Donkey Kong Bananza is the first 3D DK game in decades

By Jesse Lennox Published April 2, 2025

Donkey Kong salivating over bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza. — Nintendo

Nintendo saved a big reveal for its final trailer in its Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Donkey Kong is getting his first new 3D game since Donkey Kong 64 on the N64 in a new adventure titled Donkey Kong Bananza, coming on July 17, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The Switch 2 Direct was packed with exciting announcements for upcoming video games, opening with the new Mario Kart World, but one surprise game wrapped up the show. For the first time since the N64 days, Donkey Kong is starring in a brand new 3D adventure called Donkey Kong Bananza and will hit the Nintendo Switch 2 just after launch on July 17. The trailer shows DK in a new look, sporting jeans and suspenders, as well as a fully destructible world. We see him rip up parts of the environment and use it to smash his way through obstacles, as well as pound his fists into the ground to dig below the surface and create tunnels.

Recommended Videos

There was no real story details in the trailer, but we can see that Donkey Kong Bananza appears to mainly be set in a mine on Ingot Isle, with DK carrying a new purple rock creature on his shoulder as a companion. There were also small glimpses of 2D sections that look ripped right out of the old Donkey Kong Country games, plus the familiar blast barrels and minecart sections. DK’s rival appears to be some kind of evil bat monster who has stolen what appear to be giant golden bananas.

The trailer hints at more open-ended levels, some companions, and giant boss battles.

Donkey Kong Bananza will release right after the Switch 2, and more details are expected in the near future.

Topics

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over five years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…

Gaming

All Switch games that don’t run on Switch 2

Two people playing a game on an OLED Switch.

It is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement over a new console and miss some important fine print details. Nintendo was eager to share all the Switch 2 launch games and a massive list of upcoming Switch 2 games to get everyone excited to get their hands on the console, but it also let us know that most original Switch games would also be playable on the Switch 2. We learned a lot about certain Switch 2 Edition games and how they would perform so much better on the Switch 2 vs. Switch, but that asterisk of "most" games running on the new hardware was never focused on in any of the presentations. We all have a massive library of Switch games at this point we would like to be able to carry forward, so let's shed some light on all the Switch games that won't work on the Switch 2.

Every Switch game that has startup issues on the Switch 2

Gaming

I played 11 Nintendo Switch 2 games. Here’s what I thought of each

Bowser in Mario Kart World.

It's been a whirlwind week for Nintendo fans. On Wednesday, the company fully lifted the lid on the Nintendo Switch 2 with a perfectly executed Direct presentation. That moment of elation gave way to anxiety as players sorted through the console's controversial new pricing strategy. Then came complete panic as President Donald Trump's freshly announced tariffs on foreign imports caused Nintendo to postpone preorders for the system in the United States. You can't blame Nintendo fans for feeling a little stressed out right now.

The saving grace of all this is that the Switch 2 is still slated to launch on June 5 and it's bringing a ton of exciting games along with it. At a press event on Wednesday, I went hands-on with nearly a dozen Switch 2 games, from first-party heavy-hitters to Switch 2 Editions of old favorites. I've posted my impressions of several games throughout the week, but for the sake of ease, I'm rounding them all up in one place. Curious about just how good Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is? How does it feel to drive a wheelchair around with mouse controls? Is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour really worth a few bucks? You can find all those answers right here.

Gaming

The Switch 2’s higher prices won’t hurt its chances at success, analysts say

Bowser in Mario Kart World.

The most controversial thing about Nintendo Switch 2 has been its price tag. While a Nintendo Switch console costs $300 and its first-party games are (typically) $60, the Switch 2 hikes that price way up. The console will cost $450, while games will range in price from $70 to $80 in the United States, depending on the game in question. Fans did not take kindly to the news when the prices were revealed following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Is there a chance that those angry voices could hurt Nintendo's bottom line?

For insight, I consulted game industry analysts at firms like Omdia and Alinea Analytics. While there are certainly concerns over Switch 2 pricing certain people out of it, analysts still seem confident that the console and its games will perform well. They believe that Nintendo is pricing the console and the games its way because it knows its hardcore fans will still be interested in buying them at that price and want to remain financially conservative as we enter an unprecedented time with the United States' harsh new tariffs.