Donkey Kong Bananza's Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Spurs Discussion on EPD's Development Approach

Donkey Kong Bananza's Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Spurs Discussion on EPD's Development Approach With the announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza during the latest Nintendo Direct, excitement around Nintendo Switch 2's upcoming lineup has reached new highs.

The celebrated reveal of Donkey Kong's next 3D adventure not only rejuvenated fans' anticipation, but also shifted the conversation toward which of Nintendo's renowned internal studios is at the helm.

The leading theory among industry insiders is that Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD)—Nintendo’s prestigious team behind hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, its critically acclaimed sequel Tears of the Kingdom, and Super Mario Odyssey—may be developing this highly anticipated title. While Nintendo has yet to officially confirm the development team for Donkey Kong Bananza, conversations within the gaming industry have centered on credible voices.

Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, both former high-ranking Nintendo employees, discussed on their platform that EPD’s involvement is plausible, referencing prior industry rumors that stretch back as far as 2021.

Their insights, shaped by tenure and proximity to the company’s creative processes, carry significant weight in the Nintendo community. Ellis described EPD’s development pace with journalistic clarity: this is a team known more for exceptional quality than for rapid or frequent releases.

He succinctly noted that, unlike studios that churn out titles at a brisk clip, EPD's hallmark is a meticulous attention to detail, often dedicating multiple years to perfecting a single project.

In his words, "the reputation for excellence is undisputed, but their schedule is deliberate—not characterized by speed or volume." Yang echoed this sentiment, estimating a potential four to five-year wait for the next major 3D Mario game to debut on Switch 2 should EPD be behind Donkey Kong Bananza.

She commented that Nintendo may remain tight-lipped about the development team to avoid inflating expectations for a near-future 3D Mario release on the new hardware platform.

This strategic silence is a familiar tactic, as Nintendo often seeks to manage fan anticipation and product momentum in anticipation of major system launches. Nintendo also has a long history of collaborating with external partners for marquee franchises.

Bandai Namco regularly contributes to several major projects, while past Donkey Kong installments have seen input from international studios such as Retro Studios—credited with revitalizing the series for Wii and Wii U—and UK-based Rare, which famously rebooted Donkey Kong in the 1994 classic Donkey Kong Country before its acquisition by Microsoft. Donkey Kong Bananza is set to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17th, marking a major addition to the next generation’s software library.

As details about the game and its development emerge, all signs indicate this will be a landmark release—reinforcing Nintendo’s reputation for high-quality, enduringly popular titles.

The combination of Switch 2's advanced hardware, Nintendo's innovative gameplay philosophy, and possibly the involvement of EPD is sure to make Donkey Kong Bananza one of the most closely watched releases in the months ahead.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch EPD game development Entertainment Planning & Development Kit Ellis Krysta Yang Retro Studios Super Mario Odyssey The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Bandai Namco Rare Microsoft