Unlocking hidden characters is one of the most exciting parts of playing MEGABONK. Among them, Monke (often stylized as “Monkey / Monke”) is one of the most talked-about secret characters. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to free Monke, what you gain, and practical strategies to make the process smoother.
What is Monke in MEGABONK?
Monke is one of MEGABONK’s hidden or “secret event” characters. He doesn’t unlock through kill counts, quests, or tier clears like many others — instead, you must discover and free him during a run. Globally, the achievement “Monke: Find and release Monke in the Forest” has been earned by ~66%+ of players. Because he’s tied to exploration and RNG, Monke is both an Easter egg and a badge of persistence for dedicated players.
Unlock Conditions for Monke
Forest Biome Only
Monke is exclusively found in the Forest stage of MEGABONK. You will not trigger his event in the Desert or other biomes. His hidden location is off the beaten path—look in side trails, less-traveled zones, or behind foliage and walls.
Releasing Monke via a Cage Interaction
When you reach his location, you’ll find him trapped in a cage or locked enclosure. You need to interact with that cage to free him. But you can’t do that until you hold the right key. Most guides describe it like: you “locate his hidden spot … he appears trapped, and interacting with him will set him free once you have the golden key.”
The Golden Key
To open Monke’s cage, players must find a Golden Key. This key spawns randomly in the forest (or is dropped by enemies) during your run. Once you pick up the Golden Key, you can head to Monke’s cage and interact to free him.
Permanent Unlock & Achievement Trigger
Once you successfully free Monke during a run, the unlock is permanent — you don’t need to repeat the process again. That run also triggers the achievement “Monke: Find and release Monke in the Forest.” From then on, Monke is available in your roster for future runs.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Freeing Monke
- Start a run on the Forest map: Choose Forest as your biome and proceed as usual.
- Explore thoroughly: Don’t rush straight to the boss. Instead, scout side paths, secret corners, and less obvious corridors.
- Obtain the Golden Key: As you explore, keep an eye on items or drops. The Golden Key may show up on the ground or as an enemy drop.
- Locate Monke’s cage: Once you have the key, backtrack or continue exploring until you find the trapped Monke in a locked enclosure.
- Interact to release: Use the Golden Key to unlock the cage and free Monke.
- Finish the run: Exit or complete the stage. After the run ends, check the Unlocks menu to confirm Monke is added to your character list.
Tips & Strategies to Make It Easier
-
Boost movement/exploration stats: If you can pick upgrades that increase your speed or reveal hidden areas, prioritize them — the faster you explore, the higher your chance to find Monke.
-
Don’t skip side areas: The cage is usually off the main path, so avoid sticking strictly to the central route.
-
Expect multiple tries: RNG plays a role in key spawn and cage location; you may need several runs to trigger the event.
-
Use “skip” or “banish” systems: These mechanics help you avoid picking up power-ups that might distract or slow your run.
-
Mind your Silver budget: Even though freeing Monke is the core, MEGABONK often requires unlocking the character’s weapon and then paying Silver to add the character. Some players note that unlocking doesn’t auto-add — you must unlock → purchase weapon → buy character in the Unlocks menu.
Why Monke Is Special (What You Gain)
-
Secret / collector’s appeal: Being one of the hidden characters, Monke carries prestige among completionist players.
-
Unique mechanics or theme: Though full abilities may depend on updates, Monke often comes with thematic elements like bananas or climbing traits (speculated in some guides).
-
Achievement reward: The “Find and release Monke” is one of the main achievements in the game.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Q: I found the key but can’t find Monke’s cage.
A: The cage may be located in out-of-the-way rooms or hidden behind foliage. Backtrack through unexplored branches.
Q: The unlock didn’t register after releasing him.
A: You may still need to purchase his weapon and then buy Monke from the characters screen. MEGABONK requires multiple steps beyond just freeing.
Q: Can Monke appear outside the Forest biome?
A: No — all reliable sources confirm Monke’s event only triggers in the Forest.
Conclusion
Unlocking Monke in MEGABONK is a rewarding adventure. Here’s what you need to know: He hides in the Forest stage, You must find the Golden Key, locate his cage, and interact with him to rescue him, This unlock is permanent after a successful run. You may then need to unlock his weapon and purchase him with Silver to fully activate him.
Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away — exploration and persistence are key. Once completed, Monke will be a fun and lore-rich addition to your squad.