Mario Kart World and the rest of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games are out in the wild now, but the next major release on Nintendo’s schedule is Donkey Kong Bananza. The all-new 3D DK game has a ton of Super Odyssey vibes, and we have already had a decent look at the game, but there is still more Nintendo wants to show us before its release on Switch 2 come July 17. And today’s dedicated Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct presentation starts soon.
Donkey Kong Bananza Direct
This morning livestream Donkey Kong Bananza show will go live on Nintendo’s YouTube channel (seen below) starting at 6 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET. Nintendo has told to us to expect 15 minutes of updates and hopefully all-new footage of the next first-party Switch 2 experience.
Cranky has already made an appearance so we know he is in the game in some way or other, but will Diddy Kong or any of the others get teased today? Is King K. Rool in this game?
Pauline – the original “damsel in distress” that first appeared in the 1981 DK arcade game before her appearance as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey – leaked in alternate key art for Donkey Kong Bananza, but her role in the new game is largely unknown. She was wearing a bracelet of sorts that looks a whole lot Odd Rock though – DK’s companion in Bananza.
While it is certainly unclear how much more of the story or if the rest of the Kongs will make an appearance today, let’s hope this isn’t just 15 minutes of the same things we have already seen in the reveal trailer and subsequent Nintendo Treehouse gameplay footage – today’s show is, after all, largely taking the place of the big-time Nintendo summer showcase.
Tune in at 6 a.m. PT on June 18 for a livestreamed Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation, featuring roughly 15 minutes of information about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game.
Updating…
Here are the complete details from today’s Direct via Nintendo:
- New Ways to Smash and Bash: As Donkey Kong, you will be able to utilize powerful abilities to smash your way through obstacles and enemies and even unearth discoveries! Use Dive Punch to drill deep into the earth, roll yourself over obstacles, and perform a Hand Slap to help locate hidden items. You can also tear off chunks of ground to either throw at enemies or ride on top of by Turf Surfing and more. These abilities can even be combined for maximum mayhem!
- Bananza Transformations: While this unlikely duo explores the Underground World, Pauline can enhance Donkey Kong’s destructive ability and even make him temporarily transform through the power of her singing! Collecting gold builds up their Bananergy, which allows Pauline’s singing to activate the transformations, each with its own specialties. Like Kong Bananza, that makes Donkey Kong super strong, Zebra Bananza which makes him faster and lets him dash for short distances and Ostrich Bananza that allows DK to fly and drop Egg Bombs on enemies!
- Co-Op Play: By sharing a Joy-Con 2 controller, you and a friend can control Donkey Kong and Pauline separately in local co-op play. Unleash Pauline’s vocal blasts using the Joy-Con 2 controller’s mouse functionality! You can also use GameShare1 to share the game and play in co-op with another player locally even if they don’t have the game themselves and use GameChat2 to invite friends online to join you via voice or video chat.
- Race to the Planet Core: Legend has it, the Planet Core has the ability to grant your heart’s desire, so Donkey Kong and Pauline set off on a quest to reach it. Pauline hopes it will be able to return her to the surface, while Donkey Kong plans to ask it for more (what else?) bananas! Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones seeking the Planet Core: The Void Company is also racing there for their own nefarious purposes! A villainous mining operation whose reach extends through every layer of the Planet, VoidCo is not only responsible for the banana-stealing maelstrom that sent Donkey Kong hurtling underground in the first place, but they are also responsible for turning Pauline into Odd Rock. As they all dig deeper towards the Planet Core, Donkey Kong and Pauline must do whatever they can to get there first!
- Collectibles: While you dig your way through the Underground World, you’ll discover useful items to help you along your journey. Uncover golden bananas called Banandium Gems buried behind walls, under the ground, and sometimes right out in the open. Collecting these Banandium Gems earn you Skill Points that increase DK’s power and even allows you to learn new Skills to add to your repertoire. You can also earn Banandium Gems through challenges like timed battles, side-scrolling stages, obstacle courses and more. You will also uncover banana slice-shaped items called Banandium Chips and gold nuggets called Banandium Gold. You can trade Banandium Chips for Banandium Gems at the Chip Exchange and Banandium Gold for useful items at the Stuff Shop. As you dig for these banana-shaped goodies, you may also discover Fossils. If you happen to find one during your excavations, take them to the Style Shops and trade them for different fashions for Donkey Kong and Pauline, almost all of which come with useful extra benefits, as well as fur colors for DK.
- Other New and Familiar Faces: While uncovering moreabout the villainous activities of the Void Company, Donkey Kong and Pauline encounter many inhabitants across the Underground World. In addition to the giant Elders, familiar faces like Cranky Kong and his companion Rambi show up as well. You’ll also come face to face with Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong and others who work for VoidCo leader, Void Kong.
- Getaways and Eelevators: Need a break? Treat yourself to a Getaway while in the Underground World and sleep in a comfy bed to help restore your energy. You can even choose some music to enjoy while you rest. And if you want to explore areas you’ve already been to with ease, use the Eelevators – subterranean eels that can carry you quickly from layer to layer.
- Creative Game Modes: Get ready to explore new game modes and ways to play Donkey Kong Bananza. This includes Photo Mode, where you can change the in-game camera angle and adjust other settings to snap your ideal pic. And in DK Artist, you can use the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to take a break from the action and carve designs into stone. You can even change the lighting and add banana effects to give your masterpiece its finishing touches.
- amiibo: Donkey Kong Bananza also supports amiibo! A Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo figure will be available on July 17, and it allows you to unlock Pauline’s in-game Diva Dress early and receive KONG tiles with explosive power. Scan other Donkey Kong character amiibo figures and you will also earn gold KONG tiles. What’s more, if you scan any other available amiibo, you’ll receive a giant sphere of terrain material to aid you on your adventure!
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