Donkey Kong's Back in 3D, and Critics are Going Bananas for 'Bananza' (Switch 2 Exclusive!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Donkey Kong Bananza, a Switch 2 exclusive, is getting rave reviews ahead of its launch, with critics praising its 3D platforming goodness and interactive environments -- sounds like DK is back with a bang! But what does this mean for the future of Nintendo?
Alright, gather 'round, folks, because the gaming gods have spoken – or rather, the critics have. Donkey Kong, that lovable ape with a penchant for barrels, is making a triumphant return to the world of 3D platforming with *Donkey Kong Bananza*, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. And fair dinkum, the early buzz is louder than a jet-powered DK barrel blast!
According to *Game Rant*, who broke the story, ahead of its July 17th launch, *Donkey Kong Bananza* is already swinging its way to the top of the review charts. We're talking Metacritic scores of 90 and OpenCritic averages of 91, both with 100% positive reviews from a gaggle of critics. Crikey! That's higher than my score on the last barrel blast course I attempted (don't ask).
Early praise is being flung at the game's interactive environments, its energetic soundtrack, its shiny new gameplay mechanics, and Donkey Kong himself, who apparently has more expressions than I do after a particularly potent cup of coffee. The only niggles seem to be around potential performance issues, but Nintendo's already promised a day-one patch to smooth things out. Sounds familiar, right?
Now, here's the kicker. While *Donkey Kong Bananza* was originally planned for the Switch 1, the enhanced power of the Switch 2 is supposedly a major factor in how much folks are enjoying the game. Meaning those of you holding out for the new console might just have a killer app to look forward to.
It’s been a while since Donkey Kong's had a proper 3D outing (Donkey Kong 64 was way back in '99, for crying out loud!), so expectations are high. But according to the early reviews, this could be a proper return to form for the big ape. And Nintendo has already teased the possibility of future 2D and 3D Donkey Kong games if *Donkey Kong Bananza* does well, which could set the tone for more releases in the beloved franchise.
Right now, *Donkey Kong Bananza* is sitting pretty at number six on Metacritic's list of highest-rated games of 2025. Not too shabby, eh? Though with *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* and *Breath of the Wild* (both Switch 2 Editions, mind you) hogging the top spots, DK's got some serious competition.
Will *Donkey Kong Bananza* live up to the hype in the long run? Only time will tell. But for now, it looks like Donkey Kong is back, and he's ready to reclaim his crown as king of the jungle… or at least, king of the Switch 2.
Tags: Donkey Kong, Nintendo Switch 2, Platformer, Game Reviews, Exclusives
Original article: Game Rant