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Digital Trends
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Donkey Kong Bananza review: breaking the 3D platformer mold
Donkey Kong Bananza MSRP $69.99 Score Details 'Donkey Kong Bananza is a confident subversion of the 3D platformer.' Pros Smashing terrain is endlessly satisfying Subverts traditional 3D platforming thinking Simple but touching story Cons Begins to feel formulaic near the end Some transformations and skills feel superfluous Recommended Videos Right from the title screen, Donkey Kong Bananza made it clear it wasn't going to play by normal 3D platformer rules. I'm not greeted with a traditional menu, but a rock wall and a single button prompting me to smash through. Bananza constantly rewarded me for keeping that mentality in mind and refusing to play by the rules. Rather than the tried-and-true Mario 3D platformer we all expected to release during the Switch 2 launch window, Nintendo has decided to take a somewhat risky swing with Donkey Kong Bananza. This game has the bones of a modern 3D platformer collect-a-thon, but isn't intent on living in the shadow of Mario. This is Donkey Kong finally getting a chance to break out of his shell and define a unique gameplay formula all his own. Of course, that comes in the form of the nearly unrestricted destruction Banaza encourages. In that sense, this game feels like an attempt to break down the traditions of the genre and build something new. The result is an experience that takes a little while to find its footing, but once it finds its voice, doesn't shy away from being different. When Bananza is willing to break out of its shell and explore what makes it unique, it is a shining example of why it is worth putting yourself out there. It doesn't make a flawless first impression, but there's a lot more to dig into than it first appears. Break it down The setup for Donkey Kong Bananza feels light even by 3D platforming standards. DK is a miner who loves bananas, and an evil corporation called VoidCo is stealing them all on their way to the planet's core. Once you rescue Pauline, the mission changes to getting her to the core where it is said any wish can be granted. As Pauline becomes more confident in her voice, so too does Bananza in its subversion of the 3D platformer. It does the job of giving you a goal and some bosses to look forward to fighting, but not much motivation beyond that. The three new villains feel like cardboard cutouts until around halfway through the game, only there to put up roadblocks at the end of a level. The problem is that I didn't know what their goal was for way too long, meaning I had no idea what was at stake. That's an important piece of missing context when I am arguably doing more damage to each ecosystem than the supposed villains. It's a small thing in a game more focused on the mechanics and relationship between DK and Pauline, but still felt oddly absent. Pauline is the real heart and soul of Bananza. The trailers kept her a secret as the mysterious Odd Rock at first, but it isn't long before she breaks free and lends her singing powers to DK. Breaking out of her rocky shell is just the beginning of Pauline's arc, however. As much as she loves singing, she's hesitant to do it in front of others. Her voice is the only way to activate DK's new Bananza forms, forcing her to step out of her comfort zone to learn each new form. It's a subtle bit of character growth, but representative of Bananza's entire theme of breaking out of one's shell. As Pauline becomes more confident in her voice, so too does Bananza in its subversion of the 3D platformer. Dig a little deeper Beyond being endlessly cathartic to rip through entire levels, the destructability in Donkey Kong Bananza requires a fundamental shift in level design. Granted, there are hard boundaries preventing you from completely flattening a level, and there are sections that strip back your terraforming powers, but it is done in service of pushing the player to think of new ways to use the mechanic rather than shying away from it. An early example is a metal revolving door I can't normally break. I could just wait for it to turn and treat it like a normal platforming obstacle, or rip through the walls, floor, or ceiling to bypass it entirely. Even the throwback stages reward a fresh approach. I only realized by accident on my first 2D barrel stage that I should ignore my instincts and aim at the rock walls and not around them to blast through them. Those type of moments are what Bananza does best. Donkey Kong Bananza requires a fundamental shift in level design What is unfortunate is that it takes a little too long for Bananza to start giving me more of those tools to play with. The first several stages don't introduce much in the way of creative twists on digging, smashing, and throwing rocks around. That's just a small blip in the grand scheme of things, however, because Donkey