Donkey Kong Bananza Delivers Groundbreaking Adventure on Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s latest first-party exclusive, marks a triumphant return for one of gaming’s most iconic characters.

Released for the Nintendo Switch 2, this inventive platformer expands the legacy of Donkey Kong by delivering a fresh underground journey packed with creativity, depth, and technical innovation.

Developed by a team led by the acclaimed Yoshiaki Koizumi, known for his pivotal work on Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Bananza demonstrates the powerful capabilities of Nintendo's next-generation hardware while celebrating the big ape’s storied history. Bananza invites players to explore Ingot Isle—a mysterious subterranean world—after rumors surface about the delectable Golden Bananas hidden within.

Donkey Kong, lured by these legendary treasures, allies himself with pickaxe-wielding prospecting monkeys to unearth Banandium, a valuable and edible resource.

However, the Void Company and its president, Void Kong, disrupt DK’s quest, triggering a devastating collapse that buries the island beneath the earth.

Accompanied by Pauline, who is eager to return home, Donkey Kong embarks on an epic quest to reclaim stolen Banandium Gems and reach the Planet’s Core, where their dreams may be fulfilled. Producer Yoshiaki Koizumi challenged the 3D Mario development team to "expand the Donkey Kong franchise further," resulting in a game distinguished by its layered and meticulously detailed underground world.

These environments feature diverse backdrops, such as bustling factories and unusual businesses run by comical animal characters, offering players a wealth of activities and secrets.

The underground layers are lively and dynamic, directly shaped by player actions and the destructive physics at the core of the gameplay experience. Donkey Kong’s signature moves, including various punches, jumps, the iconic Hand Slap, and all-new abilities like the Dive Punch and Turf Surf, contribute to a robust control scheme that is both intuitive and deeply satisfying.

Players quickly adapt to the move set, using raw ape strength to navigate terrain, conquer obstacles, and even carve custom paths through hazardous environments.

Materials in the game, ranging from sand to stone, affect how players interact with their surroundings, adding strategic depth to the platforming and puzzle-solving. Pauline emerges as a standout companion, forging a developing friendship with DK throughout their journey.

Her singing voice, when paired with Donkey Kong’s whistling, guides players to objectives and unlocks Bananza transformations.

These transformations, powered by collected Bananergy, offer wildly different movement and combat capabilities—such as the formidable Kong Bananza, high-speed Zebra Bananza, and airborne Ostrich Bananza—encouraging experimentation and replayability. Players accumulate Skill Points by collecting Banandium Gems, which unlock new abilities and upgrades, catering to both seasoned fans and newcomers through adjustable difficulty settings.

The game features a support-friendly Assist Mode as well as co-op play, allowing a second player to join as Pauline firing vocal blasts.

Varied collectible systems, including Fossils for cosmetic upgrades and Discs for soundtrack playback, further enrich the experience. Inventive new species like Fractones offer additional quests: building shortcuts, posing quizzes, and encouraging exploration akin to the Power Moon hunts in Super Mario Odyssey, all boosting the game’s engaging progression systems.

Side activities such as DK Artist—an exclusive feature for Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers—let players sculpt and paint within the game world using materials collected in their adventure, showcasing the creative potential of the new hardware. Since its launch, Donkey Kong Bananza has been celebrated for its technical prowess, expressive animations, and joyful soundtrack, establishing itself as a highlight of the early Nintendo Switch 2 lineup.

The game skillfully balances nostalgia with innovation, presenting a heartfelt tribute to Donkey Kong while setting a new benchmark for first-party Nintendo platformers.

With universal acclaim and strong sales performance, Donkey Kong Bananza promises to remain a defining title in Donkey Kong’s legacy and a must-play for platforming enthusiasts.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch Adventure developers Bananza Yoshiaki Koizumi Pauline Void Company