Donkey Kong Bananza was announced during Nintendo’s April 2, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, with a release date of July 17, 2025. Nintendo described it as a 3D platforming action-adventure exclusive to Switch 2. A dedicated presentation in June later revealed more about its world, powers and co-op play.
What was announced in the Switch 2 Direct?
Nintendo of America’s April 2, 2025 video introduced Donkey Kong Bananza as a new 3D platforming action-adventure game coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced a July 17, 2025 release date. Nintendo’s later investor presentation confirmed that the game was released on that date as first-party Switch 2-exclusive software.
Nintendo had announced the April presentation in January, saying it would provide more details about Switch 2. The game’s appearance belongs to that console-focused Direct; it should not be confused with the separate Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Nintendo held on June 18.
What did the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct show?
Nintendo UK described the June 18 presentation as roughly 15 minutes of information about the game. Nintendo’s recap outlined an underground adventure that begins when a storm sends Donkey Kong below Ingot Isle. There he meets Odd Rock, later revealed to be Pauline. The pair journey toward the Planet Core while the villainous Void Company pursues it.
#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
Destructible terrain and movement
Traversal centers on interacting with the environment. Nintendo highlighted moves including Dive Punch and Hand Slap, as well as tearing up and throwing ground. Donkey Kong can also use Turf Surfing to ride across terrain.
Pauline’s singing and Bananza transformations
Collecting gold builds Bananergy, which Pauline can use to sing and trigger temporary transformations. Nintendo described three forms: Kong Bananza focuses on strength, Zebra Bananza on speed, and Ostrich Bananza on flight and egg bombs.
Rank #2
- 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.
Collectibles, challenges and familiar characters
Nintendo’s recap listed several collectible types with different uses:
- Banandium Gems grant Skill Points.
- Banandium Chips can be exchanged for Banandium Gems.
- Banandium Gold is used at the Stuff Shop.
- Fossils can be used to obtain fashions.
The presentation also featured challenges and familiar characters, including Cranky Kong and Rambi.
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Rank #3
![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?
Local co-op and online features
Nintendo described local co-op using a shared Joy-Con 2 controller: one player controls Donkey Kong and the other controls Pauline. It also mentioned GameShare and GameChat options. Those are Nintendo’s descriptions from June 2025; the announcement alone does not establish current service or software requirements for using them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the two Direct presentations differ
| Presentation | Date | What it covered |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 Direct | April 2, 2025 | Revealed Donkey Kong Bananza, its Switch 2 exclusivity and July 17 release date. |
| Donkey Kong Bananza Direct | June 18, 2025 | A dedicated, roughly 15-minute presentation with more detail on the setting, gameplay, collectibles and co-op. |
The official April video confirms the game’s announcement in the Switch 2 Direct context. The precise claim that it was the presentation’s final reveal is not independently established by the official written materials described here.
Quick Recap
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
Rank #4
- Donkey Kong, diddy Kong, dixie Kong and cranky Kong return for the franchise's debut on the Nintendo Switch system!
- This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a brand-new mode that lets new and novice
- Players Enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as Groovy surfing simian funky Kong.
- Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform Infinite rolls and even perform Infinite underwater corkscrews.
- Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can't slow him down.
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