Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews
Following Mario Odyssey is a tall order, and the game should not be solely compared to it, and while this is still a very engaging platformer, it's more surface level than it initially seems.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
A fresh and ambitious 3D platformer that builds on Odyssey's strengths, Donkey Kong Bananza trades tradition for freedom'and mostly succeeds.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
A well-executed and fun proposal that leaves you with a smile on your face and hooks you from start to finish. It has everything it needs to be a fantastic new beginning for a gaming icon that should never be caged again
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Donkey Kong finds a new identity that embraces and rewrites the long legacy of the character, integrating his musical flair and his love for bashing stuff. It's a long, fun game, full of crazy ideas. It may be a bit too easy for veteran players, especially in the first half, but by now we know that's mostly to be expected from Nintendo.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Created by the team that developed Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Bananza is a celebration of the character, a 3D platformer that finally puts him in the place he deserves. Its colorful and fully modifiable world, its variety of mechanics and its collecting spirit make it a worthy heir to its predecessor.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most unique and immensely enjoyable games that I've ever played. Plus, behind its chaotic open-ended gameplay and incredibly imaginative worlds, you'll find a lot of heart. 🍌
I’ve written more than 2,000 words about Donkey Kong Bananza, and I’m still not quite sure I’ve done the game justice. Yes, the early hours are a bit of a slog, but the game ramps up by the halfway point and is all gas until its very climatic finish. The Bananza abilities capture much of the “what’ll I transform into next?!” energy of Super Mario Odyssey, while the fully destructible environments add welcome dimension to an IP that has been criminally underserved the past few decades. No, it isn’t perfect, but the juice is well worth the squeeze. Whether you’re a 3D Mario transplant or you’ve played every Donkey Kong title since the arcade, you’ll find quite a lot to love in DK Bananza. Take time to clear past the rock, and you’ll strike certain gold.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a colorful, wild ride through a jungle of transformations, laughter, and chaos that brings back childhood memories while offering freshness for a new generation. If you love platformers with heart and humor, Bananza is a true jungle delight.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is an outstanding game, and it has the potential of redefining its genre. The game not only fulfills the high expectations we had after the preview but excels in delivering an unforgettable experience through its masterful blend of narrative, exploration, and refined gameplay mechanics. This meticulous attention to detail across all facets, from level design to character interaction and dynamic environments, makes Donkey Kong Bananza a triumph for Nintendo, and real killer application for Nintendo Switch 2.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is probably the game that will be best remembered as the main attraction within Switch 2 launch window. As with most Nintendo titles, the main focus is providing as much fun as possible.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the first major titles to release for the Nintendo Switch 2 and it is everything gamers were hoping it would be.
Nintendo has an obvious Game of the Year contender here, and Nintendo Switch 2 has yet another system seller.
"If you dig deep enough, you may find gold."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is chaotic, brutal, ancient, and hypnotic. It's the "excavating culmination" of all Nintendo's expertise, creating what it does best: platform games featuring its mascots.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
"Nostalgia Meets Bold Innovation" Donkey Kong Bananza is a bold reimagining of 3D platforming, blending classic nostalgia with technical innovation in a masterful way. Despite some minor hiccups in pacing and performance, the overall experience is immersive and full of wow-worthy moments, making it one of Nintendo's most notable achievements in recent years.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is an unmissable explosion of creativity, chaos, and charm – a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and punches straight through the ground, walls, and ceiling to get there. From its wonderfully outlandish premise to its constant stream of inventive ideas, it’s a platformer that rarely slows down and always manages to delight with its constant sense of wonderful chaos… I loved it. Sure, there are a few technical hiccups along the way, but they’re small scuffs on what is otherwise a golden banana. Donkey Kong is back, baby, and he’s brought with him one of Nintendo’s most joyous adventures in years.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a near-perfect 3D platformer, delivering groundbreaking mechanics, rewarding puzzles, and incredible creativity—only minor technical issues hold it back from absolute perfection.
Donkey Kong Bananza is the reason to own a Switch 2. It is not only the most fun I’ve had with a Nintendo game in decades, it’s quite possibly one of Nintendo’s best games ever. Layer upon layer, everything has been built with care and detail. It is fun, silly, joyous, jaw-dropping, and heartfelt. You simply must play this game.
Having a Donkey Kong platformer for the Switch 2 launch year is a bold move from Nintendo. Everyone was expecting a sequel to Mario Odyssey but instead they gave us a Donkey Kong developed by the Mario Odyssey team, but it’s nothing like a Mario Odyssey game. It’s a game of its own caliber. Donkey Kong throws punches like we’ve never seen before.
Donkey Kong's and Pauline's journey to the center of the Planet Core is one worth taking. Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most creative and entertaining 3D platformers of recent years, with a huge world full of challenges with plenty of fun to find hidden throughout it if you take the time to explore.