Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews
Donkey Kong Bananza demonstrates with almost cheeky ease what Nintendo'd newest console is capable of and why it's definitely worth upgrading from its predecessor. The different areas are brimming with variety, the Bananza transformations add even more chaos to the game and the platforming is incredibly fun. The real star of the game however is the manipulation of the environment: it's an incredibly satisfying and almost meditative feeling to dig, blast, and smash your way through the different levels. At the same time, Bananza looks fantastic, tells a cute story, and is, in my opinion, probably the best Donkey Kong title out there.
Review in German | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza is a strong, triumphant return of the famous gorilla, proving that he still has plenty of energy and charisma. The destruction mechanics sets this game apart from other platformers, offering a sense of freedom that’s challenging to find elsewhere. The world is beautiful, the characters are charming, and the gameplay is engaging. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely worth diving into this adventure.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bonanza isn’t just a return to form, it’s a new benchmark for 3D platformers. It captures the spirit of the Donkey Kong Country games I grew up loving, but reimagines it with modern design and freedom. It’s endlessly rewarding, visually gorgeous, packed with things to do, and bursting with charm. Whether you’re a longtime DK fan or someone new to the franchise, this is an absolute must-play. It’s also one of the best reasons yet to own a Nintendo Switch 2. This is the kind of first-party title that justifies the hardware, it’s ambitious, creative, and full of surprises. It’s a game that feels handcrafted for all ages, where every player will find something to love.
Donkey Kong Bananza is an immaculate return to 3D for DK. Bananza offers creativity seen in very few games in our industry have achieved. Each Layer is expertly crafted, Donkey Kong is endlessly fun to control, and the narrative is surprisingly great. While the general lack of difficulty, especially with bosses, leaves a bit to be desired, Donkey Kong Bananza is one of my favorite Nintendo games of the last decade. Let's just hope this marks a new era of consistent Donkey Kong games.
In short, Donkey Kong Bananza is a platformer that truly deserves a lot, and I'm only sorry it was promoted in such a peculiar way .
Review in Italian | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza redefines 3D platforming and sets a new benchmark for the genre - a Switch 2 showcase, and a modern masterpiece.
Donkey Kong Bananza successfully transitions the franchise into 3D with impressive scope and satisfying destruction mechanics. The open-sandbox design encourages exploration, while intuitive controls and collectibles keep players engaged. However, it suffers from performance issues in docked mode, simplistic difficulty, and a forgettable story. Despite these shortcomings, Nintendo delivers a polished launch title that captures the joy of destruction and expands the series' potential.
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.