Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to be Nintendo`s next significant 3D platforming adventure, marking the first title of this magnitude since the release of Super Mario Odyssey in 2017. Based on new information, it appears the development team has pushed creative boundaries, incorporating a wide variety of unique mechanics and concepts that seem as enjoyable to play as they are wonderfully eccentric.
As previewed in the initial reveal trailer released some months ago, a central feature of the game is its interactive and destructible environments. DK possesses the ability to break through nearly any obstacle, gathering fragments of the landscape. These pieces can then be utilized in diverse ways: as weaponry, tools for puzzle-solving, aids for platforming challenges, or even to construct new pathways. Mastering these abilities is essential for overcoming obstacles and progressing deeper into the planet`s core.
DK isn`t undertaking this quest alone. The charming small rock creature showcased in the reveal trailer holds a surprising secret: it is in fact a young Pauline, known from the original Donkey Kong arcade game as the character needing rescue. While Donkey Kong focuses on destruction, Pauline complements him as a companion, riding along on his back. Her unique power lies in her singing voice, which can influence the surrounding world, adding yet another strategic dimension to the game`s blend of puzzle-solving and platforming.
Yet, the truly unconventional aspects don`t end there. Powered by Pauline`s singing, DK unlocks new transformations that significantly enhance his size and strength. The first transformation turns him into a much larger ape. However, the game takes a wild turn with subsequent forms, revealing transformations into a powerfully built zebra and an ostrich. Each of these distinct forms grants Donkey Kong exclusive abilities for both navigating the environment and engaging in combat. Furthermore, Bananza will feature a skill tree system and a narrative storyline that delves into the evolving relationship between DK and Pauline.
Donkey Kong Bananza is slated for release on July 17, 2025, and will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Callum Darby 
Finley Holt