Latest news with #DK
Tom's Guide
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I thought I was bored with the Nintendo Switch 2 — but then I played Donkey Kong Bananza
I've played platforming video games most of my life, but I've never played one quite like Donkey Kong Bananza. In fact, it's easily one of the most unique games of any genre. 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.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Donkey Kong Bananza review: Great ape to the rescue
Though notionally Bananza is a 3D platformer, the traditional gameplay of the series has been superseded by Donkey Kong's newfound destructive power that enables him to punch his way through the landscapes. Nintendo took inspiration from Minecraft for the building abilities in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but here the Mojang influence manifests in the tunnelling, burrowing and smashing. DK and his new sidekick Pauline – yes, that Pauline, the damsel Mario rescued in the original 1981 coin-op – together explore sprawling open worlds in search of crystal bananas. But the fruity rewards aren't sitting around just a delicately timed double-jump away as might have been the case in previous Donkey Kong platforming games. Instead, they largely lie hidden beneath the ground in secret rooms found only when DK drills into the earth with his fists, bashing his way through layers of rock, earth and sand like a wrecking machine. Every level consists of an unbreakable base layer on which Nintendo's developers – the same team who made 2017's sublime Super Mario Odyssey – have constructed rolling hills, cliffs and buildings. You could approach Bananza as a conventional platformer, jumping, rolling and walloping your way around the surface as you search for goodies and clobber enemies. But you quickly learn that what lies beneath is more interesting. Why try to dodge prickly foes or navigate sliding platforms when you can just excavate around them, boring in any direction with a flurry of fists? As you bash through the rock, you'll stumble on stashes of gold, collectibles, side-quests and those coveted concealed bananas. Theoretically, you could take the time to leave most of the levels in ruins, bar a few indestructible objects that preserve the path to the next mission. Pauline acts as your cheerleader, sitting on your shoulder and offering encouragement. Co-op play using an additional controller lets Pauline help with the demolition of the environment. If you use Nintendo's GameChat service (free for now but requiring a subscription from next March), a second player can join in from another console, even a Switch 1, locally or remotely. However, DK generates enough destructive chaos by himself and co-op play has only a limited effect, one that's not very satisfying except for maybe the youngest gamer. A greater problem linked to Kong's underground adventures is that digging down leads to the camera closing in and frequently blocking out the overground layers. Nintendo tries to alleviate the issues with DK's sonar-based ground-pound that briefly illuminates nearby collectibles and the terrain. But you're often flailing blindly in the dark, surrounded by bland brown textures until you poke your way towards daylight. It feels very unlike Nintendo to accept such a flawed presentation style, even if the gleeful invention on show above ground masks the problem. Nonetheless, DK's adventures rarely fail to slap an irrepressible smile on your face and the diversity of tasks always keeps your attention. Each level comes stuffed with collectibles and mini-games testing specific skills such as puzzle-solving or timed combat challenges featuring rock-flinging and enemy smashing. Later ability transformations such as the rhino invite you Metroidvania-style to revisit previous locations for more secrets. Donkey Kong Bananza might be considered too easy for most players – even the boss battles barely raise a sweat – and overall doesn't occupy the same rarified air as Super Mario Odyssey. Yet the bulldozing ape ably showcases the power of Switch 2 and earns a place alongside Mario Kart World as an essential purchase for owners of the new console.
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Donkey Kong Bananza timeline explained: is it a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?
