Donkey Kong Bananza
Updated: 12/10/2025, 9:21:45 PM Wikipedia source
Donkey Kong Bananza is a 2025 platform game developed by Nintendo EPD for the Nintendo Switch 2. The player controls the gorilla Donkey Kong, who ventures underground with the teenage Pauline to obtain a wish-granting object at the planetary core. Similar to EPD's Super Mario Odyssey (2017), the player explores sandbox-like levels while completing objectives, battling enemies, and collecting objects. Bananza is distinguished by its destructible environments; the player can destroy most terrain to create paths and find items. They can upgrade Donkey Kong's abilities by collecting banana-shaped diamonds and obtaining power-up transformations. EPD began working on Donkey Kong Bananza following Super Mario Odyssey's completion, following a request from the manager Yoshiaki Koizumi. It was the first Donkey Kong game that Nintendo developed internally since Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004), and Koizumi and Donkey Kong's creator Shigeru Miyamoto provided input. EPD wanted to honor Donkey Kong's past while establishing a new direction. They made greater use of the voxel technology that allowed players to manipulate terrain in some Odyssey levels, with large, destructible worlds emphasizing Donkey Kong's strength. The development began on the original Nintendo Switch, but shifted to the Switch 2 due to technical constraints. Nintendo released Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17, 2025, following a marketing campaign that included Nintendo Direct presentations, demo exhibitions, and live service game events. It was the first original Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014) and the first 3D platformer since Donkey Kong 64 (1999). Bananza received acclaim; critics considered it the Switch 2's killer app and praised its visuals, gameplay, level design, and story, but criticized the camera and frame rate. It sold 3.49 million copies by September 2025, making it the second-bestselling Switch 2 game. It was one of the highest rated games of 2025 and was nominated for numerous accolades, including Game of the Year.
Infobox
Developer
Nintendo EPD[a]
Publisher
Nintendo
Directors
mw- Wataru TanakaKazuya Takahashi
Producer
Kenta Motokura
Designer
Kazuya Takahashi
Programmer
Wataru Tanaka
Artist
Daisuke Watanabe
Composer
Naoto Kubo
Series
Donkey Kong
Platform
Nintendo Switch 2
Release
July 17, 2025
Genres
Platform, action-adventure
Modes
Single-player, multiplayer
Tables
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregator
Metacritic
Score
91/100
OpenCritic
OpenCritic
Aggregator
OpenCritic
Score
99% recommend
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | 91/100 |
| OpenCritic | 99% recommend |
Review scores
4Players
4Players
Publication
4Players
Score
8.5/10
Destructoid
Destructoid
Publication
Destructoid
Score
9/10
Edge
Edge
Publication
Edge
Score
9/10
Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Publication
Eurogamer
Score
4/5
Famitsu
Famitsu
Publication
Famitsu
Score
10/10, 9/10, 9/10, 10/10
Game Informer
Game Informer
Publication
Game Informer
Score
9/10
Gamekult
Gamekult
Publication
Gamekult
Score
8/10
GameSpot
GameSpot
Publication
GameSpot
Score
9/10
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+
Publication
GamesRadar+
Score
4.5/5
IGN
IGN
Publication
IGN
Score
10/10
Jeuxvideo.com
Jeuxvideo.com
Publication
Jeuxvideo.com
Score
17/20
Nintendo Life
Nintendo Life
Publication
Nintendo Life
Score
9/10
Nintendo World Report
Nintendo World Report
Publication
Nintendo World Report
Score
8.5/10
NME
NME
Publication
NME
Score
4/5
The Guardian
The Guardian
Publication
The Guardian
Score
4/5
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Publication
The Washington Post
Score
4/4
| Publication | Score |
| 4Players | 8.5/10 |
| Destructoid | 9/10 |
| Edge | 9/10 |
| Eurogamer | 4/5 |
| Famitsu | 10/10, 9/10, 9/10, 10/10 |
| Game Informer | 9/10 |
| Gamekult | 8/10 |
| GameSpot | 9/10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 4.5/5 |
| IGN | 10/10 |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 17/20 |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 |
| Nintendo World Report | 8.5/10 |
| NME | 4/5 |
| The Guardian | 4/5 |
| The Washington Post | 4/4 |
Awards and nominations · Reception › Accolades
2025
2025
Year
2025
Ceremony
Gamescom
Category
Best Gameplay
Result
Won
Most Entertaining
Most Entertaining
Year
Most Entertaining
Ceremony
Nominated
Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game
Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game
Year
Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game
Ceremony
Nominated
Golden Joystick Awards
Golden Joystick Awards
Year
Golden Joystick Awards
Ceremony
Ultimate Game of the Year
Category
Nominated
Critics' Choice Award
Critics' Choice Award
Year
Critics' Choice Award
Ceremony
Won
Console Game of the Year
Console Game of the Year
Year
Console Game of the Year
Ceremony
Nominated
Best Audio Design
Best Audio Design
Year
Best Audio Design
Ceremony
Nominated
The Game Awards
The Game Awards
Year
The Game Awards
Ceremony
Game of the Year
Category
Pending
Best Family Game
Best Family Game
Year
Best Family Game
Ceremony
Pending
2026
2026
Year
2026
Ceremony
22nd British Academy Games Awards
Category
Animation
Result
Longlisted
Family
Family
