While searching for gold in the murky depths of Ingot Isle’s mines, a fierce storm whisks Donkey Kong, the guardian of Dungaree, into a sprawling underground realm. You might presume he’s upset, but deep in the earth, where banana-shaped treasures are plentiful, DK is energetically using his furry fists to carve out a path toward wealth. This marks the first Donkey Kong platformer since 2014, taking players on a gritty adventure to the center of the Earth.

Echoing the classic battlefield games, Bananza thrives on demolishing its destructible surroundings. What seems like a typical exit area? You can pass right through the ground. Tired of leaping across chasms? Simply smash through the walls. The exhilarating joy of grinding down every bit of terrain beneath you pushes the limits of physics technology, as you discover hidden collectibles and pathways along the way.

To bring a touch of humanity to the mayhem, a young girl named Pauline (familiar to fans of the classic DK title) accompanies Donkey Kong, perched on his shoulder, singing melodiously like a parrot trained at a prestigious school.

With a delightful nod to the jazzy tunes of Super Mario Odyssey, Pauline triggers an exciting frenzy in DK, as she belts out notes reminiscent of Mariah Carey. Donkey Kong sways to the beat, and as Pauline grabs the microphone, she elevates him to new heights — quite literally reshaping his Bananza form. As DK’s adventure unfolds, players can unlock various animal-themed transformations. Throughout subsequent levels, DK gets to soar like an ostrich, albeit with a quirky appearance.

In this 2025 installment, a skill tree allows players to upgrade DK’s abilities, enhance his health, and learn new attacks and tricks. Continuing the RPG-lite approach, collectible fossils are cleverly scattered in each level; these serve as currency to acquire stylish outfits that boost stats. Most importantly, these outfits bring a wave of fun, transforming DK’s signature crimson fur into a striking Gothic black coat.

The 3D hub world, coupled with innovative projectiles and quirky transformations, embodies the whimsical charm reminiscent of Rare’s N64 Donkey Kong platformer. Think of a blend of Banjo Kazooie, some incredible Hulk-like simulations, and chaos driven by destruction, standing in stark contrast to the pristine environments of Super Mario Odyssey. When feeling the need to unleash chaos, Donkey Kong can throw nearby objects at foes or even hurl special glowing materials to demolish enemies, walls, and other obstacles — a true force of destruction and creativity. Some NPCs are crafted from gemstones, allowing players to engage in delightful grinding and slowly piecing together the magical lore, making the experience visually captivating.

The development team clearly relished the opportunity to create unique, formidable adversaries for DK. From facing off against swarms of small furious creatures to dodging golden skeleton foes and escaping from the heads of hopping stone warriors, the gameplay diverges from typical Mario fare, matching Bananza’s eccentric tone.

Boss battles promise significant challenges in Bananza. DK confronts the sinister Boydko, a menacing crew of malicious apes who purloin his coveted Banandium gems. For instance, Grumpy Kong pilots a gigantic concrete mecha, requiring players to topple it to bring it down to ground level, all while DK does his utmost to reclaim his treasures.

The Mining Cart segment is a welcomed addition. Here, you can leap between rails to evade obstacles and toss glowing rocks to explode and eliminate foes and barriers. The visuals may occasionally be a bit underwhelming; however, maintaining a solid frame rate makes the overall experience smooth as you dynamically alter the surroundings. Character models shine, while many areas move quickly enough that their slightly bland aesthetics become a minor concern. Starting in a dreary mine, players will traverse lush lagoons and battle through a treacherous river filled with toxins in a swamp of poison.

Similar to Odyssey, Bananza features a half-hearted cooperative mode. With Pauline’s grumpy boots, a second player can interact with the environment using the Joy-Con controller. Each click allows you to manipulate or destroy portions of the environment, causing both players to engage in an eye-filling, chaotic adventure. This engaging twist promises endless fun for younger audiences, though warning bells might ring for sustained chaos.

Donkey Kong Bananza is quirky, slightly chaotic, and likely more perplexing than traditional Nintendo platformers. It feels akin to the musical stylings of Limp Bizkit — big, bold, and destructively fun. Although some may criticize the Switch 2 for being somewhat repetitive instead of innovative, this debut of the iconic ape seems to carve out a unique path toward a thrilling new experience.