The storyline of Donkey Kong Bananza has sparked numerous fan theories but what is the truth of the DK timeline and is Pauline the same one from Super Mario Odyssey? Nintendo has always played fast and loose when it comes to story connections between games, but that hasn't stopped fans from trying to apply logic to the increasingly nonsensical. The most notorious example is the The Legend Of Zelda, which encompasses multiple timelines and obscure multiplayer spin-offs. Nintendo has admitted it only considers this timeline 'to an extent' during development, as it doesn't want to restrain creativity based on whether or not a version of Link triumphed over Ganon in 1998. Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 arcade game of the same name, alongside Pauline (no, it wasn't Princess Peach) and 'Jumpman' (later renamed as Mario). You might think an ape who throws barrels at a plumber doesn't have much complex lore to stew over, and you'd be very correct, but the latest entry Donkey Kong Bananza has thrown up some curveballs for anyone who loses sleep over the origins of Cranky Kong. Before we dive in, here's a warning that there will be significant spoilers for the ending of Donkey Kong Bananza below. Very significant spoilers, in fact, so please don't ruin the (excellent) ending for yourself by mistake. While Donkey Kong Bananza isn't heavy on narrative, there's one major twist towards the end of the game. Void Kong may have been sold as the game's big baddie, but King K. Rool is the true final boss. The classic DK nemesis, who was last featured in 2007's Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber on the Nintendo DS, is found trapped underground, before inevitably escaping. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. King K. Rool steals the Banandium Root and after Donkey Kong and Pauline defeat him, he steals it once again and uses it to corrupt a human city on the surface (aka New Donk City from Super Mario Odyssey). When you beat him again, he is sent flying away. After completing the post-game content, Donkey Kong and Pauline use the Banandium Root to ascend to the surface, as the latter wishes to sing onstage at City Hall. 'Grandmother will be so proud,' she remarks. The final shot shows artwork of Pauline performing onstage in New Donk City. While the game features a 13-year-old Pauline, it's not clear if it's the same Pauline who is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. In fact, there's some evidence (albeit, tenuous) to suggest Donkey Kong Bananza is actually a sequel to Mario's adventure, and not an origin story for the singing mayor, as many originally assumed. Throughout Donkey Kong Bananza, teenage Pauline makes various references to her grandmother, who we never see. In one key scene, where the pair encounter Diddy and Dixie Kong in the Racing Layer, Pauline tells DK, 'I'm glad you got to see your friends again! But if I don't get home, Grandma will worry.' The identity of Pauline's grandma is never confirmed but there are several convincing theories. However, to understand the madness, some context is required on the history of Cranky Kong, aka Donkey Kong's alleged grandfather. While there has been conflicting details over the years, the prevailing theory is that the Donkey Kong who kidnapped Pauline in the original arcade game is actually Cranky Kong. In Donkey Kong Bananza, there's even some evidence to support this, as the elder ape makes a reference to an old rival who wore overalls. 'In my day, rivals had charisma… even in overalls!' he remarks. This is a reference to Mario, or Jumpman as he was known in the arcade version of Donkey Kong. The sequel was 1982's Donkey Kong Jr., which (if we're following the Cranky theory) features Cranky and Wrinkly Kong's son, as he tries to save his kidnapped father from Mario – in a reverse spin on the original premise. A bone of contention is whether the Donkey Kong depicted in 1994's Donkey Kong Country is actually Donkey Kong Jr. or Donkey Kong Jr.'s son. However, according to the Donkey Kong Country manual, Donkey Kong is referred to as Cranky's grandson. Essentially, this means the Donkey Kong depicted in Rare's Donkey Kong Country and onwards is actually the third generation of Donkey Kong, aka the son of Donkey Kong Jr. and another unknown Kong. With this context in mind, it's easier to imagine that there are also multiple generations of Pauline at play. In the arcade game, Pauline is only referred to as 'the Lady' or 'Beautiful Girl' and is seen with blonde hair. This is a different look from the mayor Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey, who has brown hair. While this might be a simple character redesign, or a flight of fancy with some hair dye, references to the original blonde Pauline can be seen on billboards within New Donk City. Again, it might be a nod disconnected from any narrative cohesion, but the New Donk City Festival in Super Mario Odyssey – where Mario replicates the arcade Donkey Kong game under spectacular fireworks – is referred to as the 'story of our city's beginnings'. As such, this implies New Donk City was established after the original arcade game. By extension it's possible Mayor Pauline is a descendant of the blonde Pauline, i.e. Pauline in Bananza is the daughter of Mayor Pauline and the granddaughter of the original arcade Pauline. The evidence for this is super thin but it could mean both Bananza protagonists are third generation offspring of parents with very limited imagination when it comes to naming their children. This is certainly the most satisfying theory, but there's also a strong chance the teenage Pauline is a younger version of the mayor in Super Mario Odyssey, which would place Donkey Kong Bananza as a prequel. That would mean Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey is possibly the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline, and Nintendo just skipped a generation for some reason. More Trending A question in Super Mario Odyssey supports this theory somewhat. During a quiz for a power moon, Pauline asks Mario 'which of these things did I actually do a long time ago?' where the correct answer is 'captured by ape'. While many assumed this was a reference to the events of the original arcade game and Cranky Kong, it's possible this refers to Void Kong and Donkey Kong Bananza's events – which is a nice bit of recontexualisation. Perhaps the most disturbing ramification of all this is, if you buy into the theory of multiple generations, is where does this leave Mario? Is Jumpman the grandfather of the Mario seen in Super Mario Odyssey? Is he an immortal being untethered to time itself? Perhaps thankfully, these are not questions which Bananza concerns itself with. Based on the inclusion of King K. Rool, Donkey Kong Bananza is set after the events of all three Donkey Kong Country games, and 1999's Donkey Kong 64. Redditor Espurreyes, who subscribes to the theory that Donkey Kong Bananza is a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey, has laid out a convenient timeline of the main Donkey Kong games above. Of course, there's not enough evidence from Nintendo to roll out a definitive chronology of Donkey Kong's lineage, or exactly when all the games are set, but if you enjoy pondering the family tree of a fictional ape dressed in a tie, consider your needs served. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: The average Nintendo fan is around 30 years old according to new data MORE: New Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch 2 teased on LinkedIn claim fans MORE: Ubisoft confirms new Ghost Recon as it responds to Stop Killing Games petition
