He’s finally back to kick some tail. He’s Nintendo’s loveable gorilla, and you know him well. Donkey Kong Bananza has hit theSwitch 2and players are praising it as the bestDonkey Konggame so far, busting up bad guys with Pauline while hunting for gems and taking on Void Kong and King K. Rool. The whole adventure is an utter blast!
Review: Donkey Kong Bananza
Can Donkey Kong Bananza fill the massive 3D Mario and The Legend of Zelda hole in the Switch 2’s lineup or are these bananas rotten?
If you’re on the hunt for more games to add to your growing Switch library, no need to go bananas. Whether you want another fun platformer or just want more Donkey Kong, there are plenty of fun selections to be found here.
The following games are available/compatible for both the Switch and Switch 2.
8Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Charming & Challenging
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)
Donkey Kong doesn’t always play the hero. Sometimes the red-tie-wearing lug can get into some bizarre shenanigans, like the time he robbedMario’stoy factory. Based on the 2004Game Boy Advancerelease, and remade from the ground up, comes Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
From 2D sprites to vibrant and charming 3D animations, this is one of the best-looking games on the original Switch. With over 130 challenging levels, you play as Mario, platforming and puzzle-solving your way to catch up to Donkey Kong and get back the Mini-Mario toys he stole. Recommended for Switch players looking for something fun and short to play on the go.
7Sonic X Shadow Generations
Race As the Fastest Thing Alive or the Ultimate Life Form
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Love the platforming of Donkey Kong Bananza, yet want something faster?Sonic X Shadow Generationsshould have more than enough speed for fans and newcomers. Featuringsome of the best levels in the series, play as Sonic or Shadow in two adventures set across time and space.
Villains familiar and new have arisen to stir up trouble, and so it’s up toSega’sblue mascot and his dark counterpart to set things right. Race across stages from Sonic and Shadow’s history, warped and altered into 3D and 2D levels. With plenty of challenges and loads of hidden secrets, find out why fans are calling Sonic X Shadow Generations one of the best modern Sonic games yet.
6Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Time to Brawl!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
If you love Donkey Kong and love beating up other characters in epic locations, then you’ll loveSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. In what is hailed as thebest addition to the Smash series, you’ll find over 74 fighters from dozens of phenomenal franchises, including the diabolical King K. Rool. So, there’s a little something for every player.
Have an all-out brawl or team match across 103 stages with your favorite characters. Or get creative and design a stage of your very own to battle on. Here it’s nothing but hours of fun and excitement for the must-have fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.
5Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Platforming In a Chaotic Winter Wonderland
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
From theDonkey Kong Countryseries comes a side-scroller with a chill atmosphere. In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the once-tropical jungle has been invaded by Arctic forces. With combat that’s more than a breeze to get into, head out on an adventure with DK and his fellow Kong, including Diddy, Dixie, Cranky, and Funky.
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Not only does each Kong have their own skills to shake up the gameplay, but reaching 100 bananas will trigger the Kong Pow Ability, and every character will activate a different power. The levels also feel vibrant and unique, and they’re packed with hidden goodies and collectible puzzle pieces. Add in the awesome soundtrack, and Tropical Freeze makes for a cool experience.
4Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Tikis & Bananas
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Need more Donkey Kong? Who doesn’t? From the Wii original comes a remaster that Switch players are going to love. Once more, Donkey Kong’s Island paradise is in danger, as well as their horde of bananas. With the evil Tiki Tak Tribe attempting to take over, Donkey Kong and his pal Diddy have to save their home.
Completely revamped with crisp HD graphics and a stronger framerate, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has earned the honor of being labeled as one of Nintendo’s best 2D platformers. Explore several different worlds with over 80 levels, each littered with fun—from stomping bad guys to riding rocket barrels.
3Mario Kart World
Race Your Way
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World. Enough said. It’s Mario Kart, only bigger than ever. However, if there’s more info you’re looking for, there’s plenty to share. Along with that whacky gorilla, you have legions of familiar Nintendo characters and cosmetics to choose from and race with.
Review: Mario Kart World
If there’s one game to pick up with the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s Mario Kart World.
Alongside the fun new Free Roam feature, you’re free to race however you want. Ride in the streets, through the desert, in the air, up the walls or rails if you want to, and there’s no shortage of courses to pick from, as you’ll discover hundreds. Plus, if you enjoy playing with friends online, Mario Kart World supports up to 24 players in online racing. Just try not to fight too much over who gets to race as Donkey Kong.
2Donkey Kong Country
You Can’t Beat the Classics
Donkey Kong Country
With theSNESlibrary available on the Switch 1 and 2, those looking for something a little more retro have plenty to pick from, and that includes the original game that became the turning point in the DK franchise: Donkey Kong Country. If you consider yourself a Donkey Kong fan and missed out on the 16-bit platformer, there’s no better time to check it out than now.
Everything about this game is classic: the graphics, gameplay, levels, and soundtrack. It all holds up well, but it only gets better. Because when you’re done with Donkey Kong Country, it means you can move on to its epic sequel, Diddy’s Kong Quest.
1Super Mario Odyssey
“Jump Up, Super Star!”
Super Mario Odyssey
Many are calling Donkey Kong Bananza the successor toSuper Mario Odyssey—though it’s more like the prequel to it. Consideredone of the best Mario video games yet, this game was the reason to become a Switch player. From the moment you hit start, you’ll instantly fall in love with this unforgettable gem. As Mario, you’re off on another adventure to save Princess Peach, except now you have a whole new partner named Cappy.
Using this sentient hat, take control of anything you wish—animals, objects, enemies, whatever your hat can reach. The gameplay is only made better thanks to the flawless animations and character designs, along with its exquisite controls, platforming, and puzzles. Most of all, everything feels big in this 3D globetrotting adventure with massive levels and hundreds of fun puzzles and hidden secrets. If you’re a Donkey Kong Bananza fan, you’ll easily become a Super Mario Odyssey fan.
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