Donkey Kong Bananza Review: Super Monkey Odyssey

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Ever since the start of the last ten years, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a sequel to “Super Mario Odyssey.” This 2017 3D Mario platformer is not only my all-time favorite Super Mario game but also my top pick among Switch releases throughout its lifespan. Despite my affection for it, Nintendo appears content with keeping Mario on the sidelines in recent times, making a new 3D Mario game seem elusive. Fortunately, many of the elements that made “Super Mario Odyssey” great are still present, as Nintendo has opted to develop upon several ideas from that game in the excellent “Donkey Kong Bananza.

For clarity, it’s important to note that Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t actually a direct sequel to Super Mario Odyssey. However, there are clear links between the two games from the very start. The focus of Bananza revolves around Nintendo’s well-known ape, Donkey Kong, and his journey to the heart of the world alongside a young iteration of Pauline. Throughout this adventure, DK and Pauline navigate through numerous levels that form the inner workings of the planet. These levels are teeming with “Banandium Gems”, which are the main objective you’ll be chasing in Donkey Kong Bananza. Despite the simple task of hunting for these glowing, banana-like gems being a significant part of your gameplay experience, Bananza skillfully ensures that this activity remains engaging and never becomes tedious.

In “Donkey Kong Bananza,” the game hooks you right from the start and maintains your focus all the way through by offering a world that’s both destructible and moldable. Donkey Kong has the ability to smash anything with his fists in this game, whether it’s the ground beneath his feet or even mountains in the distance. What makes “Bananza” unique is its nearly infinite exploration possibilities – you can create your own paths at any moment. This kind of freedom is something I’ve never encountered before in a platformer game, and it keeps the gameplay consistently engaging.

In the game Bananza, players will find that bananas are scattered liberally throughout its expansive stages. Some bananas can be easily grabbed, while others may require extra effort and clever thinking to collect. Additionally, Bananza offers a range of challenge stages that transport DK and Pauline to diverse locations where they must defeat certain enemies or solve complex puzzles in order to gather all the bananas. Many players find these levels particularly enjoyable due to their nostalgic nods to classic Donkey Kong gameplay.

In Bananza, DK frequently obtains fresh power-ups, keeping the game feeling fresh and dynamic. These enhancements enable DK to morph into diverse creatures such as an Ostrich, granting him a temporary flying ability. Other transformations help DK navigate through environments that would be otherwise inaccessible or let him smash through blocks he can’t in his standard form. These power-ups for Donkey Kong not only reinforce the game’s emphasis on creativity and experimentation, but also encourage players to think creatively about how to tackle various challenges they encounter.

Outside of your relentless quest for bananas in ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’, there’s an abundance of bosses and foes to conquer. Generally, I discovered the boss fights in ‘Bananza’ to be somewhat simplistic at times. However, this isn’t consistent throughout all encounters; many of the battles that mark the end of each level within the game often fall short of being memorable climaxes, instead of becoming cherished moments you might reminisce about fondly.

When discussing issues with the game Bananza, one aspect that can be frustrating is the camera control. Since Donkey Kong is able to dig through various environments within the game, it’s challenging for the camera to maintain a clear focus on DK, particularly in narrow spaces. This problem has been addressed by Nintendo to some extent, but it remains an issue that often leads to frustration while attempting to carve out tunnels in mountainsides and not being able to see your progress effectively.

In addition to providing an enjoyable gaming experience, “Donkey Kong Bananza” also presents an engaging storyline. A significant part of this narrative drive comes from the enigmas surrounding Pauline and her history. However, there’s enough substance, even for a Nintendo game, that keeps you hooked, compelling you to continue playing to uncover the next piece of the puzzle.

What truly amazed me about the game “Donkey Kong Bananza” was its heartfelt tribute to all previous installments. Instead of starting fresh by completely rebooting Donkey Kong, Nintendo could have done. Yet, “Bananza” is also a testament to the history of DK, tracing back not just to the original arcade game “Donkey Kong”, but also the “Donkey Kong Country” series and “Donkey Kong 64”. Hidden all over “Bananza” are numerous surprises and subtle references to older Donkey Kong games that I didn’t anticipate. If you’re a fan of every Donkey Kong game leading up to “Bananza”, you’ll find a wealth of discoveries that will bring you immense delight, just as it did for me.

Among my favorite Nintendo games from the last ten years, undoubtedly, Donkey Kong Bananza stands out. It not only marks an impressive addition to one of Nintendo’s long-standing franchises, but it also offers a compelling motivation to consider purchasing a Switch 2. Previously, I had been eagerly anticipating a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey for the past eight years; however, my excitement has now shifted towards the innovative gameplay and developments in Bananza that Nintendo has delivered.

Score: 4.5/5

*The game titled “Donkey Kong Bananza” will be available later this week, on July 17th, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. We were fortunate enough to get an early copy of the game from the publisher, which we used to write this review.*

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2025-07-16 15:11