Nintendo monkey game, "Donkey Kong Bananza," makes a fiery return as game critic reviews it
In the world of 3D platformers, Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2 stands out with its unique and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics. This new adventure in the Donkey Kong series, exclusively available on the Switch 2, offers a distinct experience that emphasises creative destruction, environmental interaction, and versatile movement.
At the heart of the game is Donkey Kong's overwhelming strength, which allows him to smash through walls, dig tunnels, and even rip out stone blocks to throw at enemies. The game world is fully destructible, with almost everything punched, broken, and ripped out of the ground, remaining persistent even when teleporting between layers.
One of the most intriguing mechanics is chunk manipulation. Donkey Kong can tear chunks out of the earth anywhere and use them in multiple ways. They can be thrown at airborne enemies, used to break walls, bounced on for double jumps ("Chunk jumps"), surfed on to move faster and cross hazardous terrain safely, or even used to create makeshift platforms.
Donkey Kong's three-directional punching adds dynamic combat and exploration options, while his ground slap sonar reveals nearby collectibles and points of interest, enhancing exploration. Climbing freedom, another key feature, allows Donkey Kong to climb nearly any non-slippery surface, adding significant verticality and freedom in level navigation.
A standout feature is the Bananza transformations, where DK morphs into various animal forms, such as an Ostrich or Zebra, gaining unique powers. The Ostrich transformation allows flight and gliding over long distances, while the Zebra form grants fast dashing across fragile terrain. These transformations diversify gameplay and open up new ways to interact with the world.
The game's open-ended level design with destructible paths encourages creative exploration and puzzle solving in a nonlinear fashion. Even the intended route for players can be destroyed, offering a unique experience in each playthrough.
Players can embark on this destructive adventure solo or team up with a friend controlling Pauline in co-op mode. Pauline, a 13-year-old girl, joins Donkey Kong's journey, with her own agenda to advance in the game world separate from Donkey Kong's mission.
As players progress, they will unlock new abilities and clothing for both Donkey Kong and Pauline by finding collectibles. The game world is full of secrets and collectibles, ensuring that players are rewarded for their exploration.
While some reviews noted occasional control frustrations, especially with climbing, the game's innovative mechanics have been hailed as fresh and compelling for the genre. With its regular introduction of new mechanics and lack of repetitive tasks, Donkey Kong Bananza ensures that players are never bored.
Set on Ingot Island, where Donkey Kong joins a gold rush and finds sparkling bananas, the game is the second exclusive title released for the Switch 2, following "Super Mario Kart World". The evil Void Company snatches the precious finds, leading to a pursuit.
With its innovative mechanics, destructible environment, and open-ended level design, Donkey Kong Bananza offers a fresh take on the 3D platformer genre. If you're looking for a game that encourages creative destruction and environmental interaction, Donkey Kong Bananza is definitely worth a try.
Technology plays a vital role in the game's mechanics, with the innovative chunk manipulation and three-directional punching being prime examples. The entertainment value of Donkey Kong Bananza is heightened by the destructible environment, Bananza transformations, and open-ended level design that offer a unique and engaging experience for players.
