Crush vanilla wafer cookies and mix with melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust. Bake it for a few minutes to set.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas, and mix until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
Line the crust with slices of ripe bananas. This layer will add extra banana flavor and texture to the cheesecake.
Pour the prepared cheesecake filling over the banana slices, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Place the cheesecake in the preheated oven and bake until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly. This typically takes about an hour, depending on your oven.
Once baked, let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate it for several hours or overnight to chill and set.
Meanwhile, prepare banana pudding according to package instructions. Allow it to cool slightly.
Once the cheesecake has chilled, spread a layer of cooled banana pudding over the top. You can also garnish with additional banana slices or whipped cream if desired.