Digging for Gold: Why Fans of Donkey Kong Bananza Will Be Hooked on a Surprisingly Deep “Hole” Game

Nintendo’s newest hit, Donkey Kong Bananza, which launched on July 17, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2, has been a runaway success, celebrated for its brilliant level design and its core mechanic of a fully destructible, diggable environment. The game, which lets you smash and burrow your way through its vibrant levels, has captured the imagination of a new generation of players. It’s the kind of game that is both an homage to a beloved franchise and a new, brilliant direction for the 3D platformer genre. But for players who have already sunk dozens of hours into finding every last Golden Banana and have a newfound craving for a game that is all about digging, there is a new, hidden gem on the market that is a perfect, and surprisingly deep, spiritual successor. A Game About Digging a Hole, a minimalist indie title that launched on PC earlier this year, is the perfect game to scratch that itch. It is a game that takes a single, simple idea and pushes it to its logical extreme, creating a hypnotic and addictive experience that is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a game that is not about epic platforming or a grand narrative; it is a game about the meditative joy of a single, simple, and satisfying action: digging.

The core gameplay loop of A Game About Digging a Hole is a deceptive masterpiece of minimalism. You are a nameless protagonist who has just bought a house on the premise of a buried treasure. You are given a shovel, and your only goal is to dig a hole. As you dig, you will find a variety of ores and gems that you can sell to a mysterious barn to upgrade your equipment. You can upgrade your shovel to dig a wider surface, your battery to power your jetpack for longer, and your inventory to carry more loot. The game’s genius lies in its simplicity. It is a game that is a direct, satisfying loop of action, reward, and progression. It’s a game that, much like Donkey Kong Bananza, is a testament to the power of a single, brilliant mechanic. But while Bananza uses digging as a tool for a larger platforming adventure, A Game About Digging a Hole uses it as the very foundation of its existence, creating a hypnotic and addictive experience that is a perfect, relaxing counterpoint to the high-octane action of a Nintendo platformer.

The game’s brilliance lies in its ability to take a simple, mundane premise and turn it into a surprisingly deep and rewarding experience. Here’s why fans of Donkey Kong Bananza, and anyone who loves a simple, satisfying loop, will be hooked on A Game About Digging a Hole.

• A Pure, Simple Pleasure: The game, in a bold move, strips away all the non-essential elements of a modern game. There is no combat, no narrative to speak of, and no complex skill trees. Your only goal is to dig, and the game is a masterclass in making that single action feel satisfying. The physics of the digging, with the satisfying crunch of your shovel and the satisfying “plop” of dirt falling away, is a brilliant piece of audio-visual design. It’s a game that is a direct appeal to the simple joy of a satisfying loop, and it’s a perfect way to unwind after a long day of high-stakes platforming.
• A Sense of Progression and Discovery: While the game’s loop is simple, its progression system is surprisingly deep. The game’s upgrade system, which allows you to upgrade your shovel, your battery, and your jetpack, is a constant source of motivation. The game is a constant, satisfying journey of progression, a journey that is made all the more rewarding by the random, unpredictable nature of the loot drops. You never know what you will find, and that constant sense of discovery is a brilliant way to keep the player engaged.
• A Meditative, Relaxing Vibe: The game’s atmosphere is a calm, meditative, and at times, eerie experience. The minimalist art style, with its focus on a simple color palette and a clean aesthetic, is a perfect backdrop for a game that is a relaxing, hypnotic loop. The game’s sound design, which focuses on the simple, satisfying sounds of digging, is a brilliant way to add a layer of immersion to the experience. It’s a game that is a perfect antidote to the high-octane, high-stress world of modern gaming.
• A Niche-Busting Success Story: The game, which was created by a solo developer in just 14 days, is a massive success story. The game has already sold over a million copies and has been praised by both critics and players for its originality and its surprisingly deep, rewarding experience. The game’s success is a powerful testament to the idea that sometimes, the most successful games are the ones that are not trying to be the next big thing, but are instead just trying to be a fun, simple, and satisfying experience. It’s a game that is a direct, and brilliant, celebration of the power of a single, simple idea.

A Business and News Perspective: A Reminder of the Indie Market’s Power

From a news and industry perspective, A Game About Digging a Hole is a massive, game-changing event. The game’s success is a clear sign that the indie market is a powerful force that is capable of creating a massive, and unexpected, hit. The game’s focus on a simple, satisfying loop, and its direct-to-consumer model, are a perfect example of a new, and more fair, paradigm for game development. The game’s success is a powerful reminder that the best games are not always the ones with the biggest budgets or the most marketing, but are instead the ones with the most heart, the most creativity, and the most satisfying core idea. For fans of Donkey Kong Bananza, this is the game we’ve been waiting for. It is a game that is a beautiful, brutal, and compelling new chapter in a story that is only just beginning, and for fans of simple, satisfying games, this is the game we’ve been waiting for.