100
Kyle Barr
Gizmodo
“I can feel my heart lift as I play Donkey Kong Bananza.”
Critical Assessment
What Critics Praise
- Engaging Smash Mechanic
- Rich World Building
- Catchy Audio
- Smashing terrain is satisfying
- Fresh subversion of platforming
- Simple touching story
Points of Contention
- Repetitive level structure
- Underutilized transformations
- Occasional Frame Rate Drops
- Unwieldy Camera When Underground
- Limited Control Usage
- Climbing Controls
Professional Reviews
6 reviews from 6 critics92
Alex Perry
Mashable
“Combine that with clever level design and a wonderfully charming pair of heroes at the center of the story, and you get the Switch 2’s first stone-cold banger.”
90
Jesse Lennox
Digital Trends
Donkey Kong Bananza is a confident subversion of the 3D platformer genre that rewards creative destruction and offers a fresh experience. While the game becomes formulaic near the end and some transformations feel underutilized, it remains highly recommended for players seeking innovation.
90
Jordan Minor
PCMag
“By swapping the little plumber for the big ape, Donkey Kong Bananza delivers a potent blend of action, creative level design, and environmental destruction that boldly reinvents the blockbuster Nintendo platformer formula.”
85
Engadget
Donkey Kong Bananza delivers a satisfying and unique smash-centric gameplay loop within a vibrant, well-crafted world. While the tutorial can feel repetitive and the mechanics may lack depth for genre purists, the game's polish and charm make it an instant classic.
60
Dashiell Wood
TechRadar
“It’s a fun little extra that would’ve made for a fantastic free update, but it's certainly not worth the relatively steep asking price.”