Donkey Kong Bananza gains acclaim from critics

Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 exclusive is gaining critical acclaim and momentum for Game of the Year.

Donkey Kong Bananza emerges as Game of the Year contender

Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s new exclusive for the Switch 2, is generating rave reviews and high ratings. Currently, it boasts a score of 91 on OpenCritic and 90 on Metacritic. IGN praised it with a perfect 10/10 rating, calling it a groundbreaking platformer. However, Eurogamer's review was more tempered, highlighting its inconsistencies. This game is especially significant as it is the first Donkey Kong title developed in-house in Japan in 20 years. As it stands, Bananza is in contention for the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards in December, alongside other top titles from 2025.

The reception of Donkey Kong Bananza signals a renewed focus on the beloved character and his franchise. Positive reviews not only enhance the game's prestige but also underline a shift in Nintendo's strategy to develop more in-house games that resonate with both traditional and new audiences. Given the past success of platformers at award shows, along with the current landscape that favors innovative storytelling, Bananza may challenge genre biases that previously sidelined family-oriented games.

Highlights

As Donkey Kong Bananza steps into the spotlight, it will be interesting to see if it can sustain its momentum until the awards.