Donkey Kong Bananza review: An instant classic bursting with replayability

by

Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 having achieved remarkable sales figures, one might think it wouldn’t require another system-selling game following Mario Kart World. However, Donkey Kong Bananza turns out to be just that unexpected hit.

In 2017, the creators of Super Mario Odyssey are back with a heartfelt tribute to our furry friend, Donkey Kong. They’ve made an ingenious move by reimagining Nintendo’s iconic hairy mascot as their take on The Incredible Hulk.

Instead of Bruce Banner’s transformative character, Bananza stands out as anything but awkward. After spending 20 hours demolishing everything in sight and grooving to Bananza’s remarkable agility, I firmly believe that Nintendo has created one of the most engaging and replayable platform games from this contemporary age.

This is an intricate, many-tiered (actually speaking) adventure that primarily focuses on fulfilling the thrilling illusion of guiding a charming simian and his novel companion towards the core of a world, using your fists as you go.

Donkey Kong Bananza screenshots

1 of 9

What is Donkey Kong Bananza about?

In search of anything related to Bananular, the story begins as Bananza starts excavating what appears to be an underground banana with DK and companions. However, trouble arises not long after, as a gang similar to Team Rocket, known as the Void Company, suddenly intrudes on their routine activities.

Eager to reach the planet’s center and swipe a wish from the mighty Bananadium Root (you’ll get the hang of the puns!), DK partners with a freed Pauline, who had been held captive by Void, in pursuit of the wrongdoers.

While on their journeys, this pair encounters various ecosystems and societies dwelling in the planet’s lower regions. From the Fractones – ever-regenerating crystals that rejuvenate when struck – to tribes of talking birds, zebras, and monkeys, it’s like a bustling wildlife reserve below.

It’s not surprising that Bananza’s layout resembles The Odyssey. Each level of this planet serves as a unique stage or biome, frequently broken down even more into sub-layers. These vast theme parks are filled with collectibles, hidden secrets, and diversions at every turn.

Spend some time here, take a look around, and once you’re satisfied, move towards the primary goal to uncover the next level.

I’m going deeper underground

In most of Bananza, the action unfolds beneath a planet’s surface. As DK and Pauline venture deeper, the scenery becomes increasingly surreal. From lush jungles and vacation spots to industrial parks and dance halls, Bananza offers a visual feast for the eyes.

Before embarking on the dive, my main worry was that Nintendo might prioritize showcasing the game’s primary feature – the ability to demolish nearly anything or terrain – over maintaining meticulous level design.

Underneath DK’s feet lies a vast expanse that seems empty. To foster aimless dropping, you can discover coins and guides marking collectibles scattered around, but the game functions optimally when it empowers players to chart their unique course through each level.

The damage you’ve caused can be seen clearly on the map. It’s an unexpected yet helpful feature that tracks your movements in real-time, and I frequently checked it to understand the chaos I’d created behind me.

Despite the unique characteristics of each biome, it’s the extraordinary control and feel of Donkey Kong himself that stands out as Bananza’s greatest achievement.

Monkey business

It seems intentional that Bananza’s second level, the Hilltop, is expansive and open. I’ve often found myself getting lost in time here, not because of gathering bananas or advancing, but rather absorbing Kong’s wisdom.

In a spacious area that allowed ample opportunity for our heroic primate to utilize his powerhouse muscles rich in potassium, I began to strategize different routes and offensive maneuvers. This way, I discovered ways he could make the most of these options to his benefit.

During my training sessions, Devil May Cry kept popping up in my mind. While it’s not necessary to memorize the intricate combo sequences like those found in Capcom’s games, the smooth flow of the gameplay is quite similar. I found myself frequently returning to Hilltop once I unlocked new abilities and transformations, eager to see how I could seamlessly incorporate them into my playstyle.

Taking a piece of rock, balancing it on the surface of the water so it spins, and then knocking it into an adversary’s mouth is an action that, when described, fails to convey the sense of fulfillment it provides.

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language and avoiding jargon.

It’s quite likely that speedrunners will quickly devise astonishing level skips or tactics in just a matter of weeks following the game’s release, given the vast potential for spontaneous gameplay.

Verdict

Throughout its entirety, Donkey Kong Bonanza is an absolute blast to play! I completed my adventure up to the end credits within approximately 20 hours. The amount of additional content you explore will greatly differ based on your personal choices, which adds to the game’s charm.

If you’re not particularly fond of games that involve collecting items, there’s still a lot here for die-hard platform game enthusiasts to savor. I highly suggest attempting the diverse challenges – imagine Shrines from Breath of the Wild – scattered across the world, and if you enjoy 2D Donkey Kong-style gaming, then you definitely shouldn’t miss them!

As a gamer, I found the handheld mode to be smooth sailing with minimal performance issues. However, when I docked my console, I frequently encountered some pretty significant frame rate drops, especially during challenging boss battles. Keep in mind, there might be patches released on launch day that could potentially improve this situation. Luckily, it didn’t ruin my overall gaming experience to a point where I couldn’t enjoy it.

Read More

2025-07-16 15:19