Donkey Kong Bananza: A 3D Adventure Returns!

4.5 /5

Donkey Kong Odyssey...er, Bananza!

✅ Prednosti

Big return of Donkey Kong in 3D form
Sense of freedom and destruction in the game
Interactivity thanks to voxel technology
Evolution of friendship between DK and Pauline
Excellent soundtrack and visuals

❌ Nedostaci

Occasional camera issues
Performance drops in complex areas
Some parts of the game can be awkward
Possible frustrations with deep digging
No significant bugs

Breath of the Kong

It has been 11 years since the last Donkey Kong game, and a chilling 26 years since the last true 3D adventure (Donkey Kong 64 from 1999). At one point, it seemed like Nintendo had forgotten about its strongest monkey, serving us only re-releases and side roles in Mario Kart and Smash Bros. But no, Bananza is finally here. A big, loud, and devastating return to 3D form. Donkey Kong is back.

Already after 10 minutes of gameplay, it is clear that Bananza comes from the same kitchen that made Super Mario Odyssey. The concept is very similar, a 3D world with open, sandbox levels, full of freedom and exploration, where instead of power moons, we collect crystal bananas, the so-called Banandium gems. However, Kong doesn't have a frisbee cap like Mario. Kong is here to smash and destroy everything in his path.

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Tears of the Kingdom vibe, anyone?

Monkey see, monkey SMASH!

The main novelty of this game is chaos and destruction. If you want to dig a 30-meter hole because you're curious about what's below? Go ahead. If you want to climb to the highest cliff just to jump down and smash the ground? Be my guest. The game lets you be a primal, curious Kong.

DK can destroy almost any terrain, punch through walls, break the ceiling above him, rip off a piece of rock and swing it or throw it. Every rock can become a surfboard. And that's where the magic lies, that feeling of freedom and destruction in one.

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Now that we've dug this hole, we can continue with the story. Maybe. Until the next urge to dig.

The new voxel terrain destruction technology gives the game an incredible dose of interactivity. Walls, floors, ceilings – every crack can hide a secret. It’s extremely fun and reveals a completely new approach to exploration and finding things, and it’s also great as a stress reliever. Regularly playing, I wonder, what else can I break? Collectors will want to find each of the thousands of Banandium bananas, almost each with a unique challenge and mechanic (some you will just buy in the shop).

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The gold rush is going crazy

Kong jumps and climbs exactly as you intended. Almost every terrain is climbable, and in a way, this game reminds me of Breath of the Wild, precisely because of that huge evolution compared to previous releases and the availability of the entire terrain as a sandbox. If I want to climb somewhere – I can. If I want to dig a deep hole - I will. Just because I want to, and because it’s very fun and addictive.

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I like how the map remembers my chaos

30 layers of adventure

Instead of a series of traditional worlds, Bananza literally drops you 17 floors, or layers, below the surface. Each layer has sub-zones with its own biomes. There are poisonous forests, ancient ruins, glass caves, and each hides Banandium gems, crystal bananas that open the way further. This vertical progression gives a refreshing touch to the game, especially when you return to old zones to explore what you missed.

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These triangle portals will lead you to new, interesting mini sections

Layers are filled with mini challenges, from destroying walls with bombs, platforming, collecting as much gold as possible, or defeating enemies within a set time, to teleporting to entirely new mini-zones with puzzles or side-scrolling sections (like a retro throwback to the first level of Donkey Kong Country), all with the ultimate goal of collecting new crystal bananas.

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2D sections are really great. Now I want a new 2D Kong.

In each layer, there are interesting NPCs, from mining monkeys to anthropomorphic crystals, and you will also see some old, familiar faces. Each layer has a main hub where you can unlock new skins or invest in a mini apartment where you can take a nap and gain a bonus health point like in the new Zeldas.

