Donkey Kong Bananza Announced for Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Gameplay Details Revealed

Nintendo Switch 2 owners have an exciting new exclusive to look forward to, as Nintendo officially unveiled Donkey Kong Bananza during the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation.

This marks the beloved ape’s triumphant return to 3D platforming and introduces a revitalized Donkey Kong to classic and new fans alike.

Donkey Kong Bananza will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025, a little over a month after the release of the new console.

Notably, this is the first entirely new 3D Donkey Kong platformer since the critically acclaimed Donkey Kong 64, released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64.

Nintendo’s showcase provided a sweeping first look at the game’s gameplay and visual style, highlighting DK’s dynamic redesign revealed earlier in the year. The story centers on Donkey Kong as he investigates mysterious events on his home island, where a discovery of the legendary Golden Bananas has stirred excitement.

This peace is soon interrupted by the villainous VoidCo, who steal the Golden Bananas, plunging Donkey Kong into a high-stakes quest through the expansive and vibrant Underground World to reclaim them.

A newly released trailer spotlights the game’s ambitious design as a 3D action-platformer.

Donkey Kong navigates the environment with trademark energy, smashing through bedrock, hurling boulders, and engaging in traditional minecart sequences evocative of classic Donkey Kong titles.

The trailer also reveals a new companion character embarking on the journey with Donkey Kong, as well as a mix of 2D platforming segments—a nod to the Donkey Kong Country series. Nintendo representatives emphasized that Bananza aims to seamlessly blend modern gameplay mechanics with the franchise’s legacy of engaging platforming.

The game’s visual fidelity and fluid animation on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware were clear highlights in the debut footage, promising a fresh yet familiar adventure for series fans. With a confirmed release date of July 17, 2025, Donkey Kong Bananza will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 both physically and via the Nintendo eShop.

For more information, trailers, and updates, players can visit the official Donkey Kong Bananza website.

For the latest on Nintendo Direct announcements, newly unveiled Switch 2 games, and updates from industry leaders, stay tuned to our curated coverage.

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