When the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct launched, it also brought a trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza, which is the first completely new Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze came out in 2014. After more than a decade of sitting idle, the iconic ape returns in a 3-D platformer that looks like it will also have some open-world elements. There is a lot to like in the trailer, so let’s look at five of the most Kong-tastic ways the Donkey Kong Bananza has us excited for the ape’s return.
1. Donkey Kong Bananza Looks Gorgeous
It appears that the developers have outdone themselves in the graphics department, taking advantage of the Switch 2’s more powerful specs. The environments look bright, colorful, and detailed, feeling a bit reminiscent of the cell-shaded graphics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This should make exploring incredibly satisfactory since, like in Breath of the Wild, the player might want to run around just to see what sort of beauty the next environment has to offer.
2. Donkey Kong Smash!
Of course, the only thing more fun than exploring a gorgeous video game world is destroying it. Everyone knows the satisfaction of a good video game punch, and the trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza shows Donkey Kong punching through everything. He mows through enemies with his fists, punches through stone walls, and even smashes into the ground itself, which should make for some great destructive fun.
3. A Sentient Gem Companion
From the living cap Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey to the sword spirit Fi in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Nintendo has always known how to make companions memorable. In Donkey Kong Bananza, Donkey Kong meets a living purple gem that attaches itself to his shoulder (ow). What will this gem’s story be? Does it give Donkey Kong new powers? We don’t know yet, but we’re definitely intrigued.
4. 3-D Mine Cart Rides
Ever since the “Mine Cart Carnage” level in the first Donkey Kong Country game, riding on mine carts has been one of the most heart-stopping elements of the Donkey Kong series. In the Donkey Kong Bananza trailer, we see Donkey Kong riding a mine cart in a glorious 3-D environment. Given how the mine cart levels in the Donkey Kong Country games provide the perfect combination of exhilaration and frustration, players can probably expect a thrilling roller coaster ride when hopping on a mine cart in Donkey Kong Bananza.
5. Do I See Some Side-Scrolling?
Ever since the Donkey Kong Country series debuted on the Super Nintendo, the series has had some of the most innovative side-scrolling levels in video game history, and even though Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3-D game, one shot in the trailer looks like it will also be paying homage to the classic Donkey Kong Country games. It shows Donkey Kong hopping through what looks like a familiar Donkey Kong Country-style side-scrolling jungle level. While this is only one shot, it probably means we can expect a combination of 3-D exploration and old-school 2-D goodness.
Conclusion
It looks like Donkey Kong will be making a glorious return. The graphics are beautiful, and Donkey Kong’s punch already feels satisfying even without playing the game. Donkey Kong Bananza comes out on July 17th, and it already promises to be an epic adventure.
