Games

Donkey Kong Bananza Ver. 3.1.0 is live – Polish text arrives on Switch 2, plus quieter fixes

24 January 2026
Nintendo Switch 2
9 min.
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Donkey Kong Bananza Ver. 3.1.0 is live – Polish text arrives on Switch 2, plus quieter fixes

Summary:

Donkey Kong Bananza just picked up a fresh update on Nintendo Switch 2, and while it is not the kind of patch that rewrites the whole adventure, it is the kind that makes day-to-day play feel a little smoother. Version 3.1.0, released January 21, 2026, adds Polish as a supported language for in-game text when your Switch 2 system language is set to “Polish/English.” That is the big, clear headline, and it matters because it directly changes how welcoming the game feels for Polish-speaking players. No hunting through menus, no guessing – set the console language, and the text follows. Clean and simple, like snapping a banana in half and hearing that satisfying crack.

The other official note is short but important: “several other issues” have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience. Nintendo does not spell out the individual fixes here, so we should not pretend we know exactly what changed under the hood. Still, a line like that is usually the quiet work that keeps things sturdy – the kind of behind-the-scenes tightening that stops tiny annoyances from piling up. If you have ever had a game feel like a shopping cart with one wobbly wheel, you know how one small fix can suddenly make the whole ride feel normal again.

What changed in Donkey Kong Bananza Ver. 3.1.0

Let’s keep it grounded in what we actually know. Donkey Kong Bananza Version 3.1.0 is officially listed as released on January 21, 2026, and it does two things that Nintendo is willing to put in writing. First, it adds Polish as a supported language for text, triggered by a specific Switch 2 system language setting. Second, it addresses “several other issues” to improve the gameplay experience, without naming them one by one. That might sound minimal, but patches like this are often the difference between “yeah, that’s fine” and “okay, that feels better.” Think of it like tightening bolts on a roller coaster – you do not cheer for every bolt, but you definitely want them tightened before you hop in. If you play regularly, even a small quality bump can be the kind that you feel more than you can explain.

The headline addition: Polish text support

Adding Polish support is not just a checkbox – it is a real usability upgrade for a lot of players. Language is the front door to a game. If the door is heavy and awkward, people hesitate. If the door opens easily, people walk right in and start enjoying themselves. With Version 3.1.0, Donkey Kong Bananza can display Polish text as long as the Switch 2 system language is set to “Polish/English.” That means menus, prompts, and on-screen text can meet players where they are, which is especially helpful in action-heavy moments where reading quickly matters. And yes, it also matters for comfort. Nobody wants to translate instructions in their head while a boss is trying to turn them into a banana-flavored pancake.

How the “Polish/English” system language setting works

Nintendo’s wording here is specific, and that’s helpful. The update note explains that if you set the system language on Nintendo Switch 2 to “Polish/English,” the game’s text becomes Polish. In other words, the trigger is the console setting, not an in-game toggle that you have to dig up. That approach is convenient because it keeps language behavior consistent across games that follow the same rule, and it avoids the mess of having different language menus in every title. The flip side is simple too: if your system language is not set to that option, you should not expect the game to magically switch on its own. So if you update and nothing looks different, do not panic – the patch likely installed fine, and you just have not flipped the right system switch yet.

How to switch your Switch 2 system language step by step

If you want the Polish text to show up, the basic idea is straightforward: change the Switch 2 system language to the “Polish/English” option, then recheck the game. On Switch hardware, language settings live in System Settings, and the console applies them broadly. After changing it, it is smart to fully close the game and relaunch it so the title reads the new setting cleanly. That might sound like an extra step, but it is the gaming equivalent of restarting a router – annoying for five seconds, then suddenly everything behaves. Also, it is worth remembering that language settings can affect other games and menus too, so choose what feels best for your whole library, not just one title. The good news is you can always switch back if you are testing or helping someone else set things up.

Why the audio stays in English

This update comes with a clear boundary: the audio remains English. That matters because players sometimes assume “new language support” means full voice work, and that is not what is being promised here. Text localization and voice localization are different beasts. Text can be implemented in a way that is relatively lightweight compared to recording, directing, and integrating an entire voice track. So if you set up Polish text and still hear English voices, that is not a bug or a failed update – it is working exactly as described. And honestly, plenty of players like this mix. Polish text with English audio can be a comfortable middle ground, especially for anyone who prefers original voice delivery while still wanting instructions and menus in their native language. It is a practical option, not a half-finished one.

“Several other issues” – what we can say for sure

Here’s the part where it is tempting to start guessing, but we are not doing that. Nintendo’s official note says several other issues were addressed to improve the gameplay experience, and that is all the detail provided in the patch notes. So the honest takeaway is simple: fixes were made, but the exact list is not public in the official summary. Still, that line is not meaningless. It tells us the team is actively maintaining the game and cleaning up problems that players may have reported or that internal testing caught. If you have ever watched someone tidy a room by putting away a bunch of small items, you know how the result can feel dramatic even when each individual action was tiny. That is the vibe here – small repairs, smoother overall flow.