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Donkey Kong Bananza speedruns are going to go bananas and I can't wait to see them
A few layers into Donkey Kong Bananza, I came across an objective that left me stumped. I was to reach a platform and slam a button — a common task in the game — but with the problem being its placement. This specific button was on a small, floating island high above any other natural land formation in the level. There was no vantage point I could climb and leap from, and I had yet to learn the Ostrich Bananza at this point, so flying there was out of the question. This was a perplexing puzzle because nearly all other challenges up to that point could be solved via destruction. I could dig under or break through obstacles, but I couldn't dig up. Or could I? A memory of one of the later trailers for Bananza came to mind, where we saw DK on a beach throwing clumps of sand to create a makeshift land bridge reaching out over the water. Curious, I scooped up a clump of material from the ground, aimed, and attempted to stick it to the bottom of the platform. It worked. I repeated the process, slowly but steadily sculpting a crude and jagged stalagmite of sorts that I could eventually climb up and reach my objective. Despite the tedium, the rush of creating my own solution was euphoric. Recommended Videos Only when I came back down did I realize the 'intended' way to reach the platform. Off to one side was a platform that would extend as you ran across it in Zebra form through the air and eventually end at the platform. I liked my solution better. What I came up with was infinitely slower than the way most people will likely approach this specific challenge, but it made one thing very clear to me: speedruns of this game are going to be insane. Breaking a game that wants to be broken Speedrunning has been gaining a ton of traction over the past two decades. While it is still somewhat niche in the grand scheme of things, most gamers are at least familiar with the concept, if they don't tune in for one of the big annual speedrunning charity events. The majority of them focus on, you guessed it, beating games as fast as possible, but there are a ton of other styles and categories to make things more fun, challenging, or strange. Not all games are built for speedrunning, however. The games that draw the most attention from runners and viewers have a blend of mechanical depth in controls and movement options, plus fun tricks to bypass and 'break' the game to beat it faster. Most Mario games are a perfect example of this, with Mario 64 being one of the most popular speedrunning games of all time thanks to the skill ceiling in movement, challenging routes to complete, and various categories and ways to beat the game quickly. In short, it is as fun to play as it is to watch. Donkey Kong Bananza has all the ingredients it needs to spawn a huge speedrunning scene. DK's base moveset isn't quite on the same level as Mario's, but is incredibly versatile. He can obviously run and jump, but rolling lets him move faster, he can roll in mid-air for a small double jump, plus all the ways you can use chunks to augment your movement. And that's just what I've noticed as a casual player. Once someone who is trying to break the game open has time to master DK's moveset, I have no doubt I'll see the game being played in ways I never would've thought possible. (Between the time I wrote this article and it was set to publish, a speedrunner has already found a way to skip the entirety of the last layer of the Canyon layer, including the boss fight less than 24 hours after the game came out) The Bananza transformations each add new ways to enhance DK's movement and destructive powers that are primed for speedrunning. I don't need to explain how being able to break concrete, dash, or fly for a duration of time can be exploited to reach areas early and out of order, but what I do know is that there's one very important feature of the Bananza system that speedrunners will love: you can change Banaza forms on the fly without reverting back to normal or going into a menu. If there's some strange interaction that can happen where you phase through the floor or get rocketed across the map by changing form in just the right spot or in a specific circumstance, someone is going to find it. And how could I not mention the most obvious aspect of Donkey Kong Bananza that make it a speedrunner's dream; the fully destructive environments. Sure, we can all imagine how digging through a level in the just the right way could bypass a ton of stuff, but speedrunners won't stop there. Just like with Bananza forms, a lot of crazy things could be possible with that much freedom. I almost don't even want to guess how glitching into the walls or clipping will be used here and just want to wait to see it for myself. Every speedrun has some roadblocks that slow things down. These are typically things like cutscenes or unskippable animations. In Mario games, a lot of time is spent watching animations after collecting Stars, Moons, or whatever else, which is why there are categories for beating the game with as few collectibles as possible. Donkey Kong Bananza has hundreds upon hundreds of collectibles, including bananas, and each one you collect stops the game for a moment to watch DK munch it down. The more bananas in the bunch you're collecting, the longer the animation takes for him to eat them all. But here's the thing: you don't need to collect any bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza as far as I can tell. Maybe there's one as part of the tutorial or something, but no part of the game is gated off by an arbitrary banana requirement. They only serve to give you skill points to level up, but speedrunners won't need that. Unless there's a trick that saves time in the long run that requires leveling up, I doubt anyone will bother collecting a single one. The speedrunning community is such a fantastic group working together to crack games wide open and see who can master them. It isn't done out of malice, but as a celebration of our favorite games and wanting to show what's possible within them. Nintendo games have always been big hits within the speedrunning community. Now that I've finished my playthrough of Donkey Kong Bananza, I can't wait to see what the pros do with it.
