Donkey Kong Bananza Leads Nintendo Switch 2 Lineup: New 3D Adventure Launches July 17

Nintendo delivered a major announcement during its latest Nintendo Direct: Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated new entry in the legendary Donkey Kong franchise, will launch on July 17 for Nintendo Switch 2.

This release marks a milestone for both the series and Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, serving as one of the initial first-party showcases for the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2 platform. Donkey Kong Bananza is making headlines as the first proper 3D Donkey Kong adventure since Donkey Kong 64, bringing the celebrated ape back into the spotlight for a contemporary audience.

Developed in-house by one of Nintendo’s main teams, it reflects the company's renewed commitment to expanding cornerstone franchises with modern gameplay innovations and hardware advancements. The recent Nintendo Direct presentation provided an in-depth look at what fans can expect from Donkey Kong Bananza.

One standout moment was the official reveal of Pauline as a playable character—an exciting addition that further connects the Donkey Kong and Mario universes.

The presentation also showcased new transformation mechanics and detailed an upcoming amiibo release tied to the game, offering collectors and dedicated players fresh options to enhance their experience. Switch 2, launching earlier this year, has already demonstrated its technical leap over the original model.

Titles that previously struggled on the original Switch, including Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (developed by Koei Tecmo), now run at higher resolutions and more stable frame rates.

One player described how Age of Calamity maintains a consistent 30 frames per second in two-player mode, while previously locked 1080p resolutions now display without loss of clarity, thanks to the portable system’s upgraded screen.

These technical boosts are expected to benefit Donkey Kong Bananza, promising lush 3D environments and smooth performance for players in both handheld and docked modes. Feedback from early Switch 2 adopters highlights significant performance upgrades for a broad spectrum of games.

Titles such as Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Resident Evil 4 now utilize the improved Joycon 2 gyro features and GameCube controller support, while esteemed remasters like Metroid Prime Remastered and House of the Dead Remake feel more responsive than ever.

Frame rate improvements have also dramatically impacted action titles like Bayonetta 3, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and Monster Hunter Stories 2. Donkey Kong Bananza’s July 17 release is positioned to drive early adoption of the Switch 2 and further cement Nintendo’s legacy of reinventing iconic franchises for new audiences.

The game will be available digitally on the Nintendo eShop as well as in physical retail editions, with amiibo and other merchandise scheduled to roll out alongside the launch.

Fans can expect a robust Nintendo Direct recap in the coming weeks as anticipation continues to build. Stay tuned for more details, performance analyses, and feature breakdowns of Donkey Kong Bananza and other Nintendo Switch 2 games as the system’s first summer unfolds.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch N64 Adventure Pauline amiibo Koei Tecmo Hyrule Warriors Super Smash Bros Ultimate Resident Evil 4 Joycon 2 Mario Kart World Metroid Prime Remastered House of the Dead Remake Monster Hunter Stories 2 Bayonetta 3 Astral Chain Fire Emblem Warriors Trials of Mana Link’s Awakening Pinball FX Hamster Arcade Classics