Starside Chat - A Podcast About Video Games · Zach Owens and Aaron Capo

Donkey Kong Bananza

·48 min·4 clips

Aaron and Zach kick off a Donkey Kong bonanza, teasing their initial hours with the game.

This special Donkey Kong edition of Starside Chat features hosts Aaron and Zach sharing their initial impressions of the new game. The episode also covers recent video game industry news and other media the hosts have been consuming. Microsoft closed the studio developing the Perfect Dark reboot, ending that project after years of development. Xbox head Phil Spencer is reportedly retiring soon, with Sarah Bond taking over after the next console launch. The hosts discuss ongoing layoffs at Microsoft and widespread speculation about Game Pass's actual profitability. Nintendo announced the young, unknown actors for Link and Zelda in the upcoming live-action film, which director Wes Ball wants to resemble a live-action Studio Ghibli movie. A new Ghost of Yotei gameplay overview revealed director modes, including one inspired by the anime *Samurai Champloo* with a lo-fi hip-hop score. The *Mortal Kombat 2* trailer features Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, a change from the original film's original character. Cyberpunk 2077's latest update adds new vehicles and a Delamain cab service, surprising the hosts for a single-player title. Aaron and Zach are both in the Canyon layer of Donkey Kong, having played roughly four to five hours. They compare the game's explorable, destructible environments to a mix of *Super Mario Odyssey* and *Red Faction Guerrilla*. Players can use a sonar ability to find collectibles, and outfits provide stat boosts rather than being purely cosmetic. The game features a skill tree and challenge rooms unlocked by Pauline's singing, which reward bananas. The control scheme maps jump to the right face button, with other buttons for directional punches, which took some adjustment. Early speedrun videos already show players using advanced movement, like rock surfing, to sequence break and bypass obstacles. The camera can become unwieldy when digging deep underground, though a first-person mode might not be a better solution. The hosts find the game incredibly addictive, constantly discovering new tasks like finding fossils or completing timed destruction challenges. They believe the game is a strong contender for Game of the Year, especially if *Silksong* does not release. The map system helpfully highlights objectives, and rest spots replenish hearts, reducing the need to upgrade health. The episode also includes brief media recommendations, like the BBC series *Bodyguard* and the Netflix show *Criminal UK*. The tone is casual and conversational, filled with friendly banter and shared enthusiasm between two knowledgeable gamers. Listeners who enjoy detailed, first-impression discussions of major Nintendo releases and broader industry news will appreciate this episode. Those seeking highly structured analysis or who are not interested in Donkey Kong may find the free-flowing format less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose Donkey Kong special that makes the side conversations matter.

A Donkey Kong Bananza special gives Starside Chat its loose frame, but the real draw is watching Aaron and Zach think aloud as they compare early playtime and react to what the game seems to reward.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a loose, game-literate hang around Donkey Kong Bananza, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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