New Donkey Kong game is real and out this year for Nintendo Switch 2

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It’s been a long time coming, but Donkey Kong gets to be the star of a new 3D platformer that’ll serve as one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s first exclusives.

There had been chatter of a new Donkey Kong game being in the works for years, but only now has Nintendo finally acknowledged its existence and, as some had expected, its coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

Titled Donkey Kong Bananza, it was unveiled during today’s Nintendo Direct and it looks to be for Donkey Kong what Super Mario Odyssey was for Mario: a massively sprawling 3D platformer.

The very first rumours claimed that Nintendo EPD, the studio typically responsible for the 3D Mario platformers, would be developing the new Donkey Kong game. Although not confirmed, Donkey Kong Bananza certainly has a very similar energy to Super Mario Odyssey so it wouldn’t be surprising if Nintendo EPD is responsible.

What is the release date for Donkey Kong Bananza?

Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled to launch on July 17, 2025. So, just one month after the launch of the Switch 2, making it one of Nintendo’s very first exclusives for the console after Mario Kart World.

Nintendo hasn’t said much else about the game, but the trailer indicates that it’s defining feature will be its destructible environments. DK can be seen digging underground and then punching his way out, as well as ripping out chunks of the earth to swing as a club or throw as a projectile.

In a post Nintendo Direct interview on the company’s website, Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto explicitly says players will be able to ‘destroy anything you want in the game without restrictions,’ adding that this is something only possible thanks to the improved hardware.

There were some suspicions that any new Donkey Kong game would see Mario make an appearance as well, but it seems this will strictly be a DK only adventure.

In fact, the trailer doesn’t feature any other established characters from previous games, with no sign of Diddy Kong, Cranky Kong, or even Funky Kong.

We are introduced to what are likely the game’s villains, which are a gang of evil-looking apes, and a sentient purple rock that looks to be a new companion character, like how Cappy was for Mario in Super Mario Odyssey.

How much will Donkey Kong Bananza cost?

Donkey Kong Bananza is set to cost £66.99 physically and £58.99 digitally according to the official Nintendo UK website. Not as much as Mario Kart World’s asking price, but it’s still rather steep.

The digital version being cheaper than the physical one will likely become the norm for Nintendo’s first party output, and it’s unlikely these high price points will be the exception going forward.

Are you willing to pay this much for Switch 2 games? (Nintendo)

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