Donkey Kong Bananza Review

Donkey Kong Bananza reignites DK’s glory with epic, destructible 3D platforming and fresh mechanics on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Donkey Kong Bananza is an epic celebration of the Kong legacy on the Nintendo Switch 2. I’ve been a DK fan for as long as I’ve had Nintendo consoles. From 8-bit beginnings on the NES to the lush landscapes of Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, the ambitious 3D worlds of Donkey Kong 64, the rhythm-driven experimentation of Jungle Beat, and the challenging precision of Tropical Freeze—I’ve experienced the evolutions of Donkey Kong’s journey.

"Donkey Kong Bananza is an epic celebration of the Kong legacy on the Nintendo Switch 2."

So, when Donkey Kong Bananza was announced for the Switch 2, I was excited to see what the latest iteration would bring. Could DK actually deliver something new, something that lives up to the nostalgic highs and innovates? After playing through Bananza, I can confidently say it doesn’t just meet those expectations, it swings far beyond them. Let’s dive in and explore why Bananza is one of the best 3D platformers I have ever played and a favourite for my Game of the Year.

Donkey Kong Bananza Details

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2 

Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch 2 

Developer: Nintendo EPD Tokyo

Publisher: Nintendo

Genre: 3D Action Platformer

Available game modes: Single player, two-player co-op

ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+

Donkey Kong Bananza’s Story: Cut to the Core

The storyline of Bananza is simple, yet quite charming. It begins with Donkey Kong working on Ingot Isle, mining a rare material known as Banandium Gems, golden bananas infused with mysterious properties. Naturally, such treasures attract trouble. A villainous primate syndicate called Void Company, led by the menacing Void Kong, storms the island, seizes the Banandium, and sends DK and the Prospector Monkeys plummeting deep beneath the surface. This fall unveils a vast “Underground World,” teeming with layered biomes—sprawling caves, molten chambers, frozen rivers, and strange, glowing fauna.

Here, DK teams up with Pauline, a young girl swept into the chaos by Void Company. She isn’t just a companion; her extraordinary singing voice fuels “Bananza Transformations,” making her powers vital to both combat and the story. Together, they uncover the lore of the Bananza Elders and challenge VoidCo’s unchecked greed. Their journey builds toward the fabled “Planet Core,” a mythical nexus of energy said to grant incredible power and even wishes. It becomes a race between good and evil—one side striving to restore balance, the other bent on plunging the world into deeper chaos.

Donkey Kong Bananza Gameplay: Yearning for the Mines

I felt, from the first level, that Bananza was going to try to do more than run-and-jump, and thank goodness it does. The standout mechanic is the destructible terrain: DK punches, digs, tears, smashes through walls, floors, and earth to open paths, create shortcuts, or just for the joy of breaking stuff. It also adds fun twists and evolves this formula along your journey. For example, you can tear parts of the environment off and use them like a surfboard and skim across the landscape and hazards like lava rivers.

Bananza Transformations Offer Fun Twist on Gameplay

Pauline’s singing, which leads to Bananza Transformations, is another fun wrinkle. Depending on the Elder’s power, DK can transform into a zebra, ostrich, or other forms, gaining special movement, speed, and traversal powers.

"DK can transform into a zebra, ostrich, or other forms, gaining special movement, speed, and traversal powers."

It feels magical; I loved using a flight-adjacent form to cross vast chasms or using brute strength to punch through what seemed impassable. Not to mention the incredible music that accompanies each transformation. My personal favourite is the Kong Bananza music, it’s exceptional and unbelievably catchy.

Layered Exploration and Collectibles

The exploration is layered; you can follow the main path, or you can dive (literally) into side tunnels, destroy hidden walls, unearth fossils, complete challenge rooms and more. Each level of your adventure is packed with things to see and do. Collectibles (Banandium Gems, fossils, outfits, etc.) unlock upgrades in a well-laid-out skill tree, which provide upgrades that matter like more life or extending Bananza transformation duration.

