The Donkey Kong Bananza release date is finally here, marking the true platform king's Nintendo Switch 2 debut. Yes, all of us at Pocket Tactics are fans of Donkey Kong, and we're loving his new adventure.
Without question, Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the best Switch games, helping the Nintendo Switch 2 get off to a flying start with games. It even gives the likes of Mario Kart World a run for its money, netting a huge 10/10 from us in our Donkey Kong Bananza review, in which we describe as "the first truly must-have Nintendo Switch 2 release.
Here's everything you need to know about the Donkey Kong Bananza release date:
When was the Donkey Kong Bananza release date?
Donkey Kong Bananza was due to release on July 17, 2025, a month and a half after the release of the Switch 2, so you didn't have to wait too long to get your hands on it.
What is the Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay like?
The Nintendo Switch 2 platformer shows Donkey Kong as bright and vibrant as ever, with the iconic gorilla running through various environments, all with a big smile on his face. Well, mostly. He looks more than a little concerned as an island sinks into the ground with him holding on for dear life. This time, though, Donkey Kong's endeavors are given an open-world game spin.
With villainous, rival apes on Kong's case, VoidCO. is stealing all the Golden Bananas. And if anyone is going to protect some diamond-shaped bananas, it's our man Donkey Kong. Whether he's rolling, punching, or slapping his way through the game's sandbox-style levels, you can benefit from leads on Golden Bananas from NPCs like Cranky Kong.
It isn't on the level of something like The Finals, but Donkey Kong Bananza also features destructible environments. Donkey Kong can smash the terrain around him while using it as a weapon against enemies. Fancy digging an underground tunnel? Yeah, you can do that too. When you're not smashing stuff up, puzzles can lead to collectibles like Banandium, a currency you can exchange for useful items.
Does Donkey Kong Bananza work on Switch 1?
Donkey Kong is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, meaning it doesn't have a place on the previous hardware. Furthermore, given how much the game leans into the capabilities of the console, it's highly unlikely that it'll ever arrive on the Switch 1.
So there you have it, everything you need to know about the Donkey Kong Bananza release date. To make time go faster while you wait for Donkey Kong Bananza, make sure you check out our list of the best Switch games.