Just over a month since Nintendo launched their next-generation Nintendo Switch 2, they gave us a brand new, triple-A game just weeks after the massive Mario Kart World. Donkey Kong Bananza is DK’s first 3D adventure since Donkey Kong 64 way back in 1999, and because of its design and the fact that the team made it previously developed Super Mario Odyssey, it’s clear this game looks to be the 3D Mario replacement of the Switch 2’s first year. Well, does it deliver? Here’s my spoiler-free review of Donkey Kong Bananza — as well as whether I think the game makes buying a Switch 2 worth it and whether or not it can replace a 3D Mario.
*Note: This is a spoiler-free review. Details of the game in terms of story and levels that have not been shown in trailers or promos will not be shown or mentioned.
First of all, Donkey Kong Bananza is outstanding. It doesn’t matter if you’re a die-hard Mario fan, a die-hard DK fan, or a fan of something else — Donkey Kong Bananza is a great video game. In terms of its overall gameplay, it mixes creative elements that fit well with Donkey Kong and smashes them into a massive, 3D, open-world platformer seamlessly. Think Super Mario Odyssey just with more smashing and punching. That’s essentially what Donkey Kong Bananza is. Plus, both of those games were developed by the same team at Nintendo, so there are many aspects of the game that are similar to Odyssey.
The game starts off with DK at Ingot Isle, the Kongs’ mining operation, before the game’s villain, Void Kong, attacks, sinking the site underground. The deeper DK goes searching for golden bananas, he realizes that the only way to return to the surface is to go deeper to the planet core, where the legendary Banandium Root can grant any wish. A fun part about this is that DK finds a talking rock called Odd Rock — that is, until the rock breaks to reveal a 13-year-old Pauline was trapped inside. Pauline, also wanting to return to the surface, joins DK in his journey to the planet core. Pauline adds a very charming aspect to the game, especially since she has actual voiceclips. It makes the game a fun one throughout.
The game’s levels are many layers DK and Pauline explore as they dive deeper underground, with each having a sinkhole that provides access to the next layer. Most of the layers are fun to explore, consisting of multiple sublevels with things to do. Each layer has a distinct theme and is full of areas to explore. Plus, DK can now smash through or climb up basically anything. He can smash down to discover caves or passages underneath the ground, pick up chunks and throw or even surf on them, and so much more. The extent of how much these controls encourage exploration is incredible — sometimes you’ll have so much fun exploring that you’ll forget where you’re actually supposed to go. Along the way, DK and Pauline will also meet the Elder of some layers. By finding the whole or pieces of an ancient record, DK can learn a new Bananza power. Bonanza powers act as a temporary ability that can grant powers that help in layers, such as punching through concrete with the Kong Bananza or flying for a short time with the Ostrich Bananza.
Donkey Kong Bananza has some incredible visuals. Every layer is beautiful, with the standouts being the Lagoon, Freezer, and Tempest layers. There’s so many little details that make the game feel so special. The Banandium Gems also look very pretty with their shiny and crystal-like designs. Speaking of, these golden bananas are one of the game’s main collectibles. These bananas are similar in many ways to Super Mario Odyssey’s power moons, only they don’t act as each level’s main objective. Instead, collecting 5 of these gems gives DK a skill point, which can be used to unlock new skills or upgrade other skills. It’s a nice feature that almost acts as experience points in RPGs. There’s also collectible fossils, which are similar to Odyssey’s purple coins, being collectibles that can buy clothing items but can only be used in the layer where they were found. Plus, unlike Odyssey, the many collectible outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza actually change DK’s stats and can do a large range of things to affect his attributes.
Now, while Donkey Kong Bananza is a near-perfect game in most respects, there were a couple of minor gripes that I had with the experience. One is that the game has a lot of different tricks and moves DK can perform. Basically every button on the controller can do at least one thing, some multiple. While it wasn’t as big of a deal as I expected before playing, it did still take a little while to get used to the controls, especially with the Bananza powers since for some weird reason, every Bananza’s main movie is denoted to a different button. My bigger gripe is the bosses, as most of the bosses are either way to quick and/or way too easy. There are many bosses that once you knock them down once, you can just punch all of their health away without them fighting back. It wasn’t until the very end of the game where the bosses started getting interesting. The final boss is an incredible battle, but it’s one of the very, very few fights that is.
Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza is outstanding. It takes what fans love from the DK series and all of what fans love from 3D platformers and mixes them all together in a wacky and uniquely-magical experience. Playing this game for the first time felt the same as the nostalgia I feel playing games like Super Mario Odyssey — games that I spent my childhood playing and mastering. Donkey Kong Bananza is an excellent adventure that will entertain anyone, and I’m giving it a 5.6/6 on the MegaMeter.
What are your thoughts on Donkey Kong Bananza? Let me know in the comments.
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