By Antone Hempstock
Let me say this straight up — Donkey Kong Bananza is the best thing Nintendo’s done with this franchise in over two decades. They finally gave DK the love he deserves. This isn’t some lazy nostalgia grab or tired 2.5D sidescroller. This is a full-blown, chaotic, creative, destructible sandbox built around everything that makes Donkey Kong Donkey Kong.
The levels feel alive. You’re not just running and jumping — you’re wrecking terrain, breaking walls, tunneling through dirt, and uncovering secret paths. It’s violent exploration, and it rules.
Pauline as a playable co-op partner was a bold move, and they actually pulled it off. Her powers aren’t some lame gimmick either — she adds depth and variety in a way that doesn’t feel forced. And the Bananza transformation powers? Unreal. The zebra glide move is addictive as hell, and the heavier forms make smashing through levels feel like therapy.
Visually, the game pops. The new DK design might rub purists the wrong way, but it works in motion — and Kevin Bayliss (the Donkey Kong Country guy) even backed it. Frame rate hitches happen once in a while, and the camera has its “what the hell” moments, but none of it’s enough to knock this off a 5-star pedestal.
This is the game that shows off what the Switch 2 can really do. And it’s exactly what Donkey Kong needed — raw, loud, smart, and fun as hell. I’d buy a console just to play this.
If you’ve ever loved DK, even a little, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
