Donkey Kong Bananza takes Nintendo’s iconic ape on a fresh adventure, diving underground and into the future. Blending nostalgic platforming with bold, innovative mechanics, this game acts as both a soft reboot and a reinvention, standing out from past Kong outings as it confidently steps into the 3D platforming spotlight thanks to the team behind Mario Odyssey.
Story: A Journey for Bananas (and More)
Bananza reimagines Donkey Kong as a lovable brute employed by a mysterious banana-mining company beneath Ingot Isle. The opening sets the stage: VoidCo’s sinister bosses crash the mines and head for the planet’s core, stealing the coveted Golden Bananas along the way. What starts as a simple quest to retrieve DK’s beloved fruit evolves into a deeper and sometimes darker mission.
Donkey Kong teams up with Pauline, the former damsel-turned-singer, who’s been trapped in the mines. Their partnership adds a layer of charm and heart, growing as they descend deeper into the underworld. Together, they face VoidCo’s schemes, encounter eccentric Elders, and gain Bananza transformations.
Through expressive, silent exchanges, DK’s personality shines, while Pauline’s confidence and musical talent grow, creating a dynamic relationship that feels authentic and fun. The pairing is a surprisingly good one and I’m glad they went in this direction rather than using a character like Diddy Kong. Especially seeing the game through the eyes of my kids who immediatly resonated with Pauline who is also their new favourite character on Mario Kart World.
Exploration: Discover, Dig, and Transform
Bananza encourages exploration, reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey, but with an exciting destructive twist. Terrain isn’t just there to traverse, you can smash, shape, and tunnel through it. Whether it’s punching through a mountain for hidden treasures, surfing on broken debris, or using a ground slap to uncover secrets, the game offers creative freedom to carve your own path.
But with enormous smashing power comes frustrating camera angles, as you dive deeper into environment the camera following DK gets extremely confusing and you need to spend time trying to work out which direction you are facing, its not a game breaker but it does take you out of the moment.
However the environments are thoughtfully designed, requiring strategy and inventive use of tools and abilities, once the main game is completed after 30 or so hours, there’s still plenty of fun to be had with jumping in and trying to 100% the title by finding every last secret.
Progression is tied to the story, unlocking new areas after defeating bosses, destroying VoidCo structures, or learning dances from Elders. The world at times really feels like a nod to the Zelda games for their exploration and discovery.
A standout feature is the Bananza transformation system. Elders grant animal forms like Gorilla, Ostrich, and Zebra, each bringing unique powers that can be levelled up with skill points and change the way you navigate and fight. Switching forms on the go creates dynamic solutions for puzzles and keeps exploration fresh, blending power with a touch of humour.
Game Mechanics: Compulsion in Every Punch
Donkey Kong Bananza thrives on dynamic and engaging movement, punching, rolling, climbing, and smashing your way through vibrant levels. The combat and platforming mechanics deliver a satisfying weight and physicality, making every action feel impactful. A well-designed lite skill tree and upgrade system provide meaningful customization, allowing you to enhance DK’s abilities to suit your playstyle.
Collectibles like Gold Shards and Golden Bananas serve as currency, unlocking shortcuts, life-saving balloons, and base camps. Fossil-based costumes add a layer of customisation, offering perks and a touch of style for DK and Pauline.
Co-op Multiplayer Feels like an Afterthought
The game has a co-op multiplay feature that is in my opinion a complete waste of time. The introduction of Pauline in the single player experience is a great enhancement to the game, but when playing as a second player in “control” of the character you feel robbed of the normal gameplay experience as it quickly turns into a confusing mess.
We tried playing this way on a few occasions and decided the best multiplayer experience was actually just taking turns with the controller with the player one character and not bothering with co-op at all. This was also an issue when player 2 was the hat in Mario Odyssey, it doesn’t make either game a bad game, it just makes it a great single player game and the mode should be scrapped as it feels like an afterthought.
Final Score: 9/10
Donkey Kong Bananza delivers creativity, humour, and Nintendo’s signature polish in nearly every way possible. Its a great blend of story, exploration, and uses some of the most inventive mechanics we’ve ever seen.
It a standout entry in the DK series and a title that can easily be included on lists of the best 3D platformers of all time with little to no argument. While minor technical quirks and a lackluster co-op mode hold it back from perfection, its ambition and heart make it a must-play for Nintendo Switch 2 owners who are looking for something to really showcase the system.
