Donkey Kong 'Bananza' Beatdown: One Mad Lad Just Did a No-Banana Run (And Lived to Tell the Tale)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Some absolute legend has already finished *Donkey Kong Bananza* on the Switch 2 without picking up a single banana, proving that sometimes the best way to play a game is the weirdest way possible. It's a testament to the game's design, I reckon.
Alright, buckle up, mates, because this is proper bananas (pun intended, obviously). IGN South Africa reports that someone's already conquered *Donkey Kong Bananza* on the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2 without touching a single… you guessed it… banana. That's right, AKfamilyhome, a legend in the making, shared their astonishing feat on X (formerly known as that bird site), declaring it a “fun challenge”. I reckon that’s putting it mildly.
Now, before you start thinking this was achieved through some dodgy glitch or clipping exploit (we've all seen those speedruns where DK teleports through walls), AKfamilyhome did it the old-fashioned way: sheer skill and a healthy dose of avoidance. This means no extra hearts, no souped-up abilities. Just pure, unadulterated Kong power. Fair dinkum!
"I skipped Zebra Bananza and didn't have the ostrich glide, but there are still certain parts that can be bypassed with the right movement," they explained. It sounds like a puzzle in itself, figuring out how to navigate Nintendo's brilliantly crafted levels without the golden fruit we've all come to rely on. I'm picturing some Indiana Jones-level escapes, narrowly avoiding banana peels like they're booby traps.
Apparently, the early game is smooth sailing, but things get spicy later on. "It's pretty much smooth sailing at the start, figuring out some neat ways to bypass certain sections during the mid-game, and then suddenly the endgame forces you to lock in because you die in 1-2 hits," AKfamilyhome revealed. Sounds terrifying, right?
Now, the big question: Does Nintendo reward this level of dedication? Does Kong himself offer a knowing wink? Sadly, no unique dialogue appears if you skip the bananas, BUT there *is* special dialogue for skipping one of the *Bananzas*. So, maybe next time, eh?
This begs the question: What happens when players intentionally break games? What drives someone to impose such a bizarre restriction on themselves? Is it simply the thrill of the challenge? The pursuit of bragging rights? Or maybe, just maybe, it's a sign that *Donkey Kong Bananza* is so brilliantly designed that it can be enjoyed in entirely unforeseen ways.
IGN's review gave *Donkey Kong Bananza* a perfect 10/10, praising its “satisfying movement, powerful abilities, impressive destructible environments, and clever challenges.” And that's certainly high praise!
*Donkey Kong Bananza* dropped last week exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. And while speedrunners are already tearing through the game in under two hours, AKfamilyhome's banana-less run is a testament to the game's depth and replayability. It's not just about getting to the end; it's about *how* you get there. Perhaps it's time to dust off the Switch 2 and give this challenge a whirl. What's the worst that could happen?
Tags: Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo Switch 2, Challenge Run, Speedrunning, Platformer
Original article: IGN South Africa