Super Mario Odyssey Team Developing New Donkey Kong Game
▼ Summary
– The team behind *Super Mario Odyssey* is confirmed to be developing *Donkey Kong Bananza*, an upcoming Switch 2 exclusive.
– Nintendo revealed this detail during recent hands-on events, breaking its usual silence on unreleased game developers.
– *Super Mario Odyssey*’s development was led by Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8, with key figures like Kenta Motokura and Yoshiaki Koizumi involved.
– *Donkey Kong Bananza* features large 3D levels, co-op with Pauline, and new animal transformations for DK, reflecting the team’s *Super Mario* experience.
– This is the first 3D Donkey Kong platformer since *Donkey Kong 64* (1999), with a redesigned DK and an expanded role for Pauline.
The creative minds behind Super Mario Odyssey are bringing their magic to a brand-new Donkey Kong adventure, marking a major milestone for Nintendo’s beloved franchise. Nintendo has officially confirmed that the same team responsible for the critically acclaimed 2017 platformer is developing Donkey Kong Bananza, an upcoming exclusive for the Switch 2. This revelation came during recent hands-on preview events, putting to rest widespread speculation among fans.
Nintendo’s decision to openly credit the development team is somewhat unusual. In recent years, the company has typically remained tight-lipped about studio assignments until after a game’s release, leaving players to discover the credits themselves. This time, however, they’ve made an exception, highlighting the significance of Donkey Kong Bananza as a marquee title for the next-generation console.
The project is led by Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8, the same group that crafted Super Mario Odyssey under the direction of Kenta Motokura, with producers Yoshiaki Koizumi and Koichi Hayashida guiding the vision. Their expertise in 3D platforming shines through in Bananza, which features expansive, secret-filled environments, dynamic co-op gameplay with Pauline as a playable character, and a fresh take on Donkey Kong’s abilities. This time, DK can harness the powers of various animals—including a zebra and ostrich—while wreaking havoc across destructible landscapes.
Donkey Kong Bananza represents the first fully 3D entry in the series since Donkey Kong 64, which launched in 1999 under Rare’s development. The game introduces a redesigned Donkey Kong, drawing inspiration from his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, while elevating Pauline to a key supporting role. Her expanded presence signals Nintendo’s commitment to deepening the connections across its iconic universe, offering players a fresh yet familiar experience.
With its blend of creative level design, cooperative gameplay, and bold new mechanics, Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a standout title for the Switch 2. Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike have plenty to look forward to as Nintendo’s top-tier developers reimagine one of gaming’s most enduring characters.
(Source: Polygon)
