Donkey Kong punches his way onto the Nintendo Switch 2 with Donkey Kong Bananza, launching July 17

Donkey Kong is making a comeback with a fresh new look in Donkey Kong Bananza. Unveiled during today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the game is set to release on July 17, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2 at a price of $69.99.

The reveal trailer showcases Donkey Kong exploring open environments, scaling cliffs with his bare hands, and delivering powerful punches that can even break through the ground. The trailer also offers glimpses of various landscapes, ranging from snow-covered forests to dense jungles. Additionally, a quick glimpse of classic 2D Donkey Kong gameplay is featured towards the end of the trailer, promising an exciting revamp of the series.

Of particular note is the redesigned appearance of Donkey Kong himself, displaying a range of expressions in the trailer, from stern and angry to cheerful and comical. His animated reactions, such as eyes bulging out in a cartoonish manner, add a fun and goofy element to the game, reflecting Donkey Kong’s quirky personality.

It has been a while since we last saw Donkey Kong in an open-world setting like this, reminiscent of the classic Donkey Kong 64. The anticipation is high to see how this modernized version of Kong adapts to this thrilling new direction for the series.

The wait for Donkey Kong Bananza’s release is almost over. Share your thoughts on the game below and let us know if you plan to grab a copy for your Nintendo Switch 2.