The reviews for Donkey Kong Bananza are finally in, and the response from critics has been overwhelmingly positive. This Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive has achieved an impressive aggregate score of 90 on Metacritic, making it the sixth-best-rated game of 2025. Excluding re-releases of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, it stands out as the fourth-best-reviewed original title of the year. Donkey Kong Bananza marks the return of the iconic character in a new 3D platformer that emphasizes environmental interaction and destruction.
Critics have applauded the game for its controls, engaging story, and unique gameplay mechanics, although some have noted minor performance issues. Despite these criticisms, the consensus is clear: Donkey Kong Bananza is a standout title that Switch 2 owners will want to add to their collections. As of now, the review embargo has lifted, and 79 critiques have contributed to the game’s impressive Metascore of 90, with no negative reviews reported. Major outlets, including IGN and The Washington Post, have awarded it perfect scores.
Screen Rant also praised the game, giving it a 9/10 and calling it “another success story” for Nintendo during this new console generation. Currently, the top ten games of the year according to Metacritic are as follows:
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (96)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (95)
3.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93)
4. Blue Prince (92)
5. Split Fiction (91)
6. Donkey Kong Bananza (90)
7.
Despelote (89)
8. The Talos Principle Remastered (89)
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (89)
10. Monster Hunter Wilds (88)
This top ten list showcases a diverse mix of AAA titles and innovative indie games.
While Nintendo already holds the top two spots with re-releases of classic Zelda titles, it’s refreshing to see an original Nintendo game rank so highly this year. Donkey Kong Bananza even outperforms the Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World, which holds a solid Metascore of 86. As we look ahead, we hope other Nintendo titles set to release this year, such as Drag X Drive, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, continue the trend of positive reviews. Expect a detailed review of Donkey Kong Bananza from Android Police following our hands-on experience at launch.
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