Donkey Kong Bananza has just highlighted tons of new content that players can expect to see in the upcoming action platformer, including the colorful cast of characters that will serve as both allies and antagonists. Nintendo's ape-centric franchise has added a lot of memorable characters over the decades, and Donkey Kong Bananza looks poised to see the return of some fan favorites and some brand-new faces.
First unveiled in early April, Donkey Kong Bananza is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. The game's grand reveal was one of the biggest surprises of the Switch 2 Direct presentation that showed off the new console's hardware features and upcoming first-party games ahead of its release earlier this month. That's partially because Nintendo kept the game tightly under wraps during development, and also because it will be the first all-new pure action platformer in the franchise since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in 2014.
Donkey Kong Bananza Has Co-Op, But There's a Catch
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game Donkey Kong Bananza features a co-op mode, but it may not appeal to all fans.
A Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation was held by Nintendo today, and one of its biggest reveals was Donkey Kong's partnership with his old captive, Pauline, and her role in unlocking some of Donkey Kong Bananza's best abilities. Now taking on a cooperative role with the big ape, Pauline can use her singing to trigger Banaza Powers, which can temporarily transform DK into a variety of amped up forms that he can switch between as she learns to harness them. The transformations previewed so far are Kong Bananza, which increases Donkey Kong's destructive power; Ostrich Banaza, which lets him take flight as an ostrich and drop egg bombs on enemies, and Zebra Bananza, which makes him turn into a bulky zebra with speed that lets him pull off some impressive feats that include running atop water or quickly racing across crumbling pathways.
Donkey Kong Bananza Reveals Characters and Banaza Powers
The new presentation also features the return of popular characters from past Donkey Kong games, who will aid the protagonist in his journey through the Underground world, as well as some new faces. These include Donkey Kong Country original characters Cranky Kong, who has served in the past as a wise but cantankerous advisor, and Rambi the Rhino, who has been DK's trusty steed in previous games. New characters include the enormous Elders, who will teach Pauline her Bananza Powers. Additionally, the Underground World will be populated with a variety of talking animal NPCs for Donkey Kong to interact with.
Of course, every Donkey Kong game needs an antagonist, and this time around, he'll be facing off against the mining group The Void Company. These include Grumpy Kong, an orangutan who builds massive corporate soldier enemies for the heroes to battle, and Poppy Kong, a sleek and stylish ape with a specialty in gathering information. Leading the group is the diminutive but sinister-looking Void Kong. The presentation shows off one of Grumpy's creations, the rolling contraption Peekabrusier, and notes that by defeating it and other bosses, DK and Pauline will gain access to deeper levels through giant sinkholes.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
