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Episode 718: Donkey Kong Bananza (Patreon)

Published:
2025-09-19 07:00:08
Imported:
2026-08

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Content

Despite that fact that Donkey Kong made Nintendo a major player in the world of video games, it didn't take long for the company to quietly put this character on hiatus. Then the mid-'90s arrived, and so did 30 years of outsourced adventures. And now that Donkey Kong is back in the hands of his original trainers, we couldn't be happier with this relaunch of the ape that changed the world. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Drew Mackie (of Gayest Episode Ever and Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games) as the crew beams about this latest release and tries not to OD on potassium.

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Comments

Kormakur Gardarsson

I know it's Retro-nauts but I do so love it when you folks cover a noteworthy new game like this, or Tears of the Kingdom. The historical perspective you bring (and just general insight of the commentators) always makes for a different take than one gets in podcasts and on websites that focus on contemporary games.

MPIII

I love all the stuff that’s made by your folks, and there is nothing wrong with this episode’s content. But my podcast feed is full of new game coverage. Only one gives me really deep retro coverage, maybe it’s time to have a contemporary or pop culture show alongside the normal retronaut’s channel if there are going to be so many swerves from the “games from ten plus years ago” content I want to support and receive. Just wanted to give that voice. Still love this crew and show.

Komsomol General

It's great to see Bob back! Drew is cool too! More of Drew please.

Jeff Peterson

A cross post from the Discord server: Is there any way we can get the show notes on Bob’s episodes to be in parity with the rest of the hosts: showing art credits and music notes? That would be very helpful.

K-S-O

Seeing the DK / Pauline interactions in Bananza has me re-evaluating their relationship in the past games. When I see Pauline yelling "Help!" in the old Donkey Kong games, I now think that she is yelling that to DK to help her get away from Mario. Also, on the Donkey Kong 94 boxart, Pauline is not reaching out to Mario. She is trying to shoo him away. I will never un-think this because of Bananza.

Andrew O.

I feel like this is another Nintendo game where everyone ignores it's faults. Spike pits are usually instant deaths with the lack of invincibility frames. You constantly lose your grip and fall, especially transitioning between objects. The variety of the foley is mentioned, but when all you hear is "Oh banana!" all the damn time because there are so many of them, it's enough to drive YOU bananas! Bob talked about all Nintendo games essentially becoming the same game. It's true, and their tactic is the illusion of challenge. Bananas in DK, Moons in Mario, Spirit Orbs in Zelda. They're for the most part handed to you on a platter, but they trick your brain into thinking you achieved something, which encourages you to keep playing.

Rlan's GIF & Art Extravaganza (Hedgeblog, PlayStation Park, Game Art Archive)

With Pauline and K. Rool, I feel that this is actually the developers saying "No, we actually care about the lore!". K. Rool has not been in a mainline game in a Very, VERY long time. Both recent DKC games don't have him at all! They could have very easily ignored him once more, but they actively made him the final boss and brought him back in a fun way. I also love that they made him love unerripe, mushy bananas and is the "king of rot".

Eric W

Great episode: I love the developer history that presents a “design philosophy trough line”. Also: did anyone think that the Rainbow bridge creating material in the “resort” stage is in some way a reference to Rainbow Islands?

Sean Madson

After having played Metroid Prime 4, I think Bob is onto something when talking about Nintendo's design philosophies. That game just oozes Breath of the Wild influence.