Nintendo has officially peeled back the curtain on Donkey Kong Bananza, showcasing a deep dive into Donkey Kong’s new and returning abilities during the June 18 Nintendo Direct. As the Switch 2’s most anticipated platformer prepares to launch on July 17, fans now have a clearer look at how the legendary ape will smash, swing, and stomp through his latest jungle-sized journey.
A Golden Quest in an Underground World
First unveiled during the Switch 2 reveal event in April, Donkey Kong Bananza is being hailed as the most ambitious DK game yet. Inspired by the open-world spirit of Super Mario Odyssey, this title sends Donkey Kong deep below the surface in search of his stolen Golden Bananas, now hoarded by the sinister VoidCo.
The underground world is a sprawling, colorful environment teeming with secrets, puzzles, and vertical exploration. Unlike previous side-scrolling adventures, Bananza allows players to explore in any direction, seamlessly blending platforming and puzzle-solving.
All the Donkey Kong Abilities Revealed
During the Direct, Nintendo confirmed a wealth of moves and abilities that players can use throughout DK’s quest:
✅ Core Abilities
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Running, Jumping, and Climbing: Fast and fluid traversal through vine-laced caverns and ancient ruins.
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Ground Pound: Slam the earth to stun enemies or open hidden pathways.
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Barrel Throw: Toss explosive barrels at targets with precision—now with an auto-lock feature.
🆕 New Tricks in Bananza
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Banana Slam: A powerful charge attack that sends shockwaves across the screen.
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Jungle Roar: Emit a sonic blast to interact with specific objects or scare off VoidCo’s minions.
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Barrel Boost Dash: A mid-air dash that combines speed and height to reach distant ledges or secret platforms.
Exploration Meets Strategy
Bananza doesn’t just reward brute force. The open-world design means players must strategically use DK’s powers to unlock hidden paths, outwit puzzles, and recover every last Golden Banana. The environment is reactive, letting players:
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Push heavy objects to create new platforms.
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Smash weakened walls with strength-based moves.
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Discover secret zones via sound or vibration-based cues.
Co-op and Collectibles
DK won’t go it alone. Familiar faces like Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong return for assist-based co-op and team attacks. Each character offers unique synergy, enabling combo moves and access to Kong-specific areas.
The game also features a robust collectibles system, from Banana Tokens to hidden relics, offering rewards and upgrades that enhance DK’s abilities throughout the game.