A new Nintendo Direct debuted this week, but this June 2025 event had a very specific goal. It focused solely on the upcoming Switch game Donkey Kong Bananza. This broadcast on June 18, 2025. The platformer and adventure bring Donkey Kong to regions where he can fully crush specific areas. I'm always delighted to see Donkey Kong get some attention, especially for a fresh new game.

Because this Nintendo Direct was solely about Donkey Kong Bananza, it was rather brief, lasting only 15 minutes. The whole event showcased gameplay, people, and the story. Donkey Kong goes off against VoidCo and its employees. We also learned more about Odd Rock, Donkey Kong's sidekick who has special abilities in this new game. Nintendo's last single-game presentation was for Mario Kart World, which lasted 15 minutes and concentrated on gameplay. It suggests Nintendo has a lot of faith in this title.

Donkey Kong Bananza, like several of the other new Switch 2 games, will be priced higher than previous titles. It will cost $69.99 when it is released. This is the same price as Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition for the system. Meanwhile, Mario Kart World, another Nintendo game, is $79.99. So far, it appears that new Switch 2 games are becoming more expensive.

The big companion reveal in Donkey Kong Bananza had everyone talking.

Odd Rock's true identity surprises fans and establishes a new partnership with DK.

After months of fans claiming they hadn't seen the leaked photographs, Nintendo officially confirmed Pauline's comeback in Donkey Kong Bananza. This was a very exciting reveal. The start of the Direct focused a lot on DK and Odd Rock. It quickly became evident that Odd Rock was a younger Pauline. She was somehow trapped inside the rock itself. We're still not sure how that happened, but we do know Pauline becomes DK's new pal during the game. It undoubtedly raises questions about the game's place in the larger Mario storyline. Is it a prequel, or are there some time-traveling antics going on? My guess is that it is likely the latter.

If you had been paying attention, this revelation should not have come as a surprise. Back in April, the official South Korean Nintendo website unintentionally uploaded the incorrect image. It featured a younger Pauline with Donkey Kong rather than Odd Rock. That pretty basically spoiled the main surprise. Still, seeing it confirmed in the Direct was great. It means Pauline, who has grown significantly since her first appearance, will play another key part. It's exciting to watch her team up with Donkey Kong in a significant way for the first time. I'm intrigued to see how their personalities interact on television.

The Direct revealed Pauline as the new companion. She will follow DK for the most of his voyage. She is a kid version of the character who aspires to be a singer. It's unclear when Odd Rock becomes Pauline in the game. However, the film suggested that Pauline will be present for the most of the game. Her appearance adds a fun twist to the Donkey Kong universe. It introduces a familiar face to a new situation. This type of character mix frequently leads to interesting plot moments and gameplay alternatives. I'm excited to see how her musical dreams play into the journey.

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Donkey Kong Bananza Offers New Powers and Play Styles to Players

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Donkey Kong has wild transformations and new multiplayer options for friends.

The game revealed Donkey Kong's fascinating new skills known as Bananza transformations. He can transform into a variety of beasts. We witnessed him briefly transform into a zebra or ostrich. Each creature will have its own special abilities. This sounds like an excellent approach to keep games interesting. It provides gamers with numerous methods to approach issues. This also encourages different methods based on what animal DK becomes. I'm already wondering how these forms will affect platforming and puzzle solving.

The game will also have Challenge Course Ruins. These provide players skill-based missions to complete. Some of these appear to borrow ideas from previous Donkey Kong games. They may remind you of the original Donkey Kong or the minecart elements from the Donkey Kong Country games. This is a great reference to the series' past. Donkey Kong can also earn skill points. These allow him to gain new talents. Players can also get new outfits for Donkey Kong and Pauline. Most of these clothes offer various perks or buffs. This implies you can change your appearance and gain certain gameplay advantages.

There will also be a new two-player mode. A second player can operate the Switch 2's mouse controls. They may demolish adversaries and objects by shouting at them in the same way Pauline did. This sounds like a very unique co-op concept. It differs from what we normally observe. The game will also feature GameShare. This means that two systems can play the game simultaneously using only one copy. This is a feature that will appeal to many players. It makes it easy for friends to collaborate and play together. I hope more games start providing this type of sharing option. It just makes gaming more accessible and enjoyable with others.

There's even a sculpting mode called DK Artist. Players can create and decorate their own rock sculptures. This seems like a fun and peaceful side hobby. It's a nice addition for those looking to take a break from the main adventure. It provides an additional layer of interaction with the game world. This level of detail can make a game feel more full. It's fantastic to see such creative outlets in games like this.

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Donkey Kong Bananza: Amiibo Support and Final Release Details

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How Amiibo Figures Will Improve Your Gameplay and When You Can Get Your Hands On It

Donkey Kong Bananza will also include Amiibo support. A new Donkey Kong and Pauline Amiibo will be released on the same day as the game. Pauline's Mario Odyssey idol attire can be unlocked by tapping this exact Amiibo. Tapping other DK Amiibo figures will create large, explosive KONG letters to descend. Tapping another Amiibo will cause it to drop additional items. Nintendo said the Amiibo will unlock Pauline's clothing "early." This suggests that you may be able to unlock it in the game without the Amiibo later on. This is wonderful news for both collectors and players. It provides opportunities for getting game bonuses.

Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct aired approximately a month before the game's official release. This timing generates excitement without requiring a significant wait. The game's release date is slated for July 17, 2025. It will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2. If you enjoy Donkey Kong and platformers, mark this date on your calendar. It feels like a pivotal moment for the character. Many fans have been longing for a new Donkey Kong standalone game. This appears to be a significant improvement for the huge guy. It appears that the Mario Odyssey crew may be behind it, which makes sense given the degree of ambition. I'm looking forward to seeing how all of these new pieces work together.