wIt’s hard to picture Hen and Donkey Kong without thinking of Nintendo. The iconic monkey, who kicked off the gaming revolution, brought forth Donkey Kong’s signature tie-dong and barrel-throwing antics, almost leading Nintendo to bankruptcy. Yet, despite Donkey Kong’s firm footing in gaming history, his platformer adventures have been absent for several console generations. Enter Donkey Kong Bananza, marking DK’s first solo journey in over a decade.

Mario has soared through the cosmos and cleverly defeated enemies with a whimsical hat, but DK’s thrilling return taps into primal fury. Utilizing similar voxel technology as seen in Minecraft, DK’s Switch 2 Adventure swaps the thoughtful Lego-style construction for joyful chaos, enabling players to obliterate vibrant environments.

Players can smash through walls, floors, and ceilings, dig down to hidden treasures, and create new paths of destruction. It’s a refreshing, chaotic spin on the traditionally structured Nintendo platformers.

“Bananza kicked off when my boss, Onomura, approached our team about crafting a 3D Donkey Kong game,” recalls Kenta Motokura, producer of Donkey Kong Bananza and director of Super Mario O’Dacy. He describes it as a pivotal moment tied to his early experiences playing Donkey Kong on plastic bongos. “When Donkey Kong transitioned to 3D, I began my journey in developing 3D games,” he reflects. “With Onoumi’s direction on Donkey Kong Jungle, I gleaned insights about embracing challenges and truly understanding Donkey Kong.”

The focal point became Donkey Kong’s last major 3D venture on Nintendo 64—where would Nintendo orbit next with its beloved monkey mascot? The team soon turned to DK’s massive, furry hands, gathering wisdom from Mario creators Miyamoto Island and Tomita. “Miyamoto, who worked on the original and subsequent DK titles at Rare, emphasized showcasing Donkey Kong’s power and actions, like handclaps.” They tested voxel technology initially employed in Super Mario Odyssey and believed merging that with Donkey Kong’s destructiveness would create a perfect synergy.

Tomichuan and the Super Mario Odyssey team brought vast 3D platforming experience, but game director Takahashi, primarily skilled in open-world RPGs, faced unique pressures to resurrect Donkey Kong.

However, even with a talented platform team, the challenge of voxel-based destruction was a first for Nintendo’s Tokyo crew. “There was no blueprint for a game where everything can be destroyed,” explains Takahashi. “We encountered numerous challenges, striving to keep levels enjoyable without disruptions.”

Thankfully, they avoided blind spots with the aid of All-Star Play Testers. “I had Miyamoto check the games periodically,” Motokura shares. “Instead of progressing, he’d get engrossed in smashing one spot over and over. It was great to see; it showed player engagement.”

While many Nintendo enthusiasts associate Mario and Donkey Kong with legendary figures like Miyamoto and Tegashi, the new wave of developers prepares to carry forward their legacy. “Established developers such as Miyamoto and Tezuchuka are open to collaborating with younger minds. This exchange of ideas is invaluable,” Motokura highlights. “Up-and-coming talents will continue to nurture Nintendo’s developmental legacy.”

“Joining this team was a joy, and I embraced the challenge with enthusiasm,” Takahashi reflects. “Nintendo encourages exploration of new, bold concepts. In Bananza, we had the freedom to discover our own shortcuts… leading to an entirely new gaming experience compared to Odyssey.”

What to Play

As a millennial, I find myself reliving nostalgic gaming memories through Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. Though it lacks some classic tracks and offers a stripped-down version of the original’s sandbox mode, the thrill of performing tricks across Rio, London, Canada, and Alcatraz is incredibly satisfying. While it might not feature early 2000s artists like Papa Roach, Denzel Curry, Turnstyle, and more do a commendable job of bridging the gap.

This time, I opted to embrace Nintendo’s latest gem, the shiny Switch 2. I’m excited about the forthcoming titles for the new console. While it may not have the same affection as Vicarious Visions’ 2020 remake, once you get into the groove, the high score thrill makes Pro Skater an exhilarating ride.

Available on: Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, PC
Estimated playtime: 20-2,000 hours based on your zeal

What to Read

• Stop killing the game, a petition for online media preservation, garnered 1.2 million signatures and spurred a response from Nicolae Öřtef Nunugane, a VP of the European Parliament. This initiative emphasizes consumer rights amid the complexities of ownership when live service games are terminated. It’s a commendable cause, surprising that this movement stems from The Crew of all games. For further reading, check out PC Gamer.

• Missed out on something from the PS5 30th Anniversary Range last year? Fear not, retro PS1-inspired controllers and consoles are set for restock on July 21st. I’ve grown fond of my anniversary controllers and wanted to share the news. Get all the details with Eurogamer.

• In the aftermath of mass layoffs, some Xbox Employees added salt to the wound with two insensitive posts on LinkedIn. One suggested the remaining team members Need to rely on AI for career advice, while another advertised a job posting using AI-generated images. A poignant recap of the situation is available here.

What to Click

Question Block

Leader P Holck poses this question about bridging generational gaps in gaming.

“I really enjoyed my son’s Civilization III. Now I bought a PlayStation 5 and thought I would play a modern, more active game. But what I tried is simply too difficult! I’m stuck and don’t know how to move forward! Which games do you recommend for players over 70?”

First off, congrats on taking the plunge into gaming! Like discovering a new music genre or entering anime, reconnecting with gaming may initially feel overwhelming. Finding the right genre can be tricky, especially with complex controls and mechanics that seasoned players might take for granted.

Though not action-packed, I’d highly recommend Tetris Effect—a classic block-dropping puzzle adorned with psychedelic visuals, offering a surprisingly deep journey. Action titles like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and 2018’s God of War serve as accessible starting points, presenting engaging stories without overwhelming complexity, especially on easier settings.

For a deeper experience, The Witcher 3 is an immersive RPG. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows pausing during combat to ease the action flow. Additionally, the Mass Effect Trilogy provides a balanced mix of turn-based RPG elements and third-person action. Last year’s Ast Robot delivers a vibrant, platformer experience. For some thrills, Resident Evil 4 Remake and The Last of Us Part I are modern masterpieces, again with lower difficulty settings for accessibility. Happy gaming!

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