When Donkey Kong Bananza dropped, I wasn’t sure what to expect- I’ve never played a Donkey Kong game before {unless Diddy Kong Racing counts}, but I love a good story-driven adventure, and I’m always up for smashing things!
This game is pure chaotic fun from the start, but it’s also layered, smartly built, and way more expansive than I expected. It strikes a perfect balance between open-world exploration and having a clear objective, which is exactly what I like. Some open world games can feel overwhelming or too loose, but this one keeps you focused without ever feeling confined.
What I Loved
The graphics are absolutely wild- and not just in terms of quality {although it has that going on too}. Every surface, cave, and rock has so many layers that when you start smashing your way through the environment, it actually feels like you’re tearing into something real. There’s a level of visual depth that goes way beyond typical platformers, and it’s one of the first things that really made me stop and say WOW.
One feature I really appreciated is the ability to hit a button and follow a trail of music notes that guide you to your next objective. I have a tendency to get lost- in general, not just in this game- so it made a huge difference in keeping the gameplay flowing. It lets you explore freely while giving you a breadcrumb trail back to the main story when you need it. That’s especially helpful when you’re balancing main objectives with all the side content- and there’s a lot of side content.
Speaking of content, there’s SO much to do here! I’ve played for hours and haven’t even finished the main storyline yet- I still feel like I’m barely scratching the surface! The game gives you the freedom to just blow through the story or take your time collecting and exploring. And the vibe is just plain fun- it never takes itself too seriously, which makes the whole experience feel lighthearted and entertaining, even when you’re stuck trying to figure something out.
I did hit a few rough patches where I got stuck, but nothing that a little trial and error {and those helpful music notes} couldn’t fix. The difficulty feels balanced- not too easy, not too tricky- and it gives you just enough challenge to keep things interesting without being frustrating.
What Could Be Better
Honestly, there’s not much I’d change so far. I haven’t experienced any bugs or performance issues. The story has been taking me awhile to go through but I’m a collector, so I take a lot longer than I really have to. I think this is a solid game for sure.
Overall Thoughts
Even as someone who isn’t a longtime Donkey Kong fan, I’m really impressed by Donkey Kong Bananza. It reminds me of Super Mario Odyssey {one of my favorites of all time} in a lot of ways. Whether you’re in it for the story, the smashing, the exploring, or the collecting, there’s something here to love! I can easily see this being a game I revisit long after finishing the main quest.
Buy It
You can find Donkey Kong Bananza on Amazon, your favorite brick & mortar store, or through the Nintendo Store.
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