Nintendo Direct: Donkey Kong Bananza Bounds Into July

A new 3D platformer featuring a redesigned DK!

By Robert Marrujo. Posted 04/02/2025 14:36 1 Comment     ShareThis

Donkey Kong is getting a makeover. As spotted in the first fleeting Mario Kart World glimpses fans saw in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal teaser from January, DK has a new design. This fresh look was revealed in full during today’s Nintendo Direct when the gorilla’s new game, Donkey Kong Bananza, was shown off. It’ll launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. Give it a glimpse:

Donkey Kong Bananza is the character’s first 3D platformer since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. It’s been 26 years, but fans will finally be able to take the character into a fresh adventure in the third dimension. For this escapade, DK will be able to smash through a destructible underground environment. It seems that demolishing DK’s surroundings is a big part of exploration in Bananza.

Speaking of his new look… When DK made his debut on the silver screen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, he was noticeably different looking than in the games. Miyamoto attributed this during a Nintendo Direct broadcast for the film to wanting to make DK a more “comical personality” and to give him a “design reminiscent of the original character.” That look has apparently been adapted and carried over to Mario Kart World and DK Bananza. This writer is a bit torn, but it’s growing on me. But what do you think, dear readers? Let us know your thoughts on the redesign and the game down below!

Source: Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Broadcast 04.02.25

One Response to “Nintendo Direct: Donkey Kong Bananza Bounds Into July”

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  penduin says...

  I don’t mind the new look, though I also don’t see why Rare’s design couldn’t have just as easily made these movements and funny faces. As with Robert, it’s growing on me, though the fur comes across a bit like plastic feathers. :^)

  The game itself, however, looks like a whole lot of fun! It’s reminiscent of Mario Odyssey, which is a high compliment. Destructible environments are mostly a forgotten blip in big-budget gaming; it’s exciting to see that revived and explored in a new way. It’s also classic Nintendo to create a game in which it’s just as much fun to goof around as it is to collect the stuff / beat the baddies / reach the goals.

  04/04/2025 at 12:10

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