Donkey Kong Bananza: A Smashing New Chapter for Nintendo’s Iconic Ape

On July 17, 2025, Nintendo unleashed Donkey Kong Bananza, a groundbreaking 3D platformer exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Nintendo EPD Tokyo, the same team behind the critically acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey (2017), this game marks the first original Donkey Kong title since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014) and the first 3D platformer in the franchise since Donkey Kong 64 (1999). With its innovative destructible environments, vibrant open-world exploration, and a fresh take on the iconic gorilla, Bananza has been hailed as a spiritual successor to Odyssey and a bold reinvention of the Donkey Kong series. This article dives deep into the game’s development, gameplay mechanics, story, and cultural impact, exploring why Donkey Kong Bananza is a must-play for Nintendo fans and a showcase for the Switch 2’s capabilities.

A Vision for a New Donkey Kong

The genesis of Donkey Kong Bananza began with a directive from Nintendo legend Yoshiaki Koizumi, who challenged the 3D Mario team to craft a 3D Donkey Kong game to expand the franchise’s horizons. Producer Kenta Motokura, who previously directed Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Odyssey, led the project, aiming to create a new “branch” for Donkey Kong that would distinguish 3D entries from the 2D Donkey Kong Country series, much like Mario’s dual 2D and 3D paths.

Development initially started on the original Nintendo Switch but shifted to the Switch 2 when the team realized the new hardware could better realize their ambitious vision, particularly the game’s signature destructible environments. These environments leverage voxel-based technology, an evolution of terrain manipulation seen in some Odyssey levels, to create sprawling, interactive worlds that emphasize Donkey Kong’s raw strength. The game’s development team included key figures like Wataru Tanaka (programming director), Daisuke Watanabe (art director), and Naoto Kubo (sound director), all veterans of the 3D Mario series, ensuring a polished experience rooted in Nintendo’s platforming expertise.

Redesigning an Icon

Bananza also introduced a revamped design for Donkey Kong, inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto’s original arcade creation but updated with thicker fur and more expressive animations to convey a wild yet charming personality. This redesign not only shaped Bananza but also influenced Donkey Kong’s appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and Mario Kart World. Producer Motokura noted that the new design aimed to recapture the essence of the original Donkey Kong while infusing elements unique to Bananza, such as his ability to transform into animal forms.

A Destructible World

At the heart of Donkey Kong Bananza lies its defining mechanic: fully destructible environments. Unlike traditional platformers where the world is static, Bananza allows players to smash, punch, and tear through nearly every surface, creating paths, uncovering secrets, and battling enemies. Donkey Kong can rip chunks of terrain from the ground or walls to hurl at foes, use as platforms, or even ride like snowboards. This mechanic, born from experiments with voxel technology, makes exploration feel dynamic and chaotic, perfectly suiting Donkey Kong’s brute strength. Critics have compared the experience to Red Faction for its destruction-driven gameplay, earning it the playful nickname “Red Faction Gorilla.”

The game’s underground world is divided into themed “Layers,” each with unique biomes like ice, lava, and tropical jungles. These Layers are designed as sandbox-like open worlds, encouraging players to experiment with destruction to progress. For example, punching through a wall might reveal a hidden cave, while smashing the ground could uncover a Banandium Gem, the game’s primary collectible akin to Odyssey’s Power Moons. The freedom to “sequence break” (bypassing intended paths) adds replayability, as players can carve their own routes through the game’s expansive levels.

Donkey Kong’s Moveset and Transformations

Donkey Kong’s moveset is both versatile and satisfying, blending classic abilities with new mechanics. Players can roll, jump, punch, slap terrain, climb most surfaces, and perform a Roll Jump inspired by the Donkey Kong Country series. The game introduces “Bananza transformations,” animal-themed power-ups activated by Pauline’s singing and fueled by a Bananergy gauge. These include:

• Kong Bananza: A stronger, larger Donkey Kong capable of devastating charge punches.
• Zebra Bananza: Grants increased speed, allowing Donkey Kong to run on water or fragile platforms.
• Ostrich Bananza: Enables gliding and dropping explosive egg bombs.

These transformations, learned from NPC elders, are temporary but can be swapped freely, adding strategic depth to exploration and combat. The Bananergy gauge, filled by collecting gold, ensures players must balance transformation use with resource management.

Collectibles and Progression

Bananza is a collector’s paradise, with a variety of items driving progression and customization:

• Banandium Gems: The primary collectible, used to unlock new areas and upgrade Donkey Kong’s abilities via a skill tree.
• Gold: Acts as currency and fuel for transformations.
• Banandium Chips: Coins tradable for Gems.
• Fossils: Used to unlock clothing for Donkey Kong and Pauline.
• Balloons: Save Donkey Kong from falling into pits.
• Music Tracks: Unlockable for an in-game music player.

The game also features optional platforming challenges, with Gems hidden in cleverly designed rooms that test players’ skills. An Assist Mode increases Donkey Kong’s health for accessibility, while post-game content ramps up difficulty for veteran players.

