Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza

If you’ve just gotten your hands on the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 and you’re wondering what game to dive into first, stop right there. The answer is Donkey Kong Bananza. This wild and wacky 3D platformer is not just a game, it’s a full-blown banana-fueled adventure that brings back everything you love about Donkey Kong and cranks the volume up to eleven.

Let’s get this straight. Donkey Kong Bananza is not your average jungle romp. It’s a zany, technicolor trip through musical vines, animal transformations, destructible environments, and co-op chaos. You’re not just swinging on vines and pounding enemies. This time, DK is joined by a younger version of Pauline, now reimagined as a musical genius who helps you unlock secret abilities with her rhythm powers. Together, they bounce, bash, and boogie their way through a variety of vibrant worlds.

The story is bananas in the best way possible. A mysterious force has turned all the fruit in Donkey Kong Island into evil fruit monsters. Yes, you read that right. Evil fruit. It’s up to DK and Pauline to beat the juice out of these fruity fiends, rescue the banana stash, and restore harmony to the jungle. Every level introduces some new mechanic that keeps things fresh. One moment you’re surfing down a chocolate river on a rhino’s back, the next you’re using motion controls to paint banana graffiti that opens portals to bonus stages.

The gameplay is smooth, and the controls take full advantage of the Switch 2’s upgraded motion sensors and rumble feedback. There’s even a DK Artist Mode, where you use the Joy-Con like a brush to unleash special moves in combat. It’s quirky and satisfying in all the best Nintendo ways.

Visually, Donkey Kong Bananza is a treat. The environments are lush and lively, the character animations are packed with personality, and the soundtrack will have you humming banana-themed beats for days. Whether it’s tropical jungles, icy caves, or neon-lit dance floors, every stage feels like a party. The co-op gameplay is a blast too. You and a friend can tag-team your way through the madness, switching between DK’s power and Pauline’s precision.

And if you own a Nintendo Switch 2, this is not a game to sleep on. It’s tailor-made to show off the console’s new features, and it’s exactly the kind of joyous, family-friendly chaos that reminds you why you love Nintendo games in the first place.

So grab your Switch 2, gather your bananas, and jump into the Bananza. Donkey Kong is back, and he’s throwing the wildest party in the jungle.