Donkey Kong Bananza is a game with almost the same scope and impact as Super Mario Odyssey, even though the two feature completely different main characters. Let me explain why. Donkey Kong Bananza is the second major first-party release for the Nintendo Switch 2, the company’s new hybrid handheld and console device. It follows the successful launch of Mario Kart World and holds significant importance as a title released so close to the Switch 2’s official debut.
In concept, Donkey Kong Bananza is simple. You play as Donkey Kong, using his abilities to smash the world around him to smithereens. The game is set in a world that gradually unravels layer by layer as Donkey Kong travels underground, destroying anything in his way. While Donkey Kong is the star, there is also a large supporting cast, including a sidekick role for Pauline, who joins him on his journey.
The story centers on Donkey Kong’s quest to recover something he truly cherishes — bananas. Pauline teams up with him to track down golden banana-shaped diamonds stolen by a group of villains and taken underground. Along the way, Donkey Kong faces different bosses in each layer of the underground. Defeating a boss usually unlocks the path to a new, powerful transformation. Each layer begins with its own unique geography and environmental density, creating a sense of steady progression as new abilities are gained.
The real fun in Donkey Kong Bananza comes from the sheer destructive power of Kong himself. The ability to smash almost anything means you can quite literally destroy entire levels. This destruction remains permanent as long as the player is in the same area. Once you move to a different layer, however, it resets, which makes sense, as tracking every bit of destruction would be technically demanding. The game takes an open-sandbox approach to design, similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. The scope here is even bigger, with each underground layer hiding multiple secrets.
Controlling Donkey Kong in this game is a joy. His ability to pick up and throw pieces of the environment is not only fun but also practical in solving challenges. As new abilities are unlocked — including animal transformations — the game begins to open up even more. These transformations are limited but enjoyable to use when the chance arises. For example, transforming into a zebra grants a burst of speed, while becoming an ostrich lets Kong glide across gaps. These powers further expand the sandbox world, encouraging even deeper exploration.
While many fans were still hoping for a side-scrolling 2D Donkey Kong platformer, Bananza might be the best possible outcome with its full transition to a 3D environment. The game even offers a brief throwback to the original Donkey Kong titles in its intro, but as the world gradually shifts into 3D, it becomes clear why the developers chose this approach for the new entry.
The story will not win any major awards for its writing or character development, but it remains focused. It centers on a group of villains — mostly apes — who are trying to steal the world’s supply of bananas. And who better to stop them than Donkey Kong himself? The game’s large-scale destruction mechanics do come with a trade-off, leading to occasional minor performance issues over time. They are not game-breaking or enough to ruin the experience, but if you are sensitive to frame drops, you may notice them more often in docked mode.
The controls are quite easy to pick up, much like Super Mario Odyssey. The game encourages exploration, and some of its well-hidden secrets can be tricky to figure out if you are a newcomer. The search for bananas never feels pointless, as they are tied to in-game upgrades. Collecting them is rewarding, granting Donkey Kong new abilities or improving existing ones.
It is clear Nintendo aimed this game at a younger audience, but a bit more challenge would not have hurt. As it stands, it can feel a little too easy and repetitive, though this is mostly noticeable if you are going for 100 percent completion. Like most Nintendo titles with collectibles, the replay value is solid. At its launch price on the Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza feels worth every dollar spent.
The visuals are impressive, even if they are not as technically stunning as some other current-generation titles. To Nintendo’s credit, they have nailed the balance between cartoony visuals and a unique artistic style. That said, the game does suffer from occasional performance drops, and the image quality can appear soft, particularly in docked mode. On the upside, it is still one of the most polished Switch 2 games I have played at launch, and any issues that did occur were quickly addressed through post-launch updates from Nintendo.
Donkey Kong Bananza Game Information
- Price: $69.99
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