Kong Bananza is a huge game. Every time I thought I was approaching the end, I was introduced to a new level, mechanic, and hundreds of collectibles. It borders on overstaying its welcome mechanically, but certainly does formulaically. Aside from a few exceptions, each level has the same core components of finding a record (usually broken into multiple pieces) to learn a new Bananza, breaking VoidCo machines that are harming the local area and preventing you from diving lower, and fighting a boss or two. These might be done in different orders, but the repetition wears thin. Thankfully, Bananza isn't a game you're likely to rush through. Even when I was dead set on making progress through a level, a hidden banana, a challenge level, a treasure chest, or an environmental puzzle would draw me away. Donkey Kong 64 earned a reputation for having an overwhelming number of collectables, but Bananza blows that game out of the water. The difference here is that the number of collectible types and their uses are kept in check. Bananas are used to level up, fossils to buy outfits, and gold for items, and that's mostly it. This is the most direct carryover from Odyssey, and is the aspect of Bananza that feels the most safe. Even the new abilities you can unlock by levelling up aren't all that exciting; only a slim few give you new moves, while the rest are stat buffs. The titular Banaza transformations feel slightly underutilized for how heavily they are featured, and some feel too specific to whip out in general gameplay. The gorilla transformation that powers up my punches is always useful, but the zebra that can run across specific terrain types never felt useful beyond the few times it was required. There are some challenge stages that focus on each of your Bananza forms that show their full potential, but you will need to seek them out to experience them. Donkey Kong Bananza could've easily been a reskinned Mario game with Stars replaced with bananas, but Nintendo chose the riskier path. While it has the familiar structure of past 3D platformers, everything about how I engaged with Bananza felt like a deconstruction of the genre (pun intended). While it may stick a bit too close to a familiar core structure, Bananza goes deep in exploring clever and unique ways to use its destructive systems to build a confident new platformer. Donkey Kong Bananza was tested on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Tom's Guide
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Donkey Kong Bananza is the 3D Donkey Kong game I've always wanted — and one of the best reasons to get a Switch 2
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2Price: $69 / £59 / AU$109Release date: July 17, 2025Genre: Action-adventure Donkey Kong Bananza shines on the Nintendo Switch 2 with impressive visuals, incredibly fun gameplay and a story filled with both new and familiar characters. The game sets you free to punch and smash to your heart's content as only Donkey Kong can as you work your way through increasingly challenging levels in your search for the elusive Banandium Core. Unlike Donkey Kong's past adventures, this one is entirely in 3D and much like in Super Mario Odyssey, the developers at Nintendo EPD give you all the tools you need to explore (and destroy) the world around you. Along the way, you're joined by Pauline and a cast of interesting characters as you try to make your way through the game's various subterranean environments. Donkey Kong can smash his way through all sorts of different terrain both vertically and horizontally, transforming levels along the way. However, thanks to the power of various animal-themed Bananza transformations, he also gains new powers to aid him and Pauline in their quest. All of these parts work together almost seamlessly and the sheer level of discovery and exploration feels a lot like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Switch-but with a Donkey Kong-themed twist. Unfortunately, with a game of this size and scope, there are some hiccups along the way, mainly with the game's camera and especially when you're digging deep underground trying to find the surface. Still, this is the 3D Donkey Kong game that fans of the character (myself included) have always wanted. My Donkey Kong Bananza review will explain why this is truly the first must-have Switch 2 title and why it should have been a launch game for Nintendo's latest hybrid console. Instead of at home on Kong Island, Donkey Kong Bananza starts out with our titular hero working in a mine where his smashing abilities make him quite adept at collecting gold, fossils and other hidden treasure. However, the mine's operations quickly come to a halt when the game's villains, a group known as VoidCo, bury it underground. This starts off Donkey Kong's subterranean journey. While not open-world, Donkey Kong Bananza does give you quite a lot of freedom in how you approach its objectives. Each of