The Nintendo Switch 2 was presented in detail during the Nintendo Direct on April 2nd. In addition to the console, the Kyoto-based company showed off numerous games, including Mario Kart World. But that wasn't the one that stood out the most. The real surprise of this Direct was Donkey Kong Bananza.
Mario Kart World here, Mario Kart World there. Nintendo's new racing game was clearly the star of the April 2nd Direct. It's true that MK World looks appealing, in addition to being the flagship launch title. But another video game really caught our eye: Donkey Kong Bananza.
Bananza is a 3D action-adventure game, like Nintendo knows how to do so well. It's an original proposition that centers around a very simple gameplay element: destruction. We were able to try it out for about twenty minutes.
What's this antic?
Donkey Kong Bananza is presented as a third-person adventure game. The structure is similar to that of Mario 3D, Odyssey in particular. With our favorite gorilla, we must progress through many levels of varying length. However, reaching the end doesn't necessarily mean victory. The real challenge is finding all the treasures (golden bananas in this case) hidden everywhere. We were able to wander through the first two levels. A mine with a closed design, then the top of a grassy mountain, a much more open and expansive world. On paper, it's something very classic. We find our Mario Odyssey reflexes with the controller in hand, with ultra-precise and simple movements. But then why did Donkey Kong take the plumber's place? Because there's an interesting twist to the gameplay: you can smash everything!
Also read – We tried Mario Kart World, we got crushed, but we liked it. Our impressions of the future hit for the Nintendo Switch 2
Red Faction Gorilla
Donkey Kong isn't exactly a subtle character. He's a brute who likes to wreck havoc on everything in his path. This is exactly where Bananza shines. Our monkey can smash through the walls of the levels. Absolutely all of them. In an extremely satisfying burst of violence, you can completely level a hill or dig tunnels to your heart's content. It's theoretically possible to flatten an entire level. This technology is not new, having already been used twenty years ago in the august Red Faction, and is still used today in certain titles like Enshrouded.
It's with the controller in hand that we understand the full interest of this mechanic. DK Bananza is not a simple platformer. The very design of the game is focused on destruction, with buried secrets to be discovered everywhere. Golden bananas hidden underground like archaeological treasures. Cavities placed here and there. Bonuses right on the cliffs. Better still, the level design makes certain objectives inaccessible, forcing us to dig to avoid obstacles. Clever.
Donkey Kong sets himself a mine
During the first level, the mine, we were able to deviate from the marked path to dig new tunnels. This allowed us to discover treasures, but also other well-hidden places. There's an extremely satisfying side to seeing our hero progress in this way amidst debris flying in all directions. We applaud the console's technology, which never falters in the face of our antics, as well as the camera which, thanks to a well-thought-out transparency effect, doesn't make the action illegible. We played on a 4K TV and the title remained fluid at 60 fps, while being rather attractive to the eye. It's the flexibility of the world that impresses, since it's possible to ravage everything without bugs or graphical absurdities. In this respect, Bananza is reminiscent of a certain Tears of the Kingdom, which brilliantly managed the players' crazy creations.
The second, more open level adds a new layer to this gameplay. For example, we have the ability to pick up chunks of earth and throw them at enemies (who can also be beaten up the old-fashioned way). Obviously, the detached piece leaves a hole in the ground that never fills. Furthermore, explosive rocks are placed everywhere, allowing for even greater destruction. Another interesting detail is that the enemies skillfully play with this gameplay. Upon stumbling upon a bonus arena, we came face to face with two monsters protected by a stone shell. The only way to reach them? Throw bombs at them and then hit them. Great fun!
Without realizing it, we ravaged the entire level to progress. The beautiful hills ended up upside down. What a pleasure to dig in the middle of a mountain to find a banana or a lost friend of Donkey Kong, then to come out on the other side! Bananza brings that excitement so typical of Nintendo games, and does it perfectly. We didn't see the 20 minutes go by.
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Not a launch game, but almost
Donkey Kong Bananza will be an exclusive game for the Switch 2. However, it won't be available at the console's launch on June 5th. Nintendo has in fact set its release date to July 17th. In any case, it's clearly the title that has won us over the most so far.
A classic video game on paper that reveals all its fun with the controller in hand. Donkey Kong Bananza has every chance of being the big surprise of the summer and one of the flagship games of the Switch 2 in its first months of life.
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