Forget bananas, Nintendo just dropped a bombshell! The masterminds behind Super Mario Odyssey are swinging into action with Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer poised to be the Switch 2’s next must-have title. Tuesday’s deep-dive interview reveals how these platforming pioneers are reinventing the DK universe for the first time since the N64 era. Prepare for a wild ride!
Donkey Kong Bananza throws you into a world begging to be pulverized. Forget delicate platforms; here, everything crumbles under Kong’s might. It’s more than just satisfying destruction; it’s a playground of verticality. Carve your own path, ascend through collapsing structures, and unearth secrets hidden within the ruins. Bananza isn’t just a game; it’s a dynamic showcase of the Switch 2’s raw power, where every swing unleashes a cascade of visual delight.
Nintendo
As with so many other Nintendo creations, the first step in getting there was a no-brainer. Consult with Shigeru Miyamoto.
“We weren’t just seasoned veterans of 3D action gameplay, honed by years onSuper Mario Odysseyand other 3D Mario titles,” confessed producer Kenta Motokura. “We were surgeons staring at a patient. To operate, we needed to understand the very DNA of our subject: Donkey Kong. That meant going straight to the source, seeking the wisdom of Miyamoto-san and Executive Officer Yoshiaki Koizumi. It was time to unravel the Kong Code.”
Miyamoto spotlighted Donkey Kong’s primal instincts the chest-thumping hand slaps, the earth-shaking bellows. Koizumi echoed this, highlighting the ape’s colossal arms, instruments of destruction and improbable feats of strength. And that’s when the spark ignited. The question hung in the air, unspoken yet universally understood: whowouldn’twant to unleash the glorious mayhem of a raging ape?
In Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010), the primal punch of DK against the jungle’s platforms wasn’t just a game mechanic – it was a statement. Shigeru Miyamoto himself pinpointed this ground-shaking move as the explosive genesis of the entire reboot.
(Nintendo / Retro)
The team behind Super Mario Odyssey wasn’t exactly starting from scratch when it came to a little in-game demolition. Remember those gloriously gouda-esque boulders in the Luncheon Kingdom, pulverized to cheesy dust? Or Bowser’s tantrum-fueled tower toppling at the very end? Odyssey had already dipped its toes into the satisfying splash of environmental destruction.
Imagine Goombas, but with fists. Destructive fists. Post-Odyssey, the team dove headfirst into fully destructible environments, an experiment long before Donkey Kong’s return was even a twinkle in their eye. Their wildest idea? Strapping smashing fists onto the humble Goomba and unleashing it into the world. Witness this bizarre and hilarious test yourself – part two of the interview features a short video that’s guaranteed to make you smile.
Behind Donkey Kong’s Blockbuster Breakthrough: Voxels!
Super Mario Odyssey’s secret ingredient halfway through its creation? Voxels, those building blocks of the digital world (3D pixels), were the key. As Motokura put it, the team’s initial experiments, while limited, paved the way for Donkey Kong’s voxel-powered visual spectacle. The proof? “Donkey Kong Bananza” wouldn’t exist without it.
The untold story behindDonkey Kong Bananza? It almost didn’t swing onto the Switch we know and love. In a recent interview, the developers revealed a surprising twist: development began on the original Nintendo Switch. “We originally began developingDonkey Kong Bananzaon Nintendo Switch, but we ran into some challenges,” Motokura admitted. The turning point? Around 2021, the team began exploring the potential of the “Switch 2,” ultimately shifting gears. The visual difference speaks volumes. Check out the comparison image below and witness the leap – the Switch 2 version boasts a richer, more vibrant jungle, a testament to the power of new hardware.
Nintendo
“The shackles are off,” declared Art Director Daisuke Watanabe, his eyes gleaming. “Switch 2’s hardware isn’t just a step up; it’s a portal to a new dimension of gameplay.” Watanabe explained their initial explorations, “We started by dissecting our Switch engine, searching for ways to unleash its potential on the new console.” The breakthrough? Density. “Suddenly, we could flood the world with detail, cram it with interactive elements beyond our wildest dreams.” But it wasn’t just about eye candy. Watanabe grinned. “More objects mean more destruction. Imagine the thrill – a cascading avalanche of debris, a symphony of shattering glass. We’re not just building worlds; we’re handing players the keys to obliteration.”
Nintendo’s interview is a goldmine! Buried within are hints of animal transformations and, intriguingly, Pauline’s involvement. Considering their history, her appearance suggests a remarkable capacity for forgiveness. The interview also charts the fascinating evolution of Donkey Kong’s distinctive, modern art style.
You can visit Nintendo’s website for the full lowdown. Donkey Kong Bananza will be available tomorrow, July 17.
Thanks for reading Donkey Kong Bananzas creators reflect on the games path to delightful destruction
