Donkey Kong Bananza: A Jungle Journey with a Twist

The Challenge of the Forest Layer

Donkey Kong Bananza is a fun game where you smash things and eat bananas. But things get tough when you reach the Forest Layer, a poison swamp that feels way harder than it should be.

It's like comparing a walk in the park to a hike through a toxic waste dump.
The poison hurts a lot.
Sudden spikes and enemies make it even harder.

But the real issue is that the game's special powers, called Bananazas, aren't used as much as they should be.

The Power of Bananzas

The Bananazas let Donkey Kong transform into different animals, each with unique abilities:

Zebra Bananza: Makes DK super fast.
Ostrich Bananza: Lets him fly.

However, most of the game doesn't really need these powers. You can smash through levels without using them much. The game feels like it's missing out on what makes the Bananzas special.

The Best Parts of the Game

The most fun parts of the game are when you get to use the Bananzas more, like in the post-game levels. These levels are made of tough material, so you can't smash everything. Instead, you have to use the Bananzas to solve puzzles and get past obstacles.

It's a shame the main game doesn't have more of this.

A Game with Untapped Potential

Donkey Kong Bananza is still a great game. It's fun to smash things and explore. But it feels like the Bananzas could have been used more.

Imagine if the whole game was designed around these powers.
It would be like if Mario could only use a few of his hats in Super Mario Odyssey, or if Link couldn't climb in Breath of the Wild.
The game would feel different, but maybe even better.

The Forest Layer: A Reminder of What Could Be

The Forest Layer made me think about all this. It's not the best part of the game, but it did make me appreciate the Bananzas more. Maybe the poison swamp isn't so bad after all. It's a reminder that the game could have been even more exciting with more focus on these special powers.