Donkey Kong Bonanza is an upcoming platformer developed and published by Nintendo, set to be released on the Nintendo Switch 2. The game features a gorilla named Donkey Kong as the protagonist. He is accompanied by Pauline, a singer, who uses her singing voice to activate Donkey Kong's transformations, remove seals, and, if a second player joins to control her, emit explosive projectiles.
Donkey Kong and Pauline set out on an adventurous journey to take back the stolen Banandium Gems, golden banana-shaped diamonds, from the antagonistic apes. This is the most unique platform game with its unique 3-dimensional gameplay and interactive environment.
Story and Setting
Story and Setting
In the exciting new adventure, Donkey Kong Bonanza, the discovery of "golden bananas"—Banandium Gems—on Ingot Isle sets the stage. Just as Donkey Kong, the number one banana fan, is about to enjoy them, a sudden tempest sends him deep underground.
A Strange Duo
An Unlikely Duo's Subterranean Journey
As his adventure begins, DK teams up with what he initially thinks is a rock, but it's actually Pauline, a talented young singer. Donkey Kong is focused on getting his bananas, while Pauline's goal is to find a way back to the surface. They learn that reaching the planet's core can grant one's wish, so this unlikely duo embarks on a strange subterranean adventure.
The story unfolds in a vibrant underground world where the scenery dramatically changes the deeper you go, revealing spectacular layers that are hard to believe are underground.
Donkey Kong's
Incredible Abilities
Donkey Kong's Incredible Abilities
Donkey Kong can run, jump, and climb through each environment with his incredible physical prowess, allowing players to move freely in any direction. But his abilities go far beyond simple movement:
- Smash, Crash, and Bash: Almost anything in his path can be destroyed, even massive rock formations, leading to discoveries.
- Punch: DK can punch and smash enemies, walls, the ground, and most objects with incredible force. Setting off chain reactions through destruction can lead to new discoveries.
- Dive Punch: Unleash a powerful downward punch, with the depth depending on the terrain's strength.
- Roll: Roll forward at high speed, sending lighter objects soaring. This can be combined with punches and jumps for varied attacks.
- Hand Slap: Create noise to collect scattered items or detect hidden objects using sonar. DK can even use his feet if his hands are occupied.
- Tear Off: Grab and tear off chunks of terrain, or tear up turnips to find items, and even tear chunks off foes.
- Swing: Grab a chunk and swing it to attack. Harder chunks can break stone or smash spiky thorns with ease.
- Chunk Jump: Use a chunk to double jump and reach new heights.
- Throw: Throw a chunk or aim at a target. Throwing "boom rocks" or "gold" can have explosive effects. Softer material chunks can be stuck to surfaces and piled up.
- Turf Surf: Ride on chunks, speed up, and aim for smaller enemies to knock them away.
Pauline's singing also plays a crucial role. Her vocal power helps guide the way and can remove strange seals left behind. You never know what you'll discover in the underground world by carving your path with Donkey Kong's abilities.
Bonanza Transformations
Inhabitants of the Underground World and Bonanza Transformations
The many layers of the underground world host a variety of inhabitants. Some are mysterious and don't seem bothered by DK's destructive tendencies. Cranky Kong and his companion Rambi are also venturing through these layers.
The giant elders, who call the underground world home, are said to possess ancient "Bonanza powers." By learning these powers, Pauline's singing gains a special ability: she can make Donkey Kong transform!
- Powerful Kong Bonanza: With incredible destructive power, even hard terrain poses no problem. Plow through the world and smash as much as possible.
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- Swift Zebra Bonanza: Transform into a speedy, striped zebra that can breathe over water or crumbling pathways.
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- Ostrich Bonanza: Become a flying ostrich, soaring through the sky, using updrafts for more air, and dropping egg bombs from great heights to scatter enemies.
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Bonanza transformations don't last forever, but you can transform again by collecting gold to build up your "banana energy." Transformations aren't limited by time or location, and you can swap between them, encouraging creative use as you adventure to the planet's core.
The Void Company
The Void Company and Your Quest
Standing in our heroes' way is the Void Company, the mightiest mining operation both above ground and below. This nefarious crew, consisting of Grumpy Kong (creator of gigantic corporate soldiers), Poppy Kong (responsible for subterranean info gathering), and Voidcom (in charge of the whole company), is responsible for the banana-stealing maelstrom on Ingot Isle and is also heading straight to the planet's core.
Voidcom has blocked off all routes to the lower layers to prevent anyone from reaching them. Donkey Kong and his pals will face enemies guarding these routes, requiring players to use all their power to defeat a host of powerful foes. Defeating them will open giant sinkholes, clearing a path to the lower layers of the underground world.
Additional Features
and Modes
Additional Features and Modes
When not adventuring, you can:
- Rest: Carve out a space and enjoy a getaway to recover in bed and listen to tunes with the music player. New music discs can be found by defeating enemies.
- Subterranean Eels: These elevators help you easily move between visited layers at any time.
- Teleport: If you get lost, you can always teleport within the layer you're currently exploring.
Photo Mode lets you freely change the in-game camera angle and adjust settings to snap captivating pics, unleashing your inner shutterbug.
For local co-op play, a second player can join by sharing a Joy-Con or using a second set of controllers, controlling Pauline separately. As Pauline, you can unleash vocal blasts using Joy-Con mouse controls and even copy the material of nearby terrain to give your vocals more texture. Working together, even tough enemies don't stand a chance.
The game supports Game Share, allowing one player to quickly share the game with another player on their own system locally or online between Nintendo Switch 2 systems using Game Chat.
Assist Mode is available for those who need a little help with platforming action. It guides you in the right direction, halves the damage you receive, and more, supporting your adventure to be the best Kong you can be.
Outside the main game, DK Artist mode allows you to carve stone using mouse controls. You can rotate to paint, carve material, add some back, change lighting, and add delectable banana effects.
The game also supports amiibo accessories. A new Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo figure will be released alongside the game, unlocking Pauline's diva dress. Scanning Donkey Kong series amiibo will make gold Kong tiles with explosive power appear. Every other amiibo released up to this point is also compatible and will provide giant spheres.
Collectibles and Customization
Throughout the underground world, you'll find golden bananas called Banandium Gems. These aren't always visible, often buried in walls, the ground, or other hidden places. You can also obtain these gems by completing challenges found in ruins during your adventure. Challenges include time-limited battles, courses requiring clever solutions, side-scrolling stages, and more.
Collecting Banandium Gems earns you skill points, which can be used to increase stats like max health or the destructive power of your punches. You can power up Donkey Kong to match your playstyle; for example, strengthening your sonar will allow you to detect treasure from further away, leading to new discoveries. You can also use skill points to learn new skills.
There are various items to find:
- Banandium Chips: Shaped like banana slices, they can be traded for Banandium Gems at the Chip Exchange.
- Gold: These gold nuggets can be exchanged for useful items at the Stuff Shop.
- Fossils: Trade these for different fashions at local style shops.
Opening the closet allows you to customize Donkey Kong and Pauline with perfect fits and even change DK's fur color. Almost every article of clothing comes with its own benefits, encouraging players to mix and match their look to suit the situation.
Release, Editions
& Pricing
💵 Edition & Pricing
- Price: $69.99 MSRP (Switch 2 only)
- No Deluxe edition announced yet — likely a single full-priced version at launch.
Join the powerful Donkey Kong and the talented singer Pauline as they set out on an adventure to the fabled planet core in Donkey Kong Bonanza, available July 17th only on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are available now on Nintendo eShop. The Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo will also be available on July 17th.
Check out the official release presentation below:
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