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IGN’s April 3, 2025, video Donkey Kong Bananza: First Hands-On Preview covered the game’s first 30 minutes, spotlighting its destructible terrain and early resemblance to Super Mario Odyssey. That was an initial impression, not a claim that the games share a structure or developer. Donkey Kong Bananza is now a released Nintendo Switch 2 game: Nintendo set its launch for July 17, 2025.
What is Donkey Kong Bananza?
Donkey Kong Bananza is an all-new 3D action-platformer exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Donkey Kong and Pauline travel through a vast underground world after a storm sends DK deeper into the planet while he is searching for golden bananas. Nintendo lists solo play and local play for one or two players on a single system; its UK listing gives the standard edition a 9.0 GB download size. Nintendo’s game page and Nintendo UK’s listing provide the official details.
The game launched on July 17, 2025, in the U.S. and UK listings. So the IGN video is best read as a record of an early look, not a preview of a still-upcoming release.
What did IGN’s first 30 minutes show?
IGN published its video on April 3, 2025, and its description says the hands-on covered the first 30 minutes. It foregrounded 3D action-platforming and destructive play, and compared the early experience to Super Mario Odyssey. That comparison is an opening impression only: it does not establish that the games have the same design, developer, or quality. IGN framed the developer attribution as speculation, so it should not be treated as confirmed. IGN’s video listing is the source for the title, date and description.
#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
How destruction and transformations work
Nintendo’s gameplay description makes clear that breaking the environment is more than a visual effect: it is part of how DK explores and interacts with the underground world.
- Dive Punch: DK drills into the earth.
- Hand Slap: DK searches for hidden items.
- Tear and throw: DK can pull pieces of ground loose and hurl them.
- Turf Surfing: DK rides terrain through the environment.
Pauline’s singing activates transformations after the pair build Bananergy by collecting gold. The forms have different abilities:
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.
- Kong Bananza emphasizes strength.
- Zebra Bananza focuses on speed and short dashes.
- Ostrich Bananza can fly and use Egg Bombs.
These mechanics explain why the IGN comparison to Odyssey may come to mind in an early look, while leaving the games’ overall structures distinct and unproven by that brief preview.
Can you play co-op, and what controllers does it use?
Two people can play locally on one system, controlling Donkey Kong and Pauline separately. Nintendo says they can share a Joy-Con 2 controller, and Pauline’s vocal blasts can use Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality. Nintendo also describes GameShare as a way to provide a local co-op session to another player who does not own the game, within Nintendo’s stated session limits, and says friends can be invited online through GameChat. Nintendo’s game page outlines these play options.
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![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?
Nintendo UK lists one to two players on a single system and warns that multiplayer needs one compatible controller per player, so additional controllers may be necessary depending on the setup. Check controller compatibility before planning a session. The UK listing includes the player and controller note.
What does the Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo unlock?
The Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo launched alongside the game on July 17, 2025. Scanning it grants Pauline’s Diva Dress outfit and gold KONG tiles. The outfit is also unlocked by progressing through the game, according to Nintendo UK, so the figure is optional if the outfit is your main goal. Nintendo UK’s game page describes the outfit’s alternate unlock.
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.
Nintendo Support says compatible Donkey Kong-series amiibo summon gold KONG tiles, while other amiibo summon a sphere of random material. Nintendo Support’s amiibo guidance explains the broader behavior.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Donkey Kong Bananza worth playing?
The preview and official feature list give a practical way to judge whether it fits what you want. It is a natural fit if you have a Nintendo Switch 2 and like exploring spaces that can be broken apart, using terrain creatively, and switching among forms with different movement or combat abilities. Local co-op may also matter if you want a two-player session; check the controller setup before arranging one. The amiibo is relevant if you collect figures or want its game-specific rewards, but it is not required to unlock the Diva Dress.
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
Nintendo reported 2.6 million cumulative worldwide sell-through during the game’s first 12 weeks after release in investor material published in November 2025. That is a dated, first-12-weeks figure—not a current lifetime total. Nintendo’s November 2025 investor material is the source.
Nintendo also lists DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC as sold separately on its UK game page. The available information here does not establish current pricing or a complete description of its content, so check the listing before deciding whether it is relevant to you. Nintendo UK’s listing identifies it as a separate purchase.
Quick Recap
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