Nintendo Confirms Donkey Kong Game, Fuels Switch 2 Mario Speculation
▼ Summary
– Nintendo confirmed the team behind *Super Mario Odyssey* is developing *Donkey Kong Bananza* for Switch 2, as fans had speculated.
– The game’s connection to *Odyssey* includes shared elements like the character Pauline, fueling theories about a potential prequel.
– Nintendo did not clarify if the entire *Odyssey* team is involved, leaving questions about key figures like producer Yoshiaki Koizumi’s role.
– The involvement of the *Odyssey* team raises speculation about whether a new 3D Mario game for Switch 2 is also in development.
– *Donkey Kong Bananza* launches on July 17, 2025, as a major Switch 2 title, followed by *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* and *Pokémon Legends Z-A*.
Nintendo has officially revealed that the creative minds behind Super Mario Odyssey are developing the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2. The confirmation came during a recent preview event, putting an end to months of speculation among fans who had noticed striking similarities between the two titles.
The connection between Odyssey and Bananza isn’t just speculative, Nintendo explicitly stated that the same development team is working on both projects. While the company hasn’t clarified whether every Odyssey veteran is involved, the news has reignited discussions about the future of 3D Mario games on Switch 2. Given that Odyssey remains Nintendo’s latest major 3D Mario release, some wonder whether this shift to Donkey Kong means a new Mario adventure is further off than expected.
One name fans are particularly curious about is Yoshiaki Koizumi, a legendary figure in Nintendo’s history. Known for his work on classics like Super Mario Sunshine and the Galaxy series, Koizumi played a pivotal role in shaping the Switch’s identity. His absence from the Switch 2 announcement raised eyebrows, and now his potential involvement in Bananza adds another layer of intrigue.
Beyond the development team, Bananza’s ties to Odyssey run deep. The game reintroduces Pauline, the charismatic mayor of New Donk City, but this time in a younger form as Donkey Kong’s sidekick. Her musical abilities serve as a gameplay mechanic, echoing her role in Odyssey’s iconic “Jump Up, Super Star!” sequence. Some fans speculate that Bananza could even serve as a prequel to the original arcade Mario vs. Donkey Kong rivalry.
Scheduled for release on July 17, 2025, Donkey Kong Bananza is positioned as one of Switch 2’s flagship titles, arriving ahead of other major exclusives like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends Z-A. With Nintendo’s top-tier Mario team at the helm, expectations for Bananza are sky-high, and the game could offer hints about what’s next for the plumber in red.
(Source: IGN)
