On Wednesday, Nintendo presented “Donkey Kong Bananaanza” during a special Nintendo Direct event. The 17-minute showcase provided details about the gameplay and revealed that Donkey Kong will be joined by a younger version of Pauline, who is set to become both the damsel in distress and the mayor of New Donk City in the future.
Since the first game presentation in April, it was clear that Donkey Kong Bananza would include fully destructible environments with various secrets to uncover — such as crystal bananas, gold coins, fossils, and more. However, we were unaware that Donkey Kong could transform into a super-powered primate due to Pauline’s songs. In Bananza Kong mode, the gorilla grows three times in size and can smash rocks with his hand; in Bananza Zebra mode, he transforms into an African zebra capable of running at high speeds and even on water. Donkey Kong also has the ability to transform into an ostrich to glide to previously inaccessible areas. These transformations can be combined easily, provided there is sufficient energy, which can be replenished by collecting gold.
Another feature introduced today is a traditional RPG system that revolves around a skill tree, which players can unlock through various discoveries made during their adventure. This includes enhancements such as increasing attack power or learning how to surf without sinking. Additionally, while it is possible to acquire multiple alternative outfits, these items will not be purely cosmetic, as each piece of equipment comes with its own passive abilities.
Nintendo focused on the setting and musical sequences in Donkey Kong Bananza. From Pauline’s songs to remixes of classic tunes and even the return of the DK Rap, the collectible tracks promise to be epic. We also encountered malevolent Kongs threatening the integrity of the underworld. From Grumpy Worker Kong, the grumpy boss, to the elegant Poppy Kong, and the intelligent Void Kong, we will witness their mischief in thematic battles against bosses.
Donkey Kong Bananza will include a cooperative mode in which a second player assumes the role of Pauline and utilizes sonic attacks to destroy the environment. Additionally, Cranky Kong will be featured in the game, offering bonus challenges that vary from 2D gameplay modes to up-to-down combat scenarios and time trials.
Nintendo recently presented Donkey Kong Bananza during a Nintendo Direct event, showcasing 17 minutes of gameplay. The game includes destructible environments with various secrets such as crystal bananas, gold coins, and fossils. A unique feature is Donkey Kong’s ability to transform into super-powered forms—Bananza Kong (a giant gorilla), Bananza Zebra (an African zebra that can run on water), and an ostrich for gliding—all powered by Pauline’s songs. These transformations can be combined if there is enough energy, which can be replenished using gold coins. The game also features an RPG-like skill tree system where players can unlock abilities such as hitting harder or learning to surf, with equipment providing passive benefits beyond just appearance. Donkey Kong Bananza includes a variety of musical sequences and remixed classic tunes, including the return of DK Rap. Players will face several antagonistic Kong characters causing trouble in the underworld, each with distinct personalities and thematic boss battles. Additionally, the game offers a cooperative mode where a second player controls Pauline, using sonic attacks to break environments apart. Cranky Kong appears in bonus challenges that span different gameplay styles such as 2D mode, vertical combat, and time trials. The release of Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled for July 17th exclusively for the Switch 2.
