Review – The Ultimate Donkey Kong Adventure Extravaganza

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The story of Donkey Kong within Nintendo is among the most fascinating tales in the gaming industry. After becoming Nintendo’s first major success in 1981 and an iconic pop culture figure, there was uncertainty about his future. The shadow of Mario loomed until a British team known as Rare revitalized him during the Super Nintendo era. Following this, Retro Studios in Texas took him under their wing, treating him with the reverence he deserved. Now, amid the buzz surrounding the launch of the Switch 2, the prodigal son returns home to be the leading character in a new major project by one of the internal teams behind The Legend of Zelda. The game, Donkey Kong Bananza, is incredibly special, built upon years of development and innovation in controls and core gameplay mechanics.

Embarking on a new 3D adventure with Donkey Kong is no simple task. Remember, the only previous attempt was on the Nintendo 64, a title we’d rather forget, which made it clear that even Rare struggled to transition our favorite gorilla from flat surfaces to a three-dimensional space. Fully aware of this, Yoshiaki Koizumi’s team, responsible for the latest 3D Mario installments, had to completely rethink the character, from visual design to his behavior and gameplay distinction from Mario. While Donkey Kong Bananza might seem like a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey, in reality, it offers distinctly different tones, delivering a fresh and innovative proposition that redefines the genre.

Friendship and Trust

Everyone knows that complex narratives or highly developed characters are not typically central to the experiences Nintendo presents. The company is renowned for prioritizing core gameplay, a strategy that has kept it at the forefront. However, recent years have seen strides towards aligning with major trends in the industry. Though Donkey Kong Bananza can’t be compared to today’s cinematic AAA titles, it tells an endearing story, exploring themes rarely seen from the creators of Mario.

Amid a gold rush fever, a new form of banana catches Donkey Kong’s attention, prompting him to journey to Ingot Isle to uncover the so-called Banandium Gems—banana-shaped jewels of great value. In the ensuing chaos, a meteorological phenomenon transports him inside the planet, revealing worlds within its layers. During the adventure, DK meets Pauline, a peculiar rock being, who becomes the protagonist alongside him, thanks to her voice’s power that can break the villain’s curse.

Mastery in Control Design

Nintendo often sets the bar so high that they themselves struggle to surpass it. Games like Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Mario Odyssey exemplify this trend. The latter left us wondering for nearly eight years about what Nintendo EPD Tokyo would do to top its predecessor’s innovation. Rumors suggested a new 3D adventure for Mario, but the decision was to bring back our beloved Donkey Kong, opting for lateral steps in innovation.

Describing Donkey Kong Bananza as a game is more complicated than expected. After our initial hands-on experience during the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, several questions lingered about the nature of the game. After extensive play, it’s clear the game involves drilling and demolition heavily reminiscent of Drill Dozer from the Game Boy Advance, with a 3D platforming twist.

On to the Next Generation

Donkey Kong Bananza presents itself as a next-generation experience, not just through its stunning visuals and smooth performance, but also through its advanced animation and terrain deformation system, unrealizable on the first Switch. The technical prowess of the Switch 2 is astonishing, as evidenced by the game’s near-native 1440p 60fps performance in docked mode, and a constant 1080p 60fps in handheld mode, save for minor drops during intense moments.

Graphically, the animation is the star, providing an abundance of frames that enhance both visual appeal and core gameplay. The level of detail and particle effects are remarkable, maintaining stable performance even during complex interactions.

The soundtrack plays a central role, supported by Pauline as a co-protagonist. The music is a delightful mix of new pieces and classic tunes from the SNES era, with tributes to games like Donkey Kong Country 2 sure to evoke nostalgia.

In summary, Donkey Kong Bananza is a magical journey packed with memorable moments, impressive gameplay, and audiovisual splendor, making it a must-play for any Switch 2 owner seeking the pinnacle of next-gen Nintendo gaming.