Donkey Kong Bananza: Nintendo’s Bananas-Powered Switch 2 Adventure

Nintendo dropped a 15-minute Direct livestream on June 18, unveiling the latest Donkey Kong game, Donkey Kong Bananza. This marks DK’s first 3D platformer since Donkey Kong 64 in 1999, and the first main entry since 2014’s Tropical Freeze.

Release Date & Platform

Donkey Kong Bananza is officially launching on July 17, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game was revealed during Nintendo’s June 18 Direct and will be available both digitally and in physical editions. Pre-orders are expected to open soon via the official Nintendo Store and major retailers.

What’s new and exciting?

Underground world + epic destruction

DK travels through diverse underground realms beaches, icy caves, ancient ruins and can smash terrain to fight enemies or reveal secrets.

Music-powered transformations

Teaming up with young Pauline (revealed as companion Odd Rock), DK collects bananergy to morph into powerful forms:

Kong Bananza: super-strong
Zebra Bananza: ultra-fast
Ostrich Bananza: gliding and aerial attacks

See Also –

Xbox Game Pass June 2025: Price Alert, Cloud Tier & Must-Play Releases

Nintendo Switch 2 Restock Updates & Reported Sales Record

Nintendo Warns Users Not to Remove Screen Protector Film on Switch 2

Creative co-op and multiplayer

Pauline can join your adventure in two-player co-op even with just one game copy thanks to GameShare. She wields vocal blasts, guided by Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.

RPG-lite upgrades & collectibles

Gather Banandium Gems, Chips, Gold, and fossils to level up DK’s skills, unlock outfits, and customize fun options.

Bonus modes & camera tools

DK Artist: carve and paint in 3D
Photo mode for in-game screenshots
Music Player and fast travel via “eelevators”

Familiar faces return

Characters like Cranky Kong, Diddy, Dixie, plus new villains from VoidCo (Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong, Void Kong) add depth to the story.

Amiibo integration

New DK and Pauline amiibo launch on July 17. They unlock extras like Pauline’s Diva Dress and KONG tiles. Other Kong amiibo also work for in-game bonuses.

Why it matters

Donkey Kong Bananza stands out through its unique blend of destructive gameplay, musically-driven transformations, and collaborative co-op, making it a standout for Switch 2 this summer. With its July 17 release, it’s shaping up to be the console’s next big hit.