Launching a video game is not easy; if you believe it is, you might have to rethink it. Additional investment of time can only bring the best improvements for any product; the state of video games is no different. We all know that Grand Theft Auto 6 or GTA 6 has been in the development phase for a while. The last game in the GTA series was released in 2013. GTA has been waiting for the game for 12 years now. Red Redemption 2, a superhit title from Rockstar, took nearly seven years to complete. Now it’s time to talk about Donkey Kong Bananza, which is on the verge of launching next week and has been in the development phase for the last eight years.
When we consider the size and scope of GTA 6 and Red Redemption 2, 12 and 7 years are not surprising timeframes. Everyone in the gaming arena expected a long developmental phase from them. But the Donkey Kong Bananza scenario has incited thoughts and excitement among fans. The game is one of the biggest releases this year, and it is coming from an exceptionally brilliant team that created Super Mario Odyssey.
“We Started Developing it After Finishing Super Mario Odyssey,,
says Kenta Motokura
We all know that Donkey Kong Bananza is going to be a game more than a little monkey. The people behind the game make it more promising and eager to experience: an incredibly talented team that created Super Mario Odyssey in 2017 is nothing but a fuel to boost the game to a whole different level.
In a recent interview with La Vanguardia, Kenta Motokura, Donkey Kong Bananza producer, and Kazuya Takahashi, the director of the game, shared some information related to the game. Kenta Motokura commented on the long time it took for the development procedures. Motokura mentioned that although he couldn’t give very precise details, he could tell that they had started developing it after finishing Super Mario Odyssey in 2017. A long eight years for a game like Donkey Kong Bananza is creating excitement among the fans and video game enthusiasts alike.
There is no doubt that the recent news that surprised the entire gaming community will be when Nintendo confirmed that their upcoming release, Donkey Kong Bananza, a game about a little monkey, took around eight years to complete. This eight-year figure is longer than Rockstar’s large-scale and much-awaited Red Redemption 2. The eight years that Kong Bananza took will be roughly three years longer than GTA 6 has been in the developmental works. The game is set to move from the original Nintendo Switch to the Switch 2, and it could justify the long time it has taken to create.
Donkey Kong Bananza: Major Expected Changes
Donkey Kong Bananza comes with a lot of changes and a new design. One of the most important features is the game is the redesign of Donkey Kong, a special character in the game. According to Motokura, Donkey Kong had been a beloved character for a long time. He mentioned that when they started creating a new game, the first thing they did was respect the vision that the character’s original creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, had for him. He also emphasised their appreciation for Donkey Kong’s wild, cool image as a jungle character. In that game, he noted, they were able to change the character’s expressions, so they focused on showcasing his great expressiveness.
Motokura’s interview in La Vanguardia started with explaining the meaning of Bananza. He explained that it was a play on words combining “banana,” which was Donkey Kong’s favourite fruit, and “bonanza,” which could mean “prosperity” or “fortune.” He added that in the game, it also had a specific meaning, as when Donkey Kong transformed, it was referred to as a “bananza transformation,” and the word “bananza” was used to refer to that ability.
3D and destructible environment will be a key feature in the game. It is the first major 3D Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong 64. The game is likely to feature fully animated environments and enhanced real-time destructive abilities.
Donkey Kong Bananza leverages voxel technology for the environment, and this technology allows users to destroy extensively, engage in dynamic interactions with the world, etc. According to the latest information, the game will emphasise exploration with destructible environments, secret areas, various shortcuts, etc.
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A Glimpse of Kenta Motokura’s and Kazuya Takahashi’s Interview
Kenta Motokura, the producer, and Kazuya Takahashi, the director of Donkey Kong Bananza, gave an interview to La Vanguardia, a well-known Spanish daily newspaper. In this interview, they explained the challenges, anticipations, and other latest details, and what we can expect from the game. Motokura started the interview by explaining the meaning of bananza and its specific meaning in the game.
During the interview, the interviewer asked why it had taken so many years to release a new Donkey Kong adventure developed directly by Nintendo. Motokura replied that it was a difficult question. He explained that at Nintendo, they made many types of games and always thought about what best fit the type of experience they wanted to create at any given time. He added that they felt it was the right time to develop that game.
The comparison of Donkey Kong Bananza with Super Mario Odyssey is a sensational discussion on the internet. Despite having the comparison and discussion all over the internet, the game developers didn’t hesitate to share their opinion. Motokura stated that it was different in many ways, but the core game design was very similar in that players could interact with a lot of things. He explained that in Super Mario Odyssey, the cap was used to interact with objects, whereas in the new game, using voxel technology, Donkey Kong could interact with the entire game environment directly by punching with his fists. He emphasised that the essence was the same, but the significant difference was that Donkey Kong Bananza utilised voxel technology, which aligned with the theme of destruction.
Takahashi stated that just like in Super Mario Odyssey, they wanted each level to be enjoyable on its own. However, he emphasised that their primary focus was on the element of destruction and the continuity it creates. He provided an example, explaining that destroying something could trigger a chain of reactions, revealing secret rooms or hidden items.
He noted that, unlike in Mario Odyssey, where players could jump over a wall, in Donkey Kong Bananza, they could destroy it, dig through the ground to create shortcuts, or even transform and destroy the entire wall. In that regard, he mentioned that the game offers multiple ways to progress, and they believe this approach to destruction adds a unique touch.
The game is set to release next week, and some hidden details suggest that the game might be bigger than initially expected. The time taken by the creators makes it one of the biggest games to expect in 2025. The interview with Motokura and Kazuya Takahashi hints at a potential for future content and possible expansions. At the moment, the information related to the game is limited; we will be able to share more details once the game is released next week.
