Donkey Kong Bananza Should Follow One Type of Challenge Level to its Natural Conclusion

If there’s one thing Nintendo has consistently gotten right over the years, it’s the amount of content in its first-party games, especially its 3D platformers. Games like Super Mario Odyssey are packed to the brim with hidden collectibles, challenge levels, and secret bonus stages, all of which usually combine to extend a game’s length by 20+ hours. Donkey Kong Bananza is no different.

The main story of Donkey Kong Bananza is surprisingly lengthy to begin with, taking players around 20–25 hours to complete on average. Along the way, players are tasked with seeking out countless hidden fossils, Banandium Gems, and treasure chests, along with finding and completing a variety of bonus and challenge levels. Though all of Donkey Kong Bananza’s optional content is worthwhile, there’s one type of challenge level that immediately stands out from the crowd, and Nintendo should make good on what these levels are teasing.

Donkey Kong Bananza Should Lead to Another Donkey Kong Country Game

Donkey Kong Bananza’s DK Country Levels Explained

Sprinkled throughout Donkey Kong Bananza’s levels, players can find a series of hidden challenge stages, accessible via a metallic triangular gateway that Pauline needs to unsnare with her singing. There’s a wide variety of challenge levels in Donkey Kong Bananza, some of which see players defeating a certain number of enemies within a time limit, some see players leisurely exploring an area in search of Banandium Gems, and others see them using DK’s Bananza Transformations to reach the end of an obstacle course.

But by far some of the most memorable challenge levels in Donkey Kong Bananza are the handful directly inspired by the Donkey Kong Country series. There are a total of four throwback secret levels in Donkey Kong Bananza, one based on the Nintendo mascot’s 1981 arcade debut, and three inspired by the primate’s 1990s 2D platformers. Titled “Cart Country,” “Nostalgia Country,” “Bramble Country,” and “Arcade Country,” each level focuses on a distinct series feature, such as blasting out of barrels and riding mine carts, and all four switch the game’s 3D perspective for a 2D camera angle.

Donkey Kong Bananza Lays Strong Foundations for a New DK Country Game

Donkey Kong Bananza’s DK Country-inspired levels obviously work very well as a quick hit of nostalgia. Along with the throwback perspective, these stages include very familiar environments and present players with remixed versions of classic Donkey Kong Country tracks, capturing the essence of these beloved games perfectly.

But Donkey Kong Bananza’s secret levels are more than just fan-service; they act as a proof of concept for what a new Donkey Kong Country game could look like on the Nintendo Switch 2. These levels show just how gorgeous a new DK Country could look on modern hardware, and they do a good job of teasing how Bananza’s destruction mechanics could work in a more traditional 2D Donkey Kong Country setting.

Donkey Kong Bananza has been a universal hit with critics, and it’s set a strong course for the franchise’s future. But Bananza is also rumored to have taken around seven years to develop, and Nintendo shouldn’t wait that long again to capitalize on the mascot’s new wave of popularity. It might be a good idea to release a smaller-scale Donkey Kong Country game between now and the next 3D Donkey Kong release, and Nintendo should use Bananza’s challenge levels as the foundations.