Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews
Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza does what Super Mario Odyssey did before it: offer one of the best platforming games available on a new system. The fact that the bulk of the game is about wanton joyous destruction is also another big bonus. So, if you want to tunnel to the center of the planet and destroy most of it along the way, Donkey Kong Bananza is your kind of platformer.
The narrative is a step in the right direction by focusing on the relationship between the two leads and delivering a truly stellar final act.
Donkey Kong Bananza takes everything you expect from a Donkey Kong game and polishes it with such a fine coat that almost any type of player can find something to have fun with. If it’s collecting every Banana, mastering the Bananza’s, completing side quests, or just playing through a fun story, there is something fun for all ages. With plenty of easter eggs for players familiar with the franchise, Bonanza doesn’t rely purely on nostalgia to make it enjoyable. If you’ve missed collectathons or just want to experience a DK game with your kids, Bananza is a great time!
Donkey Kong Bananza is a worthy successor to the sublime Super Mario Odyssey and a very impressive new entry in the DK series, in general. It’s jam-packed with creativity that will keep players coming back for more, and a huge supply of fantastic nods to past entries that make the whole experience a thorough delight. Despite the moderately disappointing soundtrack, framerate issues faced, and craziness of the camera at times, there is enough tantalising adventuring, hidden discoveries, and even intriguing RPG elements within to cover any cracks.
The relationship between DK and Pauline develops into something pretty heartwarming by the end, and the story goes places I wouldn't have dreamed. I don't want to spoil anything here, but the phrase "oh hell yes" was shouted multiple times by me during the final hours before rolling credits. Donkey Kong Bananza tries a lot of new ideas, and the vast majority of them not only work, but revolutionize the idea of a 3D platformer. There are definitely problems along the way, and it is a long way from perfect, but I can't argue with how much pure fun there is to be had in playing Donkey Kong Bananza.
With its diverse ideas, worlds, and gameplay, this experience is one of the games that is worth buying the Switch 2 for, enjoying the adventure, and enjoying it.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is a true love letter to fans of the most charismatic ape in gaming. With stunning visuals, an engaging soundtrack, and accessible gameplay, the game delivers a fun, heartwarming, and emotional experience, the kind that makes you smile from beginning to end. Its story, while simple, is effective, and the chemistry between characters makes the journey even more captivating. More than just the return of a gaming icon, we are witnessing the birth of a title destined to define a generation. A game that will be remembered, recommended, and celebrated for years to come as an essential experience for any video game fan
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Everything about this game echoes DK’s first big smash onto the screen in those opening moments, even though Bananza is a whole lot more than just mindless smashing. It’s loud, relentless, and in your face, and the amount of heart and creativity took me by surprise at nearly every turn. Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the best platformers I’ve ever played, a stunning showcase for Donkey Kong’s new visual redesign, and the perfect statement that Nintendo is still taking risks that are going to pay off in the Switch 2 era.
Donkey Kong Bananza never lets its foot off the accelerator, delivering some of the most inventive, addictive gameplay in the franchise to date - and undoubtedly one of the best platformers Nintendo has ever made.
By turning its core game design toward destruction rather than creation, Donkey Kong Bananza shines as a work of bold innovation. If The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefined open-world exploration, then Bananza carves out a space of its own in the realm of 3D platformers. It's a must-play if you own a Switch 2—and if you don't, it's the first title that should go on your wishlist.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Donkey Kong: Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2 is a meticulously crafted video game designed to captivate all exploration enthusiasts. Capable of delivering a wealth of emotions and reminding us why we love video games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t just a triumphant return; it’s a joyful, expertly crafted love letter to the series, blending fresh ideas with retro spirit. Whether you’re a veteran from the Donkey Kong Country days or just looking for excellent platforming, Bananza delivers. My advice to those playing… Be sure to stick around after BOTH credit sequences. There is always just a little more than you think there will be…. If this is the new standard for DK, the franchise is in excellent hands. DK is SO back.
Donkey Kong Bananza is an absolute blast. The destruction and creativity that the level design brings are constantly engaging, and the hunt for Banandium gems is always fun.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a very special game, and it unexpectedly took me right back to my childhood. That feeling I had the first time I picked up a Nintendo 64 controller to play Super Mario 64? Bananza brought it all back. There is something magical about this world and the amount of freedom Donkey Kong now has to explore it. Destroying everything in sight, coming up with creative ways to solve puzzles, and boss fights that initially seem simple but eventually evolve into unforgettable encounters... The art design, the soundtrack, and Pauline in general—there is just so much to love here. All of these individual pieces come together to create something I never want to end. I went into this game expecting at least to have a fun time, but what I never counted on was it becoming one of my new all-time favorites. If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you owe it to yourself to play this game.
Never in my life did I think that we would be getting another 3D Donkey Kong game, let alone one developed by Nintendo, but it's here, and it's some of the most fun I've had with a Nintendo-developed game in a while. I'd go so far as to say that Donkey Kong Bananza is the real killer app for the Switch 2, not Mario Kart World. World is fun, but Bananza is a blast.
We can say that DK's new title has finally managed to dispel the dark days the franchise seemed to be experiencing. I believe that not even the most optimistic fans of the series were expecting something so fun, beautiful, and addictive. In short, a video game in its raw form. Donkey Kong Bananza—as the subtitle puns—is an "unexpected riches," an abundance of good things for players, and it points, once again, to the possibility of a calm and prosperous future for DK and his friends.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is a master class in game development and design, and is the perfect showcase for the Switch 2. Nintendo always finds a way to outdo themselves. When it feels like they peaked, you get games like Donkey Kong Bananza–a title well worth its weight in crystallized golden bananas.
Ooooh Banana!
If you want to ask me if this is the first true reason to own a Switch 2, then my answer is a resounding yes. This is the first game that made me cherish the brand new system as more than just a phone-esque upgrade. It’s the kind of game that showcases a system’s capabilities, and a company’s creative prowess still going strong after all these years. Not everything sticks the landing, but the pros overwhelmingly outweigh the cons, and that’s what really matters.