A user recently pointed out that Donkey Kong Bananza features a mechanic reminiscent of Dark Souls: after dying, players can respawn at the spot where they perished to reclaim their lost gold. This feature mirrors the well-known Dark Souls mechanic, where players drop their souls upon death and can return to retrieve them—if they manage to reach that spot again.

So far, Donkey Kong Bananza has received an overwhelmingly positive response since its release less than ten days ago, marking a triumphant return for the iconic gorilla. Players have embraced this new installment, where Donkey Kong navigates through voxel-based destructible environments, battling through various levels. The game’s director has mentioned that he drew inspiration from every previous title in the series to ensure an enjoyable experience for fans.

Interestingly, while players have applauded many of the game’s elements, one mechanic seems to have captured attention for its origin: the link to a very different franchise. A Reddit user, mikel501055, highlighted that whenever a player dies, a gold statue of the screaming gorilla appears at the site of defeat. They can break this statue upon respawning to reclaim their gold.

Is It Truly a Dark Souls Experience?

Although Donkey Kong Bananza is not a title influenced directly by FromSoftware, its mechanics notably reflect elements found in the Souls series. This inspiration, while subtly integrated, showcases the profound impact of Dark Souls, one of the most influential titles of recent times. As the new game continues to gain traction, it’s no surprise that intricate elements have made their way into this fresh venture.

Nevertheless, Bananza maintains its unique identity. With engaging gameplay and styles that resonate well with fans on the newly released Nintendo Switch 2, many players feel that Nintendo missed a significant opportunity by not including it as a launch title for the console, considering how well it utilizes the system’s new capabilities.