I recently got my lucky hands on a Nintendo Switch 2, and have been having an absolute Bananza playing the one game I bought the system for; Donkey Kong: Bananza( DKB for short), It has been a long time since I’ve had quite this fun playing a video game. In fact, DKB is truly doing for me what countless other people are saying as well. Bananza has made us remember why we play video games, the joy of childhood gaming. Smashing, punching, and climbing your way through a world that feels wonderful not only to be in, but to explore every nook and cranny of feels so satisfying. DKB really is something to behold, experience for yourself.
However, for me especially, DKB does have a small problem, one that multiple games have that I’m not really sure how to solve; camera manipulation. Now, if it was simply an issue of the camera being stuck in a bad position every once in a while, I would be perfectly fine.
However, as one of the main mechanics of the game, my boy DK picks up chunks of the earth and throws them towards specific targets. This requires the player to hold down the ZR trigger, move the right joystick Into the target position, and then release the trigger to hit the target. I recently learned the Elephant Bananza, essentially a power up allowing the player to suck up the terrain around them and spit it back out, uses this exact same mechanic yet slightly more complex.
Now, I have the grip of a gorilla and the dexterity of a Lego person. My hands rarely cooperate together and my fingers barely move besides my index fingers and thumbs. Even as I am typing this my inner four fingers are slowly plugging away, one key every second or less, while my other six look on in silence, only partially providing support for my iPad every once in a while. This makes doing things like video games quite difficult, especially when I have to manipulate two sticks on the opposite side of the controller or even push two buttons on the same side at the same time. The infamous practice of button mashing, hitting the same button rapidly, is possible, but probably nothing above 60 presses per minute, tops.
I mainly get around these limits based on good ol’ fashioned persistence. When I’m just exploring, for example, I tend to take my time, get into a good position with DK, grab a chunk, hold the trigger down with my right hand, bring my left hand over to the right joystick and meticulously line up the shot. typically a fossil or a switch.
As you can imagine, this practice is less than ideal when you have golden missiles or walls of lave hurting towards your head. I die, on average, 10 times to every boss that requires throwing. Looking at you, Void Kong, you pesky-
But, it isn’t even throwing that’s the problem. It’s having to do both sticks at the same time. I spent so much time on the Freezer Layer boss that I built up over 100,000 gold in one fight. I didn’t even die, I just couldn’t get on and stay on the thin trail they left because it always seemed to start perpendicular to where the camera was going at the time. It oftentimes feels like I know what to do, should be skilled enough to do it, but there’s one, tiny hinderance making it so much more difficult than it should be.
DKB is not a particularly difficult game, and I get that I shouldn’t compare my experience to others, but it does seem to be frustrating to me at times when I take 15 tries to do what others have in 1 or 2.
To Nintendo’s credit, this is a problem I’ve had since day one and not only that but they seem to have work arounds for, sometimes. For example, the Pro Controllers and JoyCon Grips are not only larger and more accessible than the smaller ones, they also have two, customizable buttons on the bottom of the controller. My experience with the Ostrich Bananza went from borderline impossible to an absolute blast just by programming one of those buttons. Still, the Bananza only requires one stick to be effective. The camera simply follows as you fly and glide. Whenever there’s two sticks and a button however, a task becomes a challenge.
I’m not even sure if accommodation would help at all or even what kind of accommodation would be required. It often feels as if I’d be better off with two flight stick controllers, each with buttons and triggers built in. However, this in and of itself would make a whole new learning curve and bring its own challenges. This could also be a slight skill issue on my part. I’ve even seen a difference with when I play slowly and calmly, I’ll probably do better, even under pressure, than with a guns blazing, quick fire mindset.
All I know is that my life is better with the beautiful, creative and innovative challenge of Donkey Kong: Bananza in it. As I said before, the game, or any other game for that matter, should be enjoyed by everyone who longs to enjoy it. I’m asking game developers and corporations to take the people who might not have the ability to make the conventional work, make the challenge they craft possible for everyone,
On a brief note, I just wanted to point out that Xbox has been doing some tremendous work in this area of gaming access. If you would like more information on resources for those types of adaptations and accommodations, I would suggest you start with the Xbox Adaptive Controller as a starting point. Microsoft has truly thought about the concept of making a controller yours. I am extremely happy and proud of them.
While it might seem counterintuitive to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 yet praise Microsoft and Xbox for their commitment to inclusion, I see this as an opportunity to show Nintendo what can be and is possible. Like I said, everyone should be able to play any game that they so choose and do it to the best of their abilities. I, personally, wanted to check out the antics of Donkey Kong. Also, my ability is still not fully limited as others might be. I am comfortable and patient with my skills I do possess, consider myself blessed to have them. Others don’t have such luxuries.Take note, Nintendo. There’s nothing like finding a good banana. Let’s give everyone a chance to find their own.
Calm and Cultured 