Games

Donkey Kong Bananza: Donkey Kong And Pauline Amiibo and More

29 June 2025
Nintendo Switch 2
7 min.
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Donkey Kong Bananza: Donkey Kong And Pauline Amiibo and More

Summary:

Donkey Kong Bananza swings onto Nintendo Switch 2 on 17 July 2025 with a fresh take on the classic ape’s adventures. This time Donkey Kong teams up with Pauline, returns to 3D platforming, and dives—literally—into a subterranean world packed with golden bananas, musical mayhem, and explosive transformations. Nintendo is treating fans to a dual-figure amiibo starring Donkey Kong and Pauline that unlocks Pauline’s glamorous Diva Dress the moment you scan it, while every other amiibo grants in-game boosts from KONG tiles to giant terrain spheres. From couch co-op antics to Banandium-powered upgrades and the sinister mining corp VoidCo, Bananza layers nostalgic nods and brand-new mechanics into one giant banana split of platforming joy. Whether you crave speed-running levels in zebra stripes or painting statues in DK Artist mode, there is more than enough to keep newcomers and long-time fans busy long after launch day. Read on to see how the adventure plays, why the amiibo matters, and what you should secure before release.

Donkey Kong and Pauline: A Reunion for the Ages

When Nintendo first showed Pauline belting out “Jump Up, Super Star!” in Super Mario Odyssey, players instantly warmed to her modern makeover. Bananza brings her center-stage again—this time underground and rocking a punky microphone-shaped pickaxe. The story opens with Donkey Kong tumbling into cavernous Ingot Isle after a freak tempest scatters coveted golden bananas. Pauline, trapped in a singing stone dubbed Odd Rock, rallies DK to smash their way toward the Planet Core where both hope to reclaim lost dreams (and bananas, naturally). Their banter crackles with warmth: DK’s chest-thumping bravado meets Pauline’s quick wit and jazz-club sass. By pairing the old arcade rivals as equals, Bananza refreshes franchise lore while honoring classic roots. Long-time fans finally get the team-up hinted at since 1981, and newcomers see Pauline shine beyond her damsel reputation.

What Makes Donkey Kong Bananza Shine on Switch 2

Nintendo’s second-generation hybrid packs extra horsepower, and Bananza revels in it. Lush HDR lighting turns magma rivers into glowing orange ribbons, while DK’s fur ripples under dynamic gusts as he barrels through breakable terrain. Load screens all but vanish thanks to the Switch 2’s faster NVMe storage, encouraging reckless leaps between layers of the Underground World without pace-breaking pauses. Gyro-assisted aim lets you toss boulders with Joy-Con precision, and the new haptic triggers mimic crunching stone each time DK dives fist-first into bedrock. Performance targets 60 FPS in handheld and docked mode, so every slap, roll, and zebra dash feels buttery smooth. For families passing controllers, GameShare runs seamlessly between Switch 1 and Switch 2—a thoughtful nod to players who haven’t upgraded yet but still want to co-op with friends buying the latest console.

The Power of amiibo: Unlocking Pauline’s Diva Dress

Alongside the game, Nintendo ships a glossy dual-pose amiibo featuring Donkey Kong hoisting Pauline high above a swirl of musical notes. Scan it on day one and Pauline steps onto the stage wearing her sparkly Diva Dress—a ruby-red showstopper that boosts her Microphone Blast damage and halves Bananergy drain during transformations. While purists can earn the outfit later through a tough mid-game sidequest, speed-runners will appreciate unlocking it immediately. The figure’s base also stores save-data for custom color swaps, letting collectors flash different palettes in friends’ games. Best of all, every amiibo ever released, from Yarn Yoshi to Splatoon’s Inklings, grants unique benefits: gold KONG tiles that wipe enemy hordes in a single explosion or giant terrain spheres that plug lava flows to create impromptu platforms. Suddenly that dusty Samus amiibo on your shelf has a fresh purpose.

Transformations Fueled by Bananergy

Unlike earlier outings where power-ups came in barrels, Bananza taps a shared Bananergy meter. Smash crates, break walls, or nail musical combos with Pauline to fill the yellow gauge. Once topped, Pauline’s voice triggers over-the-top forms: Kong Bananza turns DK into a heavyweight titan who shoulder-checks rock pillars like papier-mâché, while Zebra Bananza boosts sprint speed for blazing parkour sequences. Later, Ostrich Bananza grants limited flight and egg bombs—perfect for accessing hidden alcoves that tease completionists. Each form feels distinct, demanding varied tactics rather than button-mashing. Because transformations drain Bananergy over time, you’re nudged to weave regular platforming with bombastic bursts, maintaining a satisfying ebb and flow instead of staying perpetually over-powered.

Thrill of Two-Player Co-Op and GameShare

Grab a single pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers and hand one to a buddy: instant split-role co-op. Player One directs DK, rolling through tunnels and performing heavy lifts, while Player Two guides Pauline, unleashing sonic shockwaves that stun foes or reveal secret ore veins. Cooperative puzzles force communication—DK might tear off a chunk of ceiling, then Pauline sings to levitate it into a makeshift bridge. Online GameShare ups the convenience: host the session on Switch 2, send a quick invite, and your partner’s older Switch streams the level with minimal latency. Voice or video chat pops into a side window, so barking directions (“Smash that crystal on three!”) feels natural. Couch fun meets remote play without divisive platform barriers.