Co-op and Creative Modes

Bananza supports two-player co-op via GameShare, allowing a second player to control Pauline, who can fire explosive vocal projectiles using the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. This mode works locally or online, adding a cooperative layer to the adventure. Additionally, the game includes a photo mode for capturing screenshots and a “DK Artist” mode, where players can carve and paint sculptures using the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality. Amiibo support enhances gameplay, with Bananza-themed figures unlocking costumes and other Amiibo summoning special items.

Story and Characters

A Journey Underground

Donkey Kong Bananza follows Donkey Kong and a young Pauline, revealed to be the anthropomorphic Odd Rock, as they venture underground to recover stolen Banandium Gems from the villainous Void Company, a group of apes seeking wealth at the planet’s core. Pauline, a 13-year-old aspiring singer, uses her voice to guide Donkey Kong, activate transformations, and break seals. The story explores their friendship, with Pauline’s dream of becoming a world-famous singer tying into her role in Super Mario Odyssey as New Donk City’s mayor and band leader. This has sparked speculation that Bananza is a prequel to Odyssey, though Nintendo has remained coy about the timeline.

Familiar Donkey Kong characters like Cranky Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Rambi appear as NPCs, offering advice and Gems. The narrative balances humor and heart, with the underground setting evoking a cartoonish Journey to the Center of the Earth. The revelation of Pauline’s identity, accidentally leaked by Nintendo Korea, was intended as a surprise, adding emotional depth to the adventure.

A Nod to Donkey Kong’s Legacy

Bananza pays homage to the franchise’s history, with references to the original arcade game (e.g., fallen girders in the opening level) and Donkey Kong Country (e.g., sidescrolling segments and a new arrangement of “Stickerbush Symphony”). The game’s aesthetic and mechanics also evoke Rare’s golden era, with friendly rock NPCs reminiscent of Banjo-Kazooie. This blend of nostalgia and innovation makes Bananza feel both timeless and fresh.

Technical and Artistic Achievements

Visuals and Sound

Bananza is a visual showcase for the Switch 2, with colorful, detailed environments and expressive animations for Donkey Kong. The destructible worlds are technically impressive, with dynamic lighting and water effects surpassing those in Mario Kart World. The soundtrack, overseen by Naoto Kubo, features rearrangements of classic Donkey Kongtracks by David Wise and Grant Kirkhope, alongside new compositions that shift dynamically during transformations, enhancing the game’s immersive quality.

Performance Considerations

While Bananza pushes the Switch 2’s capabilities, some reviews noted minor performance hiccups and camera issues. Nintendo acknowledged these, stating that the team prioritized “fun and playability” over flawless optimization. An optional update addresses some concerns, but the game’s ambitious scope remains its focus.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Critical Acclaim

Donkey Kong Bananza launched to universal acclaim, with a Metacritic score of 90. Reviewers praised its innovative mechanics, vibrant world, and replayability. IGN called it “a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey,” while Nintendo Life dubbed it “the Switch 2’s first must-play.” Some critiques, like VGC’s, noted it falls short of Odyssey’s genius but still ranks as a top-tier platformer. The game’s destructible environments and emotional depth, particularly through Pauline’s role, were highlighted as standout features.

Fan and Community Response

Fans have embraced Bananza as a bold evolution for Donkey Kong, with posts on X reflecting excitement over its release and speculation about its story implications. Early leaks of story details, including Pauline’s identity, sparked debates about whether Bananza redefines Donkey Kong and Pauline’s relationship or sets up the original arcade game’s events. The game’s launch also fueled discussions about a potential Donkey Kong movie, hinted at by a Nintendo copyright notice.

A Template for the Future

Nintendo has positioned Bananza as the blueprint for future 3D Donkey Kong games, separate from the 2D Countryseries. This dual-branch approach mirrors Mario’s franchise, suggesting more 3D adventures are on the horizon. The game’s success has also cemented the Switch 2 as a platform for ambitious first-party titles, with Bananza serving as a technical and creative showcase.

Donkey Kong Bananza is more than a platformer—it’s a celebration of Donkey Kong’s legacy and a bold step forward for Nintendo’s storied franchise. By blending destructible environments, open-world exploration, and a heartfelt story, the game captures the essence of Donkey Kong while pushing the boundaries of what a 3D platformer can be. Its technical achievements, nostalgic nods, and innovative mechanics make it a standout title for the Nintendo Switch 2 and a worthy successor to Super Mario Odyssey. Whether you’re smashing through terrain, transforming into a zebra, or teaming up with Pauline, Donkey Kong Bananza delivers an unforgettable adventure that proves the leader of the bunch is back to kick some tail.

As Donkey Kong and Pauline carve their path to the planet’s core, Bananza invites players to embrace destruction, creativity, and the joy of discovery. With its universal acclaim and cultural resonance, this game is poised to define 3D Donkey Kong for years to come, leaving fans eager for what Nintendo has in store for the franchise’s future.