Man of Many
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—19 July, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 19 Jul 2025 |Last Updated: 17 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. The week is over, July is halfway done, and wouldn't you know it—it's time for another round of our Staff Favourites! Each week, we try to show off some things that have brought us some joy in the hopes it'll help you find your own, and this week we're showcasing some delicious Tasmanian whiskey, a pint-sized collectable car, an ape wearing a tie, and some custom Adidas. Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set | Image: Mattel Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production When we posted about the news of Mattel dropping collector-focused brick sets on Man of Many's Instagram, the response was huge, so I took it as my sign to grab a set for myself. I told myself it was for the kids over the school holidays, but let's be real: I'll be the one building it while they watch (and honestly, I'm not mad about it). The build quality is surprisingly impressive. This one features 876 pieces and pays tribute to the iconic '90s ride with incredible attention to detail, from its scissor doors to the classic wedge profile. It's part of Mattel's new Brick Shop range, which also includes the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. All three are loaded with authentic touches and feel way more premium than you'd expect from a brick set. It's definitely got that collector energy, and now I'm tempted to grab the others and complete the set (or quietly drop hints between now and Father's Day wink). Favourite Article this Week: Our First Look at Link and Zelda in 2027's 'Legend of Zelda' Movie Donkey Kong Bonanza | Image: Nintendo Donkey Kong Goes Bananza Dean Blake – Entertainment & Tech Writer Donkey Kong has finally been let out of his cage, and he's literally tearing the scenery apart. In DK's big return to a starring role, he's diving deep into the bowels of the planet in Bananza, the first major single-player system-seller for Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. I got a chance to play a few hours of the game recently, and it was fantastic. DK feels great in the hands (which is no surprise if you've played this studio's prior game, Super Mario Odyssey), and has a number of new abilities in store: he can break the world apart around him, for one, but also climb most surfaces and, when the mood strikes just right, turn into an ostrich. No, I'm not kidding. He can also turn into a zebra and an even bigger ape with bananas in his hair, which is strange but you know, who cares? Doing so gives the big man access to some new abilities, like gliding, sprinting, and bashing things even harder. Oh, and he does it all with a human child on his shoulder. Confused yet? Well, that's just the beginning of where things get whacky with this one, but I don't think I want to spoil much else. Really, if you've already picked up a Switch 2 for Mario Kart you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to check out Bananza—and if you've been on the fence, this is a pretty damn good reason to make the jump to Nintendo's new system. Favourite Article this Week: Does the Nothing Phone (3) Justify its AUD$1,509 Price? Image: Scott Purcell / Man of Many Kicking It with the Three Stripes: Our Night with the adidas Superstar Scott Purcell – Co-Founder This week, Harry and I had the opportunity to head out to the adidas flagship store on Pitt St in Sydney to celebrate the return of a true icon: the adidas Superstar. The new 'Superstar: The Original' campaign is bringing back the legendary sneaker in two classic colourways, alongside the equally iconic Firebird Tracksuit. The global campaign features a star-studded cast including the likes of Missy Elliott, Jennie from BLACKPINK, and is narrated by the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. The event was a super fun getting to customise our own sneakers, and they even offered to embroider the back of our new jackets ahead of the night. In a moment of questionable genius, I opted for 'Man of Many' on mine, which made for some interesting conversations. Others were more clever, with one person getting 'It wasn't me' stitched on the back. While I'm not sure my attempt with a metallic scourer was a complete success as you can see in the photo, I can confirm these shoes are ridiculously comfortable. I've been wearing them all week since and this was my first proper foray into the world of adidas Superstars footwear. I think it's safe to say I'm a convert. Favourite Video this Week: DITL with the Dyson OnTrac Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey | Image: Rosevears Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey Alex Martinez – Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Tasmania's first crack at a bourbon-style whiskey is an ambitious and largely successful effort. Rosevears Batch 1 delivers a bold, grain-forward profile that proudly wears its local ingredients on its sleeve. The nose is rich with sweet corn and toasted cereal, backed by a punch of rye spice and oak. On the palate, it leans into classic bourbon notes – vanilla, caramel, and a touch of char. While it doesn't quite rival the depth of some seasoned Kentucky counterparts, Rosevears impresses with its authenticity and craftsmanship. As a debut, it sets a promising foundation for what's to come from this Tasmanian distillery. One for the curious bourbon enthusiast looking to explore Australian innovation – and why wouldn't you be? Favourite Article this Week: Ninja SLUSHi: The Uber-Cool Drink Maker You Need Right Now
