Astro Bot and Donkey Kong Bananza's New Ability May Be a…

3D platformers have formed the heart of Nintendo's first party output for a long time, and although Mario will be present at the Nintendo Switch 2's launch with Mario Kart World, the system's first big platformer is coming a month later as Donkey Kong Bananza. This is a big surprise for Nintendo fans, even with the gorilla’s return having been choreographed by a spree of remasters and Nintendo Switch Online releases. Donkey Kong Bonanza will be the first truly 3D Donkey Kong platformer in the franchise since Donkey Kong 64, so something like this has been a long time coming.

Early footage and previews suggest that Donkey Kong Bananza is more than capable of reaching the high expectations it’s already amassed, with its literally groundbreaking omnidirectional destruction gimmick being its greatest strength. Depending on the face button pressed, Donkey Kong can punch forward, up, and down, which combines with a Zelda-like climbing system to grant the great ape unparalleled freedom. It's a potentially revolutionary take on a well-established formula, not dissimilar to the Switch 1's Super Mario Odyssey, and good enough for a competitor to take notice.

donkey-kong-bananza-mario-dk-vs-fighting

The Switch 2 is Fanning the Flames of a Classic Nintendo Rivalry

Two of Nintendo's most iconic characters appear set to battle it out once again on the Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to their respective new games.

Posts

By Drew Swanson

Astro Bot Is Primed For More Experimental Platforming Mechanics

The Next Astro Bot Game Could Easily Take Inspiration From Donkey Kong

PlayStation's Astro Bot franchise has been around since The Playroom debuted alongside the PlayStation Camera in 2013, but it truly came into its own on the PlayStation 5. Astro’s Playroom was a pack-in game for the 2020 console, and stood proud as one of the more notable titles available at the system’s launch, being praised for its simple yet charming visuals and masterful use of both classic 3D platforming staples and its hardware capabilities. Developer Team Asobi would repeat this feat in 2024 with the considerably-expanded Astro Bot, and managed to solidify both a Game of the Year award winner and a new PlayStation household name in the process.

While some fans would like to see Team Asobi branch out more with its next project, Astro Bot’s success has guaranteed a sequel at some point, and it's got a high bar to reach. All the Astro Bot platformers do a surprising amount with what initially seems like simple 3D platforming mechanics, exploring a wide variety of locales and adding on to basic gameplay with various vehicles, transformations, and temporary tools. It's difficult to imagine new mechanics on par with what Astro Bot, Astro’s Playroom, and even Astro Bot Rescue Mission have already included, but Donkey Kong Bananza could have exactly what the next Astro game needs.

How Donkey Kong Bananza’s Tunneling Fits In Astro Bot

In the name of showing off the latest PlayStation’s capabilities while also showing players a good time, the next Astro installment can copy the tunneling mechanic which Donkey Kong Bananza is based around. This wouldn't be the exact same thing, especially since making it a core mechanic in Astro Bot would quickly give away its inspiration, but it would still embody the core values Astro is looking for when it's in play. Namely, the amount of free-form environmental destruction and reshaping in play could really show off the PlayStation's particles and swift asset loading while also giving players unparalleled freedom.

What Astro Bot Can Do To Make Bananza’s Rock-Crushing Its Own

Several avenues for how a new Astro game could include this mechanic already present themselves. Handy-D from Astro Bot and the Monkey Suit from Astro’s Playroom already possess some of the strength and climbing abilities associated with Donkey Kong, so a new power themed around drills or moles would add some freshness to the idea. It also wouldn't need to stay around for very long, as the level-based structure that Astro games use will keep this ability from upsetting the design in the rest of the game. If Astro Bot can take on Donkey Kong Bananza’s greatest strength, it will already be well on its way to producing a worthy sequel.