Donkey Kong's 'Bananza' Was Cooked Up After Odyssey, But Needed New Switch's Muscle to Make it Smash!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer focused on chain destruction, began development after Super Mario Odyssey but needed the power of the newer Switch to truly realize its explosive potential. Nintendo are all in on the Kong!
Right, so Donkey Kong's about to go absolutely bananas (pun intended, naturally) in a new 3D adventure called 'Donkey Kong Bananza,' and apparently, it's been simmering on the back burner since *Super Mario Odyssey* wrapped up. That's according to an interview Eurogamer spotted with the game's producer, Kenta Motokura, who told La Vanguardia that the team felt the time was ripe to unleash DK's particular brand of mayhem.
Motokura was a bit cagey on the *exact* timeline, but confirmed development kicked off after Mario's globe-trotting adventure. Now, here's where it gets interesting. According to director Kazuya Takahashi, all the delicious environmental destruction we've seen in trailers wouldn't have been possible on the original Switch. We're talking chain reactions of collapsing structures, folks! Takahashi mentioned the Switch 2's extra grunt allows for loads more destructible objects on screen, fancier materials, and generally bigger explosions. Sounds like they’re really amping up the “feeling of satisfaction” you get from smashing stuff - which, let's be honest, is a core element of any good Donkey Kong experience.
Think of it like this: on the original Switch, DK could maybe knock over a stack of coconuts. But on the new Switch? He's leveling entire ancient temples in a glorious cascade of crumbling bricks and bewildered Kritters. Different gravy, innit?
It's worth noting that the *Super Mario Odyssey* team is the brains behind this operation, so expectations are sky-high. And if that wasn’t enough DK news for one day, remember that Nintendo also just registered a copyright for a Donkey Kong film. Seems like the big ape is ready for his close-up – after Mario gets his sequel and Link has his moment in the limelight, of course.
All this begs the question: is this a calculated move to showcase the new Switch's power? Absolutely. Are we still excited to see Donkey Kong wreck everything in sight? Fair dinkum we are!
Tags: Donkey Kong, Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey, Platformer, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer