Donkey Kong Bananza just had a ton of new gameplay features revealed via a Nintendo Direct this morning. From various story elements to brand new gameplay mechanics that look to take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s functionality, this title looks to break new ground when it comes to what Nintendo 3D platformers can really do. Here is what to expect when Donkey Kong Bananza releases on July 18.
A Ripe New Adventure
Donkey Kong Bananza takes place within Ingot Isle, where the discovery of golden bananas has sent the locals into a frenzy. No one is as excited for this discovery than Donkey Kong himself, who happens to get swept up into a storm that sends him barreling into the depths of the planet. This is when he comes across a brand new companion called Odd Rock, who in this new Direct turns out to be a younger version of Pauline. Earlier this year, the Korean Nintendo site actually leaked this info by uploading cover art for the game that featured young Pauline holding onto DK’s tie.
Legend has it that Ingot Isle’s core has the ability to grant wishes, so the race is on to claim this mystical power. Pauline hopes to use this power in order to get back to the surface, while Donkey Kong, in his simple one-track mind, just wants more bananas. Competing against Donkey Kong on this adventure is The Void Company, who is headed up by a new cast of villains in Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong, and their leader Void Kong.
Powerful New Abilities
To make Donkey Kong Bananza stick out from past DK titles, our hero is granted a treasure trove of new abilities that make navigating the various levels of Ingot Isle a little easier. You will have the ability to smash the terrain around you and terraform it as you see fit. You also have access to other moves like a dive punch which allows you to drill into the earth below and a roll ability to get over various obstacles. Lastly, to aid in your treasure hunt, DK can use his hand slap that will make it easier to locate hidden items buried in the mud.
Another new addition here is the Bananza Transformations. While on your adventure, Pauline’s voice enhances Donkey Kong’s abilities allowing him to take on new forms for a short amount of time. In order to do this, you need to collect gold, which builds up your Bananergy, opening the door to at least three new transformations. Kong Bananza makes DK super strong, Zebra Banaza makes him faster with a dash ability, and Ostrich Bananza lets DK fly and drop egg bombs on enemies that lurk below.
Collecting new Treasures
This wouldn’t be a 3D Nintendo platformer game without any collectable treasures, and Donkey Kong Bananza looks to expand on the classic collectathon formula even more. While you dig through this fully destructible world, you will come across illusive golden bananas, called Banadium Gems, buried throughout the overworld. Players collect these gems through various challenges like side-scrolling levels, obstacle courses, and more. By collecting these gems you will earn skill points which can be used to unlock brand new powers and skills.
You will also be able to collect fossils, which can be taken to the style shop to customize Donkey Kong and Pauline with various furs, pants, or outfits.
Starting Off Strong
When it was first revealed, there were a lot of questions that lingered around Donkey Kong Bananza and what it could truly offer seasoned Nintendo gamers. I myself remained reserved until I had the opportunity to see more gameplay and I am very happy with what I’ve seen from this Direct and July cannot come fast enough. A fresh new adventure featuring my favorite Nintendo character with a fun new set of powers is very exciting to me. Hopefully, the adventure delivers some good bananas that help 3D Donkey Kong games stick around.
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