Donkey Kong Bananza: Release date, trailers, story, powers & more

In the recent Nintendo Direct broadcast during April, they unveiled the latest adventure starring the well-known gorilla character, Donkey Kong. Since then, a wealth of information has been disclosed. Here’s what you need to know about Donkey Kong Bananza before its release on the Switch 2!

As a dedicated Nintendo enthusiast, I was taken aback during the Switch 2 Direct event on April 2, 2025. Besides the comprehensive exploration of the console’s capabilities, an unexpected title caught my attention – Donkey Kong Bananza, a new game that was unveiled to our delight!

In terms of a 3D platformer, this latest release marks the first significant Donkey Kong game since 2014’s Tropical Freeze. It offers an entirely fresh journey that not only showcases our beloved gorilla character but also introduces a younger iteration of Pauline into the storyline as well.

Launching Donkey Kong Bananza is crucial for the company because it’s one of the two exclusive games for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. That’s why they held a Nintendo Direct to reveal more about what’s in store – and here are the specifics!

Donkey Kong Bananza release date

The exciting game, Donkey Kong Bananza, is scheduled to release on July 17, 2025. You can only play it on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Editions & price

Just like all other initial releases from Nintendo, Donkey Kong Bananza comes in both physical and digital versions. Regardless of your preference, the price for either remains consistent at $69.99.

Enthusiastic gamers have the opportunity to secure their copy ahead of time at the official store, allowing them to download a 10GB version in advance so they can start playing immediately when the game is released.

Setting & story

In Donkey Kong Bananza, you’ll navigate through a multi-tiered underground metropolis teeming with nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered. From scorching deserts to verdant woodlands and frozen tundras, Donkey Kong joins forces with Pauline (formerly known as Odd Rock) on a quest to reach the Planet Core. Legend has it that granting a wish is possible upon arrival at this celestial destination.

To accomplish this, they must first overcome the malicious group known as the Void Company, consisting of Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong, and Void Kong. This sinister trio is behind the banana-plundering chaos on Ingot Isle and aims to reach the Planet Core in order to seize its vast wealth.

All characters

As I jump into this fresh adventure, I’ll be controlling the one and only Donkey Kong, with my trusty companion Pauline by my side. However, it’s not just the familiar faces that’ll make an appearance – iconic characters will pop up throughout our story, and there are even some newcomers set to join the fray!

CHARACTER	BACKGROUND
Donkey Kong	Responsible for subterranean info gathering
Pauline / Odd Rock	A young version of the character from Mario Odyssey who dreams of becoming a singer
Cranky Kong	A gorilla obsessed with bananas who accidentally ends up in the underground world
Rambi	Cranky Kong’s companion
Giant Elders (x3)	Habitants of the underground world with ancient Bananza powers
Grumpy Kong	Works to create gigantic corporate soldiers
Poppy Kong	Responsible for subterranian info gathering
Void Kong	In charge of the whole Company

Abilities & Bananza Transformations

To reach the Heart of the Planet, duo DK and Pauline must overcome a multitude of formidable adversaries. Fortunately, they possess an array of extraordinary skills.

Apart from navigating through all the stages by running, jumping, and scaling, character DK will additionally have the ability to demolish, disrupt, and pound various terrains to carve his path through multiple layers. Remarkably, he can transform an entire landscape!

Here are some of the powers you’ll be able to use:

Dive Punch: Jump high to create a hole in the floor.
Roll Forward: Roll around, breaking anything that comes your way.
Hand Slap: Make noise to collect scattered items or detect hidden objects.
Tear off: Grab a chunk of terrain or your foes.
Swing: Grab a chunk and swing it to break stones or spikes.
Chunk Jump: Use a chunk to double jump.
Throw: Throw a chunk or aim it at a target. Some chunks with softer material can be piled up.
Turf Surf: Ride chunks as if they are a surfboard and knock small enemies.
Make Music: Pauline’s signing will show you the way and remove the strange seals you’ll come around.

Furthermore, Pauline acquires the ability to invoke the Bananza powers of the Giant Elder within Donkey Kong (DK), which she does by singing. As a result, DK undergoes a transformation.

Kong Bananza: incredible destructive powers.
Zebra Bananza: high speed to walk on water and crumbling pathways.
Ostrich Bananza: fly through the sky and drop egg bombs from great heights.

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Remember that the changes are only short-term, and you can activate them by collecting gold to accumulate Bananergy points.

Additionally, you’ll find a distinct collection of abilities that can be enhanced using Skill Points earned from Banandium Gems.

Or simply:
You’ll also discover a unique set of skills that can be leveled up with Skill Points you gain from Banandium Gems.

DK Artist

Beyond the primary gameplay, there’s an extra feature known as DK Artist. In this space, players have the freedom to create whatever they desire using the motion control of the Joy-Cons, functioning like a digital sculpting tool.

Carve stone, paint it, add materials, and more to become the artist you always dreamed!

Grab your digital tools and let your imagination run wild with the DK Artist Mode! Sculpt, polish, color, and create masterpieces using nothing but your trusty mouse. Unleash your inner artist in this Banana-tastic world of Donkey Kong! #DonkeyKongBananza
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 18, 2025

Local co-op, Game Share & online

As a gamer, I can team up with a buddy by swapping Joy-Con controllers or utilizing an additional pair, enabling us to dive into some good old-fashioned split-screen gaming fun. In this scenario, I control Donkey Kong, while my partner takes charge of Pauline – making for a dynamic duo!

One person will handle maneuvering the duo, whereas the other can harness Pauline’s vocal abilities to produce sound bursts by controlling the mouse function on the Joy-Con.

In addition to Donkey Kong Bananza, the game offers a feature called “Game Sharing.” This allows one player to pass the game onto another, enabling them to play together on their separate consoles. Locally, it can also be shared on a single Nintendo Switch system.

Moreover, it can be played online between Nintendo Switch 2 systems using Game Share via Game Chat.

Amiibos

Additionally, a figurine of Donkey Kong and Pauline (amiibo) is coming soon. Once scanned, it unlocks Pauline’s famous Diva Dress within the game. At this time, the price has not been disclosed, so we will update our guide when more information becomes available.

Instead, if you scan the DK series amiibos, you’ll find gold KONG tiles with explosive abilities within the game.

Every other amiibo released is compatible, and scanning them will get you giant spheres.

Trailers

On April 2, 2025, during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, we had our first glimpse of Donkey Kong Bananza. A surprising 2.5-minute trailer captivated fans.

Following that initial unveiling, I eagerly tuned into Nintendo Treehouse: Live on April 4th, 2025, where they disclosed even more exciting aspects about the upcoming game.

On the 18th of June, 2025 – a month prior to its release – there was a Donkey Kong Bananza Direct event.

2025-06-19 00:20