Donkey Kong Bananza Is the Next Nintendo Switch 2 Game Worth Buying

Instead of launching with a new 3D Mario game like many expected, Nintendo opted to create the first 3D Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong 64, marking the first brand-new DK game since 2014. Donkey Kong Bananza stars the fan-favorite Kong naturally, but it also features a young Pauline, who first reappeared in Super Mario Odyssey back in 2017. Together, the two aim to smash their way to the center of the planet, where wishes are supposedly granted. Donkey Kong Bananza Is Out Now! As you hunt for the hundreds of Banandium Gems scattered throughout each layer of the world, you'll need to open up the terrain using Donkey Kong's abilities. Donkey Kong Bananza completely reinvents the Donkey Kong formula, allowing the titular Kong to smash, break, and crash his way through any terrain. You can choose to smash through an entire wall, take a piece of the wall and throw it, or even surf on a slab of rock. Of course, Bananza would not have been possible without the power of Nintendo Switch 2. The game initially began development on the Nintendo Switch, but the team quickly realized that the limited hardware would prevent the game from reaching its potential. This is the best showcase of Switch 2's hardware yet, especially with the Voxel technology used throughout. Donkey Kong Bananza is available now for Nintendo Switch 2, with the full game available on the cartridge. If you've yet to pick up the game, now is the perfect time to do so at Best Buy. What We Said in Our Review In our 10/10 review, Logan Plant wrote: "The leader of the bunch is finally back to kick some tail in Donkey Kong Bananza, a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey and a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character. It was a bold choice to build the Switch 2’s first 3D platformer around Donkey Kong instead of Mario, but it’s proven to be the best decision Nintendo could’ve made. DK’s satisfying, expressive movement and powerful, dynamic abilities create a truly groundbreaking adventure. The ambitious, destructible layers of this underground world are densely packed with satisfying collectibles, abundant charm, and clever challenges that never seem to run out of smart ideas, even long after the credits have rolled. Bananza is a constant crescendo across its 20-hour campaign and beyond, with puzzle-platforming concepts that only grow richer as DK and Pauline dive deeper toward the Planet Core. Every element comes together in complete harmony to create Nintendo’s first Switch 2 masterpiece." Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.