Are you looking for a new premium 3D platformer featuring expressive movement, evolving gameplay and expertly crafted challenges? Donkey Kong Bananza not only fulfills these expectations but completely smash them down. Not just a side project, this brilliant piece of work by the Super Mario Odyssey team completely reworks one of Nintendo’s original mascots.
All destructible parts of DK’s world have magic similar to Nintendo, yet new ground forges. Bananza expertly honors Miyamoto’s arcade classic and Rare’s beloved Country trilogy while confidently paving its own path, striking the perfect balance. DK and his feisty companion Pauline are on the trail of an underground legend who has the power to grant one wish (Pauline wishes to go home; DK, of course, wants some more bananas). The 20-hour campaign delivers constant gameplay innovation on the journey to Planet Core, finishing with an unforgettable last act, making it one of the best 3D platformers in gaming.
Destruction as Innovation
While previous 3D Nintendo adventures were had a central mechanic (Sunshine had the water pack; Odyssey had the possession hat), Bananza introduces fully destroyable environments that fit the hulking gorilla like a glove. The game has virtually everything that allows Donkey Kong to punch, break and smash. This is very impressive technically and a lot of fun.
DK’s toolkit proves endlessly enjoyable. By taking chunks out of the ground–effectively anywhere–you can certainly get into a lot of mischief: hurl debris at enemies, break through walls, double jump off chunks or surf on dangerous land! He can throw punches in any direction without any tools. He can also slam the ground to collect gold and make collectibles visible. Lastly he can roll-jump-roll similar to the Cappy move in Mario games. DK, much like Link, can climb almost any non-slippery surface, giving them unprecedented freedom.
With respect to materials, there are many sound effects to enjoy, ranging from the loud rumble of stone walls to the crunchy splat of watermelons. The controls are surprisingly polished, making it easy to connect combos.
Layers of Excellence
The levels are known as layers, which is an apt name, so that DK can wreck havoc in these large expansive areas. You’ll find hidden tunnels and caves worthy of exploration, but mindless destruction is seldom rewarded. Instead, it cleverly encourages a wise form of demolition through visual prompts that nudge their gaze to worthwhile discoveries – much like how Zelda players bomb cracks.
The open-world structure may allow players to sidestep the designer’s intent for puzzle solutions, but this doesn’t matter for developers at Nintendo, especially judging from the latest Legend of Zelda, Tears of the Kingdom. Their philosophy appears to be that it doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you’re having fun. The game avoids players getting ahead of themselves by having the evil Void Kong destroy some terrain by making it indestructible. Speedrunners will surely find optimised paths and demolition methods.
Destroying everything is not the point, after all, of Bananza. It’s all about flying, walking, fighting and collecting in a massive destruction filled world, which is an integral tool. DK’s sonar ability, which he can upgrade, helps our heroes figure out where the collectibles are. Pauline’s singing also helps reveal collectibles. Although sometimes the camera can get a little funky when you’re in a tight corner, the emphasis of the hunts keeps things fun. If you wish to demolish a level down to its foundation for fun, that option is still available to you of course.
Technical Brilliance with Minor Hiccups
Hunting treasures in the sublevels is action-packed with smooth technical performance to let players keep control, even in the heat of the action. As DK goes on rampages, the world around him realistically crumbles. This selling of the impact and weight of his movements can be seen in the crater he makes when crash-landing from heights.
Each world has its own unique visuals and mechanics. For example, in the Freezer Layer, players can knock down some icicles and then use those to create new platforms. Meanwhile, the Resort Layer features a tropical environment with Liftoff Ore that launches DK high into the air. This variety allays fears that the destructible quality might lead to samey environments.
Bananza brings new twists throughout its 20+ hour campaign. All the materials interact according to rules in a consistent way. For example, ice solidifies on lava to provide platforms. Similarly, highly complex interactions of materials make up satisfying puzzles. You can find single-player challenge outside of the main quest in the game. These challenges include logic puzzles and platformer sequences. Moreover, they cleverly use the game’s mechanics to create these puzzles.
The game mostly stays at 60fps whether you’re using it regularly or beforehand, but during heavy destruction or entering new areas, you might notice some minor drops. While a bit disappointing for a new console, these short interruptions can be forgiven for the beautiful chaos on-screen.
Rewarding Collection and Exploration
Exploration yield rewards that actually matter! Fossils will unlock region-specific outfits that give you a perk and refresh DK and Pauline’s look. Gold has value in the early game but becomes critical later.
The core collectibles in the game Banandium Gems behave mostly like Odyssey’s Power Moons but are implemented better. Gems can be used to upgrade the health, moves, and transformations of a character. After collecting five Gems, you will receive a skill point. Bananza’s story does not require players to have a specific number of Gems like Odyssey. Instead, it has its own story objectives and gives you Gems along the way naturally. Whether it’s hundreds to find, completionists will have their work cut out for them, though a fun one, made easier by helpful systems that automatically help track what players have found.
Visual Splendour and Historical Homage
Bananza looks amazing, with happy animations and colourful settings. The game pays homage to the entire DK legacy, from the girders that fall in the arcade original, and the sidescrolling sections that are rather reminiscent of Country classics, to the lovely medley of Stickerbush Symphony among its excellent soundtrack. Created by the 3D Mario team, Bananza feels like a modern Rare title, complete with googly-eyed rocks from Banjo-Kazooie.
The Bananza transformations are among the most eye-catching moments in the game where you have a powered-up, limited-time transformation as you go deeper. Kong Bananza breaks down hard materials, Zebra Bananza offers speed over delicate terrain, and Ostrich Bananza allows gliding. Every transformation has a funny character design with catchy tunes sung by Pauline. You can instantly change between these transformations.
The only risk in the transformations is that they may trivialise some puzzles. Practically speaking, nothing is too expensive thanks to the Bananergy meter (made of gold), so don’t hesitate to use a transformation if you have one! Sometimes it puts forward an overpowered solution, undermining otherwise clever environmental challenges.
Although the boss battles are incredibly designed – I mean, a squid made of stone doesn’t remind you of Splatoon at all, does it? – they are rather simple. Until you reach the later stages, that is. DK’s health bar methods play more into his brawler style than Mario’s three-hit formula, although the Bananza powers might make earlier encounters brief.
Accessible Yet Challenging
To reach the credits, you’ll need moderate skill as Nintendo focuses on surprise, delight and exploration over punishment. The optional challenges offer some extra depth for veterans – the challenge rooms on the platform hide Gems in more and more cunning locations. This balance ensures that most players can play through the story (with the help of an optional Assist Mode and two player mode more suited to younger players) while offering enough for hardcore fans to sink their teeth into. The post-game content really stretches the mechanics to a much greater extreme.