Video Games

Things I Like: Mad Mixer (Donkey Kong Bananza)

Posted by Adam (Neko Random) on
Close-up promotional graphic of the boss character Mad Mixer from Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2. The image shows a jagged, crystalline tiki-like mask glowing with vibrant magenta, purple, and yellow geometric facets against a patterned purple background. Bold yellow text across the bottom reads "Mad Mixer" with a small "VOIDCO" logo below it.

Mad Mixer is a minor boss in Donkey Kong Bananza for the Nintendo Switch 2. He shows up early in the game and left more of an impression on me than he probably should have, given how minor a role he plays overall.

Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza showing Donkey Kong riding a minecart on a circular rail around a giant mechanical cauldron. A massive, blinding white and red energy explosion erupts from the center of the cauldron, scattering bright golden light rays and particles across the volcanic arena.

It has been more than 25 years since Rare developed a Donkey Kong game, so getting back into a minecart with the big ape felt genuinely nostalgic. The good news is that you do not have to stress about flying off the rails the way you did in Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo.

Action-packed boss battle screenshot against Mad Mixer in Donkey Kong Bananza. Donkey Kong's minecart speeds along a rail past a large central pillar that is firing intense pink laser beams upward, creating bright energy bursts. The lower section of the volcanic structure glows with a fiery yellow and green liquid.

What you do have to contend with are the lasers Mad Mixer fires at you. They look more threatening than they actually are. I did not find them particularly hard to dodge, and at that stage of the game I doubt they were doing serious damage to Donkey Kong and Pauline anyway.

Gameplay screen from Donkey Kong Bananza showing a minecart sequence during the Mad Mixer boss level. Donkey Kong throws a volcanic projectile toward a shattering pink crystalline core enveloped in dark purple energy. Shards of crystal explode outward into the air, and on-screen text reads "Wow!" and "You can also aim with motion controls."

The real highlight of the fight is hurling large chunks of rock around, which is naturally how you chip away at Mad Mixer’s health.

In-game boss fight gameplay from Donkey Kong Bananza. Donkey Kong rides a minecart equipped with a headlight on a curved track high above a bubbling golden cauldron. A target reticle aims at a central structure surrounded by floating, glowing purple volcanic rocks, with on-screen tutorial text reading "ZR Throw. You can also aim with motion controls."

He goes down without putting up much of a fight. I honestly cannot recall what the reward was, but the battle itself was entertaining enough to feel like its own payoff. Like a fun amusement park ride.

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