft of hair—almost mane-like—called out to us. His sharp claws and fangs were off-putting at first, but he offered us a hearty (if not hairy) welcome. We must know what this "hamburger" he speaks of is about.

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Verse 27

SL1401 - Next to Cat-Scratch Kitchen Getaway.

Our first "hamburger" was a tour de force of taste! Speaking of tours, we received one of the factory, which was also a delight. We had not expected a trip through the Cat-Scratch Kitchen to be so enjoyable. We will have to return with a friend to share the experience with them.

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Forbidden Layer

Verse 28

SL1500 - In front of the Go-No-Further Gate, near the Styletone.

This time, we're certain that we have arrived at the origin of Us… Although…there's no one here. We hoped we'd get the meet the original Fractones still living here, but…nothing. It is a desolate place. Our saga ends here. We will have a look around for any stray clues. If we find none, we will head back home to the Hilltop Layer.

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Planet Core

Verse 29

SL1601 - In Fractone Fort, above the Style and Stuff Shops.

It wasn't the end after all… We have reached the true Planet Core! This is the birthplace of all Fractones. At last, this is the origin of Us. The Fractones here look like us, but they do not seem capable of speech. No matter how long it takes, we will find some way to communicate with them.

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Verse 30

SL1606 - On a ledge above Fractone Cradle.

It took many long hours, but we finally taught the local Fractones to speak… Now capable of verbal communication, the Fractones here have enjoyed hearing tales of our underground travels. We have seen so much. We have met so many. Thus, we have a new quest! We are going to start a village here. We will invite creatures from all the upper layers to live and trade with us. This will someday be a thriving village that attracts all kinds of residents. This will be the origin of a new Us. As one saga ends, the next begins!

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"Gravestone"

SL1609 - On Climactic Cliff, just off the center path.

Here lies Exploritone, the adventurer… May they rest peacefully in this land, in the warm embrace of the Mother Banandium Root.

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Gallery

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  Exploritone asleep

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	メモルヤの民たみ[?] Memoruya no Tami	Portmanteau of「メモる」(memoru, "to take notes") and「ワレルヤの民たみ」(Wareruya no Tami, "Fractone")
Italian	Narratale	From narratore ("narrator") and Frattale ("Fractone")
Portuguese (NOA)	Escritom	From escritor ("writer") and Fractom ("Fractone")
Spanish	Exploritono	From explorador ("explorer") and Fractono ("Fractone")