New Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive Becomes One of 2025’s Top-Rated Games

I’d just finished brewing a cup of coffee—because, let’s be real, it’s not like I can start my day without it—when I stumbled upon news that hit me right in the nostalgic part of my brain. Donkey Kong Bananza, yes, the very same game with our favorite tie-wearing ape, has allegedly made waves even before its official launch. The game’s set to grace the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17. That’s soon, right? But here’s the kicker: it’s already being hailed as one of the top games of 2025. Who would’ve known?

Anyway, this whole thing got me thinking about the times I spent playing those 2D Donkey Kong games. Hours wasted—or maybe invested—with that side-scrolling action. Now they’re giving DK the 3D treatment, like that ancient relic, Donkey Kong 64. Wasn’t that back in 1999? I can’t believe I still remember that. I’m not sure if this leap to 3D is a stroke of genius or a risky nostalgia trip—kind of like when you decide to eat ice cream for breakfast. It sounds fun until it’s not.

Some folks are comparing Bananza to big names like Super Mario Odyssey and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Another thought now bouncing around my head: was that comparison ever going to be anything but inevitable? They’re among the heavy hitters on Nintendo’s roster after all. Does this mean Bananza could hit the same heights?

Jumping back, because my brain hops like a jackrabbit going downhill—but what impresses me is this: the critics cannot stop gushing. Metacritic? It’s giving Bananza a solid 90 out of 100. And 80 critics. All thumbs up. OpenCritic isn’t far off either with a score of 91. Positive reviews across the board. Suddenly I find myself tapping my foot, impatient for July 17 to roll around.

They say—it’s hard to believe they sometimes, but still—they’re all hyped about the game’s immersive environment, lively tunes, and those new gameplay mechanics. And DK’s expressiveness, which is a curious concept. I mean, did anyone ever feel DK wasn’t expressive enough? Did anyone even ask that before?

But hey, not all sunshine and rainbows. There’s whispers, or maybe warnings, about some performance hiccups. Those are supposed to vanish with a day one patch. Still, even those whispers can’t drown out the excitement bubbling under the surface.

Switch 2 seems to be like adding wings to a horse or something. So Bananza was originally a Switch 1 project? And now with Switch 2’s muscle, it’s apparently flying higher. Makes me wonder what the game could’ve been like without the Switch 2’s power-up… not that I’d know much about game dev. Just my two cents, I guess.

Meanwhile, Bananza is nudged into the sixth-highest-rated game spot of 2025 according to Metacritic. Talk about rubbing shoulders with legends like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. DK’s really stepping into big shoes—and not just metaphorically since the guy doesn’t wear any.

Nintendo, ever the tease, hinted at more 2D and 3D adventures for DK. Maybe this first success—let’s not jinx it—means we won’t just see DK swinging off into the sunset. No, maybe he’s sticking around for curtain calls.

People, or maybe just me in my overly caffeinated state, are champing at the bit to see if Bananza will spark more splendid stories and have DK basking in his deserved spotlight. Man, it sounds like a standing ovation might just be in order. Mark the day, July 17. Feels both near and eternally distant—kind of like wanting to eat dessert but having to finish your greens first.

Anyway, games evolve, morph, strut their stuff on new stages, and sometimes, they draw us right back in, unexpectedly, yet perfectly. That’s Donkey Kong Bananza for you. Or at least so far.