For those awaiting a new console-defining 3D platformer, Donkey Kong Bananza delivers a masterpiece. From the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, this is no mere side project but a brilliant successor that reinvents one of Nintendo’s original mascots. It stands as a groundbreaking adventure, built on satisfying movement, constantly evolving mechanics, and expertly crafted challenges.
Every destructible corner of Bananza’s world is filled with Nintendo’s signature magic and fresh ambition. The game wonderfully balances its reverence for the past—with nods to both the arcade original and Rare’s classic Donkey Kong Country trilogy—with a fearless drive to forge its own identity. The lighthearted story follows DK and his sidekick, Pauline, as they pursue an underground legend promising a single wish. As the pair dives deeper toward the Planet Core, the gameplay mechanics deepen in parallel, culminating in an unforgettable finale that cements Bananza as one of the finest 3D platformers ever made.
Following the tradition of 3D Mario titles built around a central concept, Bananza introduces fully destructible environments—a design perfectly suited to a rampaging gorilla. The extent to which the world can be torn apart is both a technical marvel and immensely fun. DK’s new toolkit feels refreshing and is endlessly enjoyable to master. Tearing a chunk from the ground opens up numerous possibilities: it can be thrown at enemies, used to smash walls, bounced on for a double jump, or surfed on to cross hazardous terrain. DK can also punch in any direction, slap the ground to gather collectibles, and climb nearly any surface, granting remarkable freedom.
The experience is enhanced by crunchy, context-sensitive sound effects that make smashing through a stone wall or a giant watermelon deeply satisfying. Polished controls ensure that chaining moves together—such as ripping out a piece of ground, hitting an enemy with it, and then roll-tackling them—feels fluid and harmonious.
The game’s levels, called “layers,” are sprawling playgrounds designed to maximize DK’s destructive potential. While there is much to uncover by bashing through the environment, the game emphasizes smart destruction over mindless demolition. Visual cues masterfully guide players toward points of interest, rewarding thoughtful exploration. Though it’s occasionally possible to bypass a puzzle by carving a direct tunnel to a collectible, this aligns with Nintendo’s recent design philosophy seen in Tears of the Kingdom, where creative problem-solving is encouraged. Key story objectives are protected by indestructible terrain, ensuring players can’t simply punch their way to the end credits.
Ultimately, Bananza is not just about destruction; it’s an exploration and platforming adventure set in a world where nearly everything can be destroyed. This mechanic is an integral part of a larger design, not a gimmick. DK’s upgradeable sonar and Pauline’s singing ability, which marks collectibles on the map, keep the hunt for secrets focused and enjoyable, even if the camera sometimes struggles with the odd angles created by digging. The world feels alive as it crumbles around DK, whose weight is convincingly conveyed when he leaves a crater after a long fall.
Concerns that the malleable world might feel monotonous are unfounded. Each layer offers unique visual and mechanical hooks, from the Freezer Layer’s smashable icicle platforms to the Resort Layer’s tropical Liftoff Ore that sends DK soaring. The game continuously introduces fresh ideas throughout its 20-hour campaign. The interplay between different material types, such as throwing ice on lava to create a rock platform, grows more complex, and mastering these relationships to solve puzzles is supremely gratifying.
These puzzles often appear in standalone challenge rooms scattered across each layer. Offering a mix of combat, logic, and platforming, these rooms provide a welcome change of pace from the open-ended exploration and creatively leverage the game’s systems. Even after 50 hours, new challenges emerge that re-contextualize familiar abilities and materials in clever ways.
Exploration is rewarding, with collectibles offering tangible benefits. Fossils can be used to purchase outfits with gameplay perks, while gold funds optional late-game content. The primary collectible, Banandium Gems, functions similarly to Odyssey’s Power Moons but with a more immediate purpose. Instead of gating progress, collecting five Gems earns a skill point to upgrade DK’s health and abilities. This system ensures that every discovery contributes to a short-term goal.
Though ambitious, Donkey Kong Bananza is not without minor technical flaws. The action generally holds a solid 60 frames per second in both docked and handheld modes, but it can dip briefly during moments of intense destruction or upon entering a new level. While performance issues on a new console are notable, they are infrequent and a reasonable trade-off for the game’s spectacular, fully interactive world. Visually, the game is a treat, with expressive animations and vibrant, detailed environments that pay homage to DK’s long history.
The flashiest moments arrive with DK’s Bananza transformations—powered-up, limited-time states that unlock as you progress. These forms range from a powerful Kong Bananza that can break reinforced materials to a speedy Zebra Bananza and a gliding Ostrich Bananza. Each transformation is hilarious, accompanied by a catchy tune from Pauline, and features tight controls. The ability to swap between them instantly adds another layer of flexibility to gameplay.
However, these powers can sometimes feel too effective. Bananergy, the resource required for transformations, is fueled by collecting gold, which is so plentiful that the powers are almost always available. This can occasionally trivialize overworld puzzles, allowing players to bypass intended solutions. While this supports player freedom, it may diminish the satisfaction of figuring out a complex obstacle for those who can’t resist the most direct path.
The Bananza powers also impact the boss battles, which are stylish but often easy. The fights adopt a traditional health bar, which suits DK’s brawler style, but early encounters can end in seconds. Though the bosses are visually impressive, their durability could have been increased. Fortunately, late-game bosses present a much greater challenge.
The main story is quite accessible, with difficulty concentrated in optional content for veteran players. Challenge rooms often hide tougher-to-reach Gems, striking a fine balance for all skill levels. An Assist Mode and a two-player co-op option further enhance accessibility. The post-game content is where the gloves truly come off, pushing the mechanics to their limits in new and exciting ways.
