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[RoboFu]

It's Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph. They even made her sound similar.

The devs had also been watching Moana, I think.

lol no she doesn't.

 

[LakeOf9]

It's Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph. They even made her sound similar.

The devs had also been watching Moana, I think.

Yup, that's what I would compare it to imo

 

[Rran]

Because he's comparing it to Pixar and Disney movies as well as games like psychonauts.

Granted, I wouldn't compare it to (good) Pixar stuff. It's got nothing on, like, Monsters Inc or The Incredibles. I'd say it's on par with simple Disney fairy tales like Mr Toad or The Jungle Book or Winnie the Pooh, sure.

But I think people are once again conflating "story" with "plot." Plot is just what happens in the game, while story is everything else: worldbuilding, dialogue, animation/expression, characterization, pacing. And for a game that's all about a gorilla eating bananas, it does that stuff well. It doesn't get overwrought or in its own way, it knows its limitations, and it gives lots of little character-building moments in optional resting sequences. The animations are also top-notch and add a lot of character to everyone.

 

[Topher]

I literally didn't compare it to psychonauts lol


Fully agree with you, but I'm not talking about regular disagreement, I'm talking about outright misunderstanding what I said. It's fine in any case lol, not a big deal

I think you probably should have created a spoiler thread so you can fully discuss what you want to without worrying about ruining it for folks.

 

[LakeOf9]

I think you probably should have created a spoiler thread so you can fully discuss what you want to without worrying about ruining it for folks.

Yeah, or posted in the spoiler thread directly rather than making a new one. It's a live and learn situation, I'll keep it in mind from now on lol

 

[TintoConCasera]

I think you probably should have created a spoiler thread so you can fully discuss what you want to without worrying about ruining it for folks.

He could just put whatever it is on a spoiler tag.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

I don't know why people are acting like Pixar movies have extremely well written stories. They don't. The stories are incredibly basic. They're just told well.

A film like Onward, which I liked, is about someone wanting to find their dad, and it just follows their journey. The story itself isn't anything that goes beyond DK.

Hell even Finding Nemo has a story that isn't meatier than DK. Again, it's just told well.

 

[Sonik]

I agree! I haven't witnessed such intricate, innovative plot in a videogame since Mario 64 where Mario had to save the princess or some shit

 

[Rran]

I don't know why people are acting like Pixar movies have extremely well written stories. They don't. The stories are incredibly basic. They're just told well.

But I think people are once again conflating "story" with "plot." Plot is just what happens in the game, while story is everything else

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I think you probably should have created a spoiler thread so you can fully discuss what you want to without worrying about ruining it for folks.

And FFS L LakeOf9 don't make your thread title into clickbait. Could've just written "I think DK BANANZA deserves more credit for its story" instead of making everyone click to find out what you're talking about.

Clickbait thread titles just make everyone want to poop on your thread instead of engaging with it.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Rran I agree, just supporting your comment

both DK and Pixar movies have similar stories when it comes to quality, depth, etc.

I think people mean to say Pixar does the plot better, which I agree. But DK also does a very good job with the plot. Not as good as peak Pixar though, but still damn good. And better than some Pixar movies IMO.

 

[GymWolf]

So what's the story then?

Monkey like bananas so he smash.

 

[IFireflyl]

I can't imagine ever getting upset by someone 'spoiling' the plot/story for a Donkey Kong game. IT'S A DONKEY KONG GAME.

 

[MSduderino]

Pixar stories aren't really that special even if they make me cry. It's more emotional manipulation than good deep story telling. Haven't finished dk yet so don't know how it ends.

 

[MagiusNecros]

I think the one thing the game really doesn't get credit for is it's verticality and how every level is seemingly stacked on top of each other. Tons to find and explore in each level and really wants you to explore just to see what's hidden or buried.

 

[GateofD]

Surprised this is getting so many good reviews, thought it was a dead franchise. The last time I played it was like Donkey Kong Country 2

 

[GymWolf]

Surprised this is getting so many good reviews, thought it was a dead franchise. The last time I played it was like Donkey Kong Country 2

At least you ended with the peak of the saga.

 

[Fess]

It's the most story focused platformer I remember playing outside of outright narrative focused ones such as Psychonauts or Hazelight's titles for sure.

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is legit Pixar quality. Go play it!

DK Bananza is too chatty imo, the focus is on gameplay and then I just feel interrupted when someone starts talking, I often hammer through the dialogue unless it's clearly main quest related.

 

[Danjin44]

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is legit Pixar quality. Go play it!

DK Bananza is too chatty imo, the focus is on gameplay and then I just feel interrupted when someone starts talking, I often hammer through the dialogue unless it's clearly main quest related.

What? Most of her dialogue is when rest in your base and main story cutscenes.

Also you considered DKB "too chatty" and yet you recommend Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart which 100 time more chatty than DKB.

 

[Robb]

I haven't finished it yet but it seems pretty bog standard Mario stuff to me, with added voice acting.

Pauline and DK are a surprisingly a great matchup though.

I think the one thing the game really doesn't get credit for is it's verticality and how every level is seemingly stacked on top of each other. Tons to find and explore in each level and really wants you to explore just to see what's hidden or buried.

This I can definitely get behind though. The verticality and density of stuff packed into each level is absolutely insane.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

DK Bananza is too chatty imo, the focus is on gameplay and then I just feel interrupted when someone starts talking, I often hammer through the dialogue unless it's clearly main quest related.

Are we playing the same game? Can you give a few examples?

 

[Fess]

What? Most of her dialogue is when rest in your base and main story cutscenes.

Also you considered DKB "too chatty" and yet you recommend Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart which 100 time more chatty than DKB.

Are we playing the same game? Can you give a few examples?