DK & Pauline – a duet with soul

The game quickly introduces you to the other protagonist, a talkative little rock that soon turns out to be Pauline from Mario Odyssey, in her teenage years. Kong and Pauline make the perfect duo. Pauline evolves from a shy singer to a true heroine, gaining more and more confidence throughout the game's progression. The evolution of their friendship through the game is one of the nicer things I've seen in gaming lately. DK, although he doesn't speak, perfectly gestures his intentions and feelings towards Pauline and others.

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Pauline in an identity crisis, but Kong helps, in his own way

During her adventure, you will encounter monkey elders from whom you will learn various transformations. When Pauline sings, DK briefly enters Bananza mode, transforming into a powerful Super Kong, a fast Zebra Kong, or a pair of No Kongs that can fly or glide. Each transformation has its own style and changes the game's dynamics.

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The elder Gorillas are the main guardians of the new Bananza powers

If you play co-op, the second player can partially control Pauline, singing to remove barriers or using explosive musical attacks. Not a bad idea to include someone else in the game, especially a younger person. Bananza also supports GameShare, so your online friend can control Pauline as well.

Story and humor with depth

The story is simple, but cheerful and charming. DK has ventured underground in search of the Banandium Gems. The evil, greedy monkey, Void Kong wants to steal all the Banandium Gems and has turned Pauline to stone. DK and Pauline must descend to the core of the planet to find a way back to the surface (logically) and collect as many bananas as possible to defeat Void Kong. The game regularly balances between charming humor, more serious moments, and outrageous twists. After all, this is Nintendo.

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The earned Banandium gems serve as currency to unlock new abilities in the skill tree, from new combos, health upgrades to specific bananza abilities. Additionally, scattered throughout each level are fossils, the currency for purchasing skins, of which there are plenty. You can change the outfits of both Kong and Pauline, and I was particularly surprised that you can also change the color of Kong's fur. There is even a photo mode and DK Artist, a mini mode where you can carve and share your own artifact in the game.

Other currencies and collectibles include gold, which fills the bananza meter, good old balloons that save you when you fall into a pit, and jukebox panels in hub zones.

Although the main story lasts a solid 15–20 hours, I believe that, just like me, you will find it hard to resist the temptation to dig through every corner in search of new challenges, hidden bananas, and fossils. Realistically, it's easy to spend 30+ hours without blinking.

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Audio, visuals, and performance

Considering that the game's theme is heavily connected to music, the soundtrack is, of course, excellent. Orchestral themes, electronic beats, and remixes of old classics perfectly fit the game's atmosphere. When Pauline sings in the Bananza mode, the music intensifies, the tempo rises, and the game becomes spectacular, perfectly synchronized with the gameplay, and if you take a look at Pauline, you'll see how perfectly animated her singing is while sitting on DK's shoulder.

Graphically, this is Nintendo at its best. Kong looks detailed, with a new, enriched design featuring expressive fur and rich animations. The fuller the bananza meter, the shinier Kong's fur becomes. The layers are colorful, dynamic, and technically impressive; each zone is interesting, visually pleasing, and just the right size to avoid becoming boring.

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The game truly looks excellent

The game generally runs at 60 fps, but in more complex areas (like the Bananza mode with lots of destruction), we can see performance drops. Although the game was originally planned for the original Switch, I’m glad Nintendo opted for an exclusive on the second one. I believe that too much graphical sacrifice would be needed to enable an adequate version on the original. I haven't encountered any bugs, but the camera can sometimes go a bit crazy and be awkward and hard to navigate in tight tunnels and when digging too deep.

Kong, the king of the jungle, is back!

Donkey Kong Bananza is exactly what I wanted and expected from a 3D DK sequel: the freedom of Odyssey, the destructive power of a gorilla, and a healthy dose of Nintendo madness. Nintendo has found the right balance between nostalgia and fresh ideas. Bananza is not only a spiritual successor to Odyssey but the next step in 3D platforming. This game is simply fun and destructively addictive. It’s impossible not to play it with a smile on your face. It will entertain both the old veteran and the young gamer, and I warmly recommend it to everyone.