I thought I was bored with the Nintendo Switch 2 — but then I played Donkey Kong Bananza
Going in, I expected an experience similar to Super Mario Odyssey since that core team developed the latest Donkey Kong adventure. However, while there are certainly elements of that title and other games, Donkey Kong Bananza does its own thing to a masterful degree. For an old-timer like me, it's a welcome breath of fresh air.
If you own a Nintendo Switch 2, I don't have to sell you on this game since you probably already own it. That said, if you've been keeping up with our Nintendo Switch 2 restock live blog and want another reason to get excited about Nintendo's latest console/handheld hybrid, then you should read on to see why you're in for a treat with Donkey Kong Bananza. It's truly something special.
Donkey Kong Bananza is available now! This game allows DK to smash his way through (and down into) the surrounding terrain. He can punch his way through mountains or head underground in search of collectibles. It's hands-down one of the Switch 2's biggest titles. Additional retailers: Amazon | GameStop| Walmart
We've had games with destructible environments before, but Donkey Kong Bananza takes things to a whole new level—literally and figuratively. With some exceptions, such as steel structures, you're able to destroy just about anything you come across. That's not only technically impressive, but it opens up gameplay possibilities you don't have in other platformers.
Donkey Kong Bananza has a slew of collectibles hidden across its worlds just like with other platformers. However, the difference here is that items are often hidden within the terrain.
Instead of looking for items with your naked eye, you have to consider that what you're looking for could be right underneath your feet. This forces you to explore the land much differently than you would even in other 3D platformers. The verticality involved is a game-changer.
The destructible terrain is also a major component for traversal. You can tear a chunk off the ground and use that piece to surf around, which can be useful if the floor is covered in thorns or poison. Likewise, some platforms only manifest when you throw specific pieces at them. I won't spoil it all here, but some of the traversal options this game offers are quite clever.
Naturally, you'll face enemies and bosses that also use the terrain for offense and defense. This keeps you on your toes, since you can't just simply punch some enemies to defeat them. If you've seen the trailers, then you know Donkey Kong can turn into other animals. Some of these can use the terrain in different ways, such as being able to turn mud into gold. Discovering an enemy's weakness and using the right countermeasure never stops being fun.
This last point isn't just for platformers, but video games in general. With the exception of perhaps the God of War-inspired Dante's Inferno (yes, that was a video game), I can't think of many games where the narrative has you going deeper and deeper into a planet. I'm sure others exist, but few come to mind.
Working your way down to the planet's center creates a fantastic sense of progression and adventure that few games I've played can match.
Given its pedigree and iconic protagonist, I knew I'd have a blast with Donkey Kong Bananza. That said, I wasn't expecting to have such a distinctive gaming experience.
I've been disappointed by games that claimed to have brand-new gameplay mechanics too many times, so it's nice to see a title far exceed what I expected. Playing this game reminds me of how limitless gaming felt during the golden era of the '90s. It's a great feeling to have again, even at my age.
