Donkey Kong Bananza Proves We Need a 3D Yoshi on Switch 2

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Nintendo is renowned for its cherished platformer games featuring characters like Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and everyone’s beloved green dinosaur, Yoshi. The anticipated next major game on the Nintendo Switch 2 is Donkey Kong Bananza, which has generated excitement among fans with its preview footage. Many eagerly await July 17th, when Donkey Kong’s next 3D adventure will be released. Yet, some enthusiasts, including myself, are curious about when Yoshi might have his own 3D adventure. Some believe that Donkey Kong Bananza could potentially open the door for this.

Over the years, Yoshi has embarked on multiple solo journeys, all in two dimensions. The exceptions are when players got to control Yoshi in a 3D environment, such as in games like Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Odyssey, where Yoshi was merely a rideable character. It’s high time Nintendo granted Yoshi his own fully-fledged 3D adventure. You might think about it this way: even Kirby has had a 3D adventure with Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the Nintendo Switch.

3D Yoshi should follow the path paved by both Yoshi’s Woolly World and Yoshi’s Crafted World, maintaining the artistic charm that has become synonymous with these games. With worlds crafted from wool and everyday objects, it’s a unique aesthetic that sets Yoshi games apart. Transitioning to a 3D environment could potentially unlock a plethora of creative opportunities for Nintendo.

A claymation-inspired HD visual style would be an ideal fit for a 3D Yoshi game, especially considering the enhanced capabilities of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This design choice would allow Nintendo to create a visually stunning game that takes full advantage of the increased power of the new console. The textures in games like Yoshi’s Crafted World have already demonstrated the level of detail possible with this approach, and the Nintendo Switch 2 could push these boundaries even further.

As a gamer, jumping back into the vibrant world of Yoshi’s Island feels like a dream come true with the arrival of Nintendo Switch 2. Abandoning the homemade aesthetic for a burst of psychedelic pastels that ooze charm is an exciting prospect. Nintendo has always been exceptional at delivering timeless visuals, and a new Yoshi game would be the perfect platform to showcase this expertise. Exploring a 3D world as Yoshi has long been anticipated, and this new generation seems like the ideal moment for it.

Astro Bot might provide an excellent blueprint for inspiration. It stands among the best, and arguably the finest, 3D platformers ever produced. Sony’s success in this genre could be a valuable lesson for Nintendo. Instead of focusing on a connected open world, they could design distinct stages that highlight Yoshi’s diverse skillset. Each stage could offer unique themes based on various craft ideas, making each experience fresh and engaging.

Additionally, Nintendo might enhance each stage by having Yoshi consume various fruits that grant unique abilities. For instance, one fruit could endow Yoshi with the power to breathe fire, enabling him to melt ice or attack foes. Alternatively, another fruit might bestow wings on Yoshi, transforming the level into a flying-focused environment. Nintendo’s creative potential is virtually endless when it comes to leveraging Yoshi’s fondness for fruit!

Nintendo might enhance their gameplay by integrating various difficulty levels, thereby featuring emblematic adversaries from the Yoshi series. These characters range from well-recognized ones such as Lakitu, Shy Guy, Koopa, and Boo to lesser-known ones like Pak E. Derm. This move could elevate the visibility of these less familiar enemies, potentially leading to their inclusion in other series like the Mario Kart universe.

In summary, it’s high time for a 3D Yoshi game to truly master multiplayer interactions, where past attempts like those in ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ and ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ were only partially successful, with secondary players controlling merely hats or characters with limited input. ‘Kirby and the Forgotten Land’ made a step towards improvement, but it too had constraints for the second player.

A potential rephrasing: In a 3D Yoshi game, both player one and player two could have an equally enjoyable experience. Games like “Yoshi’s Woolly World”, “Yoshi’s Crafted World”, and “Super Mario 3D World” are some of the finest examples of multiplayer in Nintendo’s platformers, but there is always room for improvement.

It’s essential to have a split-screen feature in this game. This would enable players to move independently within their own environments, rather than being bound to the same screen and needing to stay close to each other. The game could be filled with hidden treasures that encourage players to separate and search for them. Yet, Nintendo might introduce unique actions like jumping off one another’s heads or a Yoshi consuming another to spit it out over gaps, to motivate teamwork and joint exploration.

With this perspective, Nintendo might develop a Yoshi game that offers rewards for both individual and cooperative exploration. In a co-op setting, players would enjoy autonomy to pursue their own actions within the game without being bound by their partner’s choices. Notably, Yoshi is one of Nintendo’s most tranquil and cooperative series among its numerous franchises. A 3D Yoshi game could potentially reshape 3D platformers and emulate the excellence displayed by Astro Bot, standing out as a top-tier representative of this generation within the genre.

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2025-06-26 21:42