'Donkey Kong Bananza' and the satisfaction of destroying things

Donkey Kong, also abbreviated as DK, is the most charismatic gorilla in the world of video games, but also a character with a lot of history. He was originally conceived by legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto, before laying the foundations for major series such as Mario and The Legend of ZeldaDK's first appearance was as an antagonist in the arcade game Donkey Kong (1981), a platform game in which the player controlled a primitive Mario (then known as Jumpman) and where the objective was to save Pauline, the first damsel in danger before being replaced by the best-known Princess PeachOver time, the primate took on a distinct identity, starring in a series of games and becoming part of Nintendo's beloved roster of characters.

Bananzamarks the return of a major DK title sinceDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014) and, in fact, it is the first three-dimensional platform game since the already very distantDonkey Kong 64(1999). It must be said that the title has been in development for almost a decade, because the team responsible is, in large part, the same one that developed the wonderful Super Mario Odyssey (2017). Knowing this, expectations are high, but so are the similarities, because we find ourselves with a title a priori of the same genre. That is why with Donkey Kong Bananza The team had to define the identity of its protagonist and give the game a very powerful personality.

The satisfaction of destroying things

The objective of Donkey Kong Bananza It's fun to break everything. And when they say all literally refer to the integrity of the vibrant environments the player explores during the adventure. With voxel technology (volumetric pixels or the minimal expression of a 3D image), the possibilities are vast, but so are the hardware requirements. It is for this reason that during its development it was decided to publish Bananza on the Switch 2, to take advantage of the power of Nintendo's new consoleIn fact, the developers admit that even at certain moments when large chain reactions occur, between explosions, or the interaction of many elements simultaneously, performance can drop slightly. Still, they assure that the game is smooth and that they have prioritized fun and playability.

One of the main missions of the DK, as it could not be otherwise in a game titled Bananza (word play with banana and bonanza), will be collecting bananas. In fact, the evil Void Kong and his henchmen have made the mistake of stealing a large haul of that delicious golden fruit. Donkey Kong will feature classic, powerful moves, but above all, the freedom to punch his way wherever he wants to achieve his goals. In addition, the stages will be filled with other collectible items, secrets, and opportunities to upgrade and unlock new abilities, both offensive and useful. Whatever the player does, they'll have to hit things: destruction is the main theme of the game, and the entire gameplay revolves around it. However, Donkey Kong couldn't face this great challenge alone.

A very special companion

A younger version of Pauline reappears in Bananza riding on top of Donkey Kong and helps move the gears of an adventure full of mystery in which she searches for the way to the surface. The future artist is discovering the power of music and songs and manages to inspire the gorilla protagonist allowing him to activate the ancestral power of bananzaThis allows him to transform into new, super-strong animal forms, thus enhancing his abilities in different ways and optimally facing challenges.

As a final note, the Donkey Kong character debuts a redesign that adds charisma and gives him greater expressiveness. For long-time fans of Donkey Kong and his adventures, the game features more classic 2D sections and is sure to have many more surprises hidden underground. What's more, Bananza promises to squeeze the power of the new Switch 2, because it is the first release first-party from the arrival of the console with Mario Kart WorldIn conclusion, Nintendo's new game is a solid commitment that aims to be a well-rounded experience and a guaranteed source of fun this summer. Donkey Kong Bananza arrives this Thursday, July 17, exclusively at Nintendo Switch 2.

We've already played!

We liked it...

• The gameplay mechanics never cease to amaze you, and everything flows at a great pace; it's truly a pleasure to destroy everything. The level design is very elaborate and cleverly thought out, considering that much of the terrain can be wiped out by hitting it.
• The aesthetics of its underground universe and a stunning soundtrack. Also striking is the new look of the DK and the introduction of young Pauline. The main duo is incredibly charismatic and has very entertaining interactions with the other inhabitants of the underground and the eccentric antagonists.

We didn't like it...

• The game is fairly easy for most of the story. Avatar upgrades are consistent and powerful, and progression isn't blocked by large barriers. Overall, the accessibility and familiarity of the game are appreciated, but the most difficult and intriguing challenges are encountered after you've finished the game for the first time, and some players might not discover them.
• Let there be no more transformations of the power of the bananzaThe possibilities are there, and it's certainly what leaves you wanting more. At the moment, there's no information on whether there are plans for a possible expansion or sequel, but Donkey Kong is back with a bang.

It's for you if...

• You like 3D platformers. We can say you're in luck, because last year Astro Bot It was a total success, but Donkey Kong Bananza It doesn't fall short at all and, in fact, goes much further in certain aspects.
• You love collecting things and enjoy a postgame (end of game) with content. Once the credits have rolled, you can still revisit levels in search of hundreds of bananas, fossils, and vinyls. It's also a great thing that the game offers options to avoid searching for them online.

It's not for you if...

• You're looking for technical fidelity in the graphics. The framerate drops are noticeable in moments of chaos and total destruction. The draw distance in some expansive scenarios isn't great either. But as they say, they prioritized fun, and they nailed it.
• You are very peaceful and respectful of the environment. In Donkey Kong Bananza You will have no choice but to hit, smash, knock down, strike down, soften, sink, ruin, demolish, ravage, fuck, knock down, knock down, kick, batter and take care of everything you find.

[Code provided by Nintendo and tested on Switch 2]