The gaming world is buzzing with excitement as Donkey Kong Bananza reveals a wealth of new content coming to this action-packed platformer. Nintendo's latest installment in its iconic ape-centric franchise promises to deliver both familiar faces and fresh characters when it launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

Originally announced during April's Nintendo Direct presentation, Donkey Kong Bananza stood out as one of the most surprising reveals for the next-generation console. This marks the franchise's first completely new action platformer since 2014's Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, with Nintendo maintaining remarkable secrecy throughout development.

A recent Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation unveiled groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, particularly the dynamic partnership between Donkey Kong and Pauline. No longer the damsel in distress, Pauline now plays an active cooperative role, using her musical talents to activate powerful Banaza Powers that temporarily transform DK.

Three transformative states were showcased:

• Kong Bananza: Enhances Donkey Kong's brute strength for devastating attacks
• Ostrich Banaza: Grants flight capabilities and egg bomb attacks
• Zebra Banaza: Provides incredible speed, enabling water-running and rapid traversal of collapsing structures

The game's character roster blends series veterans with intriguing newcomers. Familiar faces include Cranky Kong as the grumpy mentor and Rambi the Rhino as DK's trusty mount. New additions feature the mysterious Elders who train Pauline in harnessing Banaza Powers, along with various animal NPCs inhabiting the Underground World.

Antagonists come in the form of The Void Company mining group, led by the sinister Void Kong. Notable villains include:

• Grumpy Kong: An orangutan engineer creating mechanical foes
• Poppy Kong: A stylish intelligence-gathering ape
  
  Their creations, like the rolling Peekabrusier, serve as major bosses guarding access to deeper underground levels.