Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3D platforming adventure for Nintendo Switch 2, released on July 17, 2025. Its central idea is to smash through an underground world to open routes and uncover new areas. It can be played solo or in two-player co-op, and Nintendo also offers a paid expansion, DK Island & Emerald Rush.
What is Donkey Kong Bananza?
Donkey Kong Bananza is a new 3D platforming adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline. Nintendo’s announcement describes an underground journey built around DK’s ability to punch, grab, toss, climb and smash through terrain. Breaking through the environment can reveal paths and areas that would otherwise remain hidden.
The story begins on Ingot Isle, where the discovery of golden bananas leads to a tempest that sends Donkey Kong deeper underground. He meets Odd Rock, who is revealed to be Pauline, and the two explore together. The world includes settings such as canyons, forests and tundra; DK’s strength and Pauline’s voice are both part of the adventure. Nintendo’s Play Nintendo overview describes the world and its exploration premise.
When did it come out, and what system is it on?
Nintendo lists July 17, 2025 as the release date and calls Donkey Kong Bananza exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. It is not an original Nintendo Switch release. Nintendo’s UK product listing is for the standard edition and gives a 9.0 GB download size and PEGI 7 rating; those are details for that UK listing, not universal specifications for every region or format.
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#1 Best Overall
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
When was the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct?
Nintendo held a dedicated Donkey Kong Bananza Direct on June 18, 2025. Nintendo UK described the presentation as containing “roughly 15 minutes” of information about the game. That Direct was not the first official appearance: Nintendo of America’s video description dated April 2, 2025 had already said the game was coming exclusively to Switch 2 on July 17. The dates refer to separate announcements, not conflicting release information.
Sources: Nintendo UK’s Direct page and Nintendo of America’s official video description.
Rank #2
![Donkey Kong Bananza Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Xv8olm5RL._SL160_.jpg)
- Uncover a wide variety of environments, like forest, canyon, and lagoon, as you delve underground
- Reshape the world as you tear through it, with the help of…an Odd Rock?
How does co-op work?
The game supports solo play and two-player co-op. In co-op, player one controls Donkey Kong; player two controls Odd Rock or Pauline, depending on story progress. Nintendo Support says co-op becomes available after Odd Rock has been rescued.
There are several ways to play together, and they are not all the same kind of connection:
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Rank #3
![Donkey Kong Bananza Bundle (game + DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC) Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N7IcgPIEL._SL160_.jpg)
- WARNING: If you have epilepsy or have had seizures or other unusual reactions to flashing lights or patterns, consult a doctor before playing video games. All users should read the Health and Safety Information available in the system settings before using this software. A Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) is required for Save Data Cloud backup. Nintendo.
- Local play on one console: players can share controllers.
- GameShare: Nintendo documents using GameShare with a local user.
- GameChat: Nintendo Support also describes a GameChat route.
See Nintendo Support’s co-op and GameShare instructions for the conditions and setup. The documented options should not be reduced to a blanket claim of online co-op; the support page distinguishes controller sharing, GameShare and GameChat.
What does the paid DLC add?
DK Island & Emerald Rush is a paid digital expansion for Nintendo Switch 2, sold through Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store. It adds a modern take on Donkey Kong’s home, DK Island, and Emerald Rush, a set of timed, repeatable challenges that become more difficult.
Rank #4
- Embark on a brand-new Donkey Kong adventure exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the Underground World with dynamic environments and hidden secrets.
- Battle VoidCo and its minions using DK’s signature strength and powerful punches.
- Team up with a mysterious new companion with unique gameplay abilities.
- Recover the Golden Bananas across thrilling, action-packed levels.
Nintendo says DK Island can be accessed before the main game is complete once the player reaches the Racing Layer. After completing the game, the island can be visited as its own layer. It is downloadable add-on content, rather than a separate physical product. Details are on Nintendo Support’s DLC page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What updates has Nintendo documented?
Nintendo Support’s update history records version 3.2.0, released February 24, 2026, as addressing several issues to improve the gameplay experience. The same history lists earlier additions and changes:
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Best Value
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Version 3.1.0 (January 21, 2026): Polish text.
- Version 3.0.0 (December 21, 2025): Thai text and a camera auto-follow option.
- Version 2.0.0 (September 12, 2025): support for the paid DLC.
- Version 1.1.0 (July 16, 2025): GameShare options.
This is the version history recorded on Nintendo’s software update page, not a guarantee that 3.2.0 remains the latest version.
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