3.5/5 ★ – jackohdee's review of Donkey Kong Bananza.

I wanted to love it! I did! I begged for a 3D DK! But this...just wasn't what I was looking for. Overstuffed, underswagged. This is just not the cool-as-hell main monkey that I grew up with on the SNES. I know it's not for me, and that's okay - I truly hope this new generation loves him the same way I loved the lo-fi, boom-box Kong of my youth. The key mechanic here is great, no doubt. If you're going to tell me DK's primary verb is PUNCH, I'm here for it. I loved tunnelling through those first few levels and shaping the world in my own messy, manic image. But that will only take you so far, and apparently 16 levels is too much to ask. I really rushed through the back half - though as anyone will tell you, it's worth getting to the end. I think they could have brought back the Kremlings a little earlier. I think they could have let me RIDE an animal buddy instead of BE an animal buddy. I'm certain they could have toned down the day-glo colour pallet to match the iconic imagery of the classic Country titles. But at the end of the day, I appreciate the nods to my nostalgia and I'm glad the big guy is back as a real main character. This didn't do it for me, but maybe the next one will. Maybe Funky will be there. Maybe he'll let me fly a barrel plane.