Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews
Donkey Kong Bananza is an incredibly impressive 3D platformer for the Nintendo Switch 2 and one of Donkey Kong's greatest adventures to date.
Donkey Kong and Pauline’s adventure is a showpiece for Nintendo’s new console, and it meets the incredibly high standard the developer has been setting for itself since the ‘80s.
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.
Just as Super Mario Odyssey cemented the original Switch as a must-have platform, Donkey Kong Bananza smashes it's way into the Nintendo hall of classics, bumping the Switch 2 from "really nice" to "must buy" status. Don't let the smashing mechanics fool you, this game is just as smart, deep, and clever as any of the Mario or Zelda titles. Nintendo has set up and intricate and beautiful playground, and then releases the player into it as a wrecking ball. Fun doesn't get much more fun than this.
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
While I'm happy to take the Big N down a peg when they're complacent and being greedy little s***s as a corporation, I'm just as happy giving them praise when they do right for its audience. Donkey Kong Bananza is that rare case where credit is definitely due. Feel free to go bananas with this long-awaited return of DK being the star of his own adventure; I know I did.
Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on fast movement, fun destruction, and steady upgrades. It’s responsive, satisfying, and full of surprises. A few frame dips and camera slips don’t get in the way. Whether you’re playing by yourself or with a friend, it’s one of the best 3D platformers out there.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a real masterstroke, a 3D platform game that draws on the best Nintendo traditions (with clear influences from Super Mario Odyssey) and adds a touch of innovation thanks to the high level of environmental destruction and the amazing Bananza transformations. Despite some obvious technical imperfections (particularly in terms of frame rate, which is rather unstable on several occasions, camera stability, which is rather shaky in the narrowest sections, and pop-ins when advancing towards distant scenarios), it offers a unique, rich, engaging experience that is suitable - although the difficulty is a little too low - for a wide range of players. A must-play for anyone who owns a Nintendo Switch 2: an exclusive title that is destined to remain - without a shadow of a doubt - in the history of Nintendo's current flagship console.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Donkey Kong Bananza not only meets but surpasses its high standards in a stylish manner. It may lack Super Mario Odyssey’s sophisticated structure and in-game depth, but it gives a distinct kind of happiness: the unadulterated excitement of taking apart a world and uncovering what lies behind.
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
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.
A brilliant core mechanic and clever design twists make Bananza a delightfully sticky 3D platform adventure topped off with a sweet central character relationship.