Donkey Kong Bananza: A Stunning New Adventure
Donkey Kong Bananza has burst onto the scene, and many fans, including myself, had mixed feelings when it was initially announced. With a strong desire for a new 3D Mario game, I worried that shifting from skillful platforming to a more destructible world might lead to a monotonous experience.
Thankfully, my doubts were misplaced. The brilliant team behind Super Mario Odyssey has returned, delivering an enchanting platforming experience for the Nintendo Switch 2 packed with charm and creativity.
Diving into the Core of Adventure
In Donkey Kong Bananza, players dive deep underground on a quest to recover the Golden Bananas stolen by the nefarious Void Company. Alongside Pauline, Donkey Kong journeys to the Planet Core, traversing a variety of bizarrely beautiful environments.
While I typically don’t play these games for their narratives, the story here stands out, thanks to the animated cutscenes that pulse with energy. The interactions between Pauline and DK, especially during their downtime, create an endearing bond that enhances the gameplay experience.
The world in Donkey Kong Bananza feels almost alive. With its vibrant graphics reminiscent of Wind Waker, Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Odyssey, it might just be Nintendo’s most visually stunning title so far. Every stage is infused with love and meticulous detail, ensuring it feels vibrant and engaging.
From massive explosions that demolish structures to leaves fluttering through the air as DK tumbles through forests, every element pops with excitement. Most impressively, despite the chaos of smashing through obstacles, the stages maintain a sense of careful design.
Players are guided towards their goals while enjoying a commendable level of freedom. Donkey Kong’s roster of moves—like rock surfing, rolling, and ground pounding—means there’s always multiple ways to tackle obstacles. Need to evade a laser? Tunnel beneath it or use a chunk of rock for a makeshift double jump. That treacherous swamp? Surf over it or glide with DK’s Ostrich ability. While it may not flow as seamlessly as Mario Odyssey, it offers greater room for creativity.
The game is filled with Golden Bananas to hunt, treasures to amass, and fossils to unveil. These collectibles unlock new skills and enhancements such as spin jumps and egg bombs. Fossils serve as currency for outfits and customizations, while gathering gold feels as rewarding as collecting studs in LEGO games.
If you’re a completionist like me, Donkey Kong Bananza promises tens of hours of immersive gameplay.
So, does Donkey Kong Bananza top Super Mario Odyssey? It’s not quite there, but it’s far closer than I expected. A few issues arise occasionally, such as frame rate drops and texture pop-ins, which can momentarily disrupt the experience.
However, the gameplay generally performs better than anticipated, with frame dips being rare and not game-breaking—though one chaotic boss battle stands out for its graphical strain. In comparison, the frame rate issues in Link’s Awakening were far more noticeable, especially given that game’s slower pace.
Donkey Kong Bananza thrives on its messy gameplay style, pulling players in various directions as they explore its depths. The level of destruction can sometimes be overwhelming, potentially leading to confusion about where to go next.
While a dedicated tunnel camera alleviates some spatial issues, navigating off the main path occasionally leads to disorientation. Another minor critique would be the repetitiveness of certain challenges and boss encounters, which don’t always provide the required level of excitement.
Remarkably, these minor flaws don’t overshadow the spectacle of the game. The joy of exploring its gorgeous environments and uncovering secrets more than compensates for any shortcomings. The thrill only grows as players evolve their abilities and face new hazards.
Nintendo has unveiled yet another gem with Donkey Kong Bananza, a delightful title that beautifully fills the gap left by a new 3D Mario at the Switch 2’s launch.
VERDICT: 4.5/5