Nintendo has officially revealed Donkey Kong Bananza, the next big first-party title for its upcoming Switch 2 console. The announcement, made during the latest Nintendo Direct, showcased a wide range of new features, characters, and surprises sure to thrill fans of the iconic ape.
Pauline Joins Donkey Kong as a Playable Character
In a surprising twist, Donkey Kong Bananza introduces Pauline one of Nintendo’s oldest characters as Donkey Kong’s sidekick. While earlier teasers hinted at a mysterious rock-shaped companion, it turns out Pauline was hidden inside that very figure. This playful misdirection extended to early box art and promotional materials, which have now been updated to reflect the true co-star.
The game also supports two-player cooperative mode, where one player can control Pauline. Best of all, thanks to GameShare support, only one copy of the game is needed to enjoy co-op play on two consoles.
New Storyline Raises Questions About Donkey Kong Lore
What’s particularly intriguing is that this game presents Pauline as a child which could shift the timeline and lore of the Donkey Kong universe. Longtime fans may recall her appearance as an adult in the original Donkey Kong arcade title and as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. The idea that Donkey Kong was protecting a young Pauline from Mario previously portrayed as a villain in Donkey Kong Jr. has sparked new debates about the series’ backstory.
RPG Elements, Character Transformations, and Exploration
Donkey Kong Bananza is more than a platformer. The game introduces RPG-style features, such as a skill tree and unlockable outfits for both DK and Pauline. Another standout addition is the ability for Donkey Kong to transform into various animals including an ostrich for flying and a zebra for running across water each unlocking new ways to navigate the environment.
The gameplay strongly emphasizes destruction and creative exploration, giving players the freedom to break through environments and discover hidden paths. Much like how climbing mechanics redefined exploration in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this feature could reinvent how players interact with Donkey Kong’s world.
Bonus Content and Exclusive Features
In a unique use of the Joy-Con’s motion and pointer capabilities, there’s also a mini-game that lets players sculpt rocks, offering a fun, tactile break from the core gameplay.
Donkey Kong Bananza will release exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, and an Amiibo figurine featuring both Donkey Kong and Pauline will also be available. Scanning it will unlock a special outfit for Pauline in-game.
