Donkey Kong Bananza takes Nintendo’s legendary ape on an exhilarating new journey, diving deep underground and into the future. This game masterfully blends nostalgic platforming with bold, innovative mechanics, serving as both a soft reboot and a reinvention. With the team behind Super Mario Odyssey at the helm, Bananza steps confidently into the 3D platforming arena, delivering a fresh experience that feels both familiar and groundbreaking.
The Story: Bananas, Mystery, and Heart
Bananza reimagines Donkey Kong as a lovable, bumbling brute employed by a mysterious banana-mining company beneath Ingot Isle. The adventure kicks off with VoidCo’s sinister bosses crashing the mines, stealing the priceless Golden Bananas, and heading for the planet’s core. What seems like a straightforward quest for fruit quickly evolves into a deeper, more nuanced mission.
Along the way, DK teams up with Pauline, the former damsel-turned-singer, who’s been trapped in the mines. Their partnership is a highlight, adding charm and heart to the story as their relationship grows throughout the game. Through expressive, silent interactions, DK’s personality shines as a comic yet determined hero, while Pauline’s confidence and musical talents develop, making her an unexpectedly compelling character. My kids, for example, immediately connected with her. Pauline is now their favourite character in Mario Kart World. This pairing feels fresh and genuine, a welcome departure from the predictable inclusion of sidekick like Diddy Kong.
Exploration: Smash, Dig, and Transform
Bananza encourages exploration in a way that feels reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey, but with a destructive twist. The terrain isn’t just there to navigate, it’s there to destroy. Punch through mountains, surf on broken debris, or ground-slap your way to hidden treasures. The game offers players creative freedom to carve their own path through its vibrant, dynamic environments.
However, this freedom sometimes comes at a cost. The camera angles can become frustratingly disorienting, especially in the deeper, more complex areas. While not game-breaking, these moments can pull you out of the experience as you try to reorient yourself.
That said, the game’s environments are thoughtfully designed, blending strategy and creativity. Even after completing the main story (about 30 hours long) there’s plenty to do for completionists, with tons of secrets and hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. Progression ties closely to the story, unlocking new areas as you defeat bosses, destroy VoidCo structures, or learn dances from the eccentric Elders. At times, the exploration feels like a loving nod to the discovery-focused gameplay of the Zelda series.
One standout feature is the Bananza transformation system. Elders grant DK animal forms—like Gorilla, Ostrich, and Zebra each with unique abilities that can be leveled up. These forms not only enhance combat and movement but also offer creative solutions for puzzles, keeping the gameplay fresh while adding a dose of humor. Switching between forms on the fly adds a dynamic layer to exploration and problem-solving.
Gameplay: Punchy, Satisfying, and Addictive
Bananza’s core mechanics shine, delivering a sense of physicality that makes every action, punching, rolling, climbing, smashing, feel impactful and satisfying. The combat and platforming are engaging and well-tuned, bolstered by a skill tree and upgrade system that enhances DK’s abilities.
Collectibles like Gold Shards and Golden Bananas act as currency, unlocking useful items like shortcuts, life-saving balloons, and base camps. Meanwhile, fossil-based costumes provide both quirky customization options and gameplay perks for DK and Pauline, adding some extra personality to the experience.
Co-op Mode: A Missed Opportunity
While Bananza excels as a single-player experience, its co-op multiplayer feels like an afterthought. Although Pauline’s inclusion in the main game adds depth and charm, her role in co-op play is underwhelming. Player two’s experience is limited and disjointed, leading to confusion and frustration. It’s reminiscent of the “hat” co-op mode in Mario Odyssey, where the second player’s role feels secondary and unsatisfying.
Ultimately, we found it more enjoyable to take turns playing as DK in single-player mode rather than attempting co-op. While this doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the game, the co-op feature feels unnecessary and would have been better left out.
Final Verdict: A New Benchmark for 3D Platformers
Donkey Kong Bananza is a masterclass in creativity, humour, and Nintendo’s signature polish. It combines a heartfelt story with inventive gameplay mechanics, pushing the boundaries of what a Donkey Kong game can be. The Bananza transformation system, destructible environments, and dynamic exploration make it one of the most innovative entries in the franchise.
Despite minor technical quirks and a disappointing co-op mode, Bananza stands tall as a must-play for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. It’s a vibrant, ambitious, and thoroughly enjoyable game that earns its place among the best 3D platformers of all time.
