Donkey Kong Bananza – Everything You Need to Know

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Despite the popularity of Mario Kart World and Fast Fusion, the Nintendo Switch 2 is in need of more substantial exclusive games. Enter everyone’s favorite monkey hero, Donkey Kong, with his new adventure: Donkey Kong Bananza. With enough innovative concepts, gameplay mechanics, and collectibles to make Astro Bot envious, Donkey Kong Bananza appears set to be as delightfully surprising a 3D platformer as Sony’s own Nintendo-like mascot’s. Here are 15 things you should know before purchasing.

DK takes a trip to the planet’s core

In contrast to the sunlit skies, Donkey Kong Bananza delves deep underground for an exciting journey. After gold-colored bananas were uncovered within Ingot Isle’s depths, Donkey Kong promptly arrives on the scene to devour as many as he can locate. But the mining corporation Void Company is hot on his heels, wreaking havoc in their attempt to snatch all the hidden bananas, dragging Kong into the subterranean world below. Therein, our hero encounters a peculiar rock that morphs into Pauline – who first appeared back in 1981. As they collaborate, Donkey Kong and Pauline compete against VoidCo to reach the planet’s core.

DK has a bunch of new ways to smash

In the thrilling world of Bananza beneath the surface, I, Donkey Kong, have discovered an incredible new talent: the ability to shatter, demolish, and wreck almost anything that crosses my path! I can punch holes in walls, dive-punch through the ground (with softer soil allowing me to dig even deeper), tear out chunks of earth to break through tough rock, or simply smash my adversaries. The exciting move known as chunk jump is essentially a double leap, where I use a torn piece of Earth to reach greater heights!

Lots of things can be thrown

In DK Bananza’s game, destruction is at the core, yet there’s more than just smashing satisfaction. For one, you can hurl pieces of rock, either casually tossed or aimed precisely, towards adversaries. Softer objects can be hurled against harder surfaces, stacked to create makeshift structures that likely contribute to solving environmental puzzles creatively. By piling up Earth, you can create paths to previously inaccessible areas. Additionally, gold and boom rock, hinted at by their names, have explosive qualities when thrown, blasting open hillsides to uncover hidden riches and passageways.

Hand slap, and it’s sonar possibility

In the game Donkey Kong Bananza, a fresh method called DK’s ground slap technique has been introduced. By forcefully striking his palms onto the ground, DK can scatter items and swiftly collect them in an instant. This rapid item collection not only keeps the pace of the game flowing smoothly but also contributes to both progression and destruction. The added advantage of this move is that it acts as a sort of sonar, causing a noise that helps uncover hidden items buried beneath the ground. Furthermore, players can enhance this skill, a feature we’ll delve deeper into later.

There’s an RPG-like skill tree

In the subterranean realm, DK and Pauline will discover golden bananas that break open to reveal Banandium gems for collection. Gathering these Banandium gems awards skill points which can be utilized to boost stats or unlock additional abilities. These points may enhance maximum health, make punches more potent, or expand the range of DK’s hand slap sonar, allowing him not only to collect items more efficiently but also detect hidden treasures from greater distances as well.

Pauline’s singing can transform Donkey Kong

In the subterranean realm, I find myself surrounded by colossal elder beings, lazily seated on equally massive thrones. These ancient beings hold the mystical power of Bananza within them. By mastering these Bananza abilities, Pauline – a gifted singer – can harness her voice to metamorphose DK into various animal forms, even a stronger, larger version of himself.

Bananza transformations

Kong Bananza, adorned with a banana headpiece, is DK’s most formidable transformed version, effortlessly tearing through the strongest terrains as if they were made of paper. Intriguingly, Kong can also take on the form of a zebra – Zebra Bananza – not just for the stripes, but because he’s incredibly swift, able to outrun any obstacle whether it be water or collapsing paths. Another transformation is Ostrich Bananza, who can fly and drop egg bombs on enemies from above. Each form can be switched freely within a time-limited period, initiated by gathering gold into Bananergy.

Bosses guard portals to the planet’s lower levels

Every subterranean level functions as a distinct ecosystem, yet progressing deeper for character DK means engaging with colossal bosses. Somehow connected to VoidCo, these villains have not only blocked the paths below but also set up gigantic guardians to combat anyone attempting passage. The battles in Bananza lean more towards entertainment rather than difficulty, offering potential moments of joy where DK can fully express his love for smashing enemies.

There’ll be side-scrolling

Absolutely! Discovering secret levels filled with puzzles within old ruins, which can be unlocked, provides a fun diversion for Donkey Kong (DK) and Pauline to collect large quantities of Banandium gems quickly. These time-based conflicts and obstacle courses add variety to the gameplay, but it’s the return of side-scrolling that truly stands out as the main attraction here. The game calls back to moments like the runaway mine carts in Donkey Kong Country or classic pink platforms and blue ladders from DK’s arcade era.

You can buy stuff

Instead of Collectible Banandium chips resembling banana slices, which can be swapped for Banandium gems, let’s talk about the idle gold that DK can spend at the Stuff Shop. Power-up items like balloons to lessen fall damage or melon juice that triggers DK’s Bananza transformation even without a full Bananergy meter. In other areas, there are discoverable fossils that can be traded for clothing items. Each new outfit addition for both DK and Pauline offers beneficial perks such as faster running, improved Bananergy harvesting efficiency, longer Bananza transformations, and more.

There’re hidden treasure chests

Unearth hidden treasure chests by none other than drilling into the ground, and voila! You’ll find a map that leads to a trove of Banadium gems or fossils, which are marked on the map for future reference. A handy guide detailing all the collected fossils will be an asset for those eager to gather everything the world of Donkey Kong Bananza has in store.

Eels provide fast travel

Players who yearn to gather everything in this game can rest assured, as DK and Pauline can swiftly traverse levels thanks to their helpful underground companions – the eels. While it appears they can teleport from any desired location, the destinations are predetermined. Interestingly, these eels also serve as ‘lifts’, enabling Donkey Kong and Pauline to revisit previously explored levels with ease.

If it all gets too much, build a Getaway

Absolutely, when it’s time for a break, DK and Pauline can find a spot to unwind during their Getaways. These relaxation spots require gold coins, but they offer a chance to rest in comfortable beds, change clothes, and enjoy music. The game also features music discs as another collectible item that can be found throughout the underground world of Bananza.

Yes, there is co-operative play

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that if you join me in local co-op play using a Joy-Con 2 controller or another compatible device, my buddy can take control of Pauline! Now, when it comes to what your friend can do as Pauline, let me tell you: using the mouse-like controls on the Joy-Con 2, she can target and fire vocal blasts. These blasts are unique in that they mimic items from the game world, such as rocks or grass, and each type of blast has a distinct impact – for instance, rocks will cause more damage than grass. This feature is particularly great for parents playing with their kids, offering extra assistance when tough bosses come into play.

Take photos and be an artist

DK Bananza comes equipped with several creative outlets for you to explore your artistic side. The photo mode in Bananza allows you to pause the action and adjust settings such as filters, frames, focal lengths, and more. Additionally, DK Artist is a separate mode from the main game where you can use mouse controls to paint characters, add details, create fun lighting effects, and even apply delicious banana-themed enhancements.

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2025-07-14 14:42