Why Nintendo’s Return to Donkey Kong Could Be the Best Thing in 20 Years
Donkey Kong is a legendary Nintendo character, but did you know that Nintendo itself rarely develops his games? The upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza, releasing on July 17, is a big deal because it’s the first Donkey Kong game in over 20 years made by Nintendo’s in-house team in Japan—the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey. This news is exciting for fans, especially since Nintendo’s own Donkey Kong titles have a history of standing out.
- Why Nintendo rarely makes Donkey Kong games itself
- The legacy of Donkey Kong ’94 on Game Boy
- How Donkey Kong Jungle Beat showcased Nintendo’s unique take on the character
- What to expect from the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo’s Rare Hands-On with Donkey Kong
Since 1994’s Donkey Kong Country, most Donkey Kong games were developed by other studios like Rare, Retro Studios, Namco, or Paon. Nintendo’s last in-house Donkey Kong game was Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in 2004 for the GameCube. That game was unique—it used the Donkey Konga bongos as controllers, turning platforming into a physical, rhythmic experience. The team behind Jungle Beat later created the iconic Super Mario Galaxy games, so when Nintendo assigns their 3D Mario team to Donkey Kong, it’s a promising sign.
Donkey Kong ’94: A Hidden Gem
Ten years before Jungle Beat, Nintendo made Donkey Kong ’94 for the Game Boy. It’s often overlooked but is one of Nintendo’s best platformers. Starting from the original arcade game, it adds over 100 new levels with clever puzzles and fresh gameplay twists. Instead of fast-paced scrolling, it focuses on precise platforming and puzzle-solving. The game challenges you to pick up keys and reach doors, but keys warp back if dropped, and levels are intricate with levers, switches, and enemies doubling as platforms.
Mario’s moves in Donkey Kong ’94 are also notable. He gained new tricks like a standing backflip and a side somersault, moves that later appeared in Mario 64. Some moves didn’t carry over, like spinning on overhead bars, but the game’s design feels like a thought experiment by Shigeru Miyamoto, imagining a world where Donkey Kong evolved instead of Mario.
Why Donkey Kong ’94 Still Matters
Donkey Kong ’94 isn’t just a Mario spin-off; it created its own legacy, inspiring the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. Despite its retro Game Boy graphics and challenging gameplay, it remains more rewarding than many of its successors. It shows what could have been if Nintendo had fully backed the Donkey Kong franchise from the start.
Looking Forward to Donkey Kong Bananza
With Bananza, Nintendo seems ready to reclaim Donkey Kong as a major star. The new Donkey Kong’s look even echoes the goofy ape from Donkey Kong ’94’s box art, complete with that pixelated grimace while throwing barrels at Mario. After decades of outside studios handling Donkey Kong, Nintendo’s in-house team taking the reins again is a hopeful sign for fans and newcomers alike.
For anyone curious about the unique gameplay of Jungle Beat or Donkey Kong ’94, these titles highlight how Nintendo’s own touch makes a difference. Donkey Kong Bananza might just continue that tradition.
