Donkey Kong Bananza Breaks UK Sales Records for the Franchise, Trails Mario Odyssey
Donkey Kong Bananza has swung into the UK charts with a bang, delivering the franchise’s strongest physical launch to date. Though it doesn’t rival Super Mario Odyssey‘s explosive debut, it’s still a massive win for Nintendo’s iconic primate.
Industry insider Christopher Dring of GamesIndustry.biz confirmed on X that Bananza topped the UK’s physical game sales charts in its first week, outperforming Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze by a factor of three. However, he also noted it sold less than half of what Super Mario Odyssey did in the same timeframe.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that these figures only cover physical sales in the UK-no digital downloads, no global numbers. That said, Nintendo fans still heavily favor boxed copies, so this remains a meaningful metric.
The hype around Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t just about sales. Critics and fans alike are raving, with many calling it one of the best games of 2025 so far. Wccftech’s Nathan Birch awarded it a glowing 9/10, saying, “Bananza doesn’t monkey around… it’s the biggest, boldest 3D platformer Nintendo’s delivered yet.”
Built by much of the same team that created Super Mario Odyssey, Bananza carries a familiar polish, though it leans more into chaotic fun and experimental level design. While not as sleek as Odyssey, its creativity and charm have carved out its own legacy.
As more global and digital sales data emerges, the long-term success of Donkey Kong Bananza will come into sharper focus. But for now, it’s clear: the big ape is back in a big way.