Officially revealed during the Switch 2 April Direct, Nintendo is planning Donkey Kong’s triumphant comeback on Nintendo’s next-gen console—and it looks like he’s bringing utter chaos with him.
With the power to smash through terrain and shatter the ground beneath him, the game promises some creative and dynamic platforming action. This means the console’s first major platformer is Donkey Kong Bananza, so read on as we dive into everything we know about Donkey Kong Bananza.
1. Donkey Kong Bananza – Trailer, Gameplay, and More
With a flood of announcements from the recent Switch 2 Direct, we finally got our first look at Donkey Kong Bananza, alongside a lineup of other exciting upcoming Switch 2 titles.
As the first 3D Donkey Kong adventure we’ve seen in years, it’s already drawing comparisons to Mario Odyssey. The latest Nintendo Treehouse stream even gave us a deeper look at some of the underground gameplay.
i. Donkey Kong Bananza – Trailer
The Donkey Kong Bananza trailer gave us a glimpse at some of the game’s diverse platforming environments, ranging from icy landscapes to jungle tundras. As a fully 3D adventure, the game looks savagely inviting, with its open-zone level design.
The reveal trailer offered a first look at the action-packed gameplay, showcasing DK smashing through terrain in various ways. From ripping up chunks of the earth to crashing through the ground and pounding downward, it’s clear there’s a lot of “groundbreaking exploration” ahead.
Watch the reveal trailer here:
ii. Donkey Kong Bananza – Premise
According to Nintendo’s official website, Donkey Kong Bananza follows DK as he ventures into the underground world, each level going deeper, revealing more exciting locations.
DK is on the hunt for his beloved shiny golden bananas, but this time, a mysterious group known as VoidCo has stolen them. To get them back, players will help DK chase them into the depths below.
We’re also introduced to a new friend, who’s going to be DK’s sidekick and companion on this quest: a small purple rock named Odd Rock.
This quirky little guy helps DK overcome Void terrain—sections of the world resistant to normal attacks—and even sings to guide you when you’re unsure where to go next.
iii. Donkey Kong Bananza – Gameplay
Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3D platformer at its core, but it also includes familiar 2D-style barrel blasts and mine cart rides reminiscent of the Donkey Kong Country series.
Described as a “destructive” adventure, Bananza lets you traverse environments in all kinds of ways: rolling, climbing, drilling, and even riding rail karts.
- DK smashes through terrain with punches, crawls through mud to discover hidden items, and explores a hollow Earth-style setting where practically everything is destructible.
- DK can slap the ground to gather items, use bits of terrain to remove obstacles, and break apart the map as he explores.
- Secrets can be buried anywhere, encouraging players to interact with their environment in creative ways. Motion controls can also be used to smash terrain, adding a physical twist to the action.
A dynamic 3D map keeps track of all the destruction you cause, and if things get a little too chaotic, there’s a handy “reset terrain” feature to restore the environment and ensure you never miss anything.
iv. Donkey Kong Bananza – Features
In Donkey Kong Bananza, DK bursts onto the scene with a fresh design inspired by his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which also features in Mario Kart World.
His expressive eyes and feather-like fur give him a lively, animated feel. For the opening stage, set in a glittering gold mine, he even rocks a stylish miner’s outfit.
But it’s not just Donkey Kong who looks great. The stages are filled with vibrant colors and impressive particle effects—flying mud, shimmering crystals, and sparkling bananas all added to the game’s visual punch.
Bananza feels like a perfect blend of Mario’s whimsical charm and Donkey Kong’s bold, brawling energy. It’s chaotic, tactile, and full of personality.
2. Donkey Kong Bananza – Release Date, Price, and Platform
With the Switch 2 confirmed to release on June 5, Donkey Kong’s new 3D adventure will be one of the earliest major titles to hit the next-gen console, arriving alongside a strong lineup of launch games. The good news is, we won’t have to wait much longer to play it.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, priced at $70. That puts it in line with current industry standards—unlike the surprising $80 price tag attached to Mario Kart World.
Pre-orders for Donkey Kong Bananza aren’t available just yet. However, since Switch 2 pre-orders have gone live in select regions, Donkey Kong Bananza pre-orders will likely follow soon.
Nintendo also confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza will be a Switch 2 exclusive. That means it won’t be coming to the original Switch, even as other upcoming titles make their way to both systems.
While the Switch 2 will support backwards compatibility and some existing games will receive “Switch 2 Edition” upgrades, Bananza is built specifically for the new hardware and won’t be available on previous-gen consoles.
3. About Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza is an upcoming 3D platformer developed and published by Nintendo, set to release exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.
Players guide Donkey Kong through the depths of the Underground World to recover stolen banana-shaped diamonds from a villainous gang known as VoidCo. The gameplay features sandbox-style levels with destructible environments, allowing players to create paths and discover hidden items.
Priced at $69.99 for both physical and digital editions, Donkey Kong Bananza is not a launch title but is expected to be a significant release for the Switch 2.
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