Donkey Kong Bananza: A New Era for Nintendo’s Gorilla

After more than a decade without a mainline title, Donkey Kong is back at the forefront of Nintendo’s lineup with Bananza. Unveiled alongside the Switch 2 hardware reveal, this 3D platformer promises frantic vertical stages, co-op play with Pauline, cel-shaded visuals and a new collectible system. Early hands-on sessions reveal both exciting innovations and a few technical questions ahead of its July 17, 2025 release.

Key Features at a Glance

• Vertical 3D Exploration: Levels are built in layered chambers, encouraging digging, brawling and climbing rather than the traditional left-to-right run.
• Playable Pauline & Co-Op: Pauline brings unique mechanics—she can manipulate elements of the environment with her harmonies, opening paths for two-player sessions.
• Cel-Shaded Visuals & Sound: Bold colors and chunky outlines define each biome, complemented by a remix-heavy soundtrack that leans into jungle rhythms.
• Banandium Crystals: Collect these special gems to unlock temporary Kong forms, each granting new traversal and combat abilities.
• Open Questions: Boss variety, endgame depth and consistent performance in handheld mode remain to be seen.

Feature	Details
Publisher	Nintendo
Release Date	July 17, 2025
Genres	3D Platformer, Adventure, Action
Platforms	Switch 2 (Exclusive)

Gameplay Mechanics – Modern DK, Classic Punch

Bananza shifts from the precision jumps of Tropical Freeze toward a more tactile, force-driven style. Each compact stage combines vertical puzzles and combat arenas. Donkey Kong smashes obstacles and foes with heavy hits while Pauline’s musical powers unlock hidden routes or trigger platform shifts. The collectible Banandium Crystals let players transform—whether that’s a grappling Kong form to swing across gaps or a reinforced punch form that shatters gates.

Visuals & Audio – A Bold Departure

Nintendo’s typical “polished innocence” takes a back seat to bold cel-shading in Bananza. Saturated hues, thick outlines and stylized environments recall Zelda: Wind Waker and Mario Sunshine, but with a gorilla twist. The soundtrack mixes original jungle motifs with upbeat remixes; early builds hint at memorable themes, especially when Pauline takes center stage. On Switch 2 docked mode the frame rate stays solid, though occasional slowdowns and texture pop-in appeared during vertical combat sequences.

What This Means for Core Gamers

In an era of safe revivals, Bananza’s combination of vertical design, character swaps and Banandium transformations stands out. Collectibles are generous but not mandatory, avoiding the exhaustive grinds of some 3D platformers. Boss encounters seen so far offer varied mechanics, though longevity will depend on post-launch updates or DLC. If performance holds steady in handheld mode and co-op feels integral throughout, Bananza could earn its place as Switch 2’s first non-Mario must-play.

TL;DR – Early Verdict

Donkey Kong Bananza is more than a nostalgia trip. With fresh combat forms, dynamic vertical levels and an art style that dares to break Nintendo’s “safe” mold, it has the potential to redefine DK for a new console generation. Critical questions about performance and depth remain, but if Nintendo nails the final polish, this gorilla could swing straight into the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers alike.