Review: Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2)
Donkey Kong Bananza is the first major post-launch title for the Switch 2 developed by Nintendo. It also happens to be the first 3D outing for Donkey Kong since the Nintendo 64 era. Put these two elements together, and it’s either a formula for success or a potential for letting down legions of fans. So, how does this highly anticipated outing fare? Spoiler alert: really well.
If you’ve seen the trailers, you’ll already know the plot. It’s so fun that I’m going to mention it again anyway. It seems our good friend Donkey Kong is busy mining for bananas in Ingot Mines along with his monkey friends. These Diddy Kong lookalikes get a fright when the mine collapses under a powerful earthquake; only this is no natural disaster. A malevolent group of business primates known as the Void Company is making its way to the Planet Core, destroying everything in its wake. Donkey Kong must make his way to the core to get to the surface (and stop the bad guys, obvs). On to adventure!
The first thing to note about Donkey Kong Bananza is that it oozes charm. This becomes apparent when DK meets a small rock-like creature (not dissimilar to a Rock Pikmin). Of course, we already know this rock is actually Pauline, a younger version of the Mayor of New Donk City, but she sticks around in rock form for a lot longer than I expected. Or was that because I was too busy smashing rocks? (I’ll get to that addictive gameplay aspect soon). As for Pauline, not only does her presence neatly tie in with the development team’s Super Mario Odyssey roots, but it also provides an interesting narrative that builds this character’s background.
Pauline is simply terrific; she slots into DK’s adventure perfectly. Her cuteness complements DK’s brawn, but they share a childlike goofiness that bonds them. They make a terrific pair, and one of my favorite parts of Donkey Kong Bananza is the dialogue between them when they take a well-deserved break to replenish their health. Pauline typically asks DK a question about their current environment, written with such innocence that it’s endearing without being corny. I can’t imagine this adventure without her.
Oh, and her singing. Given her vocal prowess in Odyssey, it’s no surprise Pauline can sing here, too. She may be shy at this age, but her voice provides more than just a cool easter egg. For example, Pauline’s tunes can be used to find the next checkpoint, an extremely handy tool when you’ve lost yourself digging through the terrain (again, I’ll get to this). She can also break open certain seals, and her singing is part of acquiring DK’s special Kong powers. Basically, when she sings, it’s a powerful and beautiful thing.
Ok, ok, let’s finally talk about DK’s smashing; his constant digging; his need to destroy the world around him (in a good way). Put simply: it’s fantastic. Not only is this one of the most satisfying gameplay mechanics I’ve ever played in a 3D platformer, it’s a technical feat. The team has created a gigantic world that’s almost entirely destructible. It’s no mean feat, and would have been much harder to achieve on the humble Switch. On the Switch 2, there’s no slowdown, no stuttering, no loading time; it just works. Kudos to the team.
It’s also incredibly fun. My only problem with smashing through this world is that it constantly distracts me from DK’s current objective. Now, that’s entirely a me problem, and, if anything, adds even further to the game’s mojo. It certainly adds to the longevity and replayability. I could spend (and have spent) hours digging through this world. There’s something incredibly satisfying about smashing boulders. It’s so easy, too. DK can smash forward, down, and up with the touch of a button. The completionist in me even gets a surge of dopamine when I randomly find something hidden in the depths of the terrain. And, oh boy, there’s a lot to collect.
One of my favorite aspects of Mario’s outings is the secondary objective of collecting coins, stars, or other special items within levels. Donkey Kong Bananza takes this concept and runs with it, providing a staggering 777 Banadium Gems and 696 fossils to discover. They can be challenging to find, but that’s only half the fun. They also serve a purpose to aid in DK’s quest.
In the case of Banadium Gems, these get used to level up Donkey Kong. You can upgrade everything from health to strength. It’s a robust system that’s easy to use, with every five gems providing one skill point. And who doesn’t love a good upgrade?
Fossils, on the other hand, provide a currency of sorts. These can be traded in for outfits. I’m a big fan of in-game costume changes, and DK doesn’t disappoint. Not only is it super fun to turn his fur all sorts of colors, but putting him in pants, ties, and other accessories is adorable. Oh, and they also add to his abilities, so there’s that, too. For example, some clothing helps DK swim faster or protects him from the cold. Pauline’s cute outfits provide similar enhancements.
Graphically, Donkey Kong Bananza is one fantastic-looking game. Despite being set in a subterranean world, your eyes are constantly treated to wonderful new lands full of texture. The vivid colors pop, Donkey Kong looks terrific, and there’s a shiny quality to everything that makes it feel epic and sublime. There’s so much variety on offer, with each level as you dive further and further towards the core, a visual treat. Such creativity will keep you invested until the very end.
As if that wasn’t enough, we haven’t even talked about bonus levels yet. These are scattered throughout the land and come in the form of timed battles, puzzles, collectathons, and more. Each well-designed level feels like the developers have been let loose to tinker with the world in creative new ways. Some of these finite spaces contain brain-tickling challenges, for example, with some downright difficult platforming on offer. There are even side-scrolling sections to hit that nostalgic sweet spot. These tough bonus stages should help appease anyone who finds the main quest on the easy side, giving more adept players a challenge.
I should also mention the Kong powers, as these form a significant part of the gameplay. Transforming into one of these elder-gifted characters is super satisfying, providing new abilities and strength. Smashing as DK is one thing; Kong Bananza flicks through terrain like it’s made of paper. It’s like Popeye eating his spinach. There’s a timer, and for good reason; it’s pretty overpowered. Other transformations provide speed and flight, expanding the vast world even further. Add to that the way you unlock these powers – by collecting fragments of DJ discs and singing with Pauline – and it’s again clear that creativity and charm simply oozes throughout this game.
Not content to be a perfectly wonderful solo adventure, Bananza also features a decent co-op mode. While there’s no split-screen action, you can control Pauline, who sits cheerily atop DK’s shoulder. It’s reminiscent of Pikmin 4’s co-op style, providing a fun way for a pal to join the action. As Pauline, you can expel blasts of sound to destroy the environment around you. These appear as on-screen words like GO!, BAM!, WOW! and YEAH! It’s also pretty overpowered, but it’s so enjoyable. Plus, you can target the terrain and turn your blasts into that compound, from dirt to gold. Since half the fun of this titles is destroying anything and everything, this is the perfect addition to turn things into a shared experience.
Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most creative and fun titles I’ve played. Ever. As a huge Mario fan, I was initially disappointed we weren’t treated to a new adventure for the bros.; but color me impressed with Donkey Kong’s latest outing. The smashing, the music, the upgrades. The smashing. This must-play Switch 2 title has set the bar for years to come. I cannot wait to see what’s next from this talented team.
