Donkey Kong Bananza: Mario Odyssey Team Consults Shigeru Miyamoto for First 3D DK Platformer Since 1999

Donkey Kong Bananza: Mario Odyssey Team Consults Shigeru Miyamoto for First 3D DK Platformer Since 1999 With the launch of Donkey Kong Bananza just around the corner, excitement is building across the Nintendo community.

Developed by the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey team, the upcoming title marks Donkey Kong’s return to 3D platforming for the first time since Rare's classic Donkey Kong 64, released in 1999.

As the Nintendo Switch 2 prepares to usher in a new generation of hardware, Bananza is positioned to be a flagship release, blending series tradition with cutting-edge technology. A significant part of Bananza’s ambitious development was ensuring that the authentic Donkey Kong spirit was faithfully captured.

Kenta Motokura, the game’s producer, explained in a recent interview with IGN that, after being tasked by Nintendo executive Yoshiaki Koizumi to create a new 3D Donkey Kong game, the first step was to seek guidance from Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of both Mario and Donkey Kong.

Motokura recounted that the Mario Odyssey team’s initial move was “to head straight to Miyamoto’s office to discuss the core elements that define Donkey Kong as a character and how that could be translated into gameplay for today’s audience.” Reflecting on Miyamoto’s influence, Motokura noted, “Mr.

Miyamoto has not only been central to the original Donkey Kong games, but also collaborated with Rare during their time developing the series.

His insights focused on the unique physical traits of Donkey Kong, such as his powerful hand slap move and pronounced breath attack, which provide distinctive gameplay possibilities.” Director Kazuya Takahashi, who worked on Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for the GameCube in 2004, also contributed his perspective.

“What sets Donkey Kong apart from characters like Mario are his longer, more muscular arms,” Takahashi stated.

“We incorporated these features into Bananza, designing mechanics that not only highlight DK’s physicality but also deliver an experience authentic to longtime fans.” The interview revealed further details on the project’s innovative approach.

Motokura disclosed that experimental work with voxel technology on the original Nintendo Switch laid the groundwork for the new game’s ‘destruction’ mechanics in Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2.

“When we saw how Donkey Kong’s traits aligned perfectly with what voxel tech could offer—especially around destructible environments—it became clear that shaping destruction as a core gameplay feature was the right direction,” he said. The involvement of industry legends like Miyamoto remains a hallmark of Nintendo’s development philosophy.

Despite his decades of influence and leadership, Motokura emphasized that Miyamoto remains accessible, supporting and inspiring new generations of developers at Nintendo. Donkey Kong Bananza will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 via the eShop and at retail next week.

The collaboration between the Mario Odyssey team and key Nintendo figures promises to deliver a groundbreaking return for one of gaming’s most cherished icons, blending nostalgia with technological innovation for a bold new era in 3D platformers.

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