Donkey Kong Bananza review: A bunch of fun with some bruises

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Nintendo’s newest Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza, isn’t the easiest game to review.

Some issues will be discussed later on, yet they don’t significantly impact the primary pleasure derived from playing the game.

While Super Mario Odyssey, developed by familiar faces, undeniably comes to mind as I play, another assortment of games has been subtly resonating within me.

If you appreciated the LEGO games developed by Traveller’s Tales, especially the delightful sensation of demolishing everything around you, you’ll discover a comparable sense of satisfaction fulfilled in this game.

If you relished the experience of getting frequently derailed from the primary objective in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom due to engaging in various side quests and activities, then this game will satisfy that same sense of distraction.

In a similar vein to Mario Odyssey, where the character could momentarily acquire new skills, Donkey Kong possesses “Bananzas” – a somewhat intricate system that essentially enables him to temporarily gain new abilities.

In contrast to Odyssey, where you could casually toss your hat at any time or place, Donkey Kong’s newest adventure requires effort to transform. For instance, if you desire to become the zebra version of DK, you’ll need to find the elder of the zebra tribe and complete an entire quest for him. This involves searching for the scattered fragments of a broken vinyl disc.

As a gamer, let me tell you, it’s not just about the transformations that grab your attention in this game. The real deal is the thrill of destroying everything! Sure, there’s some platforming and the occasional easy-peasy boss fight, but the majority of your time will be spent exploring a string of mini open-world levels where you can let loose and punch practically anything into smithereens!

As a devoted player, I can’t help but find endless joy in this game. However, each time I encounter surfaces that my character can’t shatter, a twinge of disappointment creeps in. Some of these surfaces need Bananza transformations, while others are completely indestructible to maintain the structure of the game.

When discussing the story structure, it’s fair to say that Donkey Kong Bananza doesn’t have the most captivating sequence of events tying it together. The main objective is to journey through various levels, descending towards the planetary core, with the primary purpose being to defeat the villains and potentially receive a wish upon reaching the end.

In the game, Donkey Kong communicates primarily through grunts rather than full sentences. It seems unusual since other characters like Pauline have voices, which brings up an interesting point: Pauline has been portrayed as a child in this context, and her music is quite unconventional too.

Additionally, some Non-Player Characters (NPCs) only receive text display interactions. While characters like Void Kong and his minions occasionally speak, their conversations are usually not particularly engaging or insightful.

If Nintendo intends to use Donkey Kong as a key character in their upcoming films, it seems they’ve overlooked the chance to further develop his persona and foster a deeper connection with audiences by investing more in his character development.

Despite all that’s been discussed, it’s surprising how cohesive Donkey Kong Bananza remains. It’s incredibly enjoyable to interact with, and you rarely feel irritated when you get diverted from the primary objective to gather bananas, accomplish mini tasks, or simply delve into each meticulously designed aspect.

Another concern I have pertains to the graphics. The game’s worlds are stunning and the color scheme is fantastic, but occasionally, it experiences difficulties in loading the entire visual field. This issue seems similar to a “fog of war” effect, where you might encounter a large black area devoid of anything before the intended environment gradually appears.

It’s strange yet expected that minor issues don’t affect my enjoyment of the game much. Despite the game making significant efforts to create an engaging environment, I tend to overlook small visual glitches or cover-ups. In fact, even a visible obstruction doesn’t seem to hinder my fun with this game.

The most fitting comparison for Mario Odyssey might be its sheer fun factor. There’s a wealth of creativity showcased and plenty of entertainment to be derived from the chaos as you blast through each level. I never realized how essential Zebra DK was until I encountered him, but my life has undeniably been enriched since the encounter.

In this hypothetical scenario, if the game were a basket of bananas, you’d find a few that appear slightly damaged or unappealing. However, these would be greatly overshadowed by numerous, vibrant, and appealing bananas waiting to be savored.

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2025-07-16 15:34