Donkey Kong Bananza Brings Mario Odyssey Magic to Switch 2
Nintendo has let slip an exciting tidbit about their upcoming game ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’, set to swing onto the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. The team behind the beloved ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ is crafting this new adventure, and I’m already buzzing with anticipation for what they’ll deliver. This 3D platformer promises to shake up the Donkey Kong series with fresh ideas while keeping that familiar charm.
‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ drops players into a vibrant open-world where you control the iconic gorilla himself. The goal? Chase down stolen banana-shaped treasures called Banandium Gems. These shiny collectibles drive the game’s missions, but you can also find them scattered across sprawling levels, much like the Power Moons in ‘Super Mario Odyssey’. Donkey Kong’s moveset is a blast—punching through walls, climbing steep surfaces, and rolling around with nimble flair. The game’s big hook is its destructible environments. Almost everything can be smashed, letting you carve new paths or uncover hidden goodies by tearing through the terrain.
What sets this apart is how it builds on the ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ formula. The same team, known for their work at Nintendo’s EAD Tokyo, is pouring their knack for fluid controls and creative level design into this project. I loved how ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ made every jump feel smooth and every world a playground, so hearing this crew is behind ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ gets me pumped. They’ve added a new companion, a young Pauline, who teams up with Donkey Kong. She’s not just along for the ride—her singing powers up DK’s abilities, like transforming into a speedy zebra or an egg-dropping ostrich.
The story has Donkey Kong and Pauline venturing underground to take on VoidCo, a shady group draining the world’s energy. Familiar faces like Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong pop up as NPCs, offering tips or challenges. The game also sprinkles in nostalgic nods, like music remixes from ‘Donkey Kong Country’ and ‘Donkey Kong 64’, giving it that classic vibe. I’m especially curious about the Kremlings’ rumored return as villains—fingers crossed for some old-school chaos.
‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ leans hard into its Switch 2 hardware. The destructible world, with its voxel-based smashing, shows off the console’s power in ways the original Switch couldn’t handle. You can rip chunks of the ground to use as weapons or even snowboards. There’s also a skill tree to upgrade DK’s moves, plus collectibles like Banandium Chips and fossils for customizing outfits. Amiibo support adds neat touches, like special costumes or explosive tiles when you scan figures like Donkey Kong or Pauline.
I’m thrilled about the GameShare feature, which lets a second player control Pauline for co-op fun, either locally or online. There’s even a photo mode for snapping cool screenshots and a DK Artist mode for carving sculptures with the Joy-Con 2’s mouse-like controls. It’s clear the ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ team is packing this game with creative flair, making ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ a must-play when it lands on Switch 2.
