Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Confirms Pauline’s New Role Ahead of July 2025 Switch Release

Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated new entry from Nintendo, has received a wealth of new information during today's dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation.

Marking Donkey Kong’s return to 3D platforming for the first time in over 26 years—and launching his first adventure of this kind in the 21st century—Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to become one of the major Nintendo Switch releases of 2025. During the special Direct, developers showcased key gameplay features, confirmed character details, and provided fans with long-awaited insights about the storyline.

The game will officially release on July 17, 2025, via Nintendo Switch and the eShop, further expanding the library of high-profile platformers on the system. Among the standout revelations was the clarification surrounding the character Odd Rock.

Earlier this year, following the Nintendo Direct that revealed the game alongside the anticipated "Switch 2" hardware announcement, fans noticed inconsistencies in game art posted by Nintendo’s regional branches.

While Donkey Kong Bananza’s official visuals typically featured the new character Odd Rock, alternate cover art shared by Nintendo of Korea—brought to light via Resetera—depicted a younger Pauline in Odd Rock’s place.

This led to speculation that the two might actually be the same character. In today’s Direct, Nintendo developers confirmed that Odd Rock is, in fact, a younger version of Pauline who has somehow been transformed into a new form.

While additional narrative details remain under wraps, the confirmation addresses months of debate and fan theory.

As it stands, the reason for Pauline’s transformation into Odd Rock has not been revealed, keeping an air of mystery around this significant plot twist. The narrative developments have also reignited discussions about the Donkey Kong timeline.

Notably, Pauline appeared as an adult in the critically acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey, whereas in Bananza, she is portrayed as a child trying to return to the surface.

Long-time Kong allies like Cranky Kong appear unchanged, adding another layer of intrigue for series enthusiasts trying to reconcile character ages and the broader chronology—a classic hallmark of Nintendo storytelling. Donkey Kong Bananza’s launch on July 17, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the franchise and for the Nintendo Switch library.

With its blend of classic platforming action, robust narrative twists, and the return of beloved and reimagined characters, Bananza is set to be a key release for both fans new and old.

For further updates and continuing coverage on Donkey Kong and all things Nintendo, stay tuned to our site.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Donkey Kong Bananza Pauline Switch platformer Odd Rock Super Mario Odyssey Cranky Kong Resetera Nintendo of Korea