Donkey Kong Bananza Unveiled: Nintendo Switch 2 Sees the Return of DK in All-New 3D Platformer

Nintendo has officially pulled back the curtain on Donkey Kong Bananza, an ambitious new addition to the legendary franchise, during the recent Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation.

Scheduled to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, Donkey Kong Bananza marks DK's return to center stage in a vibrant, action-packed 3D platforming adventure that both honors series traditions and introduces brand-new gameplay mechanics. Set in the depths of Ingot Isle, Donkey Kong Bananza opens with an epochal discovery: golden bananas hidden in the cavernous underground.

As Donkey Kong stumbles upon this treasure, a sudden tempest propels him deeper into the planet, setting the stage for players to explore a subterranean world teeming with mystery, music, and the promise of mayhem.

Joining Donkey Kong on this journey is Odd Rock, a mysterious new character revealed to be none other than singer Pauline.

Together, they traverse the vast Underground World, using a combination of strength and song in gameplay that supports both solo and cooperative play. Nintendo highlighted DK's expanded moveset in this entry.

Players can drill through terrain with the Dive Punch, flatten obstacles with the Hand Slap, and reveal secrets by tearing up the ground and riding atop chunks via a new 'Turf Surfing' mechanic.

These powers can be creatively combined, offering a fresh layer of depth and dynamism to platforming challenges. A standout innovation in Donkey Kong Bananza is the transformation system.

As players collect gold, they build "Bananergy," enabling Pauline’s singing to temporarily transform Donkey Kong.

Transformations such as Kong Bananza grant super strength, Zebra Bananza boosts speed and agility, and Ostrich Bananza lets DK fly and unleash Egg Bombs on foes.

This synergy between music and power adds a distinct twist to the platforming formula. The game also introduces robust local co-op multiplayer.

Using a shared Joy-Con 2, two players can individually control Donkey Kong and Pauline.

Additional features like GameShare1 enable local co-op even if only one player owns the game, while GameChat2 provides voice and video chat options for online play. Adventurers will find themselves racing toward the enigmatic Planet Core, a fabled location rumored to grant any wish.

As Donkey Kong and Pauline pursue their goals—bananas for DK, and a path home for Pauline—they confront the villainous Void Company (VoidCo), a mining conglomerate responsible for the underground chaos and Pauline’s mysterious transformation.

Along the way, players will encounter familiar faces like Cranky Kong and Rambi, as well as new adversaries such as Void Kong and his team. Donkey Kong Bananza places a strong emphasis on collectibles and character customization.

Golden bananas, known in-game as Banandium Gems, unlock skill upgrades and new abilities.

Players can engage in a variety of side activities including timed battles, obstacle courses, and side-scrolling challenges to obtain more collectibles like Banandium Chips and Banandium Gold, which can be exchanged for items and customization options such as new costumes and fur colors via in-game shops. Nintendo is also supporting the game with new amiibo.

Launching on the same day, the Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo provide exclusive unlocks, such as Pauline’s Diva Dress and powerful KONG tiles.

Scanning other Donkey Kong amiibo rewards gold tiles, while any amiibo grants a sphere of terrain material for use in-game. Rounding out the package, Donkey Kong Bananza features creative game modes like a Photo Mode, which allows for camera and visual adjustments to capture in-game moments, and DK Artist, where players use Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality to carve designs and add banana-themed effects. With a blend of time-tested platforming, innovative mechanics, local and online multiplayer, and deep customization, Donkey Kong Bananza aims to be the definitive new chapter for fans of the franchise.

For the full Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation and more details, visit Nintendo’s official site.

Donkey Kong Bananza launches globally for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza amiibo Switch 2 Switch Pauline Void Company VoidCo Rambi Cranky Kong Poppy Kong Grumpy Kong Elders