Can you play Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 1?

Donkey Kong Bananza DK looking angry ready to beat his chest to create a music beat — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Unfortunately, Donkey Kong Bananza isn't on Switch 1 and is a Switch 2 exclusive, but there is still a way to (sort of) play it on a Switch via online co-op. To be clear, a Switch 1-compatible version of the game doesn't exist, so do not buy it if you don't own a Switch 2! But if you know someone who owns a Switch 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza, the GameShare feature lets you join in on the ape action as Pauline. Since there are some major limitations to be aware of with this system, I've explained everything you need to know about playing Donkey Kong Bananza on a Switch 1 and co-op below.

How to play Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 1 in co-op

Donkey Kong Bananza DK and Pauline looking intrigued — (Image credit: Nintendo)

If you want to play Donkey Kong Bananza on a Switch 1, you'll need to have someone else with you who owns a Nintendo Switch 2 and the game as they need to use Nintendo's GameShare feature. For this to work, both consoles must also be connected to the same local network, so they essentially need to be in the same room (although you can play online co-op if both players have Switch 2s).

Here's how to set that up for Donkey Kong Bananza, assuming you meet the above requirements:

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The Switch 2 player must start Donkey Kong Bananza and select "Co-op Play" on the main menu.
Select "GamesShare (Local User)". This'll take you to a different menu where you must wait for another user to join.

Donkey Kong Bananza co-op play menu with gameshare local user option — (Image credit: Nintendo)

The Switch 1 player then needs to open the GameShare app. The icon is a teal-colored rectangle with curves beaming in through the top
Select "Join GameShare" and then "A Local User". Your Switch 1 will begin searching for a session. Join the Switch 2 player's session when it pops up on your screen to start playing DK Bananza on your Switch 1.

Donkey Kong Bananza join gameshare on switch 1 menu — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Bear in mind that if you are joining any Donkey Kong Bananza session via GameShare on your Switch 1, you can only play as Pauline since the host must be DK. As Pauline, you get to ride on DK's shoulders shooting powerful singing vocals to smash up enemies and the environment, but you can't move separately, so it's a sort of on-rails shooter mode.

And it's worth repeating that there isn't a Switch 1 version of Donkey Kong Bananza to buy and play, so this local co-op option is the only way you can play this game if you don't own a Switch 2.

While in co-op mode, you may want to turn Donkey Kong Bananza Assist Mode on or off for more help or fewer distractions. You can also check out our Donkey Kong Bananza tips and our Donkey Kong Bananza review!

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Will Sawyer is a Guides Editor at GamesRadar+ with over five years of experience in writing online guides, news, and features, and has a BA (Hons) in Journalism. Starting as a freelancer, Will contributed to startmenu and Game Rant before joining the GamesRadar+ team in August 2021. Since then, he has written hundreds of guides about a huge range of games, with shooters and action games being his areas of expertise. Outside of writing about games, Will hops between multiplayer shooters with friends, such as Darktide and Helldivers 2, and delves into whatever has been on his backlog for far too long. He also tries to get through his never-ending Warhammer pile of shame of grey Tyranids, Aeldari, and Chaos Space Marines.