Donkey Kong Bananza: An Exciting New Adventure (Up to SL 600, Anyway!)

Alright folks, gather 'round, because we need to talk about Donkey Kong Bananza. Yes, you heard that right. The new Donkey Kong game, and let me tell you, it's not just another banana-collecting chase. I've been swinging through the jungle, scaling mountains, and, let's be honest, punching everything in sight, and I'm here to give you my thoughts, strictly up to my current progress at SL 600.

The Story

Without spoiling too much, you're Donkey Kong (DK) who's currently a miner deep underground, doing your typical day to day on the clock. Things change suddenly and before you know it, you're battling a group of enemies (not to be named for spoilers sake) within each sublayer you find your hero diving into! 

Although I don't know the ultimate plot of this title, it's clear to me, you bring your fists and your britches on this fun filled adventure. You also are given a handy sidekick for the entirety of the game in the form of Pauline, from when she was young! 

Big Changes

First off, let's address the most significant new feature: the open world. Fucking W. Nintendo, you absolute geniuses! After years of linear platforming perfection (which, don't get me wrong, we love!), Bananza throws the classics aside, to a sprawling, vibrant, and surprisingly vertical world. I've spent hours just exploring, finding hidden nooks, and getting delightfully lost. It's a breath of fresh air, like a cool breeze after a particularly challenging barrel blast. You're not just moving from left to right; you're truly adventuring. I've found myself getting lost in each area versus rushing to the next, and if that's not saying somethin' I don't know what is!

The feeling of this game, even just up to SL 600, is solid and refreshing. It feels like the Donkey Kong we know and love, but with a modern twist that doesn't sacrifice its soul. Recent DK titles, while fun, sometimes felt a little... predictable. Bananza, however, feels like genuine upgrade. The controls are tight, the platforming challenges are inventive, and every new area feels distinct and exciting. It's like they took all the best bits of DK's history, threw them into a blender with some magical open-world dust, and out popped this glorious, well-blended game.

The Vibe

The humor is classic DK, too. From the silly and wild enemy designs to the subtle visual gags, it's clear the developers had a blast making this. I particularly enjoy the heavy hitting sound effects alongside the karaoke given vibes this title brings. It feels very in-your-face with heavy impact, which aligns strongly with the punch DK brings as a character.

The character designs blended with the power ups DK receives during his adventure really give the game its unique feel. Each new ability seems just as cool as the last. 

Now, I haven't seen everything this game has to offer beyond SL 600, but what I have experienced has been nothing short of fantastic. The sheer scale of the world, the joy of discovery, and the classic Donkey Kong charm all wrapped up in a wonderfully refreshing package make this a must-play.

COLOR COLOR COLORRRRR

Something about this game just brings good energy. Every world you venture into is bright and brings the saturation to 100%. On top of this, you can literally bring new colors to DK and Pauline. There's unlock-able fits and colors for DKs fur (hair?) as well as outfits that add buffs the characters.

I'm the type that ends up rocking green and black, and well, that's exactly what I ended up with in Bananza. This is a relatively small touch in terms of the BOOM this game brings (they brought all 5 btw) but honestly, I love these small custom opportunities all while punching your way through the story. 

Overall Rating: 9/10

If you're a Donkey Kong fan, or just someone looking for a genuinely fun and expansive platformer, do yourself a favor and dive into Donkey Kong Bananza. Just try not to get too distracted by all the exciting discoveries in the open world. Or do! That's half the fun!