Though I've completed Donkey Kong Bananza's main quest, I plan to dig deep (pun intended) into the post-game content. This is a game that rewards exploration, so I fully expect to be as amazed by all the things I've yet to discover. And even if it's more of the same, that's fine by me, because I'm sure it will still be a unique experience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Engadget
4 minutes ago
- Engadget
Switch 2 owners can play Borderlands 4 on October 3
Switch 2 owners won't have long to wait for Borderlands 4 . On Tuesday, Gearbox founder and CEO Randy Pitchford said it will arrive on October 3. While some had worried the game would be pushed back to 2026, it will land on Nintendo's console less than a month after other platforms. Pitchford's video begins with a sober build toward what sounds like bad news. Just when you think he's about to announce a delay, he turns into an excited 10-year-old, yelling about the game's October release date. "That date is October 3! It's October 3, you guys!! It's not next year; it's not even the holiday! It's so much before Christmas; it's so much before Thanksgiving! It's October 3, you guys!!!" Pitchford, who is a magician on the side, clearly relished this. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Borderlands 4 is Gearbox's first major release since 2K Games bought the studio last year. That followed the epic, messy implosion of its former owner, Embracer Group. In the game, you'll play as a vault dweller taking on the dreaded Timekeeper and his ruthless army. It's set on a new planet, Kairos. It also introduces new gameplay mechanics (a grappling hook!), seamless world transitions (no loading screens) and fluid co-op (asynchronous difficulty levels). Best of all, it won't cost $80. Tone-deaf comments Pitchford made in May sparked speculation that the game might pull a Mario Kart World . (His magic failed him that day.) The game first launches on PC, PlayStation and Xbox on September 12. Unlike those platforms, Borderlands 4 for Switch 2 isn't yet available for pre-order. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Engadget
4 minutes ago
- Engadget
Waterfield Magnetic Case review: The most lavish way to carry your Switch 2 around
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Gamers aren't usually known for their sartorial elegance. But that doesn't mean we don't deserve nice things. So after checking out a very utilitarian carrying case for the Switch 2, I wanted to explore the other side of things with a more lavish travel bag. And while Waterfield's Magnetic case for Nintendo's latest console certainly isn't the most rugged or affordable way to lug a handheld console around, it might just be the most luxurious. Design: Drape me in this leather Compared to most Switch 2 travel bags that are made out of materials like plastic and polyester, Waterfield's case is an exercise in opulence. It's crafted from buttery full-grain leather that's softer than than a perfectly worn in baseball mitt or fancy Dior gloves. It really is that nice. I've been using the white leather model as I love how clean and simple it looks while still giving you that irresistible pillowy exterior. But for the kind of folk who get excited about patina, the chocolate model features a more distressed look that isn't afraid to show off oil, scuffs and blemishes. And if the need arises, you can always hit the case with hot air from a hair dryer to reduce the appearance of scratches. But the thing that sets Waterfield's case apart from its competition is that instead of relying on a zipper, the pouch has a series of magnets to keep everything together. And honestly, there's just something really nice about not having any sharp objects near or around the case, so there's no fear of your Switch 2 getting nicked. This enclosure system also makes it super simple to thread a cable inside, allowing you to charge Nintendo's latest handheld without it needing to leave the safety of its case. On a practical level, I've also found that because taking the console in and out is so quick and easy, I'm much better about putting things back when I'm done gaming. The chocolate leather model is more prone to scuffs and scratches, though you can apply hot air from a hair dryer to reduce their appearance. The inside of the case features a plush microfiber lining and two small pockets for accessories. Waterfield's magnetic design makes it super easy to charge your Switch 2 while it remains inside the case. 1 / 3 Waterfield Magnetic Case for the Switch 2 The chocolate leather model is more prone to scuffs and scratches, though you can apply hot air from a hair dryer to reduce their appearance. The obvious downside to this is that it's easier for stuff like sand to get inside and if you're storing tiny accessories like a microSD Express card, there's no real guarantee it won't fall out while you're in transit. Additionally, the trade-off for the case's fancy leather exterior is that it doesn't have the hard, rigid panels used in a lot of competitors, so it's not the most rugged travel companion. If you press down on the outside of the case, you can feel things like console's buttons and joysticks, so this definitely isn't something you'll want to cram into an already stuffed piece of luggage. On the inside, Waterfield's case is lined with a plush microfiber fabric that will keep the Switch 2 nice and cozy. There are also two pockets for stashing small items like charging cables, game cartridges or Joy-Con straps. But I do mean small, because anything larger will cause the case to bulge, which may put undue stress on the console. Optional accessories Waterfield's card holder for the Switch and Switch 2. Sadly, it does not come included and is an optional extra. This case doesn't come with much in the way of bundled extras. Though like a lot of luxury products (just look at the options list on a Porsche or Ferrari), you can purchase additional accessories such as cord clips, AirTag holders and more. But the most important of these are Waterfield's game card holders, which are available in several sizes (4, 10 and 20). So I went and bought a 10-slot sleeve and it really is the perfect complement to the case. Cartridges fit snug and the holder itself nestles neatly into the pouch's built-in pockets. I just wish one came included, as you're looking at an extra $10 to $30 on top of an already pricey travel protector. Wrap-up Starting at $90 for the nylon or waxed canvas models or $120 for the leather versions, Waterfield's Magnetic Case for the Switch 2 certainly ain't cheap. That's more expensive than Belkin's Charging Case, which comes with its own battery pack. And that's before you factor in a game card holder. Waterfield's Magnetic Case for the Switch 2 might be the most luxurious handheld travel pouch on sale today. But the sheer suppleness of its leather and its super soft interior might be the comfiest cocoon Nintendo's handheld will ever experience. Then you add in a magnetic enclosure system and it feels like Waterfield has managed to transform a product that might normally be an afterthought into something that's a joy to use all by itself. So for those who want a travel pouch that looks and feels just as good as the console it's protecting (if not better), this case is in a class of its own.
