Donkey Kong is back, and he’s louder, wilder, and weirder than ever. In today’s Nintendo Direct, we finally got a full look at Donkey Kong Bananza, the new 3D platformer launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 this July 17. Here’s everything you need to know about DK’s most chaotic comeback yet—now featuring underground exploration, banana-fueled transformations, and a singing rock that might be Pauline.
Story Setup: Plunged Into the Planet
The game kicks off on Isla Lingote, where Donkey Kong stumbles upon the long-lost golden bananas. But before he can chow down, a massive storm sends him plummeting into the planet’s core. That’s where he meets Pauline—now transformed into a strange singing stone. Together, they journey deep underground to unravel the mysteries of the golden bananas and stop a shady mining company from stealing the world’s power.
Gameplay: Punch, Peel, and Perform
This is a true evolution of DK’s classic platforming. Players can slam through terrain, toss boulders, and even ride debris like a skateboard. New mechanics let DK dig, slap, roll, and rip the world apart to discover hidden paths and collectibles. Meanwhile, Pauline’s music lets you trigger powerful “Bananza” transformations like:
Bananza supports local co-op with Joy-Con 2—one player controls DK, the other plays as Pauline using motion-based “voice projectiles.” You can also connect via GameShare (even with one copy of the game) or hop online using GameChat for remote co-op play with voice and video chat support.
New + Returning Characters
The underground is packed with life. Expect to encounter the likes of Cranky Kong, Rambi, new faces like Poppy Kong, and the villainous Void Company, whose greedy drills sent DK plummeting below. You’ll even come face to face with Void Kong himself and his corporate cronies.
Exploration & Customization
From golden banana gems to fossil trading, Bananza leans deep into exploration. Gems can be used to unlock new skills, and gear shops let you customize DK and Pauline’s looks (and stats). Hidden collectibles, timed challenges, and crafting upgrades make the game feel like a layered platforming RPG.
New Modes: Art & Photo Mode
Creative players can flex with DK Artist, a sculpting minigame using the pointer mode of Joy-Con 2. There’s also a full-featured photo mode with lighting options, filters, and a rotatable camera for snapshots of your chaos.
Amiibo Support
The new Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo unlocks a diva dress early for Pauline and explosive KONG tiles. Scanning any other DK amiibo grants terrain spheres for battle boosts. Even non-DK amiibo yield gameplay perks.
📺 Watch the Full Direct
With wild transformations, dual-character co-op, and inventive new mechanics, Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a headliner for the Switch 2 lineup. If this Direct was any indication, Nintendo is ready to let DK go fully bananas again.🔗 Related:Castlevania Reboot in Development for Switch 2
