After years away from the 3D platforming spotlight, Donkey Kong returns with Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. It’s the first fully 3D DK platformer since the N64 era and Nintendo shared exciting details.
A New Core, A Familiar Face
Bananza kicks off on Ingot Isle, where golden bananas are discovered deep underground. DK, naturally, is present, and just as he’s about to indulge, a maelstrom pulls him into the planet’s depths. Cue the introduction of “Odd Rock,” who turns out to be none other than Pauline, reimagined as a hot-blooded vocal-powered companion in this underground banana-blasted odyssey.
DK and Pauline learn that deep in the planet’s core lies the ability to grant a single wish. Donkey Kong wants more bananas. Pauline wants to sing her heart out.
The Moveset: Classic Muscle Meets New Tech
Gameplay-wise, this is Donkey Kong Country meets Mario Odyssey with creative chaotic environment. DK’s move set is surprisingly deep—Dive Punch lets him break through ground layers, while Roll Forward allows for high-speed traversal. There’s also the iconic Hand Slap, now boosted with sonar functionality to reveal hidden gems.
Then there’s Tear Off: DK can rip parts of the environment and chuck them at enemies or stack them to reach new areas. Combine that with Turf Surfing (DK literally rides terrain chunks like a skateboard), and you’ve got one of the most kinetic 3D platformers Nintendo’s attempted in a while.
Bananza Forms: A Real Wild Card
Where the game really leans into the weird is with its Bananza Forms. Using something called “Bananergy” that builds through gold collection, Pauline can temporarily transform DK into different super-powered forms:
Kong Bananza – Your classic bruiser form. Big damage, big dumb fun.
Zebra Bananza – Fast and nimble, with short-range dashes.
Ostrich Bananza – Yes, you can fly. Also: drop Egg Bombs.
You can swap forms on the fly, and they’ll clearly be critical for navigating boss fights and environmental challenges
GameShare Support Even With Switch 1
One of the more unexpected features in Donkey Kong Bananza is GameShare. With only one copy of the game, a second player can join the experience either on the same console or remotely. Even players with the original Nintendo Switch can use this feature.
Co-Op & Extras: Joy-Con 2 Pulling Real Weight
Yes, there’s full local co-op. You can share Joy-Con 2 controllers to play as DK and Pauline simultaneously. Pauline’s singing is mapped to Joy-Con mouse controls, which adds some tactile weirdness to the gameplay. Online GameShare and GameChat support are also present, and Assist Mode makes the game more accessible.
Outside the main adventure, you get:
DK Artist Mode – Sculpt and paint your own DK statues with motion control. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.
Photo Mode – For the screenshot junkies.
Music Player – Rest at beds, play custom tracks you’ve unlocked from old and new DK games.
Eelevators – Subterranean eels that act as fast-travel tubes. I’m not joking.
Collectibles & Customization
There are tons of collectibles. Banandium Gems boost stats and unlock skills. Banandium Chips can be traded. Fossils unlock outfits and fur colors.
There’s a real Metroidvania-lite element here—players will need to revisit earlier layers with new abilities to fully explore and collect everything.
Amiibo Support
A special Donkey Kong & Pauline Amiibo arrives day one. It unlocks Pauline’s Diva Dress and unique “KONG” tiles. Scan other DK or even unrelated amiibo, and you’ll receive power-ups or terrain materials in return.
Donkey Kong Bananza looks like it’s swinging for the fences. It’s bold, chaotic, and fully leaning into Nintendo’s wacky creativity. And yet—there’s still that lingering concern: will this game match the design brilliance of Mario Odyssey or just get lost in its own gimmicks?
Regardless, for longtime fans, the simple fact remains: a 3D Donkey Kong game finally exists again. And not just that—it’s bringing Pauline back, experimenting with transformations, and maybe—just maybe—trying to be more than a sideshow in the Mario universe.
From where we stand, it could be the platformer that scratches that long-ignored itch.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17, 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
