Nintendo teased a wild 15-minute surprise with their Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, showing off a 3D platformer that feels like a fresh breath of life for the Kong crew. This game is set to hit the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusively on July 17, 2025.
Donkey Kong Bananza kicks off a colorful 3D platforming ride with Donkey Kong teaming up with Pauline, the classic damsel from the old arcade days, in a twist no one saw coming. Nintendo spilled the beans that Pauline—who’d been hinted at as some mysterious purple rock buddy—is actually a big deal, using her singing chops to shake up how the game plays.“Together, the pair explore the vast Underground World by smashing, crashing, jumping, and singing their way through it,” Nintendo stated during the Direct.
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An interesting new feature is Donkey Kong’s “Bananza Transformations,” powered by a resource called Bananergy, which players collect as gold. These transformations turn DK into various animals, each with unique abilities. “Pauline can enhance Donkey Kong’s destructive ability and even make him temporarily transform through the power of her singing,” Nintendo explained. Some fans on social media say that theese transformations are very similar to Banjo-Kazooie’s shape-shifting mechanics.
That’s not all, Bananza offers cooperative play, allowing a second player to control Pauline alongside DK. Nintendo highlighted this as “a rollicking adventure you can play solo or in cooperative play with a friend.” The Direct also confirmed the return of classic characters like Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, and Rambi, alongside new faces like Grumpy Kong and Poppy Kong.
Gameplay revolves around destruction, with DK able to smash nearly every part of the environment. Chunks of terrain can be torn off and used as weapons, a mechanic enabled by the Switch 2’s enhanced hardware. “It has been suggested that any ape-related destruction remains as a permanent part of the map, thanks to the increased power of the Switch 2,” Engadget reported. A unique DK Artist mode introduces a creative twist, utilizing the Switch 2’s mouse controls for players to design in-game elements.
New amiibo figures for Donkey Kong and Pauline are set to be released alongside the game. Specifics weren’t shared during the Direct, but these figures will most likely be used to unlock exclusive in-game content. Collectibles, such as golden bananas and other items guarded by musically themed Giant Elders, play a significant role. Pauline’s singing unlocks these items, tying exploration to her narrative arc. “By learning songs acquired from the Giant Elders, Pauline can sing to transform Donkey Kong,” Nintendo noted.
Priced at $69.99 and available for pre-order, Bananza is poised to be a summer hit when it launches on July 17, 2025.
