Inside the Making of Donkey Kong Bananza: Nintendo Switch 2’s Next Big Platformer Unveiled

Donkey Kong Bananza Signals a Bold New Era for Nintendo Switch 2 and the Iconic Franchise This summer, Nintendo is set to reinvigorate one of its most beloved franchises with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on Thursday, July 17.

Developed by Nintendo’s own veteran team, including several key players behind the celebrated 3D Mario titles such as Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Bananza promises a fresh 3D adventure that pushes the boundaries of classic platforming. A Star-Studded Development Team with Mario Pedigree The development of Donkey Kong Bananza is helmed by some of Nintendo’s most experienced talent.

Producer Kenta Motokura, known for his work on Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World, led the vision and core concepts behind the game.

As Motokura detailed, the team channeled years of expertise from 3D action platformers into redefining what makes Donkey Kong unique, stating that they set out to answer the fundamental question: “What is Donkey Kong?” Directors Kazuya Takahashi and Wataru Tanaka contributed to game design, level structure, cutscene development, and the unique enemy behaviors that play to the strengths of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.

With experience on titles ranging from open-world RPGs to previous Mario platformers, their guidance ensured Donkey Kong Bananza remained true to its roots while introducing compelling new gameplay mechanics. A Visual and Mechanical Overhaul for Donkey Kong At the heart of Donkey Kong Bananza is a revitalized take on the iconic character.

Art director Daisuke Watanabe, whose portfolio includes the Super Mario Galaxy series, led a comprehensive redesign to capture Donkey Kong’s essence—balancing his legendary strength with a sense of playfulness and charm.

By referencing original designs from Miyamoto’s early Donkey Kong games and consulting with artists from throughout the franchise’s history, the team crafted a version of Donkey Kong that felt fresh yet familiar.

Standout features like thicker fur, expressive facial animations, and a stylized new outfit give Donkey Kong greater on-screen presence. Innovative Gameplay Built for 3D Action A defining element of Donkey Kong Bananza is the introduction of the "Bananergy" gauge and Bananza Transformations—a mechanic that emerges as players smash terrain and collect gold.

As director Takahashi explained, unleashing destructive power by transforming into varied animal forms and chaining attacks elevates the kinetic action and separates the title from past entries.

Similar to Mario’s transformative power-ups, Donkey Kong’s new abilities allow players to approach platforming challenges with fresh strategies, reinforcing the game’s theme of continuous and creative destruction. Legacy and Forward Momentum Nintendo has a long tradition of reinventing its classic characters, and Donkey Kong Bananza stands as a testament to that spirit.

Drawing on the company’s platforming legacy—from Miyamoto’s founding Donkey Kong arcade game to the groundbreaking Donkey Kong Country games by Rare Ltd.—the Switch 2 entry aims to establish a parallel between 2D and 3D Donkey Kong experiences, echoing what has made Mario a perennial Nintendo staple. With a global launch set for July 17, Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to make a major impact both on the Nintendo Switch 2’s growing library and on the future trajectory of the Donkey Kong series.

For long-time fans and new players alike, this release represents both a celebration of legacy and a bold leap into the next generation of platforming adventure.

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