Donkey Kong Bananza review: Big, bold, and smashingly good

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From the start, Donkey Kong Bananza introduces you to its gameplay by plunging you into an underground space and guiding you towards a gleaming banana within arm’s reach. However, instead of picking it up, I spent a full 30 minutes demolishing everything around me—floors, walls, ceilings—gathering all the gold that burst out from every fragment of earth and rock I shattered. Thirty whole minutes!

The insatiable curiosity to excavate, peek behind every wall or dig beneath each patch of earth, is what makes Bananza so captivating, making it difficult to put down. It evokes the same excitement for exploration that made Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie legendary, but with a contemporary twist that breathes new life into the genre. Unlike other games that merely tweak the formula, Donkey Kong Bananza overhauls it, giving us one of the most innovative platforming experiences in years.

Exploration through Destruction

Experiencing the liberation that comes with breaking your surroundings is a significant part of what makes it feel so satisfying. In contrast to earlier Donkey Kong games, which were meticulously designed platformers requiring precise jumps and level-specific tricks, this one seems to embody the spirit of Super Mario Odyssey by providing more freedom for exploration – allowing you greater control over where and how you traverse.

Indeed, this same group has successfully developed a platformer that surpasses what was presented in Odyssey. Instead of merely exploring, you’re sculpting the world itself, and it’s all under your colossal gorilla control. Bananza blends familiar DK characters, names, and features with a 3D Mario-esque sense of freedom, then seasoned with its own distinctive taste that sets it apart as a standalone action-platformer.

The power to modify your surroundings expands numerous opportunities. Rather than hunting for a door or a key, you can simply create an opening by breaking through a wall yourself. This gameplay feature directly correlates with the puzzle design—you might believe you require a particular object to get a banana, but often, all that’s needed is a creative mind and unconventional thinking instead.

As a gamer, I’ve discovered that the creators likely anticipate me to test the game’s boundaries, inviting me to tinker and stretch the mechanics to their extremes. Each level is equipped with an indestructible metal framework serving as the backbone, allowing me to dismantle objects without causing irreparable damage to the overall structure of the level. If I ever find myself overstepping the mark, a simple reset option is available to return the map to its pristine original state with no fuss.

In summary, while Bananza generally performs well with impressive visuals for such an action-packed game, there can be occasional frame rate issues when you zoom out extensively or trigger excessive destruction during intense boss fights or explosive scenes. It’s a bit disappointing that one of the early Switch 2 games is already straining the hardware, but fortunately these occurrences are infrequent and don’t significantly interrupt the gameplay.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

As DK and Pauline venture further into the subterranean depths in their quest for a return home, you’ll find yourself immersed in a captivating tale that provides a well-defined framework amidst the disorder and devastation. Each stage unfolds at greater depths beneath the surface, yet each world emerges as a self-contained ecosystem—boasting its own skies, seas, landscapes, and creatures to aid or impede your progress. The game doesn’t delve into the reasons for the existence of meadows, stormy mountains, or oceans underground, but the allure of exploration will keep you engrossed.

The main aim is to uncover the Banandium Core deep within the Earth, a discovery that could grant any finder a wish. This goal propels the narrative forward, yet when exploring new realms, it’s hard not to be captivated by the wonders you encounter along the way.

In this game, your primary task involves the search for Banandium Gems, which are similar to bananas and serve a purpose comparable to the Moons in Odyssey. Some of these gems are artfully concealed, while others lie exposed for the finding. Many can be discovered simply by exploring or playing around. If you’re looking to streamline your search, DK’s ground slap acts like a sonar ping, revealing nearby hidden bananas.

Additionally, you’ll come across fossils scattered throughout the area. These fossils serve as a sort of currency that can be exchanged for outfits for DK and Pauline. Each outfit provides passive resistances or boosts depending on the world you’re in. It adds an engaging extra dimension to your exploration, but it won’t hinder your progress if you prefer to focus on advancing quickly.

