Donkey Kong Bananza features co-op for up to two players, but the second player isn't going to be having nearly as much fun as Player 1. Donkey Kong Bananza is the next big Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive on the horizon, with the highly-anticipated 3D platformer officially set to launch on July 17.

The Donkey Kong Bananza release date is right around the corner, and so Nintendo has decided to pull the curtain back on the game through a special DK Bananza-focused Nintendo Direct presentation. The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct revealed all kinds of exciting details about the game, and even confirmed the theory that Pauline is Odd Rock. As it so happens, Pauline is the character that the second player controls when playing Donkey Kong Bananza co-op.

Donkey Kong and a villain in Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo Switch 2: 6 Things Confirmed About Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza is burrowing its way toward Nintendo fans soon.

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When playing Donkey Kong Bananza in co-op, the first player controls Donkey Kong, while the second player controls Pauline. Pauline rides on Donkey Kong's back for the entire experience, and so the second player's input is limited to a cursor on the screen that's controlled via the Joy-Con 2's mouse functionality. The cursor directs Pauline's vocal blasts, which can be used to damage terrain and enemies as Donkey Kong explores the world. Pauline can also "copy" material and give her vocal blasts a boost in damage. Ultimately, the co-op mode in Donkey Kong Bananza is unlikely to drum up much excitement, but it can easily be ignored.

Donkey Kong Bananza Co-Op Lets You Play as Pauline

Those that decide to play Donkey Kong Bananza co-op will have a variety of options available. Local co-op is the most straightforward way to play DK Bananza co-op, but the Switch 2's GameShare functionality can also be used. This way, those with a Switch 1 or Switch 2 can control Pauline's cursor on their own screen. GameShare can also be used to play with other Switch 2 owners online, with only one copy of the game needed.

The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct also detailed other game modes that will be available come July 17. Gamers will be able to choose between Normal or Assist difficulty options for the main game, and they can also enjoy photo mode along with DK Artist mode. DK Artist lets players edit sculptures of characters like Donkey Kong, Mario, Bowser, a pizza, a bird, etc., by carving them, painting them, adding to them, and highlighting them with special effects. DK Artist utilizes the Switch 2's mouse controls, so between that and co-op, it seems Donkey Kong Bananza is really trying to get its money's worth with the Joy-Con 2's unique functionality.

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Donkey Kong Bananza
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Action
Adventure
Platformer
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
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Released
July 17, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
Action, Adventure, Platformer