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Nintendo has unveiled exciting new gameplay details for *Donkey Kong Bananza* during today’s Nintendo Direct, revealing that Pauline from *Super Mario Odyssey* will serve as a key sidekick character in the upcoming 3D platformer. This younger version of Pauline was previously leaked by Nintendo before being swiftly removed from the web, but now she's officially confirmed and ready to join the action.
In *Donkey Kong Bananza*, Pauline uses her musical abilities to temporarily transform DK into unique forms—such as a powerful charging zebra or a flying ostrich capable of dropping explosive egg bombs. Additionally, Pauline can be controlled by a second player, transforming the game into a co-op experience where her voice attacks unleash explosive force. With Joy-Con mouse controls, players can aim these vocal blasts to assist Donkey Kong in his chaotic adventures.
Thanks to GameShare, this local co-op mode can be enjoyed across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles—including the original Switch—without requiring your partner to own a copy of the game. That makes it easy to share the fun with friends and family.
New mechanics revealed today include the ability for DK to skate on pieces of terrain he’s ripped from the ground, even combining them to create structures like bridges. The newly introduced DK Artist mode gives players creative freedom to experiment with destruction effects and sculpt custom statues from stone.
Classic characters like Cranky Kong and Rambi the Rhino make their return, and eagle-eyed fans may have also noticed Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong appearing in the presentation. While both are confirmed to be part of the game, their exact roles are still under wraps.
SPOTTED: Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza. (They're alive!) #IGNSummerOfGaming pic.twitter.com/QgblHY4jtX
— IGN (@IGN) June 18, 2025
Nintendo UK has also confirmed the inclusion of Diddy and Dixie, showing them off as rival racers in one of *Bananza*’s mini-games:
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) June 18, 2025
The presentation also featured a fresh take on the iconic *DK Rap* from *Donkey Kong 64*, which is set to appear in *Bananza*. Fans are hopeful that composer Grant Kirkhope will receive proper credit this time around, following past disputes over his absence from the *Super Mario Bros. Movie* credits.
Interestingly, Nintendo did not reveal which development team is behind *Donkey Kong Bananza*, though speculation continues that it may be the same talented group responsible for *Super Mario Odyssey*. Whether Pauline’s appearance hints at a deeper creative connection remains to be seen.
Alongside the game, Nintendo announced a dedicated *Donkey Kong Bananza* amiibo featuring DK and Pauline. This exclusive figure unlocks a special costume for Pauline earlier than normal. All other existing amiibo are also compatible and will spawn useful terrain materials when scanned.
Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Screenshots
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“Bananza is on track to be one of the most gorgeous Nintendo games I’ve seen,” wrote IGN in its *Donkey Kong Bananza* hands-on preview. “It really does take advantage of Switch 2's hardware—the environments are stunning, and DK’s animations are incredibly expressive. I left feeling like the next generation of first-party Nintendo games had truly arrived.”
Release Date
Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.
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