Nintendo fans, gear up—Donkey Kong Bananza is making a wild return in 2025 with a brand-new 3D platforming adventure built exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Announced during a much-anticipated Nintendo Direct, this isn’t just another side-scroller—Bananza promises full-blown exploration, environmental destruction, and a whole bunch of bananas.
Here’s everything you need to know about Donkey Kong Bananza, from its price and release date to its gameplay mechanics and console exclusivity.
Donkey Kong Bananza Release Date
Set your calendars: Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17, 2025, a little over a month after the Nintendo Switch 2’s debut. The timing is no accident—it positions Bananza as the next big first-party exclusive right after Mario Kart World, which hits on June 5.
It’s a smart move from Nintendo, giving fans something fresh and thrilling to look forward to once the initial console excitement settles.
Donkey Kong Bananza Price Breakdown
The price tag? $69.99. That puts Donkey Kong Bananza in the same bracket as Nintendo’s other recent AAA games, like Tears of the Kingdom. It’s a notable step up from the older $59.99 pricing model, but it reflects the new standards for Nintendo’s first-party titles on Switch 2.
Here’s how it compares:
| Product | Platform | Release Date | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Switch 2 | July 17, 2025 | $69.99 |
| Mario Kart World | Switch 2 | June 5, 2025 | $79.99 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 Console | – | June 5, 2025 | $449.99 |
| Switch 2 + Mario Kart Bundle | Switch 2 + Game | June 5, 2025 | $499.99 |
What is Donkey Kong Bananza?
Donkey Kong Bananza is Nintendo’s next big swing at modernizing the iconic ape’s franchise. It’s a 3D action-platformer where players get to crash, bash, climb, and swing their way through destructible environments. Nintendo describes it as a “groundbreaking exploration experience” where demolition leads to discovery.
In short: the more you smash, the more you unlock.
Official Nintendo Blurb:
“Crash, bash, and climb through nearly everything in DK’s path and tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration. The more that is demolished with powerful punches, the more areas open up to discover.”
It’s a fresh take on the Donkey Kong formula that promises both nostalgic platforming and innovative mechanics.
Gameplay Trailer: What We Know So Far
The reveal trailer gave fans a first glimpse of Bananza’s wild environments and DK’s signature power moves:
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Destructible environments that dynamically open new paths
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Physics-based traversal using vines, ledges, and throwable terrain
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Classic banana-collecting mechanics
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Teases of secret areas, bosses, and jungle puzzles
So far, there’s been no confirmation of additional playable characters, but longtime fans are hoping to see familiar faces like Diddy, Dixie, or Funky Kong make a return.
Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive
As a Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza will only be playable on the new generation hardware. The Switch 2 console arrives June 5, 2025, with upgraded performance, a new dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and enhanced visuals—making it the perfect playground for Bananza’s open and reactive world.
The base model is priced at $449.99, while a special Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle is available for $499.99.
Included in the box:
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Nintendo Switch 2 Console
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Joy-Con 2 (L+R)
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Dock & Joy-Con Grip
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Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
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USB-C Charging Cable
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AC Adapter
Why Donkey Kong Bananza Is Worth Watching
This isn’t just a nostalgic revival. Donkey Kong Bananza is Nintendo’s boldest DK game in decades, pushing into a full 3D format with physics-based exploration and environmental interaction. It blends classic platforming with modern game design in ways that could redefine the franchise.
Here’s why it’s already making waves:
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First fully 3D Donkey Kong platformer since DK64
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Designed to showcase Switch 2 hardware
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New mechanics that combine action, exploration, and environmental puzzle-solving
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Clean, chaotic fun that feels fresh yet familiar
Final Thoughts: Is Donkey Kong Bananza Worth It?
If you’re picking up a Nintendo Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be an essential purchase. It offers a mix of exploration, action, and nostalgia—all wrapped in a bright, banana-fueled package. At $69.99, it’s not cheap, but it might be one of the most entertaining summer releases of 2025.
Whether you’re a lifelong DK fan or a newcomer to the jungle, Bananza looks like it’ll pack a punch—literally.
Need more Switch 2 news or want updates on Mario Kart World and upcoming exclusives? Stick around—I’ve got all the bananas.