GAMING NEWS
Get Ready to Go Bananas: Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Set for June 18
Nintendo is finally peeling back the curtain further on the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bananza, announcing a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation focused entirely on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title.
The news, shared via the Nintendo Today app, confirms that fans can mark their calendars for Wednesday, June 18th. The Direct is scheduled to air at 6 a.m. PDT / 9 a.m. EDT / 2 p.m. BST.
Nintendo stated that this presentation will offer “roughly 15 minutes of information” about the brand-new Donkey Kong adventure. Since its initial reveal during the major Nintendo Switch 2 Direct back in April, details about the game have been slow-dripped, leaving fans eager for a more substantial look ahead of its release.
What We Know About Donkey Kong Bananza So Far
Donkey Kong Bananza is confirmed as a brand-new 3D adventure platformer exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Set to launch on July 17, 2025, it marks the first main 3D Donkey Kong game since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64, making it a significant title for the new console.
Players will step into the shoes of a redesigned, cartoonishly charming Donkey Kong. The core objective involves guiding DK on a quest to locate precious golden bananas before the antagonistic group known as VoidCo. can claim them.
Joining DK on his journey is a new companion named Odd Rock. Gameplay is expected to embrace classic DK action with a modern twist, featuring the ability for Donkey Kong to wreak havoc by smashing up the surrounding locale and environment. This destructive mechanic was notably highlighted in early hands-on impressions, with some even hailing the game as “best in show” during initial previews of Switch 2 launch window titles. The game will also incorporate exciting sidescrolling segments reminiscent of modern 3D Super Mario titles.
Characters and Intrigue
While promotional material has shown Cranky Kong, no other members of the iconic monkey family have been officially revealed yet.
The game previously garnered attention due to a leak that showcased a character resembling a baby version of Pauline alongside DK. Intriguingly, leaked screenshots depicted this character wearing a purple bracelet with a design similar to Odd Rock’s material, sparking speculation among players about a potential connection between the two.
A Key Title for the Nintendo Switch 2
Donkey Kong Bananza‘s dedicated Direct underscores its importance as a major, brand-new first-party exclusive arriving just over a month after the Nintendo Switch 2 console itself launched on June 5th (with pre-orders starting April 9th). The upcoming 15-minute presentation is expected to dive deeper into gameplay mechanics, possibly reveal more characters, and build further anticipation for the game’s July 17th debut on the new hardware.
Get ready for a deep dive into DK’s latest, greatest adventure!
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