Donkey Kong Bananza swings into the spotlight with big gameplay reveal

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 19-Jun-2025, 11:30 am

Nintendo thrilled fans during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct by unveiling an in-depth look at Donkey Kong Bananza, the first full-scale Donkey Kong 3D adventure in over two decades. The game is set to launch on July 17, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2, and promises a mix of explosive action, exploration, and surprising character cameos.

A surprising presentation

The presentation was spectacular and it reached its peak with the reveal of a mysterious character known as "Odd Rock," who is eventually revealed to be a young version of Pauline. Once freed from her stone form, Pauline joins Donkey Kong on his journey, using her musical talents to trigger transformation abilities that are central to both combat and traversal in the game.

The gameplay centers around a new mechanic called Bananza transformations, which allow Donkey Kong to take on powerful new forms. These include the brute-strength-fueled Kong Bananza, the high-speed Zebra Bananza, and the flight-capable Ostrich Bananza, each offering unique abilities that change how players interact with the environment and enemies. These transformations are powered by "Bananergy," a collectible energy source obtained by gathering golden bananas throughout the game.

Environmental interaction is also a standout feature. Donkey Kong can smash, break, and reshape the world around him to uncover hidden paths, secrets, and collectibles, adding a sandbox-like twist to the platforming formula. This feature reminisces of the inventive freedom of Super Mario Odyssey, but with a heavier focus on raw power and jungle-themed mechanics.

Donkey Kong Bananza will offer both single-player and co-op experiences. In two-player mode, one player controls Donkey Kong, while the second takes on the role of Pauline using the new Joy-Con 2's pointer-based controls to support DK with vocal-based attacks and puzzle-solving abilities. Additionally, GameShare features will let friends join co-op sessions using another Switch 2 system even if they don’t own the game.

Beyond its core campaign, Donkey Kong Bananza features several side activities and modes. The Challenge Course Ruins presents skill-based gauntlets filled with minecarts, battles, and timed platforming trials. Players can unlock new abilities via a Skill Tree, and customize characters with fossils and in-game currency through a system reminiscent of RPG progression. There's even a creative side mode, DK Artist, that lets players sculpt statues using the Joy-Con’s new mouse-style controls.

Photo Mode and a convenient Elevator Travel System round out the gameplay reveal, promising a mix of deep mechanics and streamlined traversal. Nintendo also announced a dual Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo, which unlocks exclusive outfits and helpful in-game bonuses, set to release alongside the game.

With just a month to go before launch, Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be one of the Switch 2's tentpole titles. It brings a bold new direction to the Donkey Kong series, blending nostalgic charm with modern gameplay innovations. Remember that our comparator allows you to pre-order Donkey Kong Bananza at the best price if you don't want to miss the return of the iconic platformer series.