Nintendo revealed a new trailer and gameplay details for Donkey Kong: Bananza, the upcoming 3D action platform game coming to the Switch 2 on July 17. The game was announced at Nintendo’s first Switch 2 direct, along with a new The Legend of Zelda game and a new game developed by FromSoftware.
The game marks Donkey Kong’s first return to 3D gameplay since Donkey Kong 64 and features beautiful jungle environments, gameplay, and an original story starring Donkey Kong. The new video describes it as the deeper you go, the more the scenery changes. From lush underground jungles to ancient ruins and machine-filled caverns, every layer offers new challenges, enemies, and secrets.
Players can freely move in any direction, solving puzzles, smashing through obstacles, and unlocking new paths. Co-op will also be possible, with players being able to play as DK and Pauline separately. It will also support Game Share, allowing players to share the game with another player even if they don’t own it themselves.
Donkey Kong’s Moves
Donkey Kong has a full set of powerful new abilities:
- Punch, Smash and Dive Punch – Break walls, enemies, and ground with force.
- Hand Slap and Tear Off – Shake up the terrain or rip chunks off enemies to use.
- Turf Surf & Chunk Jump – Ride or jump off objects to get around.
- Roll, Swing, Climb – Classic DK traveling, now even more versatile.
- Throw – Throw object. Can also use soft objects that can stick to each other to create paths.
Cranky Kong and Rambi are also shown, as well as Giant Elders who can teach Pauline to boost DK into transforming. Using golden bananas (called Bananergy), DK can temporarily transform into powerful animal forms:
- Kong Bananza – The ‘strong’ form that makes breaking objects even easier.
- Zebra Bananza – The ‘switft’ form that can speed across long distances.
- Ostrich Bananza – The ‘flying’ form that allows DK to fly and drop objects on enemies.
Enemies: The Void Company
A mysterious organization blocking the way forward. They are also behind the bosses guard the paths to lower layers.
- Grumpy Kong
- Poppy Kong
- Void Kong – The leader of the company.
Exploration and Progression
There are numerous of things DK and Pauline can collect:
- Banandium Gems
- Found in walls, ground, and ancient ruins.
- Used to upgrade stats (e.g. health, strength) or unlock new skills (e.g. stronger sonar to detect treasure from further away).
- Earned through solving puzzles, timed battles, side-scrolling stages, and clever exploration.
- Banandium Chips – Trade for Banandium Gems at the Chip Exchange.
- Fossils
- Trade for fashion items.
- Fashion boosts stats (e.g. +15 swimming).
- Store and swap outfits in a customizable closet.
- Gold – Used to purchase items at the shop.
- Treasure Chests – May contain maps revealing hidden Banandium Gem or Fossil locations.
- CDs – Listen to music found on collectible discs.
You can watch the full direct below.
Donkey Kong is a classic arcade game which was first released by Nintendo in 1981. It was the first major game designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, who we all know today as the creator of many of Nintendo’s most famous characters and franchises. In the game, players control a character named Jumpman (later known as Mario) as he climbs platforms and avoids obstacles to rescue a damsel named Pauline from the giant ape called Donkey Kong.
The game was a huge success and played a major role in launching Nintendo’s popularity outside of Japan. It also marked the beginning of some of Nintendo’s most iconic characters and set the stage for the ultra popular Super Mario franchise.
Source: Nintendo Official YouTube
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