Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza
Company name

Nintendo EPD

Key Details of
Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza – Key Facts

  • Release Date:July 17, 2025
  • Platform:Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive)
  • Developer:Nintendo EPD (in-house, first DK since Jungle Beat 2004)
  • Genre:3D sandbox platformer

What Makes It Unique?

  • Fully destructible environments – Smash terrain to uncover secrets
  • First 3D Donkey Kong game since DK64(1999)
  • New partner: Young Pauline (playable support role)
  • Voxel-based tech (expanded from Super Mario Odyssey)
  • Soundtrack: Remixes of David Wise/Grant Kirkhope classics + new tracks

Gameplay Highlights

  • Open-ended, Odyssey-style exploration
  • Physics-driven destruction (punch holes, collapse structures)
  • Possible 2-player co-op (Pauline assists with gadgets)
  • Villain: A gang of rogue apes stealing banana-shaped diamonds

Potential Concerns

  • Early reports mention camera issuesand frame rate dips
  • First major DK game since Tropical Freeze(2014) – high expectations

Why It Matters

  • Could be the Switch 2’s first “killer app”
  • Revives DK’s 3D legacy after 25+ years
  • Nintendo’s chance to redefine the franchise

ISO/ROM/3DS/PC/PS5 Rom Download (Will be Available)

Play online         https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2/

Developer Description

Core Development Team

  • Studio:Nintendo EPD (Entertainment Planning & Development)
    • *First in-house Donkey Kong game since Jungle Beat (2004)*
    • Previously developed Super Mario OdysseyBreath of the WildSplatoon 3
  • Key Leads:Likely veterans from Mario Odyssey team (unconfirmed, but tech similarities suggest overlap)

Why Nintendo EPD Took Over

  • After Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze(Retro Studios, 2014), Nintendo shifted DK back to internal development
  • Wanted to modernize DK with sandbox gameplay(EPD’s specialty)
  • Leveraged voxel physicsfrom Mario Odyssey’s “Breakdown” levels

Tech & Engine

  • Custom engine(likely evolved from Odyssey’s framework)
  • Voxel-based destruction– Lets players deform terrain realistically
  • Switch 2 Exclusive– Moved from OG Switch to utilize next-gen power

Development Timeline

  • Early Concepts:Began right after Mario Odyssey (2017–2018)
  • Full Production:2021–2023 (originally for Switch, then upgraded)
  • Polishing Phase:2024–2025 (fixing camera/frame rate issues)

Design Philosophy

  • “DK’s Strength as a Gameplay Pillar”– Every level encourages smashing
  • Pauline’s Role:Added to balance destruction with puzzle-solving
  • Nostalgia + Innovation:Mixes DK64’s charm with Odyssey’s freedom

Fun Fact

Early prototypes let DK rip trees out of the ground to use as weapons – might return as a late-game ability!

Release Date

Operating System Compatibility

Total Downloads

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