Why I’m Ignoring Rare’s Donkey Kong Era and Excited for Bananza’s Fresh Take

The Rare Donkey Kong era is something I’m choosing to set aside as I dive into the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza. While I respect Rare’s work — especially the classic Diddy Kong Racing — the ape lore from their Donkey Kong Country and Land games feels a bit too confusing and dated for my taste. Plus, some character designs, like Candy Kong’s, just don’t sit well with me.

Why I’m ignoring the Rare Donkey Kong era
My excitement for Donkey Kong Bananza as a fresh take
How Bananza could reshape the Donkey Kong timeline
Thoughts on character designs and story direction

Moving Beyond Rare’s Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a new milestone for the franchise, and I’m ready to embrace it as a kind of legacyquel — a continuation that respects the original Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. games, as well as the 1994 Game Boy title. The Rare era, with its cartoonish humor and some questionable character designs like Swanky Kong and Candy Kong, feels like a separate chapter I’m happy to put behind me.

Why Candy Kong Stands Out (and Not in a Good Way)

Among the characters, Candy Kong is a particular sticking point. Her design comes off as overly sexualized for a video game ape, which feels out of place and even a bit unsettling. It’s not a knock on the whole Rare lineup, but for me, she’s emblematic of why I prefer to sideline that era’s take on the Donkey Kong universe.

Donkey Kong Bananza: A Fresh Start

Bananza looks like it’s going to bring something new and intriguing to Kong lore. The giant animal Elders and the mysterious VoidCo apes suggest a richer, more mystical world. Plus, the antagonists seem to be a creative evolution of those from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, which is exciting to see. It feels like a fresh, lived-in world rather than a Saturday morning cartoon.

What About the Donkey Kong Country Characters?

While we know from the recent Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct that fan favorites like Cranky, Diddy, and Dixie Kong will appear, I’m planning to reinterpret their roles to fit this new vision. There will be many apes in Bananza, both named and unnamed, and I’m ready to see them all with fresh eyes.

Story Mysteries and Anticipation

Nintendo is keeping key story details under wraps, including why the modern Donkey Kong is teaming up with a 13-year-old Pauline — a character he apparently kidnapped decades ago. This mystery has me genuinely excited and cautious about spoilers, which is unusual for me when it comes to Donkey Kong games.

Overall, while I’m not dismissing the Rare-era games outright — some are good, and Donkey Kong 64 has its fans — I’m more than happy to let that chapter rest and focus on what Bananza promises: a bold, new take on the Donkey Kong legacy.