Donkey Kong Bananza: Miyamoto Shares Vision for a More Expressive Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto is once again placing Donkey Kong in the spotlight, revealing new details about the main character’s creative evolution in the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bananza, launching worldwide for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

With roots stretching back to the early days of arcade and console history, Donkey Kong has consistently been at the forefront of Nintendo’s platforming innovation.

Now, with Donkey Kong Bananza, both veteran fans and newcomers will experience a more expressive, dynamic iteration of the iconic ape. Miyamoto addressed his ongoing passion for shaping Nintendo’s beloved characters, referencing Donkey Kong’s transformation from pixelated pioneer to modern-day mascot.

In remarks to IGN, Miyamoto reflected, “When it comes to character creation, I still play a hands-on role.

Reflecting on the original Donkey Kong Country, our collaboration with Rare gave new life to Donkey Kong.” He elaborated on the franchise’s growth through the years, noting, “For new versions and to evolve Donkey Kong, we created Jungle Beat by partnering with the team behind 3D Mario.

With advances in technology, Donkey Kong could become more expressive.

Revisiting Rare’s design, we asked ourselves: how can we amplify that expressiveness? That philosophy carried through to The Super Mario Bros.

Movie and is central in our new generation Donkey Kong for Donkey Kong Bananza.” Donkey Kong Bananza plunges players into the depths of an underground adventure, challenging them to help Donkey Kong collect coveted Golden Bananas before the enigmatic VoidCo can claim them.

Nintendo promises the new title is packed with energetic action, unpredictable surprises, and signature “mayhem”—as players crash, bash, and climb through destructible environments, using Donkey Kong’s mighty punches to open up new pathways and uncover hidden secrets.

The more players destroy, the more the world reveals, integrating exploration and reward in classic Nintendo fashion. Set to be released both physically and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is a testament to the franchise’s storied history and enduring appeal.

The game is poised to deliver a striking blend of expressive animation and interactive mayhem, making it a key release for Nintendo’s latest hardware.

With its launch date confirmed for July 17, 2025, anticipation is building as fans look forward to seeing how Miyamoto’s vision for a more expressive Donkey Kong translates to a new generation of gaming.

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