Nintendo will launch its next-generation console, the Switch 2, alongside “Donkey Kong Bananza”, a dynamic platformer that brings the iconic ape back into the spotlight. Praised by PCMag’s Jordan Minor as a highlight at Nintendo’s hands-on event, “Donkey Kong Bananza” is set to redefine the franchise.
Bananza showcases Donkey Kong with a refreshed design from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, featuring expressive eyes and detailed fur. Set in a gold mine for its opening level, Kong navigates destructible environments, smashing through mud and crystals to uncover bananas and collectables, per IGN.
We knew there was something odd about that rock…
The talented young singer Pauline will team up with Donkey Kong on his subterranean adventure in #DonkeyKongBananza. pic.twitter.com/81GGuTaqnd
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 18, 2025The game combines 3D platforming with 2D sequences, such as barrel blasts and mine carts, highlighting Kong’s strength over Mario’s agility. Key mechanics include rolling, wall-climbing, and throwing explosive rocks, assisted by a talking rock companion.
Though unconfirmed, Minor speculates that Nintendo’s Tokyo studio, recognised for Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, developed Bananza. Its intuitive controls and vibrant visuals suggest significant potential for exploration.
Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Launches with Upgraded Features and Mario Kart World
Priced at $70, “Bananza” is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that takes advantage of the console’s enhanced capabilities. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant comeback for Donkey Kong, who has spent the last decade in secondary roles. With 3D platforming being rare in the franchise since “Donkey Kong 64,” this new platformer aims to captivate fans. Nintendo’s focus on the Donkey Kong character indicates a strategic effort to revitalise its legacy characters.
