Nintendo reveals new Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay info, including Pauline reveal
The game will also get its own special amiibo figure
Nintendo has revealed more information on Donkey Kong Bananza, a month ahead of its release.
The company broadcast a 17-minute Nintendo Direct presentation focused solely on Bananza, showing more of the game’s plot and gameplay.
Most notably, the game shows that Donkey Kong will be accompanied by a child version of long-time series character Pauline, who dreams of becoming a singer.
Pauline is the alter ego of Odd Rock, the strange purple rock that was accompanying Donkey Kong in the early gameplay footage shown in recent months.
It’s not yet clear when Odd Rock becomes Pauline in the game, but the gameplay footage shown during the Direct suggests that Pauline will be present for most of the game.
The presence of Pauline is somewhat less of a surprise than expected, because back in April the official South Korean Nintendo website accidentally uploaded the wrong artwork, showing Pauline accompanying Donkey Kong instead of Odd Rock.
The Direct also showed Donkey Kong’s ability to perform Bananza transformations, turning him into a variety of creatures such as a zebra or an ostrich for a limited time. Each creature has different powers.
Further reading
The game will also feature Challenge Course Ruins, which give the player a variety of skill-based missions to complete. Some of these appear to be inspired by previous Donkey Kong games, such as the original Donkey Kong or the minecart sections in the Donkey Kong Country series.
Donkey Kong can also collect Skill Points which allow him to gain new abilities. New outfits can also be unlocked for Donkey Kong and Pauline, and most outfits have different buffs or other benefits.
The game also features a two-player mode where a second player can use the Switch 2’s mouse controls to shout at enemies and objects as Pauline, destroying them. It will also support GameShare, allowing two systems to play the game together with a single copy.
A sculpting mode called DK Artist is also included, allowing players to make their own rock sculptures and paint them.
A special Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo will also be released for the game, and scanning it will unlock a Diva Dress for Pauline. Nintendo has since tweeted that it will unlock the dress “early”, suggesting the amiibo isn’t required to unlock it in the game.
Donkey Kong Bananza will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17. Find the key features, via Nintendo, below:
- New Ways to Smash and Bash: As Donkey Kong you will be able to utilise powerful abilities to smash your way through obstacles and enemies and even unearth discoveries. Use Dive Punch to drill deep into the earth, roll yourself over obstacles, and perform a Hand Slap to help locate hidden items. You can also tear off chunks of ground to either throw at enemies or ride on top of by Turf Surfing and more. These abilities can be combined for maximum mayhem.
- Bananza Transformations: While this unlikely duo explores the Underground World, Pauline can enhance Donkey Kong’s destructive ability and even make him temporarily transform through the power of her singing. Collecting gold builds up their Bananergy, which allows Pauline’s singing to activate the transformations, each with its own specialties. Like Kong Bananza, that makes DK super strong, Zebra Bananza which makes him faster and lets him dash for short distances and Ostrich Bananza that allows Donkey Kong to fly and drop Egg Bombs on enemies.
- Co-Op Play: By sharing a Joy-Con 2 controller, you and a friend can control Donkey Kong and Pauline separately in local co-op play. Unleash Pauline’s vocal blasts using the Joy-Con 2 controller’s mouse functionality. You can also use GameShare*2 to share the game and play in co-op with another player locally even if they don’t have the game themselves and use GameChat*3 to invite friends online to join you via voice or video chat.
- Race to the Planet Core: Legend has it, the Planet Core has the ability to grant your heart’s desire, so Donkey Kong and Pauline set off on a quest to reach it. Pauline hopes it will be able to return her to the surface, while Donkey Kong plans to ask it for more bananas. Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones seeking the Planet Core: The Void Company is also racing there for their own nefarious purposes. A villainous mining operation whose reach extends through every layer of the planet, VoidCo is not only responsible for the banana-stealing maelstrom that sent Donkey Kong hurtling underground in the first place, but they are also responsible for turning Pauline into Odd Rock. As they all dig deeper towards the Planet Core, Donkey Kong and Pauline must do whatever they can to get there first.
- Collectibles: While you dig your way through the Underground World, you’ll discover useful items to help you along your journey. Uncover golden bananas called Banandium Gems buried behind walls, under the ground, and sometimes right out in the open. Collecting these Banandium Gems earn you Skill Points that increase DK’s power and even allow you to learn new Skills to add to your repertoire. You can also earn Banandium Gems through challenges like timed battles, side-scrolling stages, obstacle courses and more. You will also uncover banana slice-shaped items called Banandium Chips, which you can trade for Banandium Gems at the Chip Exchange, and gold nuggets called Banandium Gold that can be traded for useful items at the Stuff Shop. As you dig for these banana-shaped goodies, you may also discover Fossils. If you happen to find one during your excavations, take them to the Style Shops and trade them for different fashions for Donkey Kong and Pauline, almost all of which come with useful extra benefits, as well as fur colours for DK.
- Other New and Familiar Faces: While uncovering more about the villainous activities of the Void Company, Donkey Kong and Pauline encounter many inhabitants across the Underground World. In addition to the giant Elders, familiar faces like Cranky Kong and his companion Rambi show up as well. You’ll also come face to face with Grumpy Kong, Poppy Kong and others who work for VoidCo leader Void Kong.
- Getaways and Eelevators: Treat yourself to a Getaway while in the Underground World and sleep in a comfy bed to help restore your energy. You can even choose some music to enjoy while you rest. And if you want to explore areas you’ve already been to with ease, use the Eelevators – subterranean eels that can carry you quickly from layer to layer.
- Creative Game Modes: Get ready to explore new game modes and ways to play Donkey Kong Bananza. This includes Photo Mode, where you can change the in-game camera angle and adjust other settings to snap your ideal pic. And in DK Artist, you can use the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to take a break from the action and carve designs into stone. You can even change the lighting and add banana effects to give your masterpiece its finishing touches.
- amiibo: Donkey Kong Bananza also supports amiibo. A Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo figure will be available on July 17th, and it allows you to unlock Pauline’s in-game Diva Dress early and receive KONG tiles with explosive power. Scan other Donkey Kong character amiibo figures and you will also earn gold KONG tiles. And if you scan any other available amiibo, you’ll receive a giant sphere of terrain material to aid you on your adventure.