the game's areas are divided up into sublayers and once you reach a checkpoint in a particular area, you're free to teleport between them or return back to a layer to look for things you might have missed. One of my favorite things about Donkey Kong Bananza is how each layer is quite different, both when it comes to gameplay and its design. There are layers filled with water, snow forests and more and each has its own distinct feel to it. You also learn new abilities and Bananza powers (more on that later) as you make your way through each one. There's quite a lot to see and do but like with Super Mario Odyssey, a lot of this is optional. In fact, you can skip through whole sections if you want to. As the story progresses, you learn more about the world itself and about Pauline and her musical abilities. You also fight off the various members of VoidCo and learn why the group's leader Void Kong is so keen on reaching the planet's core. Donkey Kong Bananza strikes a fine balance between being too story-heavy or too gameplay-driven, though the latter is definitely what sets this game apart from other Donkey Kong games. As you make your way to the planet's core, it's up to you to undo the havoc caused by VoidCo during the group's descent. Whether it's areas of a level blocked off by the company's iconic purple metal or the entrance to the next sublayer, Donkey Kong relies on Pauline's special musical power to clear these obstructions. It's a fun mechanic and the power of music resonates throughout the entire game. Along the way, you also encounter Banandium Gems which, when you collect five, grant Donkey Kong a skill point to upgrade his abilities. Sometimes you'll encounter a lone banana, or after a particularly challenging section (like when you reach a new layer) these bananas will come in a hand of 3-5. Though you certainly don't have to collect every banana you come across, during my playthrough, I found myself going out of the way to find more. Sometimes this was to collect enough to earn a new skill point but at other times, I just wanted to find them, much like a real monkey after bananas. While I don't know how many there are in total yet, I collected around 350 bananas before beating the game. They aren't the only thing to collect either as fossils can be spent at shops to upgrade Donkey Kong and Pauline's wardrobes and gold is used to buy useful items like balloons. One thing that I really like about the fossils in Donkey Kong Bananza is that they're specific to each layer and can only be used there. This had me hunting for them as soon as I reached the next layer as I wanted to upgrade my outfit to protect me from whatever peril I would encounter in this new area. During your journey, you encounter all kinds of different foes and some require a specific mechanic or material to defeat them. There are some you can give a quick smackdown with Donkey Kong's fists or others that you need to break off a chunk of the environment and hurl it into the air at them to take down. As you progress from one layer to the next, Donkey Kong Bananza's enemies get increasingly difficult but the game is always there to give you a useful tip if you struggle with a particular enemy or boss. Speaking of the bosses, there are quite a few to deal with and each boss encounter feels unique, even if you end up fighting a slightly different version of a previous one. Alongside the gem-shaped Fractones you meet along the way, there are also elders in certain layers that bestow unique powers called Bananzas onto Donkey Kong. From transforming into a zebra, an ostrich or other jungle animals, these Bananza transformations add new mechanics and abilities that help shake things up. While powerful, your time in this transformed state is limited, so you need to be focused on the task at hand or you'll return to Donkey Kong's normal state before you finish an objective. Just like with Donkey Kong himself, these different Bananzas have their own skill trees and abilities you can level up with skill points. Doing so allows you to remain in your transformed state for longer, but you can also increase the effectiveness of each Bananzas' bespoke skills. Once you've unlocked several, you can freely switch between them while transformed and I found doing so to be both really fun and very effective at defeating enemies or reaching hidden Banandium gems. There's no limit to what Donkey Kong can smash, dig through or outright destroy in this game and that's due to its voxel-based terrain. While many Mario games use pixel art, Donkey Kong Bananza uses voxels which, put simply, are the three-dimensional equivalent of a pixel. Imagine a tiny cube or box in a 3D space—that's what all of the layers of the game are made of. Not only does this give Donkey Kong Bananza a unique and timeless look, it's also what makes all of the game's destructive environments possible. The best part though is even though everything is made from