A new era for Donkey Kong [entrevue]

Donkey Kong Bananzaon Nintendo Switch 2, marks the great return of the most famous gorillas in its very first 3D adventure for more than 25 years. And this time, he strikes hard.

I was fortunate to chat with two of the brains behind this ambitious project: Kenta Motokura, producer of Donkey Kong Bananza and veteran of the series Super Marioas well as Kazuya Takahashi, director of the game at Nintendo. Together, they offered an in -depth overview of one of the most anticipated titles on the new Switch 2.

In Bananza, Donkey Kong is no longer content to cross the levels. He destroys them! “There are a lot of objects that you can break, pick up or throw,” explain the developers. “And when you launch them, you may hit a wall, that this wall collapses, and that a new path or an unprecedented object opens before you.”

This destruction mechanism is at the heart of exploration. Walls hide secrets, enemies are covered with armor that must be broken, and some land become real puzzles. “As soon as you start to destroy parts of the decor, you make a lot of discoveries. You can come across Banandium crystals that strengthen Donkey Kong, or even gold that allows you to buy various objects. ”

Nintendo

The “Bananza” transformations add another layer of strategy. Throughout the adventure, DK can take the form of powerful animals, such as a zebra or an ostrich. These transformations allow not only to explore more, but also to progress in quests and to overcome certain enemies. “You will see that armor materials [des ennemis] become more and more resistant. At a point, it will be necessary to use a bananza transformation to be able to break them. ”

Each transformation also has its own musical atmosphere. “The fact that each Bananza transformation has its own music helps enrich the experience and differentiate them from each other.”

Another surprise: the presence of Pauline, much younger than in Super Mario Odyssey. In BananzaPauline is 13 years old and dreams of becoming a singer. His place in the game imposed itself over the development, after a simple idea of ​​song. “We loved the music so much that we said to ourselves that we could do something, maybe even making it a song with lyrics. And if we went in this direction, Pauline seemed to be an ideal choice for singing. ”

Nintendo

Pauline is not just singing: she comments on the action, accompanies the player in the levels and can be controlled in coop mode. “It is really useful to have someone who blows you with information relevant in your ear.”

Initially planned for the Nintendo Switch, the project has grown when it was adapted for the next generation of console. “It was then that we really started to push the idea of ​​destruction as a central element of the game,” said the developers. “The world had to be filled with interactive objects.”

The world of Bananza is large, made up of biomes with distinct atmospheres: beaches, jungles, volcanic areas. “We even had a lot of interesting experiences with water […] Which has given rise to really unique levels. “

Nintendo

And for nostalgic players, some winks are hidden everywhere. “An” Easter Egg “who amused me a lot […] It was to ensure that Cranky Kong’s texts were very long, a nod to people who remember his style in games Donkey Kong Country.»

Whether you are a long -standing follower or discover the universe of Donkey Kong, Bananza is open to everyone. “We have thought a lot about how to provide an accessible experience to new players,” they conclude, “while integrating references and familiar elements that will speak to longtime fans.”

With its transformations, its coop mode, its hidden secrets and its unique approach to exploration, Donkey Kong Bananza promises to be much more than a simple return. This is a new era for Donkey Kong in 3D.

• Donkey Kong Bananza Take out on July 17 on Nintendo Switch 2.