The standout feature of Bananza is that it doesn’t dictate a specific gameplay style. Instead, it allows you to decide whether to delve deeply into each world or rush towards the next boss encounter, catering to your preferred pace.

PROS:

  1. Creative world-shaping mechanics make exploration feel fresh and empowering;
  2. a charming story and heartfelt character development elevate the adventure;
  3. massive, varied biomes are packed with secrets, collectibles, and surprises;
  4. nostalgic yet modern soundtrack complements every moment perfectly.

CONS:

  1. Occasional framerate dips during large-scale destruction or boss fights;
  2. boss battles are mostly short and not particularly challenging in the beginning.

DK Powered Up

Apart from bananas acting as collectibles, they also function as means to enhance Donkey Kong himself. By gathering five of them, you receive a skill point that you can utilize to boost existing skills or unlock brand new ones. Initially, I concentrated on increasing my punching power for faster terrain penetration, but you’re free to customize your skill progression according to your preferred gameplay style.

In simpler terms, this game isn’t too challenging, and most of the bosses can be defeated fairly easily at first. However, if you require assistance or prefer a less intense experience, there’s an option to make it more accessible. As you progress, the bosses will become increasingly difficult, testing your skills and resources accumulated throughout the game, but initially, they are relatively easy compared to later challenges.

In the narrative, DK acquires unique Bananza Abilities that enable him to morph into various animals, each boasting distinct abilities. These forms are crucial for advancing the story and they expand the possibilities of exploration. Employing the Elephant Bananza to swiftly hoover up your surroundings was quite handy, while using the Ostrich Bananza to flap its wings briefly for heightened flight facilitated further exploration.

These changes aren’t merely tricks; they’re resources that enhance your engagement with the surroundings in a profound way, and they’re incredibly enjoyable too!

Friendship Through Hardship

The unique bond between DK and Pauline in the game Bananza adds to its lasting impression. Initially, they seem an improbable duo, but their adventure through the underworld creates a connection that feels authentic and heartwarming.

As a gamer, I find it fascinating that every character in this game has a voiceover. What makes Pauline stand out is that she speaks in clear, understandable language, while the denizens of the underground use a charming gibberish. This direct communication with Pauline allows me to grasp her emotions more easily, and let’s not forget, it means I get to enjoy her singing too! Her voice plays a crucial role in activating DK’s Bananza transformations and unlocking certain barriers within the game.

As Pauline, I journey through this game, transforming from a shy, reserved character into a bolder, more self-assured version of myself. The ruthless villains of VoidCo., who seek to hoard all the gold, push me out of my comfort zone and force me to step up. The game skillfully portrays this evolution through cutscenes and subtle in-game moments, such as our heartfelt chats with DK during rest stops before we fall asleep. These quiet interactions add a layer of depth and humanity that is seldom seen in Nintendo platformers. By the end of our adventure, the bond between DK and me feels genuine and deeply emotional.

Final Thoughts

Donkey Kong Bananza offers unadulterated fun right from the get-go. Every world teems with items to gather, obstacles to demolish, or skills to perfect, and once the final credits appear, there’s still a wealth of hidden surprises waiting to be unearthed. Although it’s essentially a solo game, another player can join in by controlling Pauline, offering assistance through vocal-based assaults.

The music score also deserves recognition. It skillfully combines remakes of old DK melodies with fresh new pieces tailored to each environment. It’s wonderfully nostalgic without being overly reliant on the past.

In summary, Bananza serves as the perfect comeback for Donkey Kong—a daring, high-stakes revival that solidifies its place among Nintendo’s most esteemed franchises. It expertly blends open-ended exploration with destructive creativity and boasts superior visuals, fully utilizing the potential of the Switch 2. Although the frame rate occasionally falters, it never disrupts the overall enjoyment.

Most significantly, the game Donkey Kong Bananza skillfully combines fresh concepts with the essence of the series’ roots, resulting in an experience that isn’t just entertaining but also addictive. It’s not merely an excellent addition to the Donkey Kong series; it’s a game worth acquiring, and a compelling reason in itself to get a Switch 2.

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2025-07-25 13:33