Donkey Kong Bananza is bringing us a smashing new adventure starring the famous gorilla, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most exciting upcoming Switch 2 games on the near horizon. With the first official reveal coming during the Switch 2 April Direct, we've since gotten an even better picture of what's in store.
With some Treehouse presentations and a dedicated Direct, it was revealed that Donkey Kong's long awaited comeback will feature a young Pauline, and we've also seen some other familiar faces, such as Diddy Kong and Cranky Kong. After a lot of speculation, Nintendo officially confirmed that Bananza is coming to us from the same team that brough us Super Mario Odyssey, which you can definitely get a feel for in its gameplay.
It's been a long time since we've seen a 3D DK game, with the last one being Donkey Kong 64 on the N64 over two decades ago. That fact, coupled with lots of creative features, makes this one of the most exciting new games for 2025 that's set to come to the Switch 2. To find out more about what's in store, read on below as we breakdown everything we know so far about Donkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong Bananza release date
Nintendo revealed the Donkey Kong Bananza release date is set for July 17, 2025. That means we won't have to wait too long to reunite with the famous ape.
With the Direct confirming the Switch 2 set for launch on June 5, Donkey Kong's upcoming 3D adventure will be one of the earliest releases on the new console, alongside a lineup of Switch 2 launch games.
Donkey Kong Bananza platforms
Nintendo confirmed Donkey Kong Bananza will be coming to the Switch 2.
The new-gen console will have backwards compatibility and some Switch games will be getting the Switch 2 Edition treatment, but Donkey Kong Bananza is new-gen only.
Is Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 1?
If you found yourself wondering whether or not Donkey Kong Bananza will be coming to Switch 1, you're not alone. Alas, Nintendo has confirmed DK's new 3D adventure will be a Switch 2 console exclusive.
While this means you'll have to play on the new-gen console if you want to play solo, the GameShare support feature does mean that you can play in co-op locally on the Switch 1 as Pauline if another player activates the feature on the Switch 2 - but you'll still need the latest console.
Donkey Kong Bananza trailer
The Donkey Kong Bananza trailer (which you can watch above) showed off some of the platforming levels that will be in store for us, from icy landscapes to jungle tundra, and more.
As a 3D adventure, it already looks very polished and inviting, and the platforming levels appear to be quite open-zoned in nature - in a similar vein to the likes of Kirby and the Forgotten. We also see plenty of smashing action as DK tears up the landscape above ground and below it.
Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay
We got to see some glimpses of Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay in the announcement trailer, with DK crashing through the terrain in a variety of ways. From pulling up the earth, to crashing through the ground, and even bashing down below, we got to see some examples of the "groundbreaking exploration" that's in store for us.
Nintendo's official website for the game also sheds light on some gameplay details, including the fact that we'll be helping Donkey Kong make his way "through the depths of the underground world", and the "deeper he goes, the more amazing places he finds." True to his nature, he also wants to get his hands on some shiny golden bananas, but a pesky mysterious group called VoidCo steals them. So, in hot pursuit of the a-peeling treasure, we have to help DK chase them down by heading underground.
Described as a "destructive" adventure, there will be all manner of ways to traverse through the landscape and "pulverize" the environment with our monkey fists. In the trailer, we see lots of examples, from rail kart rides to climbing, rolling, and drilling down into the ground.
In a Nintendo Treehouse stream following the Switch 2 Direct, we got to take a closer look at some Donkey Bananza gameplay, which took us underground in a mining area. From seeing DK slap the ground to collect nearby items, to using chunks of terrain to clear obstacles, and break up the environment.
Donkey Kong can also pull up turnips to find items, and tear off chunks from foes to gain the upper hand. How deep we'll be able to dig down will depend on the kind of terrain we're dealing with, but the Donkey Kong Bananza June Direct showed off how we can completely transform an environment.
During our time playing the demo at the Switch 2 Experience, we also learned that you'll be able to smash the terrain around you using motion controls as well. There is also a 3D map that will reflect all your ape destruction, which updates as you change the world around you.
