Donkey Kong Bananza is a Nintendo Switch 2 3D platforming adventure built around a striking idea: Donkey Kong can smash apart much of the world to uncover routes, collectibles and challenges. Nintendo Life’s hands-on preview found a sprawling underground setting that rewards exploration, while Pauline’s singing adds temporary transformations and a two-player option.
What is Donkey Kong Bananza, and what can DK do?
Donkey Kong Bananza is a 3D platforming action-adventure exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists its UK release date as 17 July 2025 on its official game page.
Donkey Kong and Pauline descend into the Underground World. Rather than treating scenery as a fixed backdrop, the game lets DK break through it: he can smash terrain to open areas, carve tunnels, punch into the ground, and tear off chunks to swing or throw. Those actions are ways to move through and interact with the environment, not just combat flourishes. Nintendo describes these features on its Canadian game page.
How expansive is the Underground World?
Nintendo describes the setting as a vast Underground World, but the sources do not give a measurable map size. The more useful indication of its scale comes from how the game supports exploration: breaking terrain can expose alternate routes, hidden collectibles and challenge courses, while players can choose how thoroughly to dig rather than being required to search every corner.
#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
In a hands-on preview published 1 July 2025, Nintendo Life writer Jim Norman said he had played around three hours and still felt he had barely scratched the surface. He described the levels as almost entirely destructible and said DK’s moves could reveal new paths, collectibles and challenge courses. That is one writer’s impression of a limited preview build, not a claim that every area or system had been explored. Read Nintendo Life’s preview.
Norman also said players could follow the main route without exhaustive digging, so the breadth of exploration need not mean that every player has to clear every piece of terrain. Later, Nintendo Life’s review praised the variety of the world’s layers and the ability to make or break routes; the reviewer noted that terrain damage persisted when returning to an area. The outlet scored the game 9/10 and mentioned occasional performance hiccups in its review copy. Those are that publication’s judgments and observations, not a universal performance guarantee or critical consensus. Read the review.
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.
What abilities do Pauline and the Bananza forms add?
Pauline’s singing can empower DK with temporary Bananza transformations. Nintendo names Kong, Zebra and Ostrich forms, and its Direct announcement describes abilities tied to strength, speed and flight. The transformations complement DK’s regular movement and terrain-smashing: they give players additional ways to handle obstacles and move through the underground setting. Nintendo’s 18 June 2025 announcement introduces the transformations and describes the adventure as the pair “smashing, crashing, jumping and singing their way through” the Underground World.
Can you play Donkey Kong Bananza in co-op?
Yes. Nintendo describes local two-player co-op: one player controls DK and the other Pauline. The Direct announcement also describes GameShare and online GameChat. Online play requires an internet connection and a Nintendo Account; after 31 March 2026, Nintendo Switch Online membership is also required, with regional terms applying. Check Nintendo’s announcement and Canadian game page for feature and service details.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #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?
What is Donkey Kong Bananza available on?
Donkey Kong Bananza is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive; Nintendo’s UK product page lists the game for that system. It is not listed there as a Nintendo Switch game. The UK page also identifies the DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC as sold separately. Regional product details and online-service terms can differ, so consult Nintendo’s page for your market.
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 Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qtRWiIToL._SL160_.jpg)
- Full version of game required to use DLC. Sold separately.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
