A bold move, yet one too visually stunning to ignore. Nintendo’s decision to let Donkey Kong, rather than its flagship mascots Mario or Zelda, showcase the power and appeal of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 has turned out to be an intriguing one. Fortunately, Donkey Kong Bananza, the new 3D platformer developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team, appears more than capable of living up to that responsibility.
With its promise of letting players smash nearly every object in sight, the game is already building serious hype. And it’s a significant step forward, considering the game wasn’t always intended for the Switch 2.
In a recently published official Q&A, Nintendo offered a behind-the-scenes look into the development process of Donkey Kong Bananza, from initial concept to technical execution. One of the most surprising revelations was that this game was originally in development for the first-generation Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2
According to the development team, work on Donkey Kong Bananza began long before the Switch 2 was a reality. Once it became clear that Nintendo’s next-generation console was on the horizon, the team evaluated the potential benefits of shifting the project to the more powerful platform. The results spoke for themselves.
The enhanced performance of the Switch 2 allowed the developers to significantly expand the number of interactive objects within the game world. For a title like Bananza, this wasn’t just a visual upgrade; it had direct gameplay implications. Our hero can now destroy more objects than ever before, amplifying the sense of chaos and fun that defines the experience.
The team also revealed that limitations on the original Switch hardware had previously forced them to cut several gameplay ideas. With the improved CPU and expanded memory of the Switch 2, those once-abandoned mechanics could finally be implemented, without sacrificing performance. Impressively, Donkey Kong Bananza is confirmed to run at a smooth 60 frames per second.
Ultimately, the developers believe the move to Switch 2 unlocked the game’s full potential, allowing them to deliver the most satisfying Donkey Kong experience yet. Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled to launch on July 17, 2025.
