Donkey Kong Bananza is like Wreck-It-Ralph meets Deep Rock Galactic

Since the 1980s, Donkey Kong has been one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, known far and wide. Despite numerous side-scrolling games featuring our beloved ape, it’s been quite some time since gamers had a chance to embark on a 3D adventure with everyone’s favorite banana enthusiast. The wait is finally over! During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Donkey Kong Bananza was the last game announced, and it’s packed with nods to the past and fresh gaming experiences that left this Donkey Kong fan grinning from ear to ear.

The Demo for Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 offers approximately 20 minutes of gameplay. It allows players to test two distinct levels, with the initial stage showcasing fresh gameplay elements such as punching, ground pounding, and smashing objects.

Initially, what caught my attention during gameplay was the breathtaking art design, particularly the updated Donkey Kong character model, which stands out as the most refined version used in any video game so far. One of the significant modifications is his fur, a departure from previous versions. The game world is equally captivating, bursting with vibrant colors. Players will have to gather various items throughout the game, ranging from different shades and sizes of bananas, to gold nuggets. It seems that the gold collected serves a purpose, and it’s worth mentioning that when a player dies, they lose some of the gold, which stays in the location where they fell short. This is reminiscent of the Souls mechanic in FromSoftware games, but we’re discussing a 3D Donkey Kong platformer instead.

In the initial stage, space was somewhat limited, but the subsequent playable area offers numerous spots to discover. Players have the freedom to demolish walls, excavate holes, hurl rocks onto platforms, and essentially wreak havoc at will. This destruction is entertaining, but the game also encourages it by offering rewards. I anticipate a multitude of unexpected gaming moments as the game mechanics create amusing scenarios for players.

Enthusiasts of gather-and-go games will find numerous chances in Donkey Kong Bananza, and the extent of the destructible surroundings significantly increases the potential for platform conundrums – something not commonly observed in a Nintendo title. At moments, I was reminded of Deep Rock Galactic with its tunnel digging and gold discovery, but this game takes it up several notches in terms of action intensity.

In just 20 minutes, my demo experience with Donkey Kong Bananza felt like a blink of an eye as I was captivated by its engrossing universe. A delightful Easter egg appeared, where Cranky Kong hinted that perhaps it’s me who should ride Rambi, which may suggest a coming level. In summary, the unique style, addictive gameplay, catchy music, and impressive performance of Donkey Kong Bananza has left me eager to explore more. On the other hand, my mind wanders to envision a 3D Mario game on Switch 2 when it eventually launches.

The classic character Donkey Kong will once again be causing havoc, as he wreaks destruction wherever he goes, when the game hits stores this July.

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2025-04-03 16:28