# Dunkey's Best of 2025

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTZZDIddssI
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/lTZZDIddssI
Generated: 2026-01-14T21:05:16.643+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

Dunkey's Best of 2025 list features Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong Bananza as the best game, followed by a strong showing from Mario Kart World Tour, while critically avoiding games like Star of Providence and Death Stranding 2.

**Key Points:**
- Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong Bananza is named the best game of 2025 due to its expansive content, varied mechanics (including riding different animals), and high quality polish.
- Mario Kart World Tour is highly praised, with Dunkey noting that every mode, including the open-world kart platformer and the free-roam city section, is good, unlike previous real-world kart racers.
- Star of Providence, a bullet-hell shoot 'em up, is mentioned as a game Dunkey played extensively in 2018 but has since changed its name, implying it is not a new 2025 release.
- Death Stranding 2 is criticized for being too far behind the reality of gameplay, suggesting it is too slow or lacks engaging mechanics despite its cinematic presentation.
- Kirby Air Riders is noted as a very good game, even better than its predecessor, featuring new mechanics like the Battle Chariot.
- The video critiques Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 remake for being too expensive compared to renting it 17 times, implying it is overpriced or not worth a full purchase.
- The video showcases gameplay from various titles including Lumines Arise, Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Star of Providence, Death Stranding 2, and Mario Kart World Tour.

![Screenshot at 00:05: The introduction of Lumines Arise, one of the many games showcased, setting a high-quality visual tone that contrasts with some of the other titles Dunkey critiques.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-00-05.jpg)

**Context:** This video presents YouTuber Dunkey's annual 'Best of' list for the fictional year 2025, ranking games he deems worthy of respect by 'self-respecting gamers.' The list is characterized by Dunkey's signature hyperbolic style, favoring games with high mechanical density, polish, or fun factor while sharply criticizing others based on perceived flaws like poor design, lack of innovation, or poor value.

## Detailed Analysis

Dunkey declares Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong Bananza as his best game of 2025, praising its expansive content, which features numerous collectibles, varied gameplay styles (including platforming, lava surfing, and boss fights), and high polish, noting it has more collectibles than Donkey Kong 64. Mario Kart World Tour receives high praise, specifically for its excellent physics and varied modes, including an open-world element and a free-roam city section, which Dunkey contrasts favorably against older kart racers. Kirby Air Riders is also lauded as very good, featuring new elements like the 'Battle Chariot' and improved mechanics. Conversely, Dunkey dismisses Death Stranding 2, claiming its cinematic nature is too far removed from engaging gameplay and that Kojima should stick to movies. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 remake is criticized for being overpriced, suggesting it's cheaper to rent it 17 times than to buy it. Star of Providence, a bullet-hell shooter, is shown but noted as a game Dunkey played previously in 2018, implying it's not a new contender. The video jumps between clips of these games, using humor and exaggerated reactions to deliver his rankings.

### The Best Game of 2025

- Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong Bananza
- Massive amounts of content and varied mechanics
- High polish and fun factor

### Highly Recommended Games

- Mario Kart World Tour
- Excellent physics and diverse modes (open world, city free-roam)
- Kirby Air Riders
- Features like the Battle Chariot and good music

### Games to Avoid/Critique

- Death Stranding 2
- Too cinematic, not enough engaging gameplay
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Remake
- Overpriced compared to older versions
- Star of Providence
- An older title disguised as new content

![Screenshot at 00:14: Gameplay footage of Lumines Arise demonstrating the block-matching puzzle mechanics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-00-14.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:35: The title screen for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which Dunkey mentions he would not play.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-00-35.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:54: Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay showing Donkey Kong riding a zebra-like creature in an icy environment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-00-54.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:17: Sword of the Sea title screen, followed by gameplay showing water surfing mechanics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-01-17.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:36: Gran Turismo gameplay, used as an example of a game Dunkey suggests he is tired of seeing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lTZZDIddssI/00-01-36.jpg)