| Platform | OVERALL |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 8.50 |
| Overall | 8.50 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza is the latest game from the lead Mario team responsible for Odyssey. That DNA is apparent as Donkey Kong has large levels with loads of bananas to find, much like how Mario was searching for countless moons. With that same creative vision of Odyssey, Banaza has loads of varied gameplay mechanics, ever changing level design and loads of quality content. The key gameplay element of Banaza is the ability to destory nearly anything in the game world. Levels do have a sort of basic skeleton but outside of that DK can tear, rip and grab chunks of the world. This means you can create the paths through the world that you want, it is actually quite impressive. This means many hidden bananas have multiple ways to get to them, there is always the intended way but you can just smash a path through the ground or wall and discover the banana that way. Not sure if thats more fun than a well designed collectable but its neat that its there. The destruction elements are tied to how DK attacks and moves as you can throw chunks of ground at enemies or ride it like a surf board for some nice speed. The land is made up of different material and this influences how easy or hard it for DK to rip it up, as well as how much damage it might do to an enemy. The game is at its best when there is very specific materials needed to get through a platforming situation like say using an acid covered ground to melt the shields off of an enemy. Or use an explosive material to quickly destroy structures in a timed mini game. Old classics like use cold ice to cool fire is here as well and is used great in some fun levels. The level variety is fantastic, as you travel deeper into the world more and more unique stages appear. Some levels introduce poison bogs, acid rain, fire and ice. One of the best ones is an entirely underground level with no real design, you simply create paths through endless dirt, and find spots in it. There is a race track, a level made of fruit, it goes on and on and in each a new gameplay element is introduced. On top of the unique properties of each level there are the multiple forms DK can transform into on the fly. This allows him to punch through stronger material as a super kong. Or run through falling ground as a zebra, fly through the air as a bird, jump higher as a snake and so on. These powers allow you to get through levels easier BUT its best when there are challenges and levels built around them. There are some great boss battles where switching between all forms is needed and thats when the combat really shines. Much like Odyssey there is so many great ideas but I get that sense that they just never explore it fully. The best levels are the challenge and bonus levels where you get transported to a more traditional platforming level, uniquely designed to use specific powers. Thats still my favorite part of platformers, exploring is fun but so MUCH exploring with so MANY collectables just feels like I am running around hardly doing things of note. The core path of the game is fantastic, everything else which is the majority of the time if you take your time to explore is just not as interesting from a gameplay perspective. I feel DK isnt as mechanically interesting as Mario is, so this game overall is not as good, still pretty great but doesn't reach the highs of Odyssey. Graphically the game looks great and runs mostly great. Its 60fps unless you are deep in destruction then it slows down a bit but for the most part game runs great, a nice showcase for the Switch 2. The music has some great tracks especially the songs for each of the powerups, instantly catchy songs. Bananza is another great Nintendo platformer that showcases their incredible design philophy. Full of gameplay variety and loads of content, this is a big meaty game, you will be satisfied. If you are a fan of exploration platformers you might have an all time great, for me its like Odyssey where its fun but doesn't hit the highs of a game thats set levels and challenges. |
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Posted by Dvader Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:24:35
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