Year
Family
Ceremony
Longlisted
Game Design
Game Design
Year
Game Design
Ceremony
Longlisted
Technical Achievement
Technical Achievement
Year
Technical Achievement
Ceremony
Longlisted
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2025 | Gamescom | Best Gameplay | Won | |
| Most Entertaining | Nominated | |||
| Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game | Nominated | |||
| Golden Joystick Awards | Ultimate Game of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Critics' Choice Award | Won | |||
| Console Game of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Audio Design | Nominated | |||
| The Game Awards | Game of the Year | Pending | ||
| Best Family Game | Pending | |||
| 2026 | 22nd British Academy Games Awards | Animation | Longlisted | |
| Family | Longlisted | |||
| Game Design | Longlisted | |||
| Technical Achievement | Longlisted |
References
- Additional development support by 1-Up Studio and tri-Crescendo
- Japanese: ドンキーコングバナンザ, Hepburn: Donkī Kongu Bananza
- Sources describing Bananza as an Odyssey successor: IGN, Nintendo World Report, Rolling Stone, and Eurogamer
- Based on 147 reviews
- Based on 160 reviews
- Each of the four reviewers in Famitsu scored the game on a ten-point scale.
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/donkey-kong-bananza-guide/
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/552075/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on-preview-impressions
- The Vergehttps://www.theverge.com/games/642699/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on-preview-switch-2
- Game Informerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/04/03/tearing-down-walls
- Siliconerahttps://www.siliconera.com/preview-digging-into-donkey-kong-bananza/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-first-hands-on-preview
- Nintendo World Reporthttps://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/70619/donkey-kong-bananza-dks-very-own-odyssey
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-preview-1235375349/
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/gallery/donkey-kong-bananza-everything-we-just-learned-about-the-switch-2-exclusive/2900-6679/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-world-and-dk-bananza-are-genre-and-franchise-defining-nintendo-says/1100-6530677/
- Game Informerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/04/02/donkey-kong-bananza-is-a-new-nintendo-switch-2-platformer-starring
- Game Informerhttps://gameinformer.com/2025/06/18/everything-we-learned-during-todays-donkey-kong-bananza-direct
- Mashablehttps://mashable.com/article/nintendo-switch-2-hands-on-mario-kart-donkey-kong
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/donkey-kong-bananza-guides-dk/612098/transformations-ancient-bananza-powers-all-how-to-unlock/
- Gamereactorhttps://www.gamereactor.eu/donkey-kong-bananza-a-guide-to-collecting-all-the-777-bananas-1573623/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/someones-already-completed-donkey-kong-bananza-without-touching-a-single-banana-its-honestly-a-fun-challenge
- VG247https://www.vg247.com/donkey-kong-bananza-preview
- Engadgethttps://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/donkey-kong-bananza-is-a-brand-new-3d-platformer-for-switch-2-143108835.html
- Game Informerhttps://gameinformer.com/preview/2025/07/01/our-impressions-after-two-hours-of-gameplay
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/nintendos-keeping-quiet-about-donkey-kong-bananzas-developer-but-it-feels-like-a-souped-up-super-mario-odyssey
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/donkey-kong-bananza-hasnt-forgotten-about-diddy-and-dixie-kong-after-all
- Engadgethttps://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on-a-funky-fresh-take-on-nintendos-favorite-ape-130057272.html
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-confirms-super-mario-odysseys-pauline-is-your-new-sidekick-and-dk-can-now-transform-into-a-zebra-or-flying-ostrich
- Game Informerhttps://www.gameinformer.com/2025/06/18/a-donkey-kong-bananza-amiibo-featuring-dk-and-pauline-will-be-released-next-month
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/donkey-kong-bananza-channels-super-mario-64-energy-with-its-dk-artist-mode
- "Ask the Developer Vol. 19: Donkey Kong Bananza — Part 1"https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-19-donkey-kong-bananza-part-1/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/our-big-bananas-interview-with-the-developers-of-donkey-kong-bananza
- La Vanguardiahttps://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20250710/10876902/donkey-kong-bananza-nintendo-switch-2-entrevista.html#foto-1
- Famitsuhttps://www.famitsu.com/article/202509/50508
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/rumour_the_next_donkey_kong_is_being_developed_by_the_super_mario_odyssey_team
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-bananza-has-a-development-time-to-rival-gta-6-i-can-tell-you-that-we-started-developing-it-after-finishing-super-mario-odyssey/
- Nintendo Dreamhttps://www.ndw.jp/dkbananza-interview-250820/
- "Ask the Developer Vol. 19: Donkey Kong Bananza — Part 2"https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-19-donkey-kong-bananza-part-2/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/donkey-kong-bananza-devs-explain-pauline-1235380842/