voxels, Nintendo EDP made it so you wouldn't notice them while playing. From concrete to sand to stone, each of the materials in the game has its own unique look, feel and properties to it. Some are softer while others are harder and require you to use another hard material to break through them. This adds to the gameplay loop and makes it so that you need to be more conscious about the terrain around you. The environments in Donkey Kong Bananza really stand out too and show the impressive visuals the Switch 2 is capable of. There were times when I just had to stop and take it all in and the game's photo mode really helped me capture those moments. In fact, I often found myself stopping to take pictures, not just for this review but to show off to friends. The best part? Photo mode is just a tap of the D-pad away and like in Mario Kart World, there are filters and other tweaks you can make to ensure your captures stand out. Donkey Kong Bananza is a fresh take on previous Donkey Kong games that successfully brings Nintendo's iconic character into a 3D world in a way that doesn't feel forced or out of place. The core gameplay remains true to the franchise, but Donkey Kong feels a whole lot more powerful thanks to the game's (almost) fully destructible environments. This would be good enough on its own, but the new Bananza powers take things to the next level (or layer) and help mix up its gameplay. While this move to 3D does come with some camera issues at times, they aren't gamebreaking nor do they detract from the overall experience. Likewise, while there are a lot of Banandium Gems to collect throughout the journey, Donkey Kong Bananza isn't a collect-a-thon and certainly doesn't feel like one either. Mario Kart World might have been the Nintendo Switch 2's main launch title but Donkey Kong Bananza really feels like the first must-have game for the new console, both when it comes to visuals, its wonderfully catchy soundtrack, and the experience overall. If you already have a Switch 2, this is the game to play next and a must for any collection.
Geek Dad
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
‘Donkey Kong Bananza' – Not Just the Same Old Kong
My only disappointment regarding the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 didn't have anything to do with the lack of an OLED screen or the Joy-Con 2 construction or even the battery life. Indeed, it wasn't hardware-related in the slightest. My one knock against the system was that Donkey Kong Bananza , a game that I've been lauding since I first picked up a Switch 2 controller, wasn't available on day one. Fast-forward a month and some change, though, and Bananza is soon to hit store shelves, at last righting that singular great injustice. I've been fortunate enough to spend the last couple of weeks digging deep (both literally and figuratively) into this groundbreaking title, and I'm happy to say that the initial little piece of gameplay I sampled at the Nintendo Switch 2 press event scarcely scratched the proverbial surface. Bananza sees DK partnered with a sentient rock creature that is quickly revealed to be none other than a younger version of the songstress Pauline. Abducted by VoidCo, a capitalist cabal of sinister simians, for her powerful voice, Pauline joins Donkey Kong as he delves ever deeper into the underground world in an attempt to recover the stolen Banandium Gems and undo VoidCo's cruel, exploitative plans—a mission accomplished through careful deliberation and peaceful compromise. I'm kidding; it's actually solved by a potent blend of physical violence and wanton devastation. If Bananza transformations aren't in the next Smash Bros. I'm going to be disappointed. image: NOA Though I initially described Bananza as an updated take on The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction , it's really more of a mix between Nintendo Switch standouts Super Mario Odyssey and the Splatoon series. From the former, it draws its expansive worldbuilding and the concept of an almost seamless partnership between combat and platforming. DK's movement is both additive, in that it drives him ever forward/up/down, and degressive, in that it blasts through enemies and the very earth itself. It's a beautiful economy of action that makes the game instantly addictive. Its more Splatoon -y elements include its over-the-top character design and a reliance on music as an element of storytelling. In Donkey Kong Bananza , the soundtrack does more than simply provide an audio backdrop for your continuing adventure; Pauline's soulful melodies are tied directly to the power-ups and puzzle-solving needed to protect this deceptively fragile planet. Controls in Bananza are wonderfully intuitive, with A and B used to jump and pound, Y to punch, and X to uppercut (which is especially useful when tunneling underground). The L trigger activates Pauline's song, while ZL sends DK rolling. Similarly, R employs Donkey Kong's