Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2: Why It’s 2025’s Only Masterpiece (So Far)

When was the last time a Donkey Kong game rolled out and the internet didn’t treat it like the second coming of, well, Mario? Not recently. Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 is officially IGN’s only 10/10 masterpiece for 2025—making it the bragging champ of the Nintendo Switch 2’s early library. Let’s break down why Donkey Kong’s latest adventure just stole the crown, ate the bananas, and left everybody else picking up their jaws (and, probably, joycons).

1. Donkey Kong Bananza Is Literally a Masterpiece

It’s not every day you see IGN throw a perfect 10/10 at anything that isn’t glitched into internet legend territory. But Donkey Kong Bananza swings in, punches expectations in the face, and delivers a 3D platformer that’s as dense with ideas as a Black Friday cart full of amiibos. If you were hoping DK would just phone it in, you should’ve known better. The guy has more moves than your local dancing TikTok teens.

2. The Switch 2 Is Starved for Must-Plays… Until Now

Here’s a sobering stat: Switch 2 only has two big original games right now—Mario Kart World Tour and Bananza. And while racing Mario is nice, monkey business is just more fun. You want something that makes people jealous of your shiny new console? Bananza is how you do that.

3. DK Ditches the Mario Formula, Crushes It Anyway

Nintendo had the audacity to give Mario the bench for this generation’s first 3D platformer. Did it work? Uh, yeah. DK’s huge, expressive movement set, his chunky power-ups, and the underground, destructible world design make Mario’s last outing look…well, a bit vanilla. It’s slick, smart, and most importantly, feels fresh as hell.

4. Bananza’s World Is a Playground for Grown-Ups and Kids

The campaign is 20 hours of brilliant platforming that literally gets deeper the further you go—hello, “Planet Core.” It’s chunky, layered, and so packed with clever puzzles and collectibles, you’ll lose four hours wandering without even realizing how many times you’ve called DK a hairy god.

5. Pauline’s Back and Actually Useful

Yeah, you read that right. Pauline isn’t just belting the same catchy tunes—she’s right with you, adding brains to DK’s brawn. It’s about time our guy got more than just a captive damsel.

6. Only the Best Get Masterpiece Status (Sorry, Doom and Death Stranding)

2025 has served up some bangers: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2, and Doom: The Dark Ages. All brilliant, none quite masterpiece material. Bananza stood alone at the top, even with multiple reviewers and fierce competition. Honestly, the only thing more stacked than this competition is DK’s obvious protein intake.

7. Buy It in an Hour—If You’re Fast Enough

Want it now? Don’t bother sweating through retail aisles—just order online at Best Buy (or, if you enjoy pain, Walmart). Pick it up in under an hour. Don’t expect a deal, though: that banana tax is going to stay in effect until Black Friday. But hey, Best Buy rewards points or cashback soften the sting. Sort of.

• Order online, pick up in an hour
• Don’t expect a sale before November
• Rack up rewards if you’re into that sort of thing

8. The Switch 2—Still Worth It?

If you’re on the fence, you’re not alone. For the record, our Nintendo Switch 2 review called it “a vital but unexciting upgrade.” Not mind-blowing, but paired with Bananza? Suddenly a lot more tempting. (If you want to see a console that actually provoked some debate, check out our Stormgate review—now that game stirs people up.)

9. Destructible Worlds, Smarter Puzzles

This isn’t collectathon hell. Every hidden nook or destructible wall feels intentional—like Nintendo grew up a bit but still left some bananas lying around for us to smugly discover.

10. DK’s Got the Funk—and the Future

There’s momentum here. Nintendo could have gone safe. They didn’t. Bananza’s success means we might get a whole new era of Donkey Kong games that don’t treat Mario as the only cash cow. And that’s a future worth getting excited about.

Should You Buy Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2?

If you have a Switch 2 and want an actual reason to turn it on, Donkey Kong Bananza is your only “must-have” game so far in 2025. It’s dense, brilliant, and as fun as anything Nintendo’s put out in a decade. Get it before the next big exclusive launches—or before someone spoils the best puzzles on TikTok. Your move.