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A new first-party 3D platformer was top of most people’s lists when it came to titles for the Nintendo Switch 2, and that’s exactly what we got at the Switch 2 Direct which aired today.

Donkey Kong Bananza logo. Donkey Kong Bananza logo. Nintendo

Rather than Mario taking center stage, though, this time it’s Donkey Kong’s turn to have a giant world to explore, and as you’d imagine, he’ll be taking a slightly different approach to solving problems. There’s no jumping on heads or possessing enemies in this game, as Donkey Kong is able to smash his way through everything in his path, including the very ground on which he walks.

The trailer showed off the game’s fully destructible terrain, as DK was shown drilling into the ground, punching ahead to dig an underground tunnel, and even grabbing chunks of the earth below him to use as a weapon. It looks to have the same level of variety in its levels that Mario Odyssey enjoyed while staying true to its title character.

It won’t quite be ready for the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch, but it won’t be far behind either, as Donkey Kong Banaza is set to launch on July 17, 2025, a little over a month after the Switch 2’s release.