Nintendo Announces New 2D Donkey Kong Game for Switch, Developed by Super Mario Bros. Wonder Team

In an exciting reveal that’s sure to ignite long-time fans of Nintendo’s classic platformers, the beloved Donkey Kong franchise is making an official return with a brand-new 2D side-scrolling adventure for the Nintendo Switch. The game, tentatively titled *Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom*, is being developed by the critically acclaimed team behind *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*, and promises to bring the same level of whimsy, creativity, and polish to DK’s jungle escapades.

The announcement came early this morning during Nintendo’s summer Direct showcase, taking center stage amid several long-awaited reveals. While little is known about the full scope of the game, the trailer offered a tantalizing glimpse at what’s to come: classic vine-swinging action, mine cart mayhem, and a colorful, animated art style that echoes the vibrant energy of *Wonder*, but tailored uniquely to the Donkey Kong universe.

This marks the first original 2D Donkey Kong title in nearly a decade, following 2014’s *Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze*. Though *Tropical Freeze* later found success on the Switch through a re-release, fans have been clamoring for fresh content ever since—and Nintendo finally seems ready to answer the call.

The new game also appears to reunite fan-favorite characters like Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, with some eagle-eyed viewers spotting Cranky Kong in the new cinematic footage. Early speculation also hints at potential new gameplay mechanics that could involve environmental manipulation, animal companions, and musical rhythm-based challenges.

Most intriguing of all, however, is the pedigree of the development team. The creators of *Super Mario Bros. Wonder* won praise for reinventing 2D Mario with innovative ideas like Wonder Flowers and dynamic level transformations. Now, they’re aiming to apply that same breakthrough design philosophy to DK, suggesting that *Banana Kingdom* will go far beyond a standard side-scroller.

No firm release date has been set, but Nintendo has indicated a late 2025 launch window.

With the return of a celebrated icon in the hands of one of Nintendo’s most inventive teams, *Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom* looks poised to swing into a new era of platforming excellence. Stay tuned—we’ll be bananas for this one.