Digging Through Ingot Isle and the Underground World

Bananza’s map layers stack like a tropical trifle: sun-kissed beaches up top, crystal caverns midway, glowing magma seas below, and a neon tech utopia near the core. Each zone brims with gimmicks that showcase DK’s expanded move-set. Spin barrel-shaped minecarts across hanging rails, ride subterranean eels called Eelevators, or tear circular turf chunks to surf molten rivers. Environmental storytelling shines through ancient murals hinting at VoidCo’s cruel drilling, while roaming NPC Elders dole out lore snippets with dad-joke flair. Hidden shortcuts reward explorers who scour every nook: punch through a brittle wall and you might tumble into a Banandium gold vein or an optional boss arena themed around 8-bit arcade throwbacks.

Collectibles, Customization, and Style

Nintendo packs its platformers with trinkets, and Bananza is no exception. Golden Banandium Gems bolster DK’s stats, Banandium Chips trade for new skills, and Fossils unlock cosmetic flair. Yet beyond raw numbers, the customization loop encourages creativity. Dye DK’s fur neon blue, slip Pauline into a metallic jumpsuit, or equip matching cowboy hats for a goofy photo-mode shoot. Some outfits add perks—jungle-camouflage cloth halves enemy aggro, while retro pixel shades grant bonus coins per combo. The Style Ledger tracks every discovery, letting fashionistas flaunt completion percentages like badges of honor.

Style Shops and Fashion Finds

Scattered through hub camps, Style Shops resemble tiki boutiques built into tree trunks. Friendly Grumpy Kong mans the counter, quipping about latest trends while selling gear in exchange for Banandium Gold. Rotating daily stock nudges you to revisit earlier levels—yesterday’s miners’ overalls might be gone, replaced by a banana-print blazer today. Limited-time “Harmony Sets” require trading rare Fossil Fragments plus coins, rewarding players who mix combat prowess with keen archaeological eyes.

Fossils and Fur Colors

Smashing bedrock occasionally reveals mysterious Fossils: trilobite-like banana peels, ancient bongo drums, even mini stone Kongs. Deliver them to the Fossilologist near Style Shop stalls, and she’ll craft new fur palettes—icy white, volcanic red—or unlock musical note trails when DK ground-pounds. These cosmetic trophies serve zero gameplay advantage, yet they inject personal flair into speed-runs and screenshots destined for social feeds.

The Banandium Economy: Levelling Up the Kong

Skill Points earned from Banandium Gems feed a sprawling upgrade tree. Branches focus on Power (extra damage), Agility (longer rolls, faster climbs), and Rhythm (timed button cues expand combo windows). Because upgrade costs balloon quickly, players must decide whether to max-out a favorite path early or diversify. VoidCo minibosses drop Unique Cores that unlock hybrid abilities—imagine DK’s Dive Punch laced with Pauline’s soundwave for area-of-effect drilling. The system keeps progression meaningful without overwhelming spreadsheets: hover over a node, see the stat boost and an animated preview, tap to confirm, back to smashing in seconds.

Meet VoidCo: The Antagonists with Excavators

Every hero needs a foil, and VoidCo fills that role with corporate gusto. Their mascot, Void Kong, adorns propaganda posters promising “Progress Through Power,” while heavily armored Grunt Kongs patrol dig sites with pneumatic drills. Boss encounters escalate from Bulldozer Brutes to an on-rails scrap against a skyscraper-tall Mechape rigged with spotlights and flamethrowers. Narrative logs reveal VoidCo’s quest to siphon Bananergy for universal domination—cheeky commentary on resource exploitation wrapped in cartoon charm. Stand-out cut-scenes showcase Pauline out-singing factory sirens to sabotage machinery, while DK flips conveyor belts to send crates flying into turbine intakes.

Pre-Order Perks and Where to Grab the Bundle

Retailers already list several options. The standard physical edition sits at $70, while select stores offer a $98 bundle that pairs the game with the DK & Pauline amiibo, saving a couple bucks compared to separate purchases. Pre-ordering nets an exclusive “Banana Peel” fur color plus a digital soundtrack sampler. My Nintendo members also receive a printable papercraft model of DK’s trusty minecart. Orders through the eShop preload one week early, letting you hop in the second the launch clock strikes midnight on 17 July 2025. Given Nintendo’s limited amiibo production history, fans keen on shelf bling should secure the figure sooner rather than hoping for a restock down the road.

Conclusion

Donkey Kong Bananza blends nostalgia, fresh mechanics, and Switch 2 tech wizardry into a platforming cocktail that feels both familiar and daring. The DK & Pauline amiibo sets the tone—old friends striking a bold pose together—while Bananergy transformations and co-op design fling the series into playful new territory. Whether you crave competitive speed-runs, couch laughter, or solo exploration punctuated by jazz vocals, Bananza promises a barrelful of delight. Grab your Joy-Cons, clear some shelf space for that amiibo, and get ready to smash, sing, and swing when launch day rolls around.

FAQs
  • When does Donkey Kong Bananza launch?
    • Donkey Kong Bananza releases worldwide on 17 July 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Do I need the amiibo to get Pauline’s Diva Dress?
    • No—completing a late-game sidequest unlocks the outfit, but the DK & Pauline amiibo grants it immediately.
  • Can Switch 1 owners play with Switch 2 players?
    • Yes. GameShare lets a Switch 2 host invite a Switch 1 friend for online or local co-op.
  • Is Bananza single-player friendly?
    • Absolutely. Pauline’s AI handles support moves smartly, and difficulty scaling keeps bosses fair for solo runs.
  • Will other amiibo work with Bananza?
    • Every existing amiibo unlocks bonuses—from gold KONG tiles to giant terrain spheres—adding variety regardless of your collection.
Sources
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