This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS forDonkey Kong Bananza.
Created by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto,Donkey Kongdebuted all the way back in 1981, appearing in the iconic arcade game that sees players controlling a proto-Mario as he hops over barrels and attempts to rescue a damsel held in the titular primate’s clutches. TheDonkey Kongfranchisehas come a long way in the 44 years between its debut andDonkey Kong Bananza’s release last week.
After a handful of arcade follow-ups and home console ports,Donkey Kongreceived a rejuvenation in the 1990s thanks to Rare’sDonkey Kong Countryseries. Over the course of around a decade, Rare turnedDonkey Konginto a household name for Nintendo, a legacy that Retro Studios carried through to the 2010s. Now,Donkey Kong Bananzais here to usher in a new generation for the oft-overshadowed mascot, though it doesn’t leave its predecessors in the dust.
Donkey Kong Bananza Goes Out of its Way to Celebrate The Mascot’s Long History
Pauline Connects Donkey Kong Bananza to The Mascot’s 1981 Debut
Though she’s best known for her appearance inSuper Mario Odyssey, Pauline can trace her roots all the way back to 1981, where she appeared as the damsel in theoriginalDonkey Kongarcade game. Pauline returns again inDonkey Kong Bananza, this time as a teenager who accompanies DK during his daring adventure to the planet’s core.
There are several direct in-game references that linkDonkey Kong Bananza’s version of Paulineto her 1981 counterpart, such as unlockable outfits that mirror the original’s pink dress. Pauline will also perform a specific dance move (swinging her arms and legs back and forth) during the Bananza Transformation sequences. This movement can also be seen from adult Pauline inSuper Mario Odysseyand is a direct reference to the rudimentary movements 1981 Pauline makes.
During co-op, the words shouted by Pauline adopt a similar font and style to the “Help!” speech bubble that appears in front of Pauline in 1981’sDonkey Kong.
Bonus Stages Reference Donkey Kong’s Best Outings
Some ofDonkey Kong Bananza’s best references can be found in four of the game’s challenge levels. Titled “Arcade Country,” “Nostalgia Country,” “Bramble Country,” and “Cart Country,” these fourDonkey Kong Bananzabonus levels are pitch-perfect homages to the franchise’s most important entries. While Arcade Country is a loving recreation of the originalDonkey Kongarcade game, the other three are throwbacks toRare and Retro’sDonkey Kong Countryseries.
Cameos Reward Long-Time Donkey Kong Fans
Donkey Kong Bananzais home to a bevy of cameos, all of which should get a gleeful response from long-timeDonkey Kongfans. Cranky Kong appears throughoutBananza, playfully ranting about DK’s various shortcomings.Diddy and Dixie Kongmake an appearance in the latter half ofBananza, where they challenge DK and Pauline to a race atop Rambi and directly reference the plot ofDonkey Kong Country 2. The final act ofDonkey Kong Bananzaalso sees a beloved foe return once more.
Some classicDonkey Kongenemies, like the Gnawties, are referenced viaDonkey Kong Bananza’s fossils.
Bananza Powers Are a Play on a Staple Donkey Kong Mechanic
The titular mechanic,Donkey Kong Bananzalets players transform into a variety of super-powered animals. These Bananza Transformations and their accompanying abilities seem to evokeDonkey Kong Country’s Animal Buddies, such as Expresso the Ostrich, who can glide, and Rattly the Rattlesnake, who can jump very high.
Donkey Kong Bananza’s Soundtrack Remixes Some Classics
Particularly observant fans will also be able to recognize a wealth of music tracks and motifs inDonkey Kong Bananzaas being remixed versions of belovedDonkey Kong Countrytracks. These play during the aforementioned throwback challenge levels and during certain boss fights and pivotal moments inBananza’s story.
