Donkey Kong Bananza Launches on Switch 2, Marking Donkey Kong’s Triumphant 3D Return

The long-awaited launch of Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a landmark moment for the iconic franchise.

As the first original 3D Donkey Kong game in over 20 years, Bananza not only revives the series for a new generation but also leverages next-generation hardware to deliver an immersive, destruction-focused experience that sets itself apart from previous entries. Development for Donkey Kong Bananza began shortly after the 2017 release of Super Mario Odyssey, a globally acclaimed title by Nintendo’s EPD team.

According to official statements in a recent developer interview, Yoshiaki Koizuma, the general producer for the Nintendo Switch, personally approached the team behind Odyssey to helm Donkey Kong’s return to 3D gaming.

Koizuma encouraged the developers to highlight Donkey Kong’s raw strength, which led to a central gameplay mechanic: a fully destructible 3D world that could emphasize physics-driven action not seen in the Mario series. However, creating a richly interactive, destructible world introduced significant technical challenges on the original Nintendo Switch hardware.

Developers noted that the limitations of the existing system—the Nintendo Switch—required them to scale back ambitious features that would have defined Donkey Kong Bananza’s gameplay.

“We realized the performance constraints were holding us back from delivering our full vision for the game,” the team explained in the interview, referencing difficulties implementing dynamic environments and complex interactions. In 2021, with the next generation of Nintendo hardware looming, development shifted to the Nintendo Switch 2.

The leap in processing power and memory allowed the team to greatly expand both graphical fidelity and the scope of in-game destruction.

Enhanced features such as large-scale object manipulation, explodable environments, and collapsible structures not only became technically feasible but could be integrated without compromise.

The developers emphasized how this transition rekindled their creative ambitions, enabling a richer, more satisfying Donkey Kong adventure for fans. The difference between the early Nintendo Switch prototype and the final Switch 2 release is striking.

The game’s visuals are sharper, the environments more dynamic, and, most importantly, gameplay ideas that might have been cut due to hardware constraints are now fully realized.

For longtime fans, Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t just a new installment—it’s the series’ boldest reinvention since Donkey Kong 64, merging modern technology with a beloved classic character. Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled for release this week exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, with digital copies available via the Nintendo eShop and physical versions at retail.

After nearly a decade in development, fans and newcomers alike will soon experience Donkey Kong’s most ambitious 3D adventure yet—a testament to Nintendo’s ongoing innovation in the platforming genre.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch Bananza Odyssey team