Donkey Kong Bananzaremains one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s few launch titles, and, at first, that may have seemed like a shame to a lot of people. After all, the Nintendo Switch launched withThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildall the way back in 2017, and many were hoping that the Switch 2 would get something similar. Fans wanted a groundbreaking, innovative, and truly massive title that showed off the Switch 2’s prowess while also giving them something they’d never really seen before. Many, including myself, didn’t feel like that wasDonkey Kong Bananza.
However, after the recent andsurprisingDonkey Kong BananzaDirect, that perception has changed completely.Donkey Kong Bananzais far more impressive than many give it credit for, as it has proven, with this 17-minute Direct alone, that it is doing just as many innovative and interesting things asBreath of the Wilddid for the open-world RPG genre all those years ago. In fact,Bananzalooks like it is going one step further, proving, once and for all, that it truly is the Nintendo Switch 2’sBOTW, and fans and non-fans alike should start paying attention.
Donkey Kong Bananza Is As Innovative As BOTW
It Is Full Of Creative New Ideas
I am guilty of having believed that the Switch 2 wouldnever get itsBOTWmoment. Essentially, I, and I’m certain many others, didn’t think that any Switch 2 launch title could live up to the ridiculous expectations set byBreath of the Wild, truly seeing it as the highest bar possible. Fortunately, I couldn’t have been more wrong, asDonkey Kong Bananza, of all games, looks ready to not only be the Nintendo Switch 2’s equivalent ofBreath of the Wild, but an altogether exceptional launch title in its own right, divorced from the legacyBOTWleft behind.
To be clear,Donkey Kong Bananzaisn’t out, so I can’t speak to whether it will be a chart-topping, industry-defining success likeBreath of the Wild. After all,Donkey Kong Bananza’sperformance woesspeak to a potentially laggy game, even if it does end up being one of the most innovative titles ever made. However, it is the fact thatDonkey Kong Bananzais doing so much, introducing so many new and unique ideas, and offering an experience that looks as joyful as it does creative, that makes me think it deserves to share the same breath asBOTW.
Breath of the Wildwas so successful and so beloved because of how it innovated in a genre that had seen such little innovation for a very long time. It put exploration front and center, something that had felt severely underutilized and extremely streamlined in other open-world games, and, as a result, revolutionized the entire genre.Donkey Kong Bananza, despite being from an arguably less popular franchise and targeted more towards children, is still aiming to accomplish the same goalby putting fun and creativity back in the platformer genre.
Donkey Kong Bananza Will Transform The Platformer Genre
It Will Be The Template For Future Platforming Games
I suspect - although with it not being out, I can’t say for sure - thatDonkey Kong Bananzawill revolutionize the platformer genre the second it comes out. By Nintendo’s own admission,Donkey Kong Bananza’sinnovative featureshave not been seen in any other game, at least combined in the way they have been. Its slew of abilities and how they not only transform gameplay, but also inject it with just the right amount of wonderfully bizarre creativity, are just one example of how Nintendo is reshaping players' approach to platforming mechanics in general.
It is also implementing all ofBananza’sbrilliant destruction-based mechanics, as well as the ability to create platforms using specific types of terrain. The technology that has gone into realizing all of that, especially on the Switch 2’s admittedly more limited hardware compared to its contemporaries, is especially impressive and shows that, much like withTOTK’smore mechanics-focused ideas, Nintendo is once again ahead of the curve.Bananzadidn’t need to add those mechanics, butthe fact Nintendo has gone the extra mile means it’ll be more groundbreaking - pun intended - than its other first-party platformers.
Nintendo is daring to do something different withDonkey Kong Bananzawhile showing off the Switch 2’s capabilities. It isn’t phoning in a randomDonkey Konggame for the sake of it, nor do any of the mechanics feel more like underbaked showcases for the handheld’s new tech. This isn’t thecontroversialWelcome Tour; it is a fully-fledged and genuine attempt at doing something new and creative within the platforming space, and were it to be a more recognizable mascot, or even one with more recent games under their belt, then I suspect more people would be interested.
Donkey Kong Bananza Should Have The Same Legacy As BOTW
It Should Be As Fondly Remembered
Despite not being a particularly big Donkey Kong fan, nor typically fond of games more targeted towards children, and regardingBreath of the Wildas the third-best game of all time,I still strongly believe thatDonkey Kong Bananzashould end up with the same legacy asBOTW. By that, I mean that it should receive the same never-ending media attention nearly a decade later, placed firmly in the halls of the greatest games ever made, and lauded as another genre and likely industry-defining experience that all should take inspiration from.
Naturally, all of that only applies if the game ends up being good, which, if thesurprisingDonkey Kong BananzaDirectis anything to go by, it almost certainly will be.I hope that future platformers take a look at whatDonkey Kong Bananzais doingand, while not emulating it verbatim, recognize its advancements and innovations and take on board its key lessons, much like how open-world games have learned extensively fromBOTWand aim to replicate its success. Its level of creativity and innovation inspires me and gives me hope for the future of this industry.
Bananzafeels like everything thatWorldisn’t, especially as the newMario Kart, while obviously excellent, lacks the surprise and innovation that the newDonkey Konggame offers.
Frankly, I’m amazed thatDonkey Kong Bananzaisn’t the first $80 Switch 2 game, as it seems to be offering more value thanMario Kart World. In fact,Bananzafeels like everything thatWorldisn’t, especially as the newMario Kart, while excellent, lacks the surprise and innovation that the newDonkey Konggame offers. I never expected to get this passionate over a Donkey Kong game, especially as I never cared about him beforeDonkey Kong Bananza, but this game looks far too good not to be a little hyped about it and sing its praises to the world.
