If you weren’t already getting hyped forDonkey Kong Bananza, it’s now totally safe to do so.
Last week in Manhattan at aclosed doors hands-on preview eventfor the new Donkey Kong game, Nintendo confirmed thatBananzais made by the same developers of 2017’s all-time platforming great, Super Mario Odyssey.
TheOdysseyteam has been cooking up a new 3D platformer for many years now, and their hard work has come to fruition in what’s likely going to become the new bar for the genre, judging by what we have seen and played.
Following the recent Nintendo Direct, which detailedBananza, many assumed that theOdysseyteam was behind it due to the game’s scope and quality. When those of us in attendance were told that this was indeed the case, the game took on a whole new aura. And then we got to play it.
Super Mario Odysseyis one of the most beloved 3D platformers of all time, andDonkey Kong Bananzais destined for the same fate. It’s an absolute joy to play, as it brings forthOdyssey’sopen-world greatness and combines it with Donkey Kong’s lovable oafishstrength to create something new.
Bananzacombines the massive, joyous open world ofOdysseywith Donkey Kong’s three core tenets, as described by Nintendo reps on hand: wild, powerful, and silly. All three are felt within gameplay as DK smashes his way through the open world, terraforming it and discovering treasures, unlockables, and new abilities throughout each massive map as he progresses the story with a younger version ofOdyssey’sPauline in tow.
DK’s wildness is offset and supplemented by Pauline’s fully-voiced charm, his powerful nature is felt with every single terraforming punch, and his silliness is paramount through each interaction with other characters throughout the game. Everything combines to create something that feels truly special so far, in what Nintendo reps on hand described as a “can’t-miss moment” in gaming. Thus far, I’m inclined to agree.
Pauline and DK combining for his Bananza powers, where he’s able to channel the abilities of other animals like an ostrich or zebra, is reminiscent ofOdyssey’sCappy and his Capture ability. While not quite the same, it’s easy to see that title’s DNA within the new game in features like this.
I only got toplayDK Bananzafor a few hoursso far, but I know thatOdysseyfans and Nintendo gamers everywhere will be thrilled with what the team has cooked up for Donkey Kong when it drops on July 17.
