My first Nintendo platformer wasSuper Mario Bros. for the NES, and I've been following the genre ever since. While theMarioseries has had its ups and downs, Nintendo delivers more often than not, while managing to keep things interesting from time to time, especially in the 3D arena. So when I heard thattheOdyssey team was working onDonkey Kong Bananza, I perked up.
Thankfully,Donkey Kong Bananza is not justMario Odyssey with a giant, punch-prone gorilla. Instead, it manages to forge its own identity, primarilythrough its destruction system, with a ton of charm andold-schoolDonkey Kong references to boot.This isn't justMario Odyssey with a different skin, it's something else entirely.
Freedom Of Exploration Is Where DK Bananza Shines
Go Where You Want
Through a completely new framework, Donkey Kong Bananza manages to keep things fresh. In short, as Donkey Kong, you'll team up with a young Pauline, as you traverse various sublayers and tango with the evil VoidCo organization. It's not always that simple, though. Often, DK and Pauline will get sidetracked, help out various denizens of the underground, and discover new foes.Each layer has a distinct feel to it, like "worlds" inMario games, and all of them are completely open for exploration.
A key element ofDonkey Kong Bananza is discovery. As Donkey Kong,you can smash and punch through most of the terrain in the game, creating new spaces, shortcuts, and uncovering secret lairs. DK has the power to punch downward, forward, and upward, allowing players to create new paths. When combined with a handy sonar slam button, it can be a snap to find hidden objects, eliminating a ton of trial-and-error-related frustration.
Over 25 Years Later, I’m Ready For Donkey Kong Bananza To Be What Donkey Kong 64 Wasn’t
Donkey Kong Bananza is the first 3D game in the series since Donkey Kong 64 came out 25 years ago, and it looks like it will be a vast improvement.
As you progress throughBananza, more and more mechanics are layered on topto allow for even more traversal opportunities. You can rip a chunk out of the ground and surf on it, utilize powered-up forms to punch through sturdier terrain, glide through the air, and more. All of these powers are available at all times, so there's no "borrowed power" feel where you can only use specific power-ups on certain levels.
That level of freedom reminds me ofZelda: Tears of the Kingdom, wherepuzzles can be solved in multiple ways. It allows for a large degree of player creativity, and cuts down on the chances that you'll get completely stumped by any one puzzle. The same goes for the mostly optional challenge rooms, a staple of Nintendo platforming.
Platforming Is Tight And Varied
The Transformation Mechanic Opens The Game Up
If you're going to make a platforming game with large environments, it had better be easy to get around, andDonkey Kong Bananza delivers on that front. If you see a location, you can reasonably explore it, even if it's underground or high up in the sky. The game's level design is interesting in thatit doesn't offer straightforward solutions to everything, especially if you have the "assist" mode toggled off (which helps tell you where to go if you're stuck).
This freedom is even the case for specific level mechanics, including brightly colored goo that can be destroyed to create objects in a different space. You can interact with the game as intended, or spice things up and try to go at it a different way with a power-up/form, or good old-fashioned digging. You can't dig your way out of everything (some locations are built out of impossible-to-smash materials), but you can come close. In my experience, slowdown is infrequent, and did not occur during any crucial gameplay moments (like a key platforming sequence or a boss fight).
I Hope Donkey Kong Bananza Doesn't Repeat One Of My Biggest Issues With Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey's abundance of Power Moons causes the main collectible to lose its charm, something I hope to see change in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Speaking of bosses, they're one of the only noticeable letdowns inDonkey Kong Bananza. Given the game's focus on traversal and movement, it makes sense that combat would be a little less exciting: But several of them repeat with mainly the same mechanics, and given how large Donkey Kong's rogue's gallery is at this point, that didn't need to happen. Still, most boss battles are reasonably short, so they're not a significant inconvenience.
Bananza is Packed With Decades Of Donkey Kong References
Including A Few We Won't Spoil Here
Early on, you'll get some musical motifs that willbring you back to the era when Rare dominated the classic platforming scene. WhileDonkey Kong Country fans are eating well inBananza, there's also a ton of even more retro references sprinkled in, as well as a lot of newDonkey Kong lore. To be clear, while nostalgia is expected in most Nintendo games based on decades-old IP,Bananza has a lot of personal flair that sets it apart.
As I explored each world and got to know its unique inhabitants, I was drawn into this universe on its own terms. It manages to thread the needle of combining new and old very well, without getting too cloying for folks who are coming intoBananza for their firstDonkey Kong experience. It helps that the team really leans into the "destroy everything" mantra, and has appealed to fans across gaming generations through classics likeThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.
It suits Donkey Kong well, asBananza makes him more of a force of nature, and his updated character design (which I got used to over the course of playing this game) is hilarious when juxtaposed with the carnage he creates. DK and Pauline also have a cute rapport throughout the game, complete with optional dialogue from the latter when catching up at inns.
Donkey Kong Bananza Is A Pure Platforming Experience
If You're Looking For A Clean Platformer, This Is It
I came intoDonkey Kong Bananza with a completely clear mind, and came out impressed. Initially, I was so focused on the destruction aspect thatI didn't even consider the multiple layers of freedomBananza offered. After about 30 minutes, I realized how effortlessly it was employed throughout the experience. Even after seeing the credits roll, I was happy to go back and clear out all the secrets I missed, while tackling challenge rooms and finding more Easter eggs and references along the way.
There's a lot of game here, and even though some of it is segmented, the layer-by-layer format makes things easier to manage.It's simpler than ever to return to a former layer and finish it out entirely, which is going to come in handy for 100% completion clears. The ability to buy maps to finish out those final collectibles is huge, and won't lead toDonkey Kong 64 collectathon fatigue.
Nintendo typically delivers when it comes to DK, andDonkey Kong Bananza is another success story. The developers did a fantastic job of providing a familiar 3D platforming experience while turning many classic Nintendo elements on their head. I can't wait to see what this team does next, because they're on a roll.
Screen Rant was provided with a digital Switch 2 code for the purpose of this review.
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Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- July 17, 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza marks the iconic ape's triumphant return to 3D platforming, offering players an expansive underground world to explore. In this adventure, Donkey Kong embarks on a mission to retrieve stolen golden bananas from the nefarious VoidCo. Utilizing his formidable strength, he can demolish terrain to uncover hidden paths and secrets. The game introduces a new sidekick, Odd Rock, who assists in overcoming obstacles and navigating treacherous environments.
- Open-ended platforming allows for creativity.
- Levels are easy to revisit and discover new things in.
- Lots of upgrades and costumes to chase.
- Re-used bosses make combat less exciting.