Gizmodo
34 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
This Weird Haptic VR Glove Evokes One of Nintendo's Most Iconic Flops
VR is an exciting area for many reasons, but I personally love it because it's still a new enough niche to get really strange. That means all sorts of passion projects from lesser-known developers, 3D-printed accessories, and whatever the hell this is actually wind up seeing the light of day. Relatedly, it also means Sharp might, for real, produce this ridiculous haptic VR glove that evokes Nintendo's most iconic and infamous flops. YO. Sharp has made a haptic vr controller! Also the first image is someone giving a headpat, so I have high hopes, lol. Some of you might remember Sharp is working on an HMD that they debuted back in Parareal London. I REALLY think this design is better than gloves. — Lhun (@DyLhun) July 21, 2025I present to you: a haptic VR glove made by Japan-based company Sharp. While this is still a prototype, Sharp says its glove is capable of using haptics to translate textures and shapes in VR. Sharp says it aims to have haptic sensations on each of your five fingers, but that level of tactility could change depending on whether developers/users want more of it down the line. One thing that stands out about Sharp's glove is that it also has a traditional controller attached, so if you're not in a haptic VR mood, you can just use the on-glove joystick and buttons to navigate or play. It's a haptic glove with a little dose of Quest 3 controller. Nice. Sharp says its gloves won't 'allow for delicate finger tracking,' which I assume means it won't have tracking on top of the haptics but would probably still be able to be registered by native hand tracking on a VR headset. It also doesn't provide resistance like other haptic gloves (i.e., registering when you're gripping something that's either hard or soft). Even with those caveats, I can see a glove like this bringing a whole new level to VR experiences. I'm not a big fan of VRChat myself, but something with a similar feature set to this glove would probably appeal to anyone who's into that sort of thing, though the provisional $700 price tag may be a dealbreaker. Regardless, if you have the expendable income, coupling this glove with Bigscreen's VRChat-edition Beyond 2e headset would be a winning combo, you have to admit. If you're a connoisseur of old Nintendo hardware, the other thing that may jump out to you is the fact that Sharp's glove is giving big Nintendo Power Glove energy. If you don't know what that is, here's a picture of the Power Glove, released in 1989—notably well before VR took off in any mainstream kind of way. Nintendo's glove was clearly well before its time, and while it didn't have haptics in it, it combined motion controls and analog buttons in a way that was revolutionary for the time. Granted, it didn't work all that well, but you have to give Nintendo credit for trying to push the boundaries. I'm going to give Sharp the benefit of the doubt and say its glove—should it ever be released on a wider scale—will probably work better than the Power Glove, which would be great for both Sharp and anyone who buys it. Either way, it's another fun exercise in the wild ways we can further augment a VR experience for a niche that's done quite a bit of growing since the days of Nintendo's Virtual Boy.
