Donkey Kong Bananza has emerged as a remarkable critical success, garnering high ratings and widespread acclaim from players. This achievement is particularly notable as Nintendo has deviated somewhat from its traditional development methods that have historically positioned the company at the forefront of the gaming industry.
While Donkey Kong is a beloved figure among gamers, he does not belong to the elite group of characters—like Mario and Link—that have been pivotal in building Nintendo’s legacy. The success of this new title might signal the beginning of a refreshing new era for the franchise.
Launched exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, Donkey Kong Bananza has quickly become one of the top-rated games of 2025. With an impressive average score of 91 on OpenCritic and a remarkable 100 percent recommendation rate, it surpasses even the acclaimed Mario Kart World.
Although it was not released concurrently with the Switch 2’s June 5 launch, Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to be remembered as the console’s first major success. One interesting aspect of this game’s release is its divergence from the established Mario and Legend of Zelda franchises, which have characterized previous console launches.
Since the NES era, Mario games have typically dominated the spotlight. With Donkey Kong securing his place as a major player in an open-world game on the Switch 2, players can expect more diversity among Nintendo’s flagship characters.
The popularity of Donkey Kong Bananza transcends its well-known protagonist and his companion, Pauline. Nintendo’s rich history of delivering high-quality action-adventure games shines through, with DK’s legacy dating back to Donkey Kong Country on the SNES.
However, the innovative mechanics introduced in Bananza offer players a fresh experience, demonstrating Nintendo’s willingness to innovate and take risks. Surprisingly, the development of Donkey Kong Bananza took nearly eight years to complete, as revealed by producer Kenta Motokura.
The long period of secrecy surrounding the project suggests that Nintendo was confident in its potential, and the game’s success might inspire a resurgence of other beloved characters within the gaming landscape.