Donkey Kong Bananza: 11 Cool Things We Learned About Nintendo’s Upcoming 3D Adventure
Last week, Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct left us with a lot to talk about, from the reveal of the new console to the announcement of high-priced games and a brand new 3D Donkey Kong game, Donkey Kong Bananza. While it may not be the 3D Mario game many were hoping for, Donkey Kong Bananza looks like an absolute blast and a perfect showcase for Nintendo’s more powerful Switch successor.
As we dug deeper into the gameplay footage, debut trailer, and Nintendo’s website, we uncovered some exciting nuggets of information to share with you. So, without further ado, here are 11 cool things we learned about Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch exclusively on Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.
Demolition Expert
One of the most impressive features of Donkey Kong Bananza is the ability to demolish nearly every level in the game. With the more powerful hardware of Switch 2, you can punch a tunnel through a large mountain, break off chunks of the world to use as projectiles, and even destroy entire sections of the map. And the best part? All this damage is persistent and sticks around as you play, allowing you to see the devastation you’ve wrought in real-time on the in-game map.
Material Matters
Not only can you destroy nearly every square inch of the levels, but the materials you interact with behave differently depending on what they are. For example, soft mud can’t break hard rock or metal, but you can use it to stick to enemies or walls. Harder materials, on the other hand, can be ripped out of the ground and used as temporary hammers to increase Donkey Kong’s destructive power.
Punching It Up
Donkey Kong Bananza takes the traditional punch button to the next level with three punch buttons, allowing you to punch up, down, and forward. You can also slap the ground to reveal hidden items buried beneath rock and dirt or break stuff in a different way. The possibilities are endless!
Banandium Bonanza
So, why is Donkey Kong destroying everything? He’s on a mission to collect a new material called Banandium, a valuable mineral that can be found hidden around the map and acts like Mario’s stars. However, Donkey Kong eats Banandium when he finds it, which seems a bit dangerous, but what do I know?
Barrel Canons and More
While Donkey Kong Bananza is a departure from past DK games, Nintendo isn’t ditching the past completely. There are still barrel canons dotted around the various levels, and for those who prefer their Donkey Kong-ing done on a single 2D plane, don’t worry – there are levels and bonus areas that play like the old-school DKC games, complete with more barrel canons.
Turf Surfing
Walking is so last season. In Donkey Kong Bananza, you can grab a chunk of rock or dirt, smack it, and get it spinning, then jump on it to “turf surf” around the map. It’s faster than running and looks like a blast!
Odd Rock and Friends
Donkey Kong isn’t alone in this new 3D adventure. Early on in the game, you’ll meet a strange talking stone called Odd Rock, who can help Donkey Kong find his next objective. This is important, as players might have destroyed most of the level and need some guidance on where to go next.
Enemies and Environmental Damage
There are enemies in Donkey Kong Bananza, and they can hurt DK. But he can also destroy them, and when you fight these baddies, you’ll notice that they can damage the environment just like you can. This means that battles against enemies will leave permanent potholes and divots around the world, leaving a lasting impact on the game world.
The Verdict
Donkey Kong Bananza looks like an absolute blast, and we can’t wait to get our hands on it when it launches on July 17, 2025. With its innovative gameplay mechanics, persistent damage, and 3D world to explore, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of the year. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even get to take a photo of a digital gorilla destroying a large rock while wearing a red tie.