Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2) review "Journey to the Center of the Earth"

At the time of this writing, we’re not quite three months since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and many are already making determinations about the success of the console. No matter what camp you may subscribe to, the one cheering on the system as a worthy successor to Nintendo’s hardware legacy or a detractor deriding Nintendo’s pricing strategy, there is one thing we should all be able to agree on: Donkey Kong Bananza’s under-hyped release will come to define the Switch 2’s library not just in the moment but for years to come.

Scarcely has a title come together more fluidly than what is on display here. DK Bananza offers sleek visual and aural presentation coupled with dynamic, fluid gameplay the likes of which are seldomly encountered. It feels good to play, with Donkey Kong controlling like a dream with precision and fluidity. The fact that he has an endearing little helper on his shoulder for the duration of the adventure only adds to the charm. DK Bananza is an endeavor in love as we see our big dumb gorilla hero and his adolescent sidekick, Pauline, smash, crash, and course their way through 17 layers of subterranean mayhem.

It's a typical intro for Donkey. Of course he’s searching for bananas, this time portrayed as iridescent crystalline fruit. Mining into Ingot Isle’s cavernous expanse, we’re quickly endeavored to experience a frenetic display of flying soil and rock as earth gives way to gorilla fists. Donkey Kong controls in such a way that most of the buttons on the Switch 2’s controller dictate the direction he’s punching his surroundings. A little later into the adventure, after he's made his way toward the end of the first proper stage’s environs, he’ll acquire the first of several “bananza” powers that give him, in this case, temporary super strength that makes breaking through the earth that much more effortless.

In a lot of ways, DK Bananza feels like a spiritual successor to Super Mario Odyssey, combining creative environments, sleek platforming, and a little helper who helps to unlock DK’s full ability set. But make no mistake, this is not just a repackaging of an earlier great game. DK Bananza combines the open worlds of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, making exploration rewarding with its sense of scope and wonder. And to top it off, Nintendo EPD even took a page out of Minecraft’s book, allowing near full destructibility of each of the 17 varied subterranean layers DK and Pauline must traverse. Although, unlike with Minecraft, the destruction can be reset either through a deliberate request in the game’s pause menu or by leaving and returning to one sublayer after visiting another.

Make no mistake, while the destruction and havoc are the primary draws to experiencing what this adventure has in store, there’s a story to be gleaned that grows from what starts out as a simple little quest to eventually resulting in series of setpieces that continuously raise the stakes and the atmosphere up until the very end. To call it an epic conclusion to a wild journey would be an understatement.

DK and Pauline will engage in side-quests, exploration, and local economics. While banana gems may be the primary focus as far as measurable collectibles are concerned, there is gold and fossils to be had. As a minor side attraction, collected fossils can be exchanged for articles of clothing, many of which will contribute some sort of buff to DK while also adding some flair to his otherwise simian appearance. Pauline can change outfits, too. And in doing so adds further benefits to her big buddy’s abilities.

Now, if there is one thing I can note as a cause for detraction, it’s that despite all the things DK Bananza has going for it, the game’s design can feel repetitive at times. With multiple buttons set primarily for directional punching, this is deliberate and perhaps a byproduct of what may result when you’re doing the same side-quest in one world after the other. A little more variety would have been appreciated – how many times must you race against a clock to destroy a set number of enemies to acquire a banana gem? As a counter argument, though, because the worlds are so richly detailed and beautifully rendered – and they are each depicted so differently from one another – repeating the same task inter-layer doesn’t feel as burdensome as it might’ve had DK Bananza not possessed such a distinct sense of wonder.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in how the game’s progression proceeds so fluidly. With the conclusion of each previous sublayer, DK and Pauline will recklessly fall to the next world below at breakneck speeds, landing with a powerful force to announce their arrival. This is a game where fall damage doesn’t exist, lest you land on spikes or lava, and that’s likely a deliberate decision on the developers’ part to ensure the real focus isn’t on survival but rather on encouraging the player to see as much as possible.

There are so many remarkable sights, from painted canyons set against multi-colored smoke plumes, cerulean blue coastlines pocked with gigantic fruit ripe for the crushing, and desolate desertscapes ushering in epic boss battles like something out of a From Software title. There are even a few side-scrolling segments that will usher in nostalgia from the days of the Donkey Kong Country series. A vestige of the past that fits seamlessly into the present.

I would be remiss not to mention that one of DK Bananza’s other essential elements, to complement its striking visuals and simple yet engaging gameplay, is its incorporation of sound and music. In fact, the music plays like a primary character itself, as Pauline utilizes melodies to enhance Donkey’s physical attributes and unlock otherwise unpassable corridors. Anytime a “bananza” power is employed, the music will change, and a thematic rendition associated with that buff will pour through your speakers. Whether you find it catchy or overplayed will depend on your sensibilities, but there’s no mistaking that the tambor that accompanies the display onscreen fits the game’s theme.

Donkey Kong Bananza is not a game you should wait for. If you own a Switch 2, you should own this game. If you’re thinking about getting a Switch 2, this is a game you should prioritize on acquiring. And even if you’re not interested in the Switch 2, then realize you’re missing a literal treasure trove of enjoyment. There’s so much gold in them thar hills you don’t even need to dig for it.

Community review by Fiddlesticks (August 21, 2025) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.