Nintendo’s latest Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation has brought plenty of exciting updates for fans eagerly awaiting the game’s release. Perhaps the most surprising reveal was the true identity of the mysterious Odd Rock character introduced back in April: it’s none other than a young Pauline! Unlike the adult version we know from Super Mario Odyssey, this version of Pauline dreams of becoming a singer, but before that, she needs to make it back to the surface of the planet.
The central story revolves around stopping Void Kong and his crew from reaching the planet’s core while helping Pauline return home.
The gameplay in Donkey Kong Bananza promises to be dynamic and creative, thanks to the unique partnership between DK and Pauline. DK’s brute strength allows him to destroy the environment, paving the way for new paths, while Pauline uses her voice to manipulate the surroundings and solve puzzles. Adding even more depth to their abilities, Pauline and DK can unlock powerful Bananza transformations. DK can turn into Kong Bananza, a massive and more powerful version of himself, capable of smashing even the toughest obstacles. But that’s not all-DK can also transform into Zebra and Ostrich Bananza forms. Zebra DK runs faster, can traverse water, and cross platforms that would normally collapse, while Ostrich DK takes to the skies, flying and dropping egg bombs on enemies.
The ability to switch between these transformations is central to the gameplay, adding strategic variety. As players progress, they can fill the Bananergy-meter by collecting gold, which is required to activate the transformations. Another major feature is the game’s collectibles. Players will hunt for Banandium Gems, Banandium Chips, gold, fossils, and challenge courses, all of which can be traded for skill points to upgrade DK’s abilities, such as double-jumping or environmental destruction.
Donkey Kong Bananza also features a two-player co-op mode, with Pauline as a playable character. However, she remains on DK’s back and can only assist him by sending vocal blasts to manipulate the environment. Fortunately, the game supports game sharing on Nintendo Switch devices, allowing you to play with a friend even if they don’t have their own copy of the game.
The 18-minute Direct provided more insights into the game’s potential than the initial previews, and it’s clear that Donkey Kong Bananza has the makings of a fun and deep adventure. With multiple gameplay mechanics and unique transformations, the full release on July 17, 2025, is highly anticipated. Nintendo has certainly created a world full of possibilities, and it will be fascinating to see how far the game expands upon these ideas.