hand slap, and ZR is used to tear up chunks of the environment to toss at enemies or surf on across hazardous materials. With movement and camera ably handled by the left and right thumbsticks, the D-pad is reserved for supplementary actions. Use left and right to scroll through your available Bananazas, up to check your skills and character status, and down to enter photo mode. The + button takes the player to a pause screen complete with options and amiibo functionality, while – quickly switches to a nicely detailed map. Donkey Kong Bananza is my new gold standard as far as map systems are concerned. image: NOA As outlandish as this game world is—and trust me, it gets really weird really fast—there's a wonderfully crooked logic at play in Donkey Kong Bananza . Not sure where to go? Pauline's song will point the way. On the hunt for collectables? DK's crushing hand slap serves as sonar to uncover hidden goodies. Even as you dive ever deeper into the unknown, Bananza rewards your curiosity. Challenge rooms abound, and the tests within run the gamut. Timed enemy battles, Donkey Kong Country -style side-scrolling and minecart runs, inspired environmental puzzlers, and destruction-based challenges all await, each rewarding the player with precious gold and/or hard-fought Banandium Gems. As our dynamic duo continues ever lower, new and more fantastical environments are encountered, complete with crystalline and animal inhabitants that add a fun narrative flavor to each stratum. This helps make otherwise run-of-the-mill sublayer themes—ice and snow, verdant jungles, fiery lava pools, slimy ooze—feel unique and inviting. Plus, the further DK and Pauline dig, the hardier these destructible environments (and their sinister interlopers) become. Thankfully, Bananza has no shortage of specialized currencies to help you out. Fossils can be exchanged for clothing that allows for customization of DK and Pauline and can add helpful buffs. Gold, available in abundance from the game's earliest sublayers, helps build up Bananergy for the titular Bananza transformations, lets players continue after an untimely death, is employed to craft Banandium Chips into a proper Banandium Gem, and can even be used to purchase Getaways where your team can rest up to restore health. The Edlers are all very cleverly designed… and also enormous. image: NOA Those prized Banandium Gems are important for leveling up DK's skills. Collect five Banandium Gems to unlock a skill point, which can then be used to boost stats, increase the range of the DK's item-detecting sonar, or further power up your already impressive Bananza forms. Earned by reuniting animal Elders with their prized records, each Bananza offers a massive new form that not only increases DK's already considerable brawn but can similarly supplement his speed and allow for things like limited flight. The closer you draw to the planet's core, the more gold and Banandium you acquire, the more Bananza forms you unlock, and the more mini-bosses you best, making for a wonderfully smooth learning curve as you perfect your own personal approach to combat and exploration. Backtracking is encouraged but seldom required, and Donkey Kong Bananza 's logically layered map and eel-based fast travel system make transportation a snap. Assist and co-op modes go even further to make Bananza accessible, allowing for quicker progression and giving Pauline's voice its own destructive powers, respectively. There's also a DK Artist feature where future Michelangelos can try their hand at virtual sculpture… with a Donkey Kong twist. In a title already perfectly polished and packed with content, all these little extras feel positively decadent. DK Artist uses the Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality. image: NOA While long denied top billing in favor of company mascot Mario, Donkey Kong is truly a character who has stood the test of time. By the same token, Donkey Kong as a property has encompassed everything from simple arcade action to challenging platformers to puzzle and rhythm games, all without ever losing sight of how innately magical this big, buffoonish gorilla is. Bananza manages to channel the very best elements of every Donkey Kong title that's come before into a remarkable adventure that surprises and delights, rewarding innovation and encouraging experimentation while never failing to let fun be its true focus. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this means that Donkey Kong Bananza holds the honor of being the Switch 2's first must-play release. As much as I enjoy Mario Kart World , Mario Kart is an iterative affair, and while World gets so much right, it stops short of redefining the property. The Cyberpunk and Bravely Default launch titles that I've likewise put so much time into showcase the flexibility of the Switch 2 as a platform, but both games were also well served on other systems as well. Donkey Kong Bananza , though? This is the system seller Nintendo's been looking for. Maybe it doesn't have Mario or Luigi, but it features plenty of returning classic characters and a host of exciting new gameplay opportunities that make this the most enticing Donkey Kong title to date. Even if our primate protagonist does, at times, tend to go a little bananas. Review and promotional materials provided by Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. Kid Pauline > Baby Peach. