5 Great Games We Can’t Wait To Get Back To This Weekend

Play it on: Switch 2

Current goal: Discover what awaits in the planet’s core

Look, it’s very simple: banana. In fact, I may even go so far as to say, Oh, banana! Of course, Donkey Kong Bananza is a delight because of its destructible terrain, its joy of movement, the different powers associated with all your “bananza” transformations, all that good, gamey stuff. But it’s also delightful because of Donkey Kong’s wonderful redesign, which makes him seem less the crafty figure he was in the Donkey Kong Country games and more just a pure, head-empty being of enthusiasm and uncomplicated love, both for bananas and for his pal Pauline.

When her confidence falters and she looks into that big, sweet face of his and finds the courage to belt out a song, I think to myself that we all could use that friend whose love for us and belief in us is so straightforward and so pure that one look into their eyes lets us see ourselves how they see us, and all of our fear and shame is gone. What an icon. I’m so glad he’s back in what may well be his best game ever. — Carolyn Petit