Nintendo's long-awaited Switch 2 system finally arrives on June 5, and the company is ushering it in with two marquee titles. Just a few weeks after the console hits the market alongside Mario Kart World, Nintendo will release Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new adventure game starring the iconic, banana-loving ape.
Bananza marks the first full 3D Donkey Kong title in over 20 years, and it's a stunning showpiece for the new system, featuring impressive visuals and fully destructible environments that DK can pummel with his earth-shattering punches. Nintendo will undoubtedly share more details about the game in the weeks leading up to its launch, but in the meantime, here's a roundup of everything we know so far about Donkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.
Preorders for both Donkey Kong Bananza and the Nintendo Switch 2 were initially slated to begin on April 9. However, both have been indefinitely delayed in the US and Canada as a result of newly enacted tariffs.
Nintendo has yet to confirm when preorders will now open, but the game and console are still scheduled to launch on their originally announced release dates.
While some Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World can be as expensive as $80, Donkey Kong Bananza will retail for $70.
Nintendo dropped the first trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza at the end of its Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct on April 2.
The video showcases Donkey Kong pummeling his way through a series of destructible environments, using his powerful punches to smash enemies and the terrain around him. The trailer also provides a brief look at the game's antagonists: a mysterious group of enemies known as VoidCo. who have swiped up the world's golden bananas.
Donkey Kong Bananza is the series' first full 3D installment since 1999's Donkey Kong 64, and it plays quite a bit differently from the N64 adventure.
Whereas past Donkey Kong games have emphasized platforming, Bananza is more action-oriented and leans into DK's imposing strength. The gorilla can use his mighty punches to destroy not only enemies, but the environment around him. He can also rip out chunks of terrain to use as makeshift weapons and even surf on the land.
DK's quest revolves around retrieving golden bananas, which were snatched up by a mysterious group of foes known as VoidCo. Like the Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey, these bananas are littered around the environment and doled out for completing objectives, encouraging players to explore thoroughly.
Gallery
Donkey Kong is accompanied on his journey by a strange talking purple rock, though what role it plays in the story is unclear. However, it seems that won't be the only sidekick who joins the ape. A leaked image also suggests that a young girl who looks suspiciously like Pauline will accompany DK at some point in the game, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
If you're considering purchasing the digital version of Donkey Kong Bananza, you won't need to worry about making room for it. The game weighs in at a modest 10GB, making its file size only marginally larger than the recently released Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
Since the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage right out of the box, you'll have plenty of space on hand if you opt to go digital with Donkey Kong Bananza. However, if you do want to future-proof your system by upgrading its capacity, you'll need to get a new microSD Express card, as the Switch 2 is incompatible with standard microSD cards.
Donkey Kong Bananza is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2, which means it will not be playable on previous Nintendo Switch systems.
Nintendo has not outright confirmed which development team is behind Donkey Kong Bananza. Despite the company's secretiveness, however, there are hints that the game is being developed in-house by Nintendo EPD, the team that worked on the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey for the original Switch.
Source
Bananza marks the first full 3D Donkey Kong title in over 20 years, and it's a stunning showpiece for the new system, featuring impressive visuals and fully destructible environments that DK can pummel with his earth-shattering punches. Nintendo will undoubtedly share more details about the game in the weeks leading up to its launch, but in the meantime, here's a roundup of everything we know so far about Donkey Kong Bananza.
When Will Donkey Kong Bananza Be Released?
Donkey Kong Bananza launches for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.
Preorder Donkey Kong Bananza
Preorders for both Donkey Kong Bananza and the Nintendo Switch 2 were initially slated to begin on April 9. However, both have been indefinitely delayed in the US and Canada as a result of newly enacted tariffs.
Nintendo has yet to confirm when preorders will now open, but the game and console are still scheduled to launch on their originally announced release dates.
Price
While some Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World can be as expensive as $80, Donkey Kong Bananza will retail for $70.
Donkey Kong Bananza Trailer
Nintendo dropped the first trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza at the end of its Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct on April 2.
The video showcases Donkey Kong pummeling his way through a series of destructible environments, using his powerful punches to smash enemies and the terrain around him. The trailer also provides a brief look at the game's antagonists: a mysterious group of enemies known as VoidCo. who have swiped up the world's golden bananas.
Gameplay Details
Donkey Kong Bananza is the series' first full 3D installment since 1999's Donkey Kong 64, and it plays quite a bit differently from the N64 adventure.
Whereas past Donkey Kong games have emphasized platforming, Bananza is more action-oriented and leans into DK's imposing strength. The gorilla can use his mighty punches to destroy not only enemies, but the environment around him. He can also rip out chunks of terrain to use as makeshift weapons and even surf on the land.
DK's quest revolves around retrieving golden bananas, which were snatched up by a mysterious group of foes known as VoidCo. Like the Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey, these bananas are littered around the environment and doled out for completing objectives, encouraging players to explore thoroughly.
Gallery
Donkey Kong is accompanied on his journey by a strange talking purple rock, though what role it plays in the story is unclear. However, it seems that won't be the only sidekick who joins the ape. A leaked image also suggests that a young girl who looks suspiciously like Pauline will accompany DK at some point in the game, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Donkey Kong Bananza File Size
If you're considering purchasing the digital version of Donkey Kong Bananza, you won't need to worry about making room for it. The game weighs in at a modest 10GB, making its file size only marginally larger than the recently released Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
Since the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage right out of the box, you'll have plenty of space on hand if you opt to go digital with Donkey Kong Bananza. However, if you do want to future-proof your system by upgrading its capacity, you'll need to get a new microSD Express card, as the Switch 2 is incompatible with standard microSD cards.
What Platforms Is Donkey Kong Bananza On?
Donkey Kong Bananza is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2, which means it will not be playable on previous Nintendo Switch systems.
Who's Developing Donkey Kong Bananza?
Nintendo has not outright confirmed which development team is behind Donkey Kong Bananza. Despite the company's secretiveness, however, there are hints that the game is being developed in-house by Nintendo EPD, the team that worked on the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey for the original Switch.
Source