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Economic Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Nintendo Direct: Why Nintendo is holding this Direct? Here's livestream date, time, where to watch, runtime, and what we know about Donkey Kong Bananza release date, gameplay, game price, preorder and storyline
Nintendo Direct Livestream Date, Time, Where to Watch and Runtime Why Nintendo is holding this Direct? Donkey Kong Bananza Release Date and Storyline Live Events Gameplay Game Price and Preorder FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Nintendo will hold a new Nintendo Direct on June 18, 2025. The company will share more details about its upcoming game, Donkey Kong Bananza . The broadcast will highlight exclusive features and updates about the shared on its official X account that a new Nintendo Direct will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The livestream will begin at 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT. It will be streamed through Nintendo's official YouTube channel. The company mentioned the stream will run for 15 confirmed that this Direct will focus only on Donkey Kong Bananza. The goal is to show more content from the upcoming title ahead of its Kong Bananza was announced on April 2, 2025. It will be released on July 17, 2025, for Nintendo's new gaming console. The game follows Donkey Kong in a new 3D platform adventure. He must collect banana-shaped diamonds from a group called VoidCo in an underground from past showcases revealed Donkey Kong's movement abilities. He can smash, throw and climb objects in the environment. Images also hinted at a possible appearance by Pauline, sparking online theories. The upcoming Direct may provide clarity on her role in the Kong Bananza will be priced at $69.99. Preorders are currently open. This title is the first new major Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which came out in 2014 on the Wii Kong Bananza will be released on July 17, 2025, for Nintendo's new Nintendo Direct will focus only on Donkey Kong Bananza and last 15 minutes.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nintendo Direct: Why Nintendo is holding this Direct? Here's livestream date, time, where to watch, runtime, and what we know about Donkey Kong Bananza release date, gameplay, game price, preorder and storyline
Nintendo will hold a new Nintendo Direct on June 18, 2025. The company will share more details about its upcoming game, Donkey Kong Bananza . The broadcast will highlight exclusive features and updates about the title. Nintendo Direct Livestream Date, Time, Where to Watch and Runtime Nintendo shared on its official X account that a new Nintendo Direct will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The livestream will begin at 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT. It will be streamed through Nintendo's official YouTube channel. The company mentioned the stream will run for 15 minutes. Also Read: Love Me: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun starrer movie's streaming release date, storyline and where to watch Why Nintendo is holding this Direct? Nintendo confirmed that this Direct will focus only on Donkey Kong Bananza. The goal is to show more content from the upcoming title ahead of its release. Donkey Kong Bananza Release Date and Storyline Donkey Kong Bananza was announced on April 2, 2025. It will be released on July 17, 2025, for Nintendo's new gaming console. The game follows Donkey Kong in a new 3D platform adventure. He must collect banana-shaped diamonds from a group called VoidCo in an underground setting. Live Events Also Read: Nexus Mods Sale: What is Nexus Mods and who is Dark0ne? Here's all details about new owners Gameplay Footage from past showcases revealed Donkey Kong's movement abilities. He can smash, throw and climb objects in the environment. Images also hinted at a possible appearance by Pauline, sparking online theories. The upcoming Direct may provide clarity on her role in the story. Game Price and Preorder Donkey Kong Bananza will be priced at $69.99. Preorders are currently open. This title is the first new major Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which came out in 2014 on the Wii U. FAQs When will Donkey Kong Bananza be released? Donkey Kong Bananza will be released on July 17, 2025, for Nintendo's new console. What will the June 18 Nintendo Direct cover? The Nintendo Direct will focus only on Donkey Kong Bananza and last 15 minutes.
