Donkey Kong Bananza: Nintendo EPD Rumored as Developer of Anticipated Switch 2 Title

Donkey Kong Bananza, the next major installment in the legendary Donkey Kong series, is poised for a high-profile launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, with its release date set for July 17th.

The game has been at the center of excitement since its recent unveiling during the Donkey Kong Bananza-themed Nintendo Direct.

The showcase was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, significantly boosting anticipation for what promises to be a standout Switch 2 title. Speculation about the game's development team has surged, with industry veterans and the Nintendo community focusing on Nintendo's renowned Entertainment Planning & Development Division (EPD).

EPD is celebrated for its work on critically acclaimed titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Super Mario Odyssey.

Given its pedigree, the possibility of EPD helming Donkey Kong Bananza has added a new layer of prestige and expectation to the upcoming release. The conversation around EPD’s involvement was recently reignited by Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, two respected former Nintendo staffers.

While Nintendo has not formally disclosed which studio is leading the project, Ellis noted that if EPD is indeed the developer, fans should not expect rapid succession in game releases from the team.

He described them as exceptionally talented but emphasized, "They are well-known for their quality—no one disputes that.

However, they are not a studio known for high speed or a prolific output, and their releases are not frequent." Yang echoed this sentiment, sharing the perspective that Mario’s anticipated 3D debut on the Nintendo Switch 2 could be several years away if EPD is focusing its resources on Donkey Kong Bananza.

She estimated a timeframe of four to five years before fans might see the next mainline 3D Mario adventure, suggesting that it could be a mid- or late-generation title for the console.

Yang also suggested that Nintendo may be withholding confirmation about the development team's identity to manage expectations for the broader fan base eagerly anticipating a new Mario title. Nintendo has a rich history of collaborating with both internal and external studios across its franchises.

Notably, Bandai Namco has been a frequent partner, and several other studios have left their mark on Donkey Kong over the decades.

UK-based Rare, now a Microsoft subsidiary, famously reinvented Donkey Kong in the 1990s, while Retro Studios was responsible for the critically acclaimed Donkey Kong Country revival on the Wii and Wii U. With Donkey Kong Bananza scheduled for release on July 17th exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, fans can look forward to one of the year's biggest Nintendo launches, regardless of which acclaimed studio is at the helm.

As always, players can expect Nintendo's signature combination of innovation, nostalgia, and gameplay excellence in this highly anticipated adventure.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch Nintendo EPD EPD Kit Ellis Krysta Yang Retro Studios Bandai Namco Rare