New Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive is One of 2025’s Highest-Rated Games

16 July 2025

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new-nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-is-one-of-2025’s-highest-rated-games — New Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive is One of 2025’s Highest-Rated Games

Ahead of its official launch on July 17, Donkey Kong Bananza has already hit a major milestone by becoming one of the highest-rated games of 2025 across multiple review aggregate platforms. Donkey Kong Bananza will be one of the latest games to join a growing library of Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive titles, and the first critical ratings for the iconic ape’s newest adventure could bode well for the game’s launch.

Drawing early comparisons to hit Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Donkey Kong Bananza is set to be only the second-ever 3D Donkey Kong game, after Donkey Kong 64 from 1999. The legendary gorilla has had a profound presence in 2D platformers over the years, and pre-release reviews have fueled audience hype for the return to a 3D experience with the Nintendo icon.

Donkey Kong Bananza Reveals Content of Day One Patch

The release of Donkey Kong Bananza is right around the corner, and Nintendo is revealing the content of the game’s day one patch.

According to data from Metacritic, Donkey Kong Bananza holds a score of 90 out of 100 with 100% positive reviews from 80 critics. Similarly, numbers on OpenCritic show Bananza sitting at an average score of 91, with a 100% positive review rate from 45 critics. Early praise for the game highlights the interactive environment, energetic soundtrack, new gameplay mechanics, and expressive Donkey Kong, with only minor critiques of potential performance issues that are expected to be resolved with the day one patch. While Donkey Kong Bananza was originally a Switch 1 title, the improved performance and capability of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been noted as a major factor in the enjoyability of the new 3D platforming DK game.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (96)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (95)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93)
Blue Prince (92)
Split Fiction (91)
Donkey Kong Bananza (90)
despelote (89)
The Talos Principle: Reawakened (89)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (89)
Monster Hunter Wilds (88)

Alongside Donkey Kong Bananza, two other Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games rank among the highest-rated titles of 2025. Both The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild Switch 2 editions currently hold the number one and two spots, respectively, on Metacritic’s review score ranking. Donkey Kong Bananza sits in the number six spot at the time of writing, though this may change once audience reviews start pouring in.

Nintendo has already teased the possibility of future 2D and 3D Donkey Kong games, and the early critical success of Donkey Kong Bananza could set the tone for more releases in the beloved franchise. While it remains to be seen if Donkey Kong Bananza will have the same long-term success as its retro predecessors, audiences preparing for the game’s official launch on July 17 have been happy to see DK already receiving a round of applause for his return to the spotlight.