Though pivotal to Nintendo’s heritage, Donkey Kong has rarely commanded the developmental spotlight like Mario or Zelda. Historically delegated to external studios like Rare and Retro, the ape’s adventures have now returned to Nintendo’s internal team EPD Tokyo, creators of Super Mario Odyssey. With recent cross-media prominence in films and theme parks, Donkey Kong Bananza emerges as a bold statement of the franchise’s resurgence. Hitting Switch 2, this 3D platformer blends exploration and chaos—but does it achieve greatness or stumble in the jungle?

The narrative thrusts DK into a subterranean quest after a rival ape syndicate, VoidCo, sabotages his mining operation, burying Banandium treasures deep underground. Partnered with a mysterious companion—later revealed as a teenage Pauline—the duo navigates fractured landscapes toward the mythical Banandium Root. Far from a damsel, this iteration of Pauline evolves from shy songstress to confident ally, her vocal performances and banter with DK adding unexpected emotional layers.

Mechanically, Bananza diverges from Mario’s precision. DK’s toolkit prioritizes brawn over finesse: fists demolish terrain, ripped debris becomes impromptu projectiles, and nearly every surface is climbable. Environments crumble dynamically, unveiling secrets and resources, though occasional camera hiccups disrupt immersion. Early platforming feels simplistic, but progression unlocks transformative “Bananza Forms”—muscular, zoomorphic variants that tackle specialized challenges, albeit with cooldown constraints.

Level design steals the show. Each layer of the earth houses sprawling biomes—lush jungles, glacial circuits, bizarre fungal forests—interspersed with inventive gimmicks: explosive crystals, shape-shifting flora, and gravity-defying races. While visual busyness occasionally overwhelms, the art direction dazzles, leveraging Switch 2’s power for vibrant, destructible vistas. A 17-hour campaign weaves combat, puzzles, and spectacle, though uneven boss difficulty mars pacing.

Beyond story mode, collectibles and upgrades beckon completionists. Outfits enhance abilities, skill trees deepen combat, and post-credits challenges demand mastery. Despite occasional technical blemishes—environment pop-in, frame dips—Bananza’s ambition eclipses flaws. It’s a love letter to DK’s legacy, marrying chaos with charm, proving the ape still has plenty of jungle left to conquer.

This review was based on a copy of Donkey Kong Bananza provided by publisher Nintendo.

9

WCCFTECH RATING

Donkey Kong Bananza