Bumps in Your Journey to the Centre of the Earth

As good as much of this is, some issues crop up the odd time. One is that the camera gets a bit too close or follows odd angles when tunnelling or when the terrain deforms around DK. Also, not all bosses hit the mark, they can be too easy or sometimes feel recycled. Outside of that, the good parts far outweigh the frustrations. The flow of movement is satisfying, the sense of discovery is alive in almost every layer, and the game regularly surprised me with creative level design and destructible puzzles.

"The flow of movement is satisfying, the sense of discovery is alive in almost every layer, and the game regularly surprised me with creative level design and destructible puzzles."

Donkey Kong Bananza Graphics and Performance

Visually, Bananza is gorgeous in so many different ways. The art direction blends the classic Donkey Kong roots (lush foliage, caves with sparkling gems) with modern lighting, particle effects, and detailed textures. Creatures in the Underground World are weird and wonderful; there were also creative takes on some enemies that require light puzzle-solving and strategizing to take on.

The destructible terrain is more than just a visual spectacle; the way dirt, rock, and molten material break and shift adds strategic and aesthetic depth. The game plays up the contrast between tight underground passages and huge, cavernous spaces, and those transitions are often dramatic.

"The destructible terrain is more than just a visual spectacle; the way dirt, rock, and molten material break and shift adds strategic and aesthetic depth."

Performance is overall very good, though not perfect. On Switch 2, the target frame rate is usually 60fps, and most of the time, the game hits it. But in the later levels, especially large boss arenas or when a lot of destructible material is onscreen, there are noticeable drops. The camera can also have issues in those moments, sometimes clipping or zooming too close during burrowing or high-action destruction. 

Donkey Kong Bananza Audio and Sound Design

The soundtrack shines with a mix of fresh compositions and clever remixes of classic DK tunes, catchy enough to stick with you long after the credits. Its instrumentation nails the underground vibe, from echoing drums to shimmering chimes, and really soars during big battles and, my personal favourites, with the Bananza transformation tracks.

"I’ve been humming the “Kong Bananza” track long after I rolled credits, the soundtrack is definitely a big highlight to the experience."

Pauline’s lively voice acting and playful singing add personality, while DK’s primal grunts are given weight through sharp sound cues and expressive animation. The duo’s reactions on more than one occasion make me laugh out loud. Punches hit hard, rocks crumble with rumble, and ambient details like dripping water or shifting stone keep the world alive. A few tracks loop too often, and some ambient layers could use more variety, but overall, the sound design is immersive and consistently impressive. I’ve been humming the “Kong Bananza” track long after I rolled credits, the soundtrack is definitely a big highlight to the experience.

Final Thoughts on Donkey Kong Bananza

From start to finish, Donkey Kong Bananza feels like a love letter to older fans like me and a bold new chapter for the next wave of players. I felt the DK nostalgia, but also frequent welcome surprises that remixed the formula in exciting new ways. This is the kind of game that justifies a console purchase, especially if you’ve been waiting for a true 3D DK revival.

"This is the kind of game that justifies a console purchase, especially if you’ve been waiting for a true 3D DK revival."

It’s not perfect, with the odd technical issue, but those minor flaws never knocked me out of the joy of playing. If you’re a longtime DK fan (like I am) or just someone who loves platformers that break the rules a bit, this is essential play. It earns its place among the best in the DK series.

Donkey Kong Bananza PROS

+Brilliant destructible terrain mechanics

+Strong sense of exploration and discovery

+Bananza transformations add flavour, emotional weight, and mechanical diversity

Donkey Kong Bananza CONS

− Camera awkwardness in some burrowing and tight spaces

− Boss battles are inconsistent; some feel generic or too easy

− Performance dips in hectic scenes

Overall Assessment of Donkey Kong Bananza

Gameplay: 9.5/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 9.5/10

Lasting Appeal / Replayability: 8.5/10

Donkey Kong Bananza Overall Score: 36.5/40 (91%)

Nintendo provided a copy of this game to conduct the review.

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About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!

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