Before playing 'Donkey Kong Bananza', my perception of Donkey Kong was locked firmly in the past: a massive, hulking orangutan serving as the original nemesis to Super Mario. I found the character design lacking in charm, and the clunky, arm-swinging combat style did little to win me over. It took me quite a while to realise that the Donkey Kong competing over Mario and Pauline was an entirely different entity from this one.

Consequently, hearing that Donkey Kong would be the second first-party title to launch after the Nintendo Switch 2 was announced left me feeling rather underwhelmed. The core mechanic of destruction seemed novel, but I feared it would grow stale quickly. Even during my hands-on session at the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase early this year, it felt more like a tech demo highlighting the console's capability to render crumbling objects than a substantial game. However, the development team behind Donkey Kong Bananza has since turned that indifference into genuine applause.

The protagonist of Donkey Kong Bananza is, quite predictably, Donkey Kong. Staying true to the lore that the character has a voracious appetite for bananas, the game begins with the ape mining 'Banamonds'—banana-shaped gems—deep in the underworld. While these are technically gemstones, they taste just like the finest bananas, and Donkey Kong frequently struggles with the urge to smash and devour them whenever one appears.

This underworld is invaded by a group known as the 'Void Company'. Their objective, too, is the Banamond; they intend to process the gems into energy to reach the planet's core, the centre of the star. Donkey Kong and the village monkeys are robbed of all their Banamonds, and their mining base, Ingot Island, is driven deep underground. To make matters worse, parts of the island are encased in a mysterious substance planted by the Void Company, rendering them indestructible.

While navigating the island to resolve this, Donkey Kong encounters a small, talking, singing rock companion. Together, they use the power of song to shatter the Void Company's impenetrable seals. Later, when the first 'Bananza'—a power of transformation—is acquired, the rock companion's seal breaks, revealing the true form trapped inside: a 13-year-old girl named 'Pauline'. Donkey Kong seeks to reclaim the stolen bananas, while Pauline aims to return to the surface, leading both to pursue the Void gang toward the star's centre, where wishes are said to come true.

The narrative heart of the game is Pauline, not Donkey Kong. Pauline provides the power of song, acting as a guide and facilitating the transformation mechanics. During downtime at rest areas, Pauline offers delightful dialogue, such as questioning why ostriches can't fly, which brings a smile to your face. If this were a solo Donkey Kong title, the goal would be a simple banana hunt; however, Pauline’s inclusion adds depth, and through two distinct endings, the narrative of a girl finding her dreams is fully realised.

Platformers and sandbox-style destruction rarely go hand in hand. Platformers usually rely on stable surfaces to jump between, while sandbox destruction tends to ruin those very platforms. Donkey Kong Bananza manages to pull off this unlikely marriage.

Donkey Kong can swing those fists to smash through ground and rock, uncovering various items. The primal satisfaction of this destruction is so high that I often found myself stopping, not to reach my destination, but just to wreck the surrounding area. The stages are incredibly vast; while the main story areas are focused, the remainder of the map is filled with small quests, challenges, and the pure catharsis of smashing everything in sight.

Simultaneously, the game succeeds as a platformer. Most platforms can be smashed or lifted as debris, and some sections require you to use this to your advantage. For instance, in the 'Hamburger Factory' stage, there are moving salt platforms that you must handle with extreme care. You need to pick up the salt carefully because the 'bacteria' obstacles in that stage can only be defeated by throwing salt at them.

I was constantly impressed by the creative level design that perfectly balances destruction and platforming: shattering ceilings to let in light, finding hidden areas by breaking floor tiles, using floating rocks as temporary platforms, and seesaw mechanisms that rise as you destroy the opposite side. One caveat: when venturing deep underground or into rock formations, the camera can become restrictive, making it easy to lose your bearings and emerge in unexpected locations.

The crown jewel of any platformer is the special abilities of its characters. In Donkey Kong Bananza, this is 'Bananza'. By channelling the power of Pauline’s songs, Donkey Kong pounds the chest to transform into powerful animals, each offering unique actions. For example, the Kong Bananza can smash through concrete walls and charge up powerful punches, while the Ostrich Bananza allows for temporary flight.

Bananza adds a layer of novelty to movement. The Ostrich, Zebra, and Snake Bananzas remove travel constraints, while the Kong and Elephant Bananzas bypass obstacle limitations. Areas previously unreachable become accessible by running over water as a Zebra or riding currents as an Ostrich. The massive stages are meticulously designed to facilitate this blend of destruction and exploration.

Bananza is also integral to combat and can be used when the Adrenaline Gauge is full. Some enemies are designed to force you to use these abilities. For example, the lava-covered Crocoroids will cause you damage if punched directly. However, if you use the Elephant Bananza to suck up the lava, their soft, vulnerable core is exposed, allowing you to deal damage.

Switching between Bananzas is fluid, which makes for challenging puzzles, though the boss fights can feel a bit trivialised by the sheer power of these transformations. For instance, the Picabruiser boss fight can be wrapped up in 30 seconds using the Elephant’s suction. Consequently, I found the middle-game boss fights, where the Bananza ability is restricted, to be significantly more difficult.

Another unique appeal of Donkey Kong Bananza is its cast of characters and the world they inhabit. As you descend, you meet various species: from other monkeys in the initial water area, to the 'Janglooya', beings made of jewels. Each species corresponding to the Bananzas—ostriches, elephants, zebras, and snakes—adds significant depth and charm to the world.

The Janglooya are particularly central, appearing throughout the game to unify the aesthetic. Unlike other species that respond to your punches with a friendly high-five, the Janglooya shatter upon impact—though they do immediately regenerate. They pop up everywhere, from shops to rest areas, constantly 'jangling' and showcasing their unique cuteness. It’s also quite funny that, despite their innocent appearance, they seem to be rather obsessed with money.

The villains of the Void Company also boast distinct personalities. Poppykong acts as the secretary who seems like the mastermind from the shadows but actually jumps into the fray as a boss. Grumpykong seems like a combatant but is actually the one responsible for building the massive bosses. Both are hard to hate, and the game features a unique structure where you often reconcile with these characters rather than ending the conflict with total destruction.

The soundtrack deserves high praise, elevating the experience further. The ambient music is well-suited to the setting but fairly restrained. In contrast, the music swells into upbeat tracks when Pauline sings to unlock a Bananza, or when you transform. Furthermore, the sound effects for smashing objects, detonating bombs, and landing punches provide a satisfying tactile feedback that complements the action.

Donkey Kong Bananza delivers the high-quality gameplay expected of a Nintendo first-party title. It offers a creative platforming experience built on destruction, backed by punchy combat that keeps the momentum going. Boss fights are engaging, and the difficulty curve in the latter half provides a welcome challenge. The story, too, offers a heartwarming message suitable for players of all ages. Had this been timed with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, it would have been absolutely perfect.