Donkey Kong Bananza and New 3D Mario Reportedly in Simultaneous Development at Nintendo

Nintendo continues to expand its lineup of major first-party titles, with fresh details emerging about parallel development on high-profile projects for the Nintendo Switch.

Recent interviews with key developers have shed light on two ambitious games: Donkey Kong Bananza and a new 3D Mario project, both of which signal Nintendo’s commitment to its iconic franchises and the ongoing innovation within their development teams. Donkey Kong Bananza, the latest installment in the storied Donkey Kong series, is being produced by Kenta Motokura and directed by Kazuya Takahashi.

Both developers are renowned for their previous work on acclaimed Nintendo titles.

Kenta Motokura’s production credits include the critically acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey, while Kazuya Takahashi has taken on key design roles in past Nintendo projects, ensuring that Donkey Kong Bananza is in experienced hands.

Their collaboration was prompted by Yoshiaki Koizumi, the respected producer behind Super Mario Odyssey, who specifically asked the pair to explore the prospects of bringing a 3D Donkey Kong game to life. Notably, although Yoshiaki Koizumi played a pivotal role in initiating the idea for a new 3D Donkey Kong game, he is not directly involved in Donkey Kong Bananza’s development.

Koizumi’s absence from this particular project is significant, given his longstanding involvement in Nintendo’s 3D Mario titles, including Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World.

Industry observers point out that his ongoing commitments may be tied to leading development on the upcoming 3D Mario installment, further supporting the narrative that Nintendo is investing substantial resources into both franchises concurrently. While Nintendo has not issued official statements regarding release dates or public timelines for Donkey Kong Bananza or the new 3D Mario game, these revelations from recent media interviews provide rare insight into the company’s internal development strategy.

The decision to have separate leadership on Donkey Kong Bananza, while keeping Koizumi at the helm of Mario, showcases Nintendo’s approach to leveraging specialized talent to deliver innovation and maintain the high quality associated with their flagship games. The Nintendo Switch continues to be a strong platform for first-party exclusives, driving both hardware and eShop software sales.

As Nintendo fans eagerly await formal announcements, the confirmed involvement of veteran developers in both Donkey Kong Bananza and the next 3D Mario title solidifies Nintendo’s reputation for fostering creative excellence and delivering memorable gaming experiences.

Stay tuned for future Nintendo Direct presentations, where additional details may be revealed.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Mario 3D Mario Kazuya Kenta Motokura Bananza Kazuya Takahashi Motokura Takahashi Yoshiaki Koizumi Super Mario Odyssey Super Mario 3D World Nintendo Switch