Donkey Kong Bananza Launches to Record Sales on Nintendo Switch 2, Tops UK Charts

Donkey Kong Bananza, the latest entry in Nintendo's storied franchise, has launched exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, making an immediate impact on the UK gaming market.

According to UK-based video game journalist Christopher Dring, this new release secured the No.1 position in the UK charts this week, underscoring Donkey Kong’s enduring popularity and Nintendo’s continued software dominance. Donkey Kong Bananza represents the franchise’s bold return to 3D platforming, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Developed by Nintendo, the title expands on the series’ legacy by offering a deeply immersive adventure, further solidifying its position among Nintendo’s top-tier properties.

Notably, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch for Donkey Kong Bananza marked a significant sales milestone: opening week sales were three times higher than those of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’s debut on the original Nintendo Switch platform.

Such robust figures reflect both the franchise’s ongoing appeal and strong anticipation for new Switch 2 titles. However, Dring also noted that while impressive, the sales figures for Donkey Kong Bananza were roughly half of what Super Mario Odyssey achieved at launch.

It is important to note that Super Mario Odyssey was released on the original Nintendo Switch, which boasted a much larger install base at the time of its release.

This contextualizes the sales differential, highlighting that Donkey Kong Bananza’s strong performance comes despite being on newer hardware still in the early phases of its lifecycle. Nintendo’s Donkey Kong series has maintained a cherished position in gaming history, continually reinventing itself for new generations.

With Donkey Kong Bananza, the company delivers another high-quality first-party title to the Nintendo Switch 2 library, intensifying competition on the Nintendo eShop and demonstrating the system’s growing momentum.

The game’s success outpaces prior Donkey Kong releases, suggesting the character’s continued significance within Nintendo’s roster and the franchise’s ability to adapt to evolving hardware and gameplay trends. Industry analyst Christopher Dring emphasized that Donkey Kong Bananza’s launch serves as a benchmark for Nintendo’s early Switch 2 portfolio, given that its sales have surpassed those of past entries in the series.

Dring expressed confidence in the game’s potential for sustained success as more players adopt the new platform. As Donkey Kong Bananza continues to attract attention from both fans and first-time players, its sales trajectory will be closely followed throughout the coming months.

Whether it will maintain its momentum on the Nintendo Switch 2 and reach further sales milestones remains to be seen, but its impressive opening week marks a strong start for both the game and Nintendo’s next-generation hardware.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch Bananza UK Charts UK