And if you were planning to destroy the map completely, don't worry: there's a handy "reset terrain" feature that will make sure you never get stuck or miss out on anything either. For more, you can check out our Donkey Kong Bananza hands-on preview.
Donkey Kong Bananza: Pauline
During the June Direct, it was officially revealed that Donkey Kong Bananza will also feature Pauline. We were initially introduced to a little purple rock side-kick known as Odd Rock, which actually turns out to be a younger Pauline who's a talented singer that takes on the role of DK's companion.
The Direct details that Pauline is trying to find a way back home on the surface, while DK's is just after bananas, but with the promises of having any wish granted for those who reach the planet's core, the pair set out to make it there and have to work together to overcome challenges and obstacles. We see how she hitches a ride on DK's back as he climbs, smashes, and runs across the landscape.
Nintendo also confirmed that you can share a Joy-Con 2 controller with a pal so one can take control of DK, while the other plays as Pauline in two-player co-op. Pauline can make use of vocal blasts using the mouse functionality, and GameShare is also supported, so you can play locally with one copy of the game.
Donkey Kong Bananza characters
Alongside Donkey Kong and Pauline, we've seen lots of Donkey Kong Bananza characters so far.
Nintendo revealed the the main antagonists of the adventure, who are members of a group known as VoidCo, who are said to be stealing all of the bananas. So far we know that this group is make of new characters, including Grumpy Kong and Poppy Kong.
With plenty of footage in Treehouse streams, and confirmation of some of the familiar faces we'll be reuniting with and meeting in gameplay that was shown during the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, you can find a list of all of the other characters we know about so far below.
- Cranky Kong
- Diddy Kong
- Dixie Kong
- Rambi the Rhino
Donkey Kong Bananza transformations and collectibles
The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct gave us a look at a wealth of exciting features, including different transformations, collectibles, and skills.
As we explore the subterranean world, we'll come across Banadium Gems can be found behind walls, underground, out in the open, or earned by completing timed-battles, side-scrolling stages, and obstacle courses. When we collect these banana-shaped treasures, we'll earn skill points that can be put towards new skills.
Banandium Chips are also peppered throughout the world that when found can be used as a form of currency by trading them for gold nuggets. You can then take the gold and buy items at the "Stuff shop". Fossils can also be unearthed as you explore, and these can be used to unlock new styles for Donkey Kong and Pauline - we even see that DK can change up his fur color. These new fashionable looks are also said to have useful benefits.
As DK, we'll be also be able able to adopt different Bananza transformations. These are activated through the power of Pauline's singing which can temporarily change Donkey Kong's form and enhance his destructive ability. By collecting gold to build up the pair's "Bananergy", Pauline's singing will then be able to trigger these transformations, and each one has its own specialty - such as the Ostrich Bananza which we see allows DK to fly through the air and drop eggs on foes, as well as the Zebra Bananza that makes him faster and lets you dash in short bursts.
Donkey Kong Bananza Amiibo
The June Direct also revealed a new Donkey Kong Bananza and Pauline Amiibo, as well confirming it will feature Amiibo support for every Amiibo that's released so far.
The Donkey Kong Bananza amiibo that features Pauline will available on July 17th, and allows you to unlock a special Diva Dress early, as well as dropping explosive Kong tiles that you can placed and thrown. The Donkey Kong range of Amiibos that have previously released will also give you gold Kong tiles, while scanning other Amiibo will make giant spheres of terrain appear.
Our guide on where to pre-order the new Switch 2 Donkey Banaza amiibo is here to help if you're looking to snatch up the pair.
Can I pre-order Donkey Kong Bananza?
With Switch 2 pre-orders live, you can also now pre-order Donkey Kong Bananza ahead of its launch this July, but there doesn't appear to be any associated Donkey Kong Bananza pre-order bonus.
The Donkey Bananza price has also also been confirmed, with the digital and physical versions available to purchase for $69.99 from the official Nintendo store. Digital copies in the UK retail at £58.99, while the physical version clocks in at £66.99. Pre-orders are also live at some of the biggest retailers.
While we wait for this new adventure to arrive, look back on the previous consoles highlights with our pick of the best Switch exclusives.
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