Why small fixes can still feel big

A game is a web of little systems rubbing against each other: inputs, camera behavior, menus, audio cues, loading, saving, and all the invisible glue that holds a session together. When one strand frays, you might only notice it as a moment of friction – a pause that feels too long, a menu that stutters, a tiny hitch that makes you miss a jump and mutter something you would not want printed on a T-shirt. When multiple small issues get patched, the game can feel calmer, more responsive, and more predictable. That is what “improve the gameplay experience” usually means at player level. You might not point at one moment and say “that was fixed,” but you will feel fewer eye-roll moments across a play session. And if you have been there, you know how valuable that is.

How to update the game on Nintendo Switch 2

Updating is usually painless, but it helps to know the clean path so you are not guessing. On Switch 2, updates can download automatically if your console is connected to the internet and auto-updates are enabled. If you prefer to do it manually, you can trigger an update from the HOME Menu by highlighting the game, opening the options menu, and choosing the software update option over the internet. The point is to let the system confirm you are on the latest version rather than relying on vibes. And yes, it is worth doing even if you just want the language support. If Polish text matters to you, this patch is the key that unlocks it. No patch, no Polish text – it is that simple.

How to check your current version before and after

Checking your version number is the easiest way to confirm everything is installed correctly, and it saves you from the “did it actually update?” spiral. From the HOME Menu, highlight Donkey Kong Bananza and open the options menu. The console displays the current version number under the title, which is exactly what you want to see before and after you update. If it reads Ver. 3.1.0, you are on the latest patch described here. If it does not, you can run the update again or troubleshoot what is blocking it. This is one of those small habits that pays off. It is like checking the departure board at the station instead of staring at the tracks and hoping the right train shows up.

Troubleshooting if the update will not install

If the update refuses to install, the fix is usually boring – and boring is good, because boring means solvable. Most update problems come down to three usual suspects: storage space, internet connection, or settings that prevent auto-updates from doing their thing. Start with the simplest checks. Make sure your Switch 2 is online and the connection is stable. If your connection is flaky, downloads can stall or fail quietly, and that can look like the system is ignoring the update. Next, check storage. Updates need space to download and install, and if you are running close to the edge, the console can block the process. The goal is to remove obstacles so the system can finish the job cleanly, not wrestle with it in slow motion.

Storage, internet, and auto-update settings that matter

Storage is the classic silent villain. If you are low on space, the console might not have enough room to download the update package, unpack it, and apply it safely. Freeing space can be as simple as archiving a game you are not playing this month, because archived software can be re-downloaded later without losing save data. Internet quality is the other big one. If you are far from the router or the signal is weak, you can get partial downloads and retry loops. If your Switch 2 supports it in your setup, getting closer to the router can be the quickest win. Finally, check whether auto-updates are enabled. If they are off, nothing is “wrong,” but you are relying on manual updates. Turn them on if you want the console to handle this stuff automatically, especially for smaller patches like 3.1.0 that you might otherwise miss.

Why language updates matter more than people think

It is easy to shrug at a text-language update if it is not your language, but that shrug fades fast when you imagine the game being one barrier higher for you. Language is not cosmetic. It decides how comfortable someone feels learning mechanics, reading objectives, and understanding menus under pressure. Adding Polish text support makes Donkey Kong Bananza more approachable to a wider set of players, and it also signals that Nintendo is still investing in the game after launch. That matters for trust. When a game keeps getting attention, you feel safer putting time into it, because it does not feel abandoned. And for communities that are used to being treated like an afterthought, seeing their language supported is not “nice,” it is meaningful. It is the difference between being invited to the party and being told you can watch through the window.

Quick checklist for players after updating

Once you are on Ver. 3.1.0, a quick check can save you a lot of second-guessing. First, confirm the version number on the HOME Menu so you know the update actually applied. Next, if you want Polish text, change the Switch 2 system language to “Polish/English,” then fully close and relaunch the game so it reads the setting fresh. After that, jump into a menu and look for Polish text to confirm it is working. Remember that audio staying English is expected, so do not treat that as an error. Finally, play for a few minutes and pay attention to the little things – smoother transitions, fewer hiccups, less friction. You might not be able to name every fix, but you will know how it feels. And if it feels better, that is the whole point.

Conclusion

Donkey Kong Bananza Ver. 3.1.0 is a small update with a clear win: Polish text support on Nintendo Switch 2 when the system language is set to “Polish/English,” with audio staying in English. Beyond that, Nintendo confirms additional issues were addressed to improve the gameplay experience, even if the details are not spelled out in the official notes. If you want the new language option, updating is non-negotiable, and checking your version number is the simplest way to verify you are set. For everyone else, this is the kind of patch that quietly makes the game feel more polished in everyday play – not flashy, but valuable. Sometimes the best updates are the ones you stop noticing, because the annoying little bumps are gone and the adventure just flows.

FAQs
  • When was Donkey Kong Bananza Ver. 3.1.0 released?
    • Ver. 3.1.0 is listed as released on January 21, 2026.
  • Does Ver. 3.1.0 add Polish voice acting?
    • No. The update adds Polish text support, while the audio remains in English.
  • How do we enable Polish text in the game?
    • Set the Nintendo Switch 2 system language to “Polish/English,” then relaunch the game so the text switches to Polish.
  • What are the “other issues” fixed in this update?
    • The official patch notes say several other issues were addressed to improve the gameplay experience, but they do not list each fix individually.
  • How do we confirm the update installed correctly?
    • From the HOME Menu, open the game’s options and check the version number shown under the title. It should read Ver. 3.1.0.
Sources
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