Eurogamer's Christian Donlan names Donkey Kong Bananza his favorite game of 2025 in a four-star review, praising its pure design and emotional nostalgia despite not being the absolute best. This follows coverage of the game's chaotic, destructible platforming in Nintendo's 2025 lineup.
In a review published December 28, 2025, Eurogamer's Christian Donlan calls Donkey Kong Bananza 'surely the one I loved the most' among 2025 releases, awarding it four stars. He lauds Nintendo's shift from raw power to inventive play since the Wii era, with sandbox levels built around Donkey Kong's smashing abilities for accessible fun that appeals to kids and challenges adults—like Pixar's dual-layered storytelling.
Donlan highlights the game's imperfections as its charm, positioning it below Super Mario Odyssey but hoping it inspires future Mario and Donkey Kong titles, even speculating on a 2026 Star Fox revival. Nostalgic ties to Donkey Kong's Rare-era UK roots, including returning villains, music, and a poignant Pauline farewell, add rare emotional depth to the platformer.