12 bananas similar games & best alternatives

12 bananas

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2020

Should you play it?

Leap over treacherous chasms, navigate past a sea of hazards, and locate all 12 bananas as you embark on an epic quest and travel the patience-testing path that lies ahead in this infuriatingly challenging, unforgiving, puzzling, memey platformer.

What works
  • Challenging and rewarding gameplay
  • Amazing soundtrack and audio experience
  • Deep and moving story
  • Free to play with high quality
  • High replay value and mastery
Things to keep in mind
  • Unforgiving difficulty with no saving
  • Frustrating controls and physics
  • Some bugs and glitches reported
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • Steep learning curve may deter casual players

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • ALTF4

  • On Rusty Trails

  • Master Spy

  • Ambidextro

  • Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Rise of the Owlverlord

  • Get To Work

  • Toree Saturn

  • Fever Meme

  • Tin Can

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • On Rusty Trails

  • Master Spy

  • Toree Saturn

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

12 bananas: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Violence.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have control over platforming actions and decisions with some freedom in movement and ability use, though within designed levels and objectives."

    Capsule for PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC

    "Players have control over their platforming actions and decisions, with no saving or pausing, requiring self-directed mastery."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game is challenging with a steep learning curve, rewarding skill mastery and precise timing."

    Capsule for OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood

    "The game is highly challenging, demanding precision and skill, with a steep learning curve and rewarding mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Some players mention leaderboards and speedruns, indicating mild competitive elements, but the focus is mostly on cooperative play."

    Capsule for Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle

    "Leaderboards and speedrunning are mentioned, indicating some competitive elements, though not the main focus."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report habitual play, long sessions, and repeated attempts despite frustration, indicating strong attachment and desire to continue."

    Capsule for Fear & Hunger 2: Termina Fear & Hunger 2: Termina

    "Players report habitual play, repeated retries, and strong attachment despite frustration, indicating high continuation."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "The game is a single-player platformer with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time

    "The game is a solo platformer with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Players can choose research directions and develop theories, but overall gameplay is constrained by repetitive and preset structures."

    Capsule for PRINCIPIA: Master of Science PRINCIPIA: Master of Science

    "Some players mention discovering tech and strategies, but gameplay is mostly about mastering preset challenges."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are individual and respectful; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Pumped BMX + Pumped BMX +

    "Interactions are individual and respectful; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Players describe the game as life-changing, immersive, and a way to escape real-life struggles and stress."

    Capsule for Ukrainian ball in search of gas Ukrainian ball in search of gas

    "Players describe the game as life-changing, immersive, and a way to relieve stress and escape real-life problems."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal desire, with no obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Rock Life: The Rock Simulator Rock Life: The Rock Simulator

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal desire, with no obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore mechanics, secrets, and puzzles, encouraging experimentation within the game world."

    Capsule for Corn Kidz 64 Corn Kidz 64

    "Players explore game mechanics and discover advanced techniques, indicating some experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Some exploration of new stages and hidden content exists, but the game is mostly structured around known maps and progression."

    Capsule for HoloCure - Save the Fans! HoloCure - Save the Fans!

    "The game involves finding hidden bananas and exploring levels, though within a known map."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -4

    "No customization or avatar personalization; players use a fixed character and preset visuals."

    Capsule for Caveman World: Mountains of Unga Boonga Caveman World: Mountains of Unga Boonga

    "No customization or avatar personalization; players use the fixed banana character."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Game features whimsical, absurd banana-themed characters and scenarios, providing imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Banana Shooter Banana Shooter

    "The game has whimsical and meme elements with a fictional banana protagonist, though grounded in platforming."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "The experience is mostly solitary with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Duck Simulator 2 Duck Simulator 2

    "The experience is primarily solitary with minimal social interaction or community focus."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Players report learning mechanics, improving skills, and personal development through challenging gameplay."

    Capsule for Pih Pih

    "Players report learning, skill improvement, and personal development through overcoming challenges."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

    Capsule for Human Fall Flat Human Fall Flat

    "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to punishing mechanics and limited saves."

    Capsule for Haydee Haydee

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to unforgiving difficulty and no saving."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

    Capsule for EMPTY SHELL: PROLOGUE EMPTY SHELL: PROLOGUE

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

    Capsule for Slay the Spire Slay the Spire

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through leveling, skill acquisition, and item collection."

    Capsule for 河洛群俠傳 (Ho Tu Lo Shu : The Books of Dragon) 河洛群俠傳 (Ho Tu Lo Shu : The Books of Dragon)

    "Progression through collecting bananas and mastering levels, though no complex item upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "The game is tense and challenging, causing frustration rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for Rex Rocket Rex Rocket

    "The game is described as stressful and unforgiving, causing frustration rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Highly praised visuals, sound design, and soundtrack provide rich sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Lies of P Lies of P

    "Highly praised soundtrack and immersive audio-visual experience provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition via leaderboards and community reputation, but not a dominant motivation."

    Capsule for Pavlov Pavlov

    "Some recognition through leaderboards and community praise, but not a dominant motivation."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Contains some lore and narrative elements that enhance immersion beyond pure gameplay."

    Capsule for CAPTURED CAPTURED

    "Players mention a deep, moving story and lore that enhances immersion beyond gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Game requires planning, problem solving, and tactical decision making."

    Capsule for Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD

    "Requires planning, problem-solving, and strategic use of game mechanics to succeed."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "The game provides suspense and tension through survival challenges, enemy encounters, and risk of losing progress."

    Capsule for Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness

    "The game provides suspense, tension, and relief through its challenging platforming and risk of failure."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Free to play with high quality and content, players perceive excellent value for time invested."

    Capsule for The Local The Local

    "Free to play with high quality and depth, players perceive excellent value for time invested."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on platforming and exploration."

    Capsule for Super Win the Game Super Win the Game

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on platforming and collecting."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must avoid death, manage limited health and ammo, and restart levels upon failure, emphasizing survival."

    Capsule for Shadow Ops: Red Mercury Shadow Ops: Red Mercury

    "Players must avoid failure and death, restarting from the beginning, emphasizing survival under pressure."

Last update: 01/06/2026