How Donkey Kong Bananza Convinced Me to Invest In A Nintendo Switch 2

I begin by saying that Sega was never in my gaming lineup. I’ve been a Nintendo fan from a young age, starting with the NES and Super Nintendo.

Since the Nintendo 64’s debut in 1996, I’ve been dedicated to buying each new Nintendo console as soon as it hits the shelves.

Well, it wasn’t just about having the latest console model; what really mattered were the games. In particular, the first-party Nintendo games released at launch or soon after were what I cared about most.

A few of my top-loved series include Metroid, Zelda, and Mario. If new games are coming and I have to purchase a new console to play them, that’s exactly what I will go through.

I was somewhat let down when Nintendo finally confirmed Switch 2 a few weeks back, especially because Metroid Prime 4, announced way back in 2017, didn’t come with a release date.

Although the new Mario Kart game was exciting news, I’ve usually been more into Mario’s non-kart adventures. Then Donkey Kong Bananza appeared, feeling a lot like a Mario game but starring Donkey Kong instead.

How Donkey Kong Bananza Convinced Me to Invest In A Nintendo Switch 2

Every game looked promising, but none screamed urgency for me to get a Switch 2 ASAP. So when Nintendo offered a demo session, I wanted to try the games and figure out if any made the launch effort worth it.

Did any of the games make me want to buy the Switch 2? Without a doubt. The answer’s in the headline: Donkey Kong Bananza, even from a short 20-minute playthrough of the first two levels, has classic potential written all over it.

Finally, an open-world Mario game I’ve been waiting on—and starring Donkey Kong just adds an extra layer of excitement.

Donkey Kong lets you explore every corner, smashing through all barriers. See a wall? Break it to uncover new depths. Standing on the ground? Smash it and reveal how deep the world goes beneath you.

You’re able to rip rocks from cliffs and hurl them, climb walls, and smash while doing it. Thanks to these mechanics, the levels are way more expansive than they appear since you can explore below and within the terrain.

After playing, it felt like the possibilities were endless, and as soon as I had to stop, I was sold. I’ll be buying a Switch 2 right away to enjoy this game all the way through.

The Switch 2 arrives June 5, but Donkey Kong Bananza won’t be out until July 17. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was playable at the showcase but hasn’t been assigned a release date yet.

Regardless of when it launches, I’ll be snagging it right away. Playing as Samus Aran, you blast bad guys, curl into a ball, and shoot missiles at metroids.

The initial ten minutes we experienced were like reconnecting with a long-time friend—familiar and enjoyable, though not particularly surprising.

Exploring the world freely was the best feature for me. Mario Kart World doesn’t lock you into races, and driving around felt like being in a throwback Mario game.

There were plenty of power-ups to find, unique areas to explore, and awesome jumps off the standard path. I kept turning around and going the other way just to see what secrets I could stumble across.

Similar to my experience with Metroid, Mario Kart World didn’t shock me — but it did impress. It’s the same great formula fans love, with a few exciting twists. Nothing earth-shattering, just pure, enjoyable racing.

Although the event featured several games, these few stood out to me—and I’m really glad I played them. They’ve convinced me that the Switch 2, while technically a sequel, is ready to steal the spotlight. The system releases June 5.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Also Read: Donkey Kong Bananza: Here’s What We’ve Learned About the Switch 2’s Big 3D Adventure