Donkey Kong Bananza Could Set Up Nintendo’s Next Reboot

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In a brand new adventure titled “Donkey Kong Bananza“, our titular ape embarks on his initial 3D journey since Donkey Kong 64. Unlike its predecessors, this game draws inspiration from the series while presenting a refreshing twist by redefining the franchise. Instead of following the traditional Donkey Kong path, Donkey Kong Bananza charts a unique course, introducing groundbreaking gameplay that is only achievable with the capabilities of the hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2.

In “Donkey Kong Bananza,” Donkey Kong undergoes a makeover and teams up unexpectedly with Pauline, which serves as a refreshing revamp for the franchise. This game might pave the way for future “Donkey Kong” titles or even trigger another series overhaul.

Yoshi Deserves the Donkey Kong Bananza Treatment

There Still Isn’t a True 3D Yoshi Game

Even though Yoshi has been featured in several 3D games, he hasn’t embarked on his own three-dimensional adventure yet. A revival of the classic Yoshi series in 3D format wouldn’t be a first for the character in terms of 3D playability, but it would mark the debut of a game where Yoshi takes center stage. In Super Mario 64 DS, he progressed from a brief appearance in the original Nintendo 64 version to a fully playable character, maintaining his distinctive moves that set him apart. This was similarly true for Super Mario Odyssey, allowing players to control Yoshi with Cappy to utilize his abilities. However, these games primarily focused on Mario, leaving limited opportunities for Yoshi to truly shine.

In the games Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, Yoshi serves a role reminiscent of his appearance in Super Mario World, acting as an aid for Mario rather than a standalone character. These games offer a 3D version of Yoshi, but they don’t fully capture the essence of a true 3D Yoshi experience. A potential reboot could address this issue by creating a game centered around Yoshi’s unique abilities and offering players an environment tailored to his moveset, allowing for a more immersive Yoshi-focused adventure.

A Reboot Could Hone In on Yoshi’s Core Elements

It’s always exciting when Nintendo updates one of its established franchises. The essential elements that make the gameplay enjoyable stay consistent, but there’s plenty of room for innovation, often leading to impressive outcomes. Donkey Kong Bananza is the latest example, while games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom significantly altered the Zelda formula while retaining its unique allure. If Yoshi is next in line for a 3D remake, players can expect the same level of thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail that Nintendo is known for in its other games.

In the game titled “Donkey Kong Bananza”, as one might anticipate, there are numerous bananas to gather. However, other types of fruits like apples, strawberries, and melons also make an appearance. Apples serve as the player’s means to restore health, while the Resort Layer is filled with strawberries and melons that can be broken through. Since eating fruit is integral to Yoshi’s personality, there might be a chance for these two titles to intersect. It’s plausible that the Resort Layer could serve as a connection point, appearing in both “Donkey Kong Bananza” and a potential future “Yoshi” game.

What a Yoshi Reboot Could Look Like

In contrast to his debut in Super Mario World, the character Yoshi underwent significant growth and improvement in the prequel game, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. This version of Yoshi is considered one of the most successful adaptations of the character, and it serves as a cornerstone for what makes a game featuring Yoshi enjoyable. The pairing of Donkey Kong and Pauline in the game Donkey Kong Bananza functions well, and Yoshi has its own equivalent with Baby Mario. They have teamed up in every game that features Yoshi’s Island and Yoshi Touch & Go, so it’s possible they could join forces again. By building on the multiplayer functionality of Donkey Kong Bananza, Baby Mario could also be playable, similar to Pauline, allowing a second player some control over their environment while Yoshi takes center stage.

In the game Super Mario Odyssey, although Yoshi doesn’t play a major part, his move set has undergone slight adjustments. His tongue can still retrieve hard-to-reach items, but it also provides players with additional agility. Similar to Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Odyssey, both games offer a variety of platforming tools that empower players to think outside the box when traversing open levels. A possible reboot of Yoshi could expand upon this, enabling players to cling onto the environment and leap higher and farther than ever before.

The Yoshi series has experimented with various artistic styles, each offering a unique appearance for the character and environment, yet they all maintain a common quality: an artisanal feel. The pencil sketch-like designs in the Yoshi’s Island series set the games apart, while the later titles, Yoshi’s Woolly World and Yoshi’s Crafted World, added dimensionality to the 2.5D style with their craft-themed aesthetics. The upcoming Yoshi game is expected to carry on this tradition, employing a new artistic medium to usher in a new phase of Yoshi games while preserving its fundamental characteristics.

The game “Donkey Kong Bananza” demonstrated that the Donkey Kong franchise is capable of more than previously thought. It refreshed Donkey Kong’s character and moveset while still maintaining the distinctive charm that makes a game feel like Donkey Kong. Since Yoshi hasn’t had a 3D game yet, the success of “Donkey Kong Bananza” presents an excellent chance for the beloved dinosaur to be reborn for the next generation. Yoshi is long overdue for a new game as there hasn’t been a new installment in the series for more than six years, so a reboot with the same quality and affection as “Donkey Kong Bananza” could be the ideal prize for patient fans.

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2025-07-22 21:04