Donkey Kong was Nintendo’s first big hit in arcades once it was released in 1981. The big ape was mostly an antagonist to Mario until he got hisbig break on the SNESin 1994 with the arrival ofDonkey Kong Country. Along with his cousin Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong finally got a platformer series all his own. His first 3D adventure was on the N64 in 1999 viaDonkey Kong 64.
Since then, there has never been another 3D Donkey Kong adventure. That is changing on the Switch 2 viaDonkey Kong Bananza. It looked like a wild adventure on par withSuper Mario Odysseywhen it launched on the Switch in 2017. Let’s see what details can be gleaned from the latestDonkey Kong Bananzatrailer.
6The Release Date And Price
A Better Launch Game?
Donkey Kong Bananzais not quite a launch game for the Switch 2 on June 5. Fans won’t have to wait long, though, as it will be released on July 17, just about a month after the fact. It will cost $70 which is an increase from Switch games being $60 for most of its lifecycle.
Donkey Kong Bananzais not the most expensive Switch 2 game around the launch window asMario Kart Worldlooks like it will be $80. Fans are used toNintendo games being priceyand rarely going down but this can be a bit too much to handle for some. Regardless,Donkey Kong Bananzais surely going to be the biggest new platformer for the Switch 2 in 2025.
5Punch Through Rocks And The Ground
Move Over Shovel Knight
There has been no shortage of digging games over the years withShovel Knight Digcoming to mind as far as Switch games go. Whilethe titular Shovel Knightrequired a shovel, Donkey Kong can use his fists to burst underground. Based on the trailer, it looks like he can dive underground with incredible speed as well as above ground.
Not only that, but the trailer and Nintendo website show him breaking through entire rock structures like he is a one-ape tornado of destruction. Nintendo has never had a game with as much destructibility as this, which showcases what the Switch 2 is capable of. It’s reminiscent ofRed Faction: Guerrilla,which is more than a little funny, given the name. If only Donkey Kong could wield a shotgun, too.
4What’s The Plot?
Void Out VoidCo
Players probably spotted three boss-like characters in the trailer that were also apes. There’s a giant one tinged with red hair, a tiny one, and a female one. While their names are unknown individually, they are collectively called VoidCo, and they stole Donkey Kong’s bananas and retreated underground.
They will assuredly be in boss fights throughout the game and there has to be more. InSuper Mario Odyssey, Mario foughtrabbit-like bosses, called Broodals, along with Bowser several times. While boss fights have not been confirmed, nor has the existence of more than three VoidCo members, Nintendo fans can almost count on them. If not Donkey Kong will still have plenty of enemies to tangle with.
3That Thing On His Back Is Sentient
Is This The New Cappy?
“DK makes a new friend: together they chase down the mysterious VoidCo.” That’s what it says on Nintendo’sDonkey Kong Bananzawebsite, referring to the purple rock monster on his back but it doesn’t give a name oddly. InSuper Mario Odyssey, Mario was givena sentient partner too via Cappy, a ghost that lived inside Mario’s hat.
Is this a similar situation inDonkey Kong Bananza? Is the purple rock just a ghost that possessed a purple rock and gave Donkey Kong powers and is that ghost tied to Cappy? Let’s reserve that speculation for later, but this purple rock isn’t the only buddy Donkey Kong has. At one point in the trailer, he can be seen talking to an ostrich which might be Expresso. Expresso was a mount that first appeared inDonkey Kong Country, so perhaps this time he will take on a different role.
2Cruise Around The Underground In Style
We Love Mine Carts Don’t We Folks?
While fans lovedDonkey Kong Countryon theSNES, it was also a hard game. Some of the hardest levels pertained to the mine cart sections. In homage to his platformer origins, it looks like mine carts will return inDonkey Kong Bananza,but hopefully driving them won’t create as many frustrating moments.
Besides the mine cart, Donkey Kong can pick up rocks and slide around on them like a skateboard. He can also roll and his coolest traversal feature is his ability to climb. He can also dive from small or great heights into the ground and start going to town. Overall, this version of Donkey Kong seems more like The Hulk than some simple jungle ape.
1The Presentation
From Environments To Perspectives
Even though Donkey Kong is retreating underground, that doesn’t mean his days will be dark. In the trailer, there are several environments from typical mine shafts to flower-filled fields to icy mountains. It’s unknown if the game will be fully open-world likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildor just contain open hubs likeSuper Mario Odyssey.
What can be confirmed is that there will be alternations in the perspective as there is a quick moment when Donkey Kong goes into 2D. There are even barrels to jump into like theDonkey Kong Country games. What else could the game be hiding in the proper release?
