'Donkey Kong Bananza' Review
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It's been a hot minute since Donkey Kong Bananza was released on the Nintendo Switch 2. The hype may have died down, but does the game still hold up as Donkey Kong's return to 3D platforming? Let’s find out!
Warning: There will be mild spoilers in this review
Gameplay
The gameplay of Donkey Kong Bananza is very reminiscent of old-school 3D platformers such as Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. You play as Donkey Kong as he traverses through the open underground world. Along the way, he meets a little rock creature who later turns out to be Pauline. In both forms, she uses her voice to help DK out, breaking certain barriers and even helping guide the way when needed. The goal is to collect the Banadium Gems, golden banana-shaped diamonds. Along the way, DK encounters various enemies and obstacles that he can smash through. In addition to the open world, DK and Pauline also go through various puzzle levels that, when completed, give them a Banadium Gem. The whole world is essentially one big playground that DK can smash through.
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These gems aren't just collectibles used to progress the story. They are also used to level up DK's abilities. Speaking of power-ups, DK can transform into five animal-themed “bananza” forms that give DK certain abilities, such as enhanced strength or speed.
As mentioned earlier, the main collectables in this game are bananas/Banadium Gems, but these aren't the only things scattered throughout the underground layers. These include various fossils that can be used to buy customization items such as clothing and fur dyes. Overall, there's a lot to explore in this game.
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Story
The story is fairly simple. Donkey Kong goes to Ingot Isle and mines for Banadium Gems. However, the evil Void Co comes and steals the gems to power their ships. Their president, Void Kong, seeks to find the Banadium Root at the planetary core. This is a mystical gem that grants the wishes of its wielder. Donkey Kong gets swept underground and rescues Odd Rock/Pauline, and together, they journey underground to stop Void Co.
It's a simple story with a lot of heart. The true gem of it all is the dynamic between DK and Pauline. Pauline dreams of becoming a famous singer and gains confidence during their journey, and the two share an adorable big brother/little sister dynamic. Overall, the story is fairly simple but with plenty of heartwarming moments.
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Graphics
Donkey Kong Bananza looks beautiful in handheld and docked mode. The star of the show, DK, looks incredibly detailed, and his new design is very expressive. You can see each little strand of hair on him without it looking too plasticy. The environments are also simply breathtaking, and the colors really pop. Best of all, it runs at a buttery smooth 60 fps in both handheld and docked modes. Overall, Donkey Kong Bananza is a beautiful game that runs smoothly.
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Music And Voice Acting
The music is fun, energetic, and all around beautiful. Donkey Kong Bananza retains the tribal and jungle theme in its soundtrack, but it also features a variety of musical styles and genres, including jazz, rock, and electronic. The highlights are the Bananza themes, which appear to be sung by Pauline in gibberish or perhaps the Kong language. These themes show the most variety in style, from electronic to even samba. However, the standout would have to be “Breaking Through (Heart of Gold). Jenny Kidd, the voice of Pauline, does an awesome job in this vocal theme, and it was cool to hear them use a bit of the melody of the theme from the original Donkey Kong game that started it all. Overall, the music in this game is excellent.
There's not much in the way of intelligible voice-over with everyone that isn't Pauline. As mentioned earlierPauline is voiced by Jenny Kidd, and she does an awesome job portraying the young sidekick. She gives her a vibrant, youthful energy that translates well into her singing. The rest of the cast also does a fantastic job.
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Pros And Cons
Let's start with the pros. There's just a lot to do in this game, and it's a lot of fun. Breaking through the environment and discovering new layers is just so satisfying. The game just feels so open and alive. Furthermore, nothing in the game feels too forced or linear. You choose your path and how you complete the objectives.
This leads to the cons, however. Because the game is so open-ended, you can easily get lost, particularly if you pick it up after a long hiatus. Though whistling helps you find your way, it can occasionally get confusing. Also, though the colors pop really well, they can also occasionally look blown out. Lastly, young Pauline's inclusion in this title definitely confuses the lore a bit, especially since Cranky Kong, the Donkey Kong from the 1981 game of the same name, is here as his geriatric self, making it improbable that this is the same Pauline from that game.
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Verdict
Donkey Kong Bananza is a fantastic entry in the Donkey Kong series that hardens back to past titles while also exploring new frontiers. It's fun, intense, and massive. With the base game and the recent DLC, there's plenty to do and see in this game.
Rating: 9.5/10
Developers: Nintendo EDP; Publisher: Nintendo; Players: 1-2 locally; Released: July 17, 2025; ESRB: E10+ for Fantasy Violence; MSRP: $69.99
Review played on Nintendo Switch 2
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