There are so many npc characters in every biome talking about things I'm not really interested to listen to. I just want to keep punching and digging! And I can easily figure out what I need to do by myself.

Ratchet was more cutscene focused, I like that more than reading dialogue boxes while listening to some made up language.

 

[Danjin44]

There are so many npc characters in every biome talking about things I'm not really interested to listen to. I just want to keep punching and digging! And I can easily figure out what I need to do by myself.

Ratchet was more cutscene focused, I like that more than reading dialogue boxes while listening to some made up language.

Talking to NPC for most part completely optional.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

There are so many npc characters in every biome talking about things I'm not really interested to listen to. I just want to keep punching and digging! And I can easily figure out what I need to do by myself.

Ratchet was more cutscene focused, I like that more than reading dialogue boxes while listening to some made up language.

yes but they're just there if you want to talk to them. you can totally ignore. I usually just stop to punch them in the face and carry on doing my smashing.

I'll talk to them now and then if I'm bored, but they aren't needed to move the story forward or anything. totally optional and up to how you want to play the game.

 

[Fess]

Talking to NPC for most part completely optional.

yes but they're just there if you want to talk to them. you can totally ignore. I usually just stop to punch them in the face and carry on doing my smashing.

I'll talk to them now and then if I'm bored, but they aren't needed to move the story forward or anything. totally optional and up to how you want to play the game.

lol I think I'll try that punching strategy

It's just an old habit to always check what's being said. I always do it. Recently I was trolled in Hollow Knight when grumpy ol Zote had some weird words of wisdom to share and just kept on babbling for like 50 dialogue boxes lmao
Oh yes I read them all…

 

[Hugare]

OP isn't kidding.

I cried at the end when DK sacrifices Pauline for the bananas

 

[Sintoid]

Almost Clair Obscuresque level of storytelling

 

[clarky]

Story is good so far, if you're 4 years old.

 

[GateofD]

Is it true they show DK's bare ass cheeks

 

[Lokaum D+]

there is a pretty big plot twist towards the end of the game, so I would probably duck out of this thread if you don't want that spoiled because it's probably going be mentioned here eventually

the story is just really cute and charming. nothing complex. reminds me of a Pixar movie

Pauline voice acting and dialogue is really good too

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Is it true they show DK's bare ass cheeks

 

[Spukc]

Story

 

[Zacfoldor]

So what's the story then?

It's like TLOU2 but with DK = Joel and Pauline = Ellie.
no it's not, I lied

 

[HAYA8U5A]

 

[MSduderino]

It's like TLOU2 but with DK = Joel and Pauline = Ellie.
no it's not, I lied

Who's Abby? the president?

 

[tomato shrub]

I knew Nintendo loyalists would crazy for mid story telling that has been done twenty years ago in dozens of PS2 platformers already

(also the ending feels like Sonic Adventure-tier fanfiction, pretty cringe)

 

[nani17]

So what's the story then?

I asked ai to tell me the plot of the story but as a teenager who doesn't care and I got this

Basically some company, VoidCo. or something, and this other big ape called Void Kong just show up and steal a bunch of shiny, banana-shaped rocks.
In all the drama, DK gets knocked into a big hole and ends up underground. Lame. Down there he meets this girl, Pauline, who's like, a teenager and trying to be a singer, I guess.
So now they have to team up and go through a bunch of caves to chase those guys and get the stupid gems back. That's pretty much it.

 

[IFireflyl]

I asked ChatGPT, "What would make you recommend this game to someone?"

I'd only recommend Donkey Kong Bonanza to someone if a few very specific things lined up. The concept itself isn't inherently strong, but there are several ways it could be worth someone's time—depending on what they're actually looking for. So here's when I'd honestly recommend it, and when I wouldn't.

---

I would recommend it if the person:

1. Wants a mechanically strong platformer

If you care more about moment-to-moment gameplay than story, Bonanza reportedly delivers. The level design, momentum-based movement, and verticality in the underground stages are being praised. If you loved Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze or Returns, you'll likely appreciate the refinement here, even if the plot is eye-roll-inducing.

2. Likes exploration and nonlinear level progression

This game adds more open-ended traversal than prior DK titles—think something closer to Metroid Dread than Mario Wonder. If someone enjoys finding secrets, backtracking with new abilities, or solving environmental puzzles, this is a step forward from traditional DK.

3. Is a fan of character-driven Nintendo games

This is one of the rare Donkey Kong titles that's trying to flesh out characters beyond their stereotypes. DK and young Pauline reportedly have an actual narrative arc together. It's no Xenoblade Chronicles, but for a platformer, that's a meaningful upgrade.

4. Wants a new tone or setting in a DK game

If you're bored of jungle/temple/snow themes and want something visually and thematically different, Bonanza brings a layered, bioluminescent underground world with a deeper mood. It's not revolutionary, but it's a new coat of paint for a series that doesn't reinvent itself often.

---

I would not recommend it if:

• You're primarily interested in classic Donkey Kong themes (bananas, jungle hijinks, no corporate drama).
• You want a story that feels cohesive, grounded, or emotionally rich from the start.
• You dislike when Nintendo injects melodrama or "weight" into series that should stay light and stylized.
• You're allergic to games that use vague magic-resources (Banandium, in this case) as narrative fuel.

---

Summary

I'd recommend Donkey Kong Bonanza as a mechanically excellent platformer with some added ambition in its setting and character work. I would not recommend it for its plot, concept, or narrative originality. Those elements are more competent than inspired.

If a person's enjoyment hinges on story cohering with character, this game probably won't win them over. But if they're here to play, not believe, they might have a great time.

This seems to line up with what Topher said originally.

 

[Kacho]