- "開発協力"https://1-up-studio.jp/works/index.html
- "製品情報"https://www.tri-crescendo.co.jp/works.html
- "Ask the Developer Vol. 19: Donkey Kong Bananza — Part 3"https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-19-donkey-kong-bananza-part-3/
- The Vergehttps://www.theverge.com/nintendo/703468/donkey-kong-bananza-developer-interview-switch-2
- Kotakuhttps://kotaku.com/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-ending-final-boss-odyssey-1851787178
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/i-cried-when-this-nefarious-rare-character-returned-in-donkey-kong-bananza/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-ending-explained-how-does-it-connect-to-mario-odyssey
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-credits-confirm-dks-new-voice-actor-and-theres-a-fresh-voice-for-pauline-too
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- ComicBook.comhttps://comicbook.com/gaming/news/donkey-kong-bananza-best-elements-donkey-kong-country-david-wise/
- Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/607658/donkey-kong-bananzas-new-features
- Mashablehttps://mashable.com/article/donkey-kong-bananza-final-hands-on-preview
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-bananza-is-bringing-back-the-dk-rap-but-after-going-uncredited-for-the-seminal-hip-hop-classic-in-the-mario-movie-the-songs-composer-wasnt-aware-it-was-returning-in-the-switch-2-game/
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/dk-rap-composer-wasnt-aware-the-worst-rap-track-in-the-history-of-rap-tracks-would-be-included-in-donkey-kong-bananza
- Donkey Kong Bananzahttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-review
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/psa-donkey-kong-bananza-spoilers-have-hit-the-internet-after-early-copies-land-in-fans-hands?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=687530cdc14bc700019c7e8e&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/donkey-kong-bananza-a-new-3d-dk-adventure-is-confirmed-for-switch-2
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/donkey-kong-movie-adaptation-nintendo-copyright-filing-newsupdate/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-announced-for-nintendo-switch-2
- Nintendo World Reporthttps://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/70555/donkey-kong-bananza-announced-for-switch-2
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/donkey-kong-bananza-hands-on-preview-first-impressions-april-2025/
- Vicehttps://www.vice.com/en/article/donkey-kong-bonanza-is-a-nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-that-proves-you-cant-judge-a-character-model-by-its-blurry-debut/
- Sports Illustratedhttps://web.archive.org/web/20250911235712/https://www.si.com/esports/news/donkey-kong-bananza-nintendo-direct-how-to-watch
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-bananzas-secret-in-game-language-has-already-been-decoded-months-before-launch
- Nintendo World Reporthttps://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/71472/donkey-kong-bananza-nintendo-direct-set-for-this-week
- Nintendo World Reporthttps://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/71480/donkey-kong-bananza-direct-recap
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/donkey-kong-bananza-gets-smashing-new-commercial
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/nintendo-announces-new-donkey-kong-maximus-cup-event-for-tetris-99
- Nintendo World Reporthttp://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/70652/nintendo-switch-2-experience-new-york
- The Vergehttps://www.theverge.com/2025/1/16/24345091/nintendo-switch-2-hands-on-event-schedule
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-demo-spotted-in-the-wild
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/more-donkey-kong-bananza-in-store-demos-are-releasing-next-week
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/toys-collectibles/this-amazing-donkey-kong-bananza-merch-is-exclusive-to-japan-so-ive-found-the-next-best-thing/
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/king-k-rool-donkey-kong-amiibo-returns-after-being-sold-out-for-years/1100-6533882/
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-bananza-is-the-perfect-time-to-bring-back-an-awol-villain-and-im-already-uncovering-conspiracies-that-say-our-favorite-crocodile-will-turn-up/
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- TheGamerhttps://www.thegamer.com/donkey-kong-bananza-void-kong-theory-proven-wrong/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-set-to-finally-acknowledge-donkey-kong-bananzas-secret-character-and-fans-are-now-convinced-the-timing-points-to-mario-kart-world-dlc
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-is-officially-the-best-selling-game-on-amazon-right-now
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-bananza-climbs-to-top-of-uk-physical-sales-charts-but-still-sells-less-than-half-of-mario-odyssey
- Famitsuhttps://www.famitsu.com/article/202507/48013
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/08/famitsu-sales-7-28-25-8-3-25
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/08/donkey-kong-bananza-is-selling-like-bananas-on-switch-2-us
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/11/switch-2-worldwide-sales-top-10-36-million-switch-tops-154-01-million
