For years, Donkey Kong fans have been begging Nintendo for something big—something more than another side-scroller or cameo in a Mario Party mini-game. On June 18, 2025, they finally got their wish. The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct blew the doors open on what’s easily the most ambitious Donkey Kong game ever made.
And yes, it’s glorious.
A Brand-New 3D Adventure, Finally
Let’s not beat around the banana tree—this is the first fully 3D Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong 64 way back in 1999. That’s over two decades of waiting. While Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was a masterpiece in its own right, fans have long wanted something more in the vein of Mario Odyssey. Donkey Kong Bananza answers that call.
The game is launching July 17, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, and it looks like it’s been designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the system’s power.
🎥 Watch the official Donkey Kong Bananza Direct below
What’s the Game About?
The story kicks off beneath Ingot Isle, where the villainous VoidCo has stolen the golden bananas—jewel-encrusted treasures that DK needs to recover. But these aren’t just any bananas; they’re infused with mysterious “Bananergy,” a power source tied to the island’s deep core.
To get them back, DK has to dig deep—literally—into the Underground World, a layered, destructible terrain system packed with puzzles, enemies, and secrets.
Along the way, he meets a young, mysterious figure named “Odd Rock,” who later reveals herself as none other than Pauline—yes, that Pauline. The game introduces her in a completely new light, and she plays a key role in both the story and co-op gameplay.
DK and Pauline: Co-op Like Never Before
Nintendo’s leaning into local co-op, and Bananza does it in a pretty novel way. If you’re playing solo, Pauline isn’t playable—she’ll appear as an AI companion. But hand a second Joy-Con (or use GameShare) and a second player can jump in as Pauline, using motion-based controls to trigger her musical abilities.
One standout feature: her vocal blast can shatter obstacles, stun enemies, and even solve musical puzzles. And yes, co-op play doesn’t require both players to own the game, thanks to Switch 2’s smart GameShare functionality.
This level of cooperative asymmetry reminds us of the Luigi’s Mansion 3 or Super Mario Galaxy co-op concepts—but dialed way up.
Bananza Transformations and “Bananergy” Powers
Let’s talk powers. One of the biggest reveals in the Direct was the introduction of Bananza Transformations, all powered by a mysterious energy called Bananergy. These transformations let Donkey Kong take on wild new forms:
- Kong Bananza: Boosts strength and lets DK punch through stone and metal.
- Zebra Bananza: Grants super speed—even letting DK dash across water.
- Ostrich Bananza: Lets him fly and drop egg bombs from above.
These transformations are activated by collecting and spending Bananergy at certain statues or shrines, adding a bit of Metroidvania flavor to the platforming loop.
The World Is Your Playground—Literally
DK’s new playground isn’t just bigger—it’s smashable. The game introduces full terrain destruction, where punching, stomping, or pulling pieces of the environment can uncover hidden paths, secrets, or even be used as tools. One mechanic—called Turf Surfing—lets DK ride broken chunks of stone like a skateboard.
This makes exploration feel dynamic and satisfying in a way few platformers manage to achieve. It’s like what Breath of the Wild did for puzzles, but reimagined through Donkey Kong’s fists.
If you’ve missed exploration-heavy platformers, this is going to hit the spot.
Artistic Modes, Skill Trees, and Community Features
Outside the main game, there’s a surprising amount of creativity baked into the experience. DK Artist Mode lets you sculpt and paint your own stone statues using the Joy-Con 2’s motion or mouse-like input, and these creations can be shared online.
The game also features a Photo Mode, full amiibo support, and an in-game GameChat system for online interaction—voice and video included.
There’s even a light RPG skill tree system using collectible Banandium Gems earned through optional “side-scroll challenge stages.” These skill trees let you customize DK and Pauline’s abilities, creating different gameplay styles.
Nintendo fans have been asking for more social features in core titles, and this game delivers them in a natural, unintrusive way.
Amiibo, Preorders, and the $70 Price Tag
Nintendo confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza will retail at $69.99, which is now the norm for first-party Switch 2 games. New amiibo figures for DK and Pauline are launching alongside the game. Scanning them unlocks early-game perks, like Bananergy boosts and a special “Jungle Rhythm” transformation skin.
Preorders are live now on Nintendo’s official site
For those looking to grab the physical edition or collector’s bundle, expect more details from Nintendo’s store in the coming weeks.
First Impressions from the Community
The buzz is real. On Reddit and Twitter, fans are calling Bananza one of the most exciting Nintendo announcements in years:
“This looks better than I could’ve hoped for. It’s like Nintendo finally realized how cool DK could be in 3D.”
— u/KongKrazy on r/NintendoSwitch
And the comparisons to Mario Odyssey are already flying.
While it’s likely the teams working on Mario and Donkey Kong have split directions, this opens the door for both series to shine on their own terms. For what it’s worth, Odyssey 2 rumors are already heating up for a potential 2026 release.
Final Thoughts
Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be more than just a great Donkey Kong game—it might just be one of Nintendo’s boldest 3D platformers yet. Between its destructible world, creative gameplay modes, deep co-op mechanics, and musical transformations, it offers something genuinely fresh.
If you’ve been waiting for Nintendo to treat Donkey Kong with the same level of love and innovation they gave Mario or Zelda—this is it.
Want to stay updated on all things Nintendo Switch 2? Check out trusted sources like Nintendo Life or IGN’s Nintendo page.
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