Nintendo Reveals Donkey Kong Bananza Gameplay Details and New Playable Characters

The latest Donkey Kong Bananza Direct unveiled fresh gameplay footage and new information for the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza. The showcase confirmed fan-favorite features, character reveals, and new mechanics, setting the stage for one of the most exciting Donkey Kong games in years.

Some of the features appear to be inspired by previous Donkey Kong games, such as the original Donkey Kong or sections of the Donkey Kong Country series.

Key Gameplay Features

New Ways to Smash and Bash
As Donkey Kong, you will be able to utilize powerful abilities to smash your way through obstacles and enemies and even unearth discoveries. Donkey Kong can perform Dive Punch, Roll Forward, and Hand Slap during exploration, overcome obstacles, and find hidden items. He can also tear off chunks of ground to either throw at enemies or use as Turf Surfing and more.

Bananza Transformations
Pauline can enhance Donkey Kong’s destructive ability by temporarily transforming him through the power of her singing, by collecting gold to build up their Bananergy. There are multiple transformations, such as Kong Bananza, Zebra Bananza, and Ostrich Bananza, each with its unique power-ups.

Co-Op Play
Two players to control Donkey Kong and Pauline individually, by sharing a Joy-Con 2 controller. The game also includes GameShare, letting you play locally with friends who don’t own the game, and GameChat, which supports online co-op with voice or video chat invitations.

Race to the Planet Core
Legend has it, the Planet Core can grant your heart’s desire, so Donkey Kong and Pauline set off on a quest to reach it. Pauline hopes it will be able to return her to the surface, while Donkey Kong plans to ask it for more bananas.

The Void Company
The Void Company, a villainous mining corporation, is also racing toward the Planet Core for their own sinister goals. They’re behind the banana heist that sent Donkey Kong underground and are also responsible for transforming Pauline into Odd Rock. Now, both heroes must dig deeper and outpace VoidCo to stop their plans.

Skill Points
Uncover golden bananas called Banandium Gems to earn Skill Points that increase DK’s power and even learn new Skills. There are also banana slice-shaped items called Banandium Chips, which you can trade for Banandium Gems at the Chip Exchange.

Mini-game Challenges
There will be multiple challenges, such as timed battles, side-scrolling stages, obstacle challenge courses, and many more.

Item Shop
You can collect gold nuggets called Banandium Gold that can be traded for useful items at the Stuff Shop.

In-Game Cosmetics
You may also discover Fossils, where you can trade them at the Style Shops for different fashions for Donkey Kong and Pauline, almost all of which come with useful extra benefits, including fur colours for DK.

Other New and Familiar Faces
Familiar faces like Cranky Kong and his companion Rambi show up across the Underground World. You’ll also come face to face with Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong, and others who work for VoidCo leader Void Kong.

Getaways and Eelevators
In the Underground World, players can rest at Getaway spots to restore energy while enjoying selectable music for fast travel, Eelevators, giant subterranean eels that let you move quickly between previously explored layers.

Photo and Sculpting Mode
In Photo Mode, players can adjust camera angles and settings to capture perfect shots. For DK Artist, players use Joy-Con 2’s motion controls to carve designs into stone, customize lighting, and add fun banana-themed effects to their creations.

Amiibo Compatible
A Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo figure will be available on July 17, which allows you to unlock Pauline’s in-game Diva Dress early and receive KONG tiles with explosive power. Scan other Donkey Kong character amiibo figures to earn gold KONG tiles. If other amiibo are scanned, you’ll receive a giant sphere of terrain material to aid you on your adventure.

Donkey Kong Bananza will be available for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, so head on to their official website to find out more about how to get the game!

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