Donkey Kong Bananza’s Co-op Mode Lets Your Kid Wield a Bazooka—and Chaos Ensues!
Donkey Kong Bananza’s Co-op Mode: A Wild Ride for Parents and Kids Alike
Donkey Kong Bananza is a nostalgic Nintendo 3D platformer from the GameCube era, bringing back memories of classics like Super Mario Sunshine and Wario World. But what really stands out is its chaotic co-op mode designed for parents playing alongside younger kids who might struggle with full 3D controls.
- Co-op mode lets player two control Pauline, blasting enemies from Donkey Kong’s shoulders.
- Player two wields a powerful bazooka with unlimited ammo, causing hilarious chaos.
- The mode doubles as a playful griefing tool and a serious gameplay advantage.
- Using two single Joy-Cons for co-op can lead to frustrating control issues.
Simple Co-op, Big Impact
Activating co-op from the main menu lets a second player take control of Pauline, who sits on Donkey Kong’s shoulders. Instead of running around, player two uses mouse-like controls to aim and fire rocks at enemies and obstacles. This helper mode is perfect for younger kids, letting them join in without the stress of complex character movement.
Player Two Packs a Punch… or a Bazooka
But Donkey Kong Bananza doesn’t stop at a simple helper tool. Player two gets a bazooka that shoots massive blasts—each shot feels about ten times stronger than Donkey Kong’s punches, with no ammo limit or cooldown. Every blast is punctuated by giant on-screen words like “Yeah!” making it feel like a weapon of mass destruction in your kid’s hands.
Warning: handing your child the second Joy-Con is basically giving them the power to wreak havoc. They can blow up the ground beneath Donkey Kong or trap him in holes, forcing the ape to punch his way out of whatever mess was created. It’s a hilarious but brutal way to play together.
The Best Griefing Tool Ever?
This mode might have been designed for kids, but it quickly becomes a griefing playground. It even outdoes The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker’s infamous bomb-dropping Game Boy Advance feature in making you want to throw your controller at a friend. Of course, player two can also help out if they want to—though most won’t choose to be that cooperative.
Playing through Sublayer 101 with a partner showed that the co-op mode can unlock serious speedrun potential. Player two’s ability to snipe enemies from afar and manipulate the environment can quickly solve puzzles and defeat bosses. If Donkey Kong Bananza appears at future Games Done Quick events, expect this co-op mode to be a speedrunning staple.
Controller Setup Matters
One important tip: don’t try co-op with just two single Joy-Cons. Because of limited buttons, the controls get split awkwardly, giving player two control over the camera and map. Coordinating camera angles with a kid (or anyone) quickly turns into a chaotic mess, requiring coordination only seen in giant robot pilots.
Final Thoughts
Even though it’s a bit messy, the co-op mode in Donkey Kong Bananza is a blast. Sometimes multiplayer is about teamwork, but more often it’s about sharing laughs and a little friendly chaos. Bananza’s co-op mode leans heavily into the latter, making it a memorable and entertaining experience for families.
