I've been waiting for a new 3D Donkey Kong since DK 64 came out in 1999. It's been 26 years at the time of writing since we first visited DK Isles and saw King K. Rool's ship break down next to DK's ginormous rock head, and while the side-scrolling titles have always been fun, nothing has come close to the feeling that game brought me.
Well, we're less than a month away from Donkey Kong Bananza releasing on Nintendo Switch 2, and after seeing the dedicated Nintendo Direct that dropped today, I can't begin to tell you how excited I am. It's the biggest Donkey Kong game of all time, and after watching footage from the direct, it's clear that it takes inspiration from Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey in its design. Nice work, Nintendo!
This game trailer has blown me away completely, and I'm going to unpack some of the main features that caught my eye for you below, while it's all still fresh in my memory!
A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
The game itself is set on Ingot Isle, with our Banana-loving simian heading on a journey to the Planet's Core to solve a mystery (I'll get onto that in a minute). Ingot Isle immediately captured my attention; the power of the Switch 2 has given so much life to DK's world, and the attention to detail is something I could have only dreamed of back in 1999.
To be honest, I thought it couldn't get any better than the N64 graphics, but if nine-year-old me saw DK Bananaza, I think his mind would have imploded!
The concept of the entire game is that DK must travel further down into the centre of the Earth, a little like Link plummeting down into the Depths below Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. The main difference, however, is that each of the levels of this subterranean world is different and, quite frankly, a work of art.
Don't be expecting drab and dreary dungeons with Bokoblins trying to destroy you at every verse end; these worlds are light, full of secrets, and look as though they will be a joy to explore. They're some of the biggest levels I've seen in any Nintendo Game, let alone a Donkey Kong title!
Donkey Kong & Pauline Patch Up Their Differences
Back in 1981, Shigeru Miyamoto's Donkey Kong arcade game saw our titular character capturing a woman named Pauline. Jumpman, aka Mario, had to save Pauline from DK's clutches and save the day, dodging flaming barrels in the process.
Pauline has appeared in Donkey Kong games since, though never really as one of his allies. She was the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey and has appeared in Mario Kart 8 since the Deluxe version on the Switch. Bananza, however, sees DK and Pauline teaming up.
Yes, the weird Odd Rock character that sits on DK's shoulder is actually Pauline, a singer who needs to escape this strange, subteranean world and get back to the surface. She can use her singing powers to find items and assist DK on his quest, learning new songs to help him transform into new creatures, Majora's Mask-style. Their friendly dynamic marks a new chapter in DK's story, which seems fitting considering he's had a completely new look too.
A More Comical DK
There were times throughout the trailer when DK looked like the Kong we know and love from the Rare days, small vestiges of his former self and his demeanour shining through. The truth is that he's far more expressive and comical than he was in Donkey Kong 64.
He's definitely a formidable character in terms of the moves he pulls out against enemies and to get around the world, but you can tell that Nintendo have made him more 'cutesy' to appeal to gamers from all age ranges.
There are times when he looks a bit 'ditsy', for want of a better word, and not that Coconut Gun-wielding behemoth from the N64 days. Still, there were plenty of moves that you'll recognise from his previous titles, as well as supporting characters that I'll get onto soon.
DK's Got The Moves
To collect Banandium Gems on your way to the fabled Planet's Core, you'll need to pull out a bunch of epic moves and utilise skills, both of which can be unlocked and upgraded using Skill Points as you progress through the game.
Banandium Gems and Challenge Courses, which implement side-scrolling elements, must be discovered en route. There are lots of secrets to uncover by smashing your way through rock faces and uncovering new areas, using Kratos-style moves to tear pieces of rock from the ground before swinging and throwing them to clear a path.
There's also the famous hand slap move that players have been using ever since Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, used once to torment me on Super Smash Bros., but now to uncover hidden objects.
When I said that Bananza took inspiration from Tears of the Kingdom, I meant it in more ways than one. There's a new mechanic where you can add soft materials to each other, creating sand bridges to get to a new location. It's very much like the glue feature when attaching items together when creating vehicles using Ultra Hand, although I like the look of this one a lot more! There's also a move where you can surf on a rock, a little like Link surfing on his shield.
Apart from God of War and Zelda, I'm also seeing a little bit of Ghost of Tsushima in places, with Pauline showing you the way with her voice a little like the wind and golden birds that Jin Sakai follows. I bet you never thought you'd hear his name in the same article as a DK title, huh?
DK can power up into three different animals to help him reach new areas after filling up a special Bonanza gauge. Turn into a bigger version of a gorilla to smash through previously inaccessible areas, a beefy Zebra to run across water or crumbling paths, and an Ostrich that can fly and drop egg bombs (we see you, Kazooie, passing on your knowledge to other birds in the modern age!).
Nostalgic Features
Cranky and Rambi the Rhino join the action for a nostalgic nod to those who have followed the games from the very beginning. And yes, there are some very recognisable songs too. The main DK theme from Donkey Kong 64 is prevalent throughout the game, though it's had a bit of a spruce up since the 90s.
I also heard the DK Rap at a point when the Direct video talked about collectible vinyl tracks too - Seth Rogan will be happy!
Mine carts also appear in some of the side-scrolling stages, alongisde blast barrels. I think it's safe to say that this is the ultimate Donkey Kong game that we've all been hoping for.
I just hope he doesn't dab like in Mario Kart World...
Game Sharing & Extra Features
One thing that really impressed me about Donkey Kong Bananza is the fact that you can share the game with another Nintendo Switch 2 user either locally or online so that you can play together in the 2 Player Co-Op. Not only that, but you can also share with someone who has an original Nintendo Switch, even though the game cart doesn't work on the console.
How awesome is that!
The 2 Player Co-Op sees DK doing all of the smashing and Pauline using her singing to uncover items and show the way, as well as having an effect in boss battles. So, if you're looking to play with a partner or a family member who needs to ease themselves into gaming, then this could be a great way.
Bonanza has lots of customisation features for Donkey Kong too, with players collecting new outfits for him and Pauline and changing the colour of his hair. Each outfit has different properties too - I've never seen a Kong ice skating before!
There's also a feature that pays homage to Mario Paint called DK Artist, where players carve and paint pieces of rock using the mouse controls to create all sorts of sculptures, from pizzas to busts of Pythagoras. It looks insanely addictive, and I could see myself spending hours working on a figurine of Michelangelo's David, only for it to end up looking more like Monty Mole...
Final Thoughts
Honestly, if you were on the fence about whether to buy Donkey Kong Bananza or not, I hope this article and the Direct have confirmed that it's definitely worth parting with your hard-earned cash for. I'm more excited about this game than I was about Odyssey or TotK, and the puzzles, exploration, and extras in this game make me think I'll still be playing it for many months after completing it.
DK's new look might take a little while to get used to, but the camaraderie between DK and Pauline, the new villains, the supporting characters, and the strong sense of nostalgia seemingly imbued within the very fibres of the game will make die-hard DK fans like me very hard. It feels like the game that we all deserve and a great nod to the fans who have waited patiently for Nintendo to put DK back in the spotlight.
What with this and Mario Kart World, DK could well be one of the best characters on the planet right now. Let's hope we don't have to wait another 26 years for a sequel, huh?
