Donkey Kong Bananza Brings Full Voice Acting to Nintendo Switch Platformer

In a major announcement during the latest Nintendo Direct dedicated to Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Switch platformer will feature extensive voice acting, a first for the modern era of Donkey Kong titles.

This exciting addition underscores Nintendo's ongoing commitment to enhancing character depth and player immersion through dynamic performances from experienced voice actors. Donkey Kong Bananza follows in the legacy of beloved Donkey Kong games, but introduces a fresh emphasis on narrative by bringing characters to life with full voice lines and original songs.

The spotlight shines on Pauline, who previously captured fans’ attention as the acclaimed singer of "Jump Up, Super Star!" in Super Mario Odyssey.

Bananza positions a younger version of Pauline as a key character, leveraging her vocal talents to help Donkey Kong transform and gain new abilities throughout the adventure. Nintendo revealed that voice actress Kate Higgins will reprise her acclaimed role as Pauline, continuing her work since her celebrated debut in Super Mario Odyssey.

Higgins brings both spoken dialogue and in-game musical performances to the new adventure, solidifying Pauline’s place among the Nintendo Switch’s most expressive characters.

“Pauline’s expanded role in Donkey Kong Bananza is a testament to the character’s enduring appeal and the talent of Kate Higgins,” Nintendo stated in the Direct’s translated summary. Adding to the excitement, Kôji Takeda steps in as the new voice of Donkey Kong, having previously appeared in Mario Kart World and now making his mainline Donkey Kong debut in Bananza.

The franchise’s legacy voice actor, Takashi Nagasako, will now lend his talents to the fan-favorite Cranky Kong, while Kaoru Sasajima continues her longstanding portrayal of Dixie Kong – a character making her return after last appearing in Mario Kart Tour.

Fans will also welcome Toshihide Tsuchiya as Funky Kong, marking another nostalgic comeback for the series. The addition of full voice acting marks a significant milestone for Donkey Kong Bananza and could signal a broader shift for Nintendo’s approach to storytelling in flagship titles.

Voice acting has consistently elevated the emotional impact and authenticity of video game characters, and its expanded presence on the Nintendo Switch is likely to resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers.

Alongside fully voiced cutscenes, Bananza also features robust co-op play, GameShare support, and the celebrated return of series staples like the ‘DK Rap’. Donkey Kong Bananza is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, with more details available via the Nintendo eShop and future Nintendo Direct presentations.

For those eager to see how this new wave of voice talent will enhance the Donkey Kong universe, Bananza represents a pivotal moment in the franchise’s ongoing evolution.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch Pauline Kate Higgins Kôji Takeda Takashi Nagasako Kaoru Sasajima Toshihide Tsuchiya Super Mario Odyssey Mario Kart Tour Mario Kart World