Donkey Kong Bananza Key Art Leak Reveals Possible New Character on Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated platformer for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, has sparked widespread discussion in the gaming community following the apparent leak of official key art.

The new artwork, reportedly published prematurely on Nintendo's official Korean website, showcases Donkey Kong alongside what appears to be a young version of Pauline, a fan-favorite character from the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises. This image, quickly removed from Nintendo Korea but widely circulated on social media, differs from previously shared graphics in other regions, with the newly discovered art including the mysterious young Pauline character.

Notably, the character is depicted wearing a distinctive purple rock bracelet, which has caught the attention of fans and industry watchers alike.

The unique accessory is fueling further analysis, as it could hint at central story elements or gameplay mechanics that players will encounter when Donkey Kong Bananza launches. Earlier artwork, shared by Nintendo in other territories, did not feature this character, making the Korean site leak especially significant for those seeking new details about the game.

The inclusion of established characters like Cranky Kong was confirmed through recent gameplay footage shown during Nintendo Treehouse demonstrations.

These details continue to build anticipation surrounding the title, which is expected to be one of the flagship releases for the next-generation Switch 2 hardware. Nintendo has a long-standing tradition of tightly guarding details around its marquee titles, particularly those featuring legacy characters such as Donkey Kong and Pauline.

The accidental release of this artwork is a rare misstep, offering a clearer look at the creative direction of Donkey Kong Bananza.

While social media users and Donkey Kong lore experts have generated extensive theories about the potential role of the purple rock bracelet and the identity of the new character, official information from Nintendo remains limited to confirmed assets and gameplay footage. Donkey Kong Bananza will release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2.

As anticipation mounts, the gaming community will be watching closely for further updates from Nintendo, especially as more official information is expected to arrive in upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and through the eShop.

For now, fans are dissecting every frame of the leaked key art and preparing for what may be a fresh chapter in Donkey Kong’s storied history.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Nintendo Switch Nintendo Korea