It feels like a long time coming, but finally, Donkey Kong is getting his chance to be in the spotlight once again, with Donkey Kong Banaza hitting Switch 2 in July. A real showcase of the new generation of Nintendo hardware, we had the opportunity to go hands-on with the ape platformer at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in Melbourne, and based on only a short time with it, I think we have something truly special on our hands. Get ready to go bananas!
Being exclusive to the Switch 2 means that Donkey Kong Bananza doesn’t have to hold back when it comes to its visuals to account for the older generation of hardware, and that shows straight away. Eye-catching, colourful and downright gorgeous, this is the best DK has ever looked, and so far, the first true graphical showcase of the Switch 2. The environments we got to check out were full of detail wherever we looked, DK himself is well-animated, and I’ve even come around on his new controversial glow-up.
Looking more like The Super Mario Bros. Movie version of DK (but not exactly), he’s far more expressive in everything he does, and it adds a real comical flavour to the smashing and digging that you’ll be doing – and oh boy, there’s a lot of it. It’s a delight just running through the world, constantly punching and smashing everything in sight. I really do mean everything, too; you can bash and crash through the earth itself, digging deep to find potential hidden treasures or fossils embedded deep within the walls.
“It’s a delight just running through the world, constantly punching and smashing everything in sight.”
It feels awesome, too. Donkey Kong balances destruction with exploration in a really compelling way, and even the small slice we were shown in the demo was packed with discovery. Sure, the central premise is to collect giant glowing Bananas, but to do so, there are puzzles and platforming challenges galore, some built into the environment itself, and others that take you to separate challenge rooms. The rooms we got to see included defeating enemies in a time limit or punching through gold ore, but they’re neat and thrilling diversions.
It’s not all about punching, of course. DK can pick up giant stone boulders, throwing them at enemies or at specific sections of the wall that need to be destroyed to progress. Getting around is also a breeze; you can climb anywhere easily, so you’re not limited to merely jumping like his plumber buddy. This is a good thing, considering the entire map could change based on how much of it you destroy, dig, and rip to shreds. While I was initially bothered that the “main mission” of this demo was short, it forced me to spend more time simply mucking around in the first level on show, and after spending only 20 minutes, I felt like there was much more that I missed. That bodes well for the full release of Donkey Kong Bananza, which will hopefully consistently pack its levels with things to do.
I have my gripes about Donkey Kong Bananza not being a launch title for the Switch 2, as it really does feel like the first true showcase of the hardware running on all cylinders. I’m curious, with the environments all being so destructible, just how it will run after long sessions of smashing through the map. Still, there’s such a joy in this version of Donkey Kong, and the way you can just go crazy in the world on a ruinous bender, which sets it apart from other Nintendo platformers. July can’t come soon enough.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17.
About the Author
Luke Mitchell
he/him
Luke spends his time making radio, playing video games, binge-watching TV, getting unreasonably invested in wrestling, hosting bear events and hanging out with his beautiful pets.
