Donkey Kong Bananza Review

Donkey Kong has spent decades punching barrels. In Donkey Kong Bananza, he finally gets to punch the world itself.

Bananza feels like a major reset for Donkey Kong. Movement is immediate and satisfying, with DK carrying a heavy sense of momentum while still feeling easy to control. Smashing through terrain quickly becomes the game’s defining gimmick, but it never loses its appeal. Digging tunnels, tearing apart walls and carving through entire sections of the environment taps into the same playful experimentation that makes 3D Mario games so memorable.

That creativity extends across more than 15 layers packed with collectibles, platforming challenges and hidden paths. Exploring is consistently rewarding, especially with Banandium Gems and Fossils scattered throughout every area. Some of the best moments come from simply climbing around as Donkey Kong and seeing what the game lets you break next. The soundtrack also deserves praise, mixing new material with Donkey Kong Country inspired sections that feel like a smart throwback rather than empty nostalgia.

Pauline is another standout. She works well alongside DK without becoming overbearing, and the game’s lighthearted story gives both characters enough charm to stay engaging throughout the roughly 25-hour adventure. Boss fights are also a strong point for most of the game, balancing spectacle with inventive mechanics. The transformations add variety too, even if some are used better than others. Kong and Zebra feel fully integrated into the adventure, while forms like Snake feel underdeveloped and barely necessary.

The game is not without issues. Bananza occasionally drags, especially toward the end. The final boss fight feels strangely tedious compared with the relatively easy bosses before it, creating a difficulty spike that feels awkward rather than satisfying. The camera can also become frustrating during larger encounters.

Collectibles are another mixed point. There are so many Banandium Gems that finding them can start to feel random, and there is little incentive to fully collect everything since progression rarely demands much effort. Fossils suffer from a similar issue because most outfit rewards feel optional at best. Bananza also lacks some of the tight organization and pacing found in Nintendo’s best 3D Mario games, making parts of the adventure feel bloated despite its creativity.

Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong are also disappointingly underused. Their appearances feel more like cameos than meaningful inclusions, which stands out in a game otherwise eager to celebrate Donkey Kong’s history.

Still, Donkey Kong Bananza succeeds where it matters most. It makes Donkey Kong feel exciting again. Between its inventive destruction mechanics, strong presentation and genuinely fun exploration, this is an important early showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2 and one of Nintendo’s most creative platformers in years. The surprises waiting near the end only reinforce that feeling for players lucky enough to avoid spoilers.

8.5/10

Pokémon Lens:

Donkey Kong Bananza mirrors Pokémon’s strongest trait: making exploration feel rewarding even when the core gameplay loop stays simple. Hunting for Banandium Gems and Fossils scratches a similar itch to filling out a Pokédex, though Bananza struggles more with giving those collectibles lasting value. Like Pokémon, the game thrives on personality, whether through expressive animations, colorful world design or the chemistry between DK and Pauline. It also shares Nintendo’s recent habit of prioritizing freedom and experimentation over tighter structure.