Review: Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong is back — and not just as a guest in Mario’s world, but with his first standalone 3D platformer since Donkey Kong 64. That’s a gap of over 25 years, which begs the question: why has Nintendo waited so long to give the banana-loving gorilla a brand-new adventure?

Perhaps the answer is as simple as Nintendo not seeing the need — with massive franchises like Mario and Zelda in the spotlight, Donkey Kong has often ended up in the role of a charming side character rather than the leading star. But after the success of Super Mario Odyssey in 2017, the development team had a unique gameplay mechanic they had only used on a small scale in Odyssey: the ability to destroy terrain.
The idea turned out to be too raw and physical to truly fit Mario — but it was a perfect match for a character whose brute strength is as iconic as his tie. And who better than Mario’s very first foe, now a beloved antihero, to take the spotlight?

Story

The game throws us straight into Donkey Kong’s daily life as a miner. But instead of digging for gold or precious stones, he’s after something called Banandium Gems — crystals that taste heavenly (if DK’s expressions are anything to go by) and grant him new powers.
The goal is simple: collect as many Banandium Gems as possible to unlock DK’s most powerful abilities — a structure reminiscent of moon collecting in Super Mario Odyssey.

Peace is shattered when a gang of troublemaking apes destroys the mining community and buries it deep underground. To make it back to the surface, DK and his friends must paradoxically dig even deeper, all the way to the Earth’s core, where mysterious powers are said to lie in wait.

Along the way, he meets Pauline, a name rich in Nintendo history. She joins the journey but carries an unusual gift: a singing voice with magical properties. The problem? She’s painfully shy and refuses to sing in front of others. Her character arc is easy to predict, but the journey there is both charming and rewarding.

Gameplay

At the core of Donkey Kong Bananza is terrain destruction — with nothing but your fists. Smashing through walls, carving tunnels, and demolishing rock formations isn’t just a way forward, it’s a constant source of secrets, side paths, and rewards. The mechanic is surprisingly addictive; the game actively encourages you to play around, experiment, and leave chaos in your wake.

Early on, DK unlocks his first Bananza Form — a massive super-gorilla with even greater striking power and the ability to defeat enemies more easily. The form is time-limited, which creates strategic choices about when and how to use it.
Later, DK gains access to more forms: a lightning-fast variant, a flying form, and other surprises that open up creative solutions for both puzzles and boss fights.

The world is divided into several layers, each with its own theme, enemies, and mechanics. Forests, snowfields, deserts, aquatic environments, and more await. The downward vertical progression is a clever way to make each new stage feel like a fresh discovery.

Scattered throughout are structures reminiscent of Breath of the Wild’s shrines — short challenges that can be pure platforming joy, intense combat encounters, or clever puzzles. They give the world plenty of reason to be explored.

Another unusual touch for Nintendo is the inclusion of a skill tree. Here you can spend points to enhance DK’s strength, endurance, or special abilities. The freedom to shape your own playstyle adds a layer of depth many platformers lack.

Experience

From the first minute to the last, terrain destruction remains the focus, but thanks to constant variety, new powers, and creative level design, it never feels repetitive.

However, making the search for bananas the sole purpose of the game becomes quite predictable after just a few hours. The game could benefit from additional elements to further engage the player.

Boss fights vary in quality — some feel a little too easy for my taste — but the final battle is a Nintendo classic in the making. Without spoiling anything, it’s one of the most memorable final showdowns I’ve experienced in years.

And the credits don’t mark the end. The game is generous with endgame content: new levels, extra challenges, and hidden secrets that can easily keep you playing for many more hours.

More endgame like this in future first-party titles, Nintendo, please!

Overall Impression

Donkey Kong Bananza is without a doubt one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s strongest titles and would have been worthy of being the console’s launch game. It’s a playful, powerful, and timeless experience that blends retro charm with modern ideas.
Nintendo proves that Donkey Kong can not only carry his own game — he can do it with enough style and weight to stand alongside Mario and Zelda as one of the company’s premier franchises.

A banana explosion of creativity, power, and pure gaming joy.