An Unwanted Prequel?

Not once have I ever wondered where the likes of Banban, Banbaleena, Nabnab and the rest of the Garten of Banban gang have come from. I try not to think about them at all to be honest, because then my dreams would become nightmares. 

Sure, I could have read the case notes dotted around every game to find out, but again, I’d rather not think about them. So, imagine my delight when a prequel game arrives on Xbox…

Garten of Banban 0 is the prequel to the unique mascot horror series that has been releasing on consoles over recent months. 0 only released back in February 2025 for PC, so the console releases are coming along almost as soon as the PC ones now. However, unlike the Steam release, where this is a free game, it costs £4.19 on Xbox. Still a lot cheaper than some of the other entries, but that is largely in part to the much shorter runtime here. It took me an hour to finish Garten of Banban 0, and that was even with having to redo a particularly nasty puzzle section a few times.

For those who have been able to keep up with the overarching narrative, Garten of Banban 0 offers up a different primary protagonist. It isn’t made clear who you are playing as at first but, considering where the first game starts, and indeed, why you are entering the nightmare factory in the first place, then waking up in a dormitory within the kindergarten itself, suggests you are playing as someone else. No spoilers as to who it is, but there is a good reason as to why this prequel has come out at the time it has.

Friendships Are As Fractious As Ever

Allegiances can be fractious in the world of Garten of Banban to say the least, and Garten of Banban 0 addresses this in a quite tongue-in-cheek way. Focus the camera on any of the characters you see and a pop-up will show you their case number, alongside their social standing with you. As you perform tasks these will change over time, and the tension remains that these are not something to rest on your laurels with.

Garten of Banban 0 keeps most of the same gameplay elements from previous games, such as platforming, puzzles and a climactic chase section, but arguably loses the horror entirely. If you fail any of the puzzles, the penalties are far milder than the games before. One causes a death sans jumpscare, and other ones just require you to complete them correctly.

But that doesn’t mean these puzzles are any easier. The first one is quite ingenious, involving placing different shaped balls in the right order along a zig-zagging path. It’s really satisfying to figure it out. But the final one, easier to comprehend, but requires some precise timing. And the Garten of Banban series has always been a bit lax in its polish, with the greatest of respect, making this an even trickier puzzle.

Even though this is a prequel, there is a new character. And I’m going to throw it out there, but I’d be willing to die for them. Truffletoot is their name, and I genuinely believe they are incapable of harming me, unlike the rest of the gang. Expect me to eat my words in later Banban games, but for now, we have an unbreakable bond.

And just because this is a prequel, it is not the best starting point for those looking to jump into the series. Because of the characters involved, it’s more of a look back rather than a jumping on board point.

The Cast Are Still Here

But what characters I hear you ask. Well, you get to see the likes of Banban, Banbaleena, Nabnab, Syringeon, Bittergiggle and more. Some of their appearances will leave you with more questions than answers as well. As much as I have bemoaned the series before for a lack of narrative guidance, it has to be commended here. By showing many of these established characters in a new light, you will be left thinking about where it all went wrong.

And whilst credits aren’t typically singled out as a positive, they are here in Garten of Banban 0. This is the first time a Banban game has had what you could consider a proper outro, complete with funky new tune and some genuinely pretty artwork.

A Short, Puzzling Prequel for Series Fans (But Play it on PC)

However, whilst Garten of Banban 0 is a fun little prequel, it is tough to recommend. Fully avoid it if you are a newcomer, and if you want to give it a try as someone familiar with the series, play it for free on Steam instead.

Unlike some of the other games, Garten of Banban 0 doesn’t overstay its welcome, and the puzzles actually require you to think. There are still elements of jank that lets you down, especially in the platforming sections and precise timing mechanics. But, if you like your mascot horror devoid of all horror, then this might be for you.

Your Links

Love It or Loathe It – Prequel Garten of Banban 0 Launches on Xbox – https://www.thexboxhub.com/love-it-or-loathe-it-prequel-garten-of-banban-0-launches-on-xbox/

Buy Garten of Banban 0 on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/garten-of-banban-0/9NXL2CVCCVDP/0010