Donkey Kong Bananza marks the return of Nintendo’s beloved gorilla to 3D platforming after more than two decades, landing exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. This new entry blends the open‐world exploration fans loved in Super Mario Odyssey with a novel emphasis on environmental destruction, offering over 40 levels across five major worlds and more than 500 collectibles to uncover. With a robust single-player campaign and optional two-player co-op alongside Pauline, Bananza delivers a fresh take on the DK formula—despite a few technical hiccups, it’s earned praise as a Game of the Year contender and stands as a showcase title for the Switch 2’s enhanced hardware.
Contents
Release and Development
Donkey Kong Bananza launched exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025, as part of Nintendo’s summer release strategy for first-party exclusives. Developed in-house by Nintendo’s storied platforming teams, Bananza represents the first fully 3D Donkey Kong adventure since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Building on the legacy of its predecessors, it introduces new mechanics like “Bananza Transformations,” which grant DK powerful animal forms (e.g., gliding, seismic smashes) fueled by Banandium Gems.
Story and Setting
A Golden Rush Underground
The story kicks off on Ingot Isle, where the discovery of crystalline bananas called Banandium Gems has sparked a primate gold rush. When a storm plunges DK and his friends into the depths, they meet Pauline (disguised as the rock-like Odd Rock) and embark on a journey toward the planet’s core, battling the villainous Void Company along the way.
Characters and Narrative
Bananza reimagines Pauline as a younger, more timid ally whose vocals can shatter obstacles or boost DK’s speed, adding both narrative charm and gameplay depth. Alongside cameo nods to classic Kong characters, the narrative strikes a balance between heartfelt moments and lighthearted humor, keeping players invested across its roughly 20-hour campaign.
Core Gameplay and Mechanics
Destructible Environments
Central to Bananza is the ability to punch, dig, and obliterate virtually any surface, turning destruction into a strategic tool. This “environmental playground” mechanic lets players unearth secret passages, hidden treasures, and additional Banandium Gems, rewarding exploration and experimentation.
Bananza Transformations & Skill Trees
Collecting Banandium Gems not only powers transformations but also unlocks skill-tree enhancements. DK can evolve into forms like the Bananza Rhino for charging through walls or the Bananza Hawk for gliding across chasms, offering varied approaches to level challenges.
Co-Op and Modes
Bananza supports two-player co-op, allowing a second player to control Pauline throughout the main story. Additionally, Time Attack and Photo Mode extend replayability, while a dedicated Challenge Mode tests players’ mastery of destruction and platforming under time constraints.
Visuals and Audio
Bananza showcases the Switch 2’s power with vibrant, HDR-ready environments and silky 60 fps performance in most areas. From sunlit cavern entrances to molten lava chambers, each biome boasts distinctive art direction and lively animations. The dynamic soundtrack fuses jungle rhythms with playful melodies, enhancing both tension and whimsy.
Performance and Technical Notes
While generally stable, Bananza experiences occasional camera angles that misalign during frantic boss encounters, and minor frame-rate dips in highly destructible scenes. These hiccups are rare and do little to diminish the overall experience, though a future patch could smooth out the roughest edges.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Innovative destructible environments | Occasional camera and performance hiccups |
| Engaging Bananza Transformations and skill-tree progression | Story pacing can feel linear in later worlds |
| Robust single-player campaign with optional two-player co-op | Difficulty spikes in some boss battles |
| Vibrant visuals and dynamic soundtrack | Limited accessibility options at launch |
| Strong showcase of Switch 2 hardware (4K/HDR/60 fps. |
Donkey Kong Bananza succeeds in reinventing DK for a new generation, marrying the creative freedom of open-zone exploration with the satisfying core of platforming and puzzle-solving. Its emphasis on environmental destruction feels fresh and rewarding, while the addition of Pauline as a playable co-star enriches both story and gameplay. Minor technical flaws don’t overshadow what is otherwise one of Nintendo’s most adventurous first-party offerings in years. Whether you’re a longtime Kong fan or a newcomer seeking a joyous, action-packed platformer, Bananza is more than worth the upgrade to Switch 2—earning its place among the console’s must-play titles.