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-raises-hardware-forecast-as-switch-2-sales-hit-1036-million-continuing-streak-as-the-biggest-console-launch-of-all-time
- Gamereactorhttps://www.gamereactor.eu/donkey-kong-bananza-sells-35-million-units-in-three-months-1628353/
- "Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews"https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-kong-bananza/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch-2
- "Donkey Kong Bananza Reviews"https://opencritic.com/game/18340/donkey-kong-bananza
- 4Playershttps://www.4p.de/test/donkey-kong-bananza-im-test-durchbruch-fuer-den-nintendo-affen-kleiner-haken-fuer-spieler/3334852/5
- Destructoidhttps://www.destructoid.com/reviews/donkey-kong-bananza-review-one-of-nintendos-best-games-ever/
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Eurogamer.nethttps://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-bananza-review
- Famitsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2025/07/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1907
- Gamekulthttps://www.gamekult.com/jeux/donkey-kong-bananza-3050888380/test.html
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-bananza-review/
- "Donkey Kong Bananza Review - Breaking Through To Something New"https://gameinformer.com/review/donkey-kong-bananza/breaking-through-to-something-new
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-bananza-review-a-new-start-for-nintendos-first-star/1900-6418382/
- Jeuxvideo.comhttps://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/2013031/donkey-kong-bananza-le-jeu-video-qui-va-vous-faire-acheter-une-switch-2.htm
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch-2/donkey-kong-bananza
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/donkey-kong-bananza-review-switch-2-nintendo-3878962
- "Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2) Review"https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/71796/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-review
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jul/16/donkey-kong-bananza-review-nintendo-switch-2
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2025/07/16/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-review/
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/videos/donkey-kong-bananza-is-switch-2s-killer-app-next-gen-console-watch
- The Vergehttps://www.theverge.com/installer-newsletter/710157/donkey-kong-bananza-openai-chatgpt-agent-installer
- Bloomberg Newshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-07-18/nintendo-s-switch-2-gets-a-killer-ape-app-with-donkey-kong-bananza
- "Best Games This Year"https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/all/all/2025/
- "Best Games of 2025"https://opencritic.com/browse/all/2025
- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-reviewed-games-2025/2900-6127/#1
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2025/
- GQhttps://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-games-2025
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming-lists/best-video-games-of-2025-1235469710/
- Slant Magazinehttps://www.slantmagazine.com/features/the-25-best-video-games-of-2025/
- Insider Gaminghttps://insider-gaming.com/gamescom-2025-awards-all-award-winners/
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/events-conferences/clair-obscur-expedition-33-leads-the-golden-joystick-award-2025-charge-for-most-nominations-nudging-out-death-stranding-2-ghost-of-yotei-and-kingdom-come-deliverance-2/
- Push Squarehttps://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/11/clair-obscur-ghost-of-yotei-and-more-battle-for-golden-joysticks-ultimate-game-of-the-year-award
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- GameSpothttps://www.gamespot.com/gallery/all-the-game-awards-2025-winners-nominees/2900-7258/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/bafta-game-longlist-indiana-jones-ghost-yotei-split-fiction-1236604921/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/09/donkey-kong-bananza-has-been-updated-to-version-2-0-0-here-are-the-full-patch-notes
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/donkey-kong-bananza-soundtrack-now-available-to-stream-3893708
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/09/nintendo-music-special-release-adds-tracks-from-donkey-kong-bananza-today
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-dk-island-and-emerald-rush-first-hands-on-impressions
- GamesRadar+https://www.gamesradar.com/games/donkey-kong/donkey-kong-bananza-is-getting-dlc-that-lets-you-explore-dk-island-complete-with-a-new-roguelike-mode-thats-available-today/
- Nintendo Lifehttps://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/donkey-kong-bananzas-first-dlc-in-game-event-kicks-off-next-week
- "Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush Reviews"https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-kong-bananza-dk-island-and-emerald-rush/
- TheGamerhttps://www.thegamer.com/donkey-kong-bananza-dk-island-dlc-high-price-fans-not-happy-balloon-world-comparison/
- TechRadarhttps://www.techradar.com/gaming/donkey-kong-bananza-dk-island-and-emerald-rush-dlc-review
- Eurogamerhttps://www.eurogamer.net/i-love-donkey-kong-bananzas-new-dk-island-emerald-rush-dlc-but-should-it-have-been-in-the-base-game