Cooperative gaming is seeing a powerful resurgence in 2025. Among the standout titles is Donkey Kong Bananza, a colorful and creative adventure that launched to great acclaim. It now tops NPR’s list of the best games of the year.
Released on Nintendo Switch, Bananza offers a fresh take on couch co-op. It’s fun, fluid, and surprisingly accessible to players of all levels. According to Intime Sky News, Bananza is not just another nostalgic reboot. It redefines what co-op can be in modern gaming.
Unlike classic Donkey Kong titles, Bananza focuses less on high difficulty. Instead, it prioritizes playful interaction and accessible teamwork. One player controls Donkey Kong directly. The second player serves as a “side-gunner” with unique powers.
This second role isn’t just for support. It allows you to interact with objects at range, select materials, and create new structures. For example, purple “boom rock” is a key element. Player One throws it. Player Two can target it from a distance and reload by simply looking at it.
Even when you run out of boom rock, other materials do the job. Together, players can blast through hillsides, enemies, and even boss arenas. The game leans into fun, overpowered teamwork — and it works.
Many longtime fans remember the punishing platforming of “Donkey Kong Country.” Bananza, by contrast, leans into empowerment. The goal isn’t to survive. It’s to reshape the world around you.
Later levels let you build platforms midair by throwing path-generating goo. This creates a sandbox feeling rather than the traditional obstacle course design.
The final boss battle may pose a mild challenge. But even then, the sense of collaboration keeps the game engaging. “Bananza makes co-op feel essential, not optional,” writes one reviewer at Intime Sky News.
Many compare Donkey Kong Bananza to Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario Galaxy. Odyssey remains the gold standard for 3D platformers. Still, Bananza sits just beneath it — and maybe even above Galaxy.
Its two-player mode works better than many expected. And it’s certainly more balanced than Galaxy’s sometimes-passive Player Two experience.
Unlike Mario titles, Bananza doesn’t rely on tight timers or pinpoint precision. Its goal is to delight and entertain through playful collaboration. In this way, it feels like the perfect co-op title for Nintendo’s next-gen hardware.
Bananza isn’t alone. This year has seen a rush of great co-op games across platforms. Here are some top picks:
This title blends tabletop RPG mechanics with online play. It simplifies the complex systems of “Gloomhaven” using modern tech. Players can explore dark fantasy dungeons while using voice and video chat.
The result is a board game-meets-video game hybrid. It’s easy to learn, tough to master, and perfect for remote groups. Plus, it supports flexible session lengths — a bonus for busy players.
This analog experience is great for couples or small groups. In it, you battle cosmic horror through custom decks and scenarios.
According to NPR, this latest expansion features bold new mechanics. Players can even switch character classes midgame. While the story doesn’t hit previous highs, the card play remains deeply satisfying.
As one critic puts it, “The gameplay is relentless and rewards creative builds. My fiancé and I were hooked start to finish.”
The pandemic era showed us the power of shared entertainment. Now, as the world reopens, gamers crave connection more than ever.
Titles like Bananza and Sunderfolk speak to that desire. They’re not just about winning — they’re about sharing laughter, solving puzzles, and building something together.
Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming also play a role. Viewers love watching friends joke around or couples tackle bosses side by side. Co-op games are naturally fun to watch — and even more fun to play.
Sites like Intime Sky News now dedicate whole sections to cooperative titles. Lists, guides, and tutorials are booming.
Nintendo hasn’t yet announced a Bananza sequel. But based on its warm reception, more may be coming. There’s talk of an expansion pack or a full sequel for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Developers hinted that they may include four-player support and online functionality. That would take Bananza to a new level — from casual couch game to a fully-fledged co-op franchise.
Until then, this title stands as one of 2025’s biggest gaming surprises. It’s charming, inventive, and easy to love.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a newcomer, Donkey Kong Bananza delivers fun in spades. It’s a light-hearted journey with moments of magic, powered by teamwork.
If you’re looking for the best cooperative games of the year, start here. Then try Sunderfolk, Arkham Horror, and others that elevate the genre.
Stay updated with the latest co-op reviews and gaming news at Intime Sky News.
Because in 2025, gaming is better — together.
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