Donkey Kong Bananza

Description

Donkey Kong Bananza sees Nintendo’s oldest character reappear in a completely new take on 3D platformers. It marks the first original Donkey Kong game since Tropical Freeze (2014, Wii U) and the first 3D platformer in its series since Donkey Kong 64 (1999, N64). Players follow Donkey Kong and a teenage Pauline, who emerges as a mysterious ally underground, on a quest to retrieve golden bananas known as Banandium Gems and reach the planetary core for a wish-granting artefact. The duo must confront the mining company VoidCo and its leaders, including Void Kong, while exploring multiple subterranean biomes beneath Ingot Isle.

The gameplay introduces destructible environments with nearly all terrain being destructible in real time, enabling players to carve new paths, smash enemies, and use chunks as tools for traversal, combat, and puzzle-solving. DK’s moveset includes the Dive Punch, Hand Slap, Forward Roll, and Chunk Tear, allowing varied interactions with terrain and enemies. Pauline’s singing builds Bananergy to activate DK’s transformations, such as super strength (Kong Bananza), speed (Zebra Bananza), and flight (Ostrich Bananza)—each offering unique abilities.

The game retains classical and modern platformer dynamics. Players gather Banandium Gems, banana chips, gold nuggets, and fossils. Gems unlock transformations and upgrades, while other collectibles can be traded for cosmetics, consumables, and skills. The title goes the extra mile to support 2-player local co-op using Joy‑Con or GameShare, with one controlling DK and the other using Pauline’s vocals via mouse-style aiming. This along with an Assist Mode for guidance, aim assist, and regenerating health, making the game highly accessible for even the youngest of players. A bonus carving mode that lets players sculpt environments in a feeling reminiscent of the intro to Mario 64 and Mario Paint.

Development began on the original Nintendo Switch but shifted to Switch 2 mid-development to fully realise its ambitious destructible environments. Developed in-house by Nintendo EPD’s Production Group No. 8, the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, it represents Nintendo’s first internally-developed Donkey Kong platformer since Jungle Beat (2004, GameCube).

The game received widespread acclaim for its creativity, visual fidelity, and innovative world destruction mechanics. It is considered a system-seller for the Switch 2, often compared to Super Mario Odyssey in ambition and execution, and frequently cited as a candidate for Game of the Year across outlets. The game provides a genuine pleasure to play, from its gameplay loop to story. For the detailed orientated there are plenty of subtle reflections and references to the history of the franchise, all the way back to DK, Lady (Pauline), and Jumpman (Mario) in early 1980s. A piece of art disguised a mainstream title that has universally been acclaimed.