Nintendo has unveiled plans for a dedicated Direct showcase spotlighting the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm UK time, and will run for approximately 15 minutes. The announcement was first revealed through the Nintendo Today! app, confirming the brief but focused nature of the stream.
With the Switch 2 already launched, Nintendo is now shifting focus to its pipeline of first-party titles, and Donkey Kong Bananza—set to release on July 17—is the next major exclusive in line. This Direct will center exclusively on the 3D platformer, offering no glimpse into other Switch 2 games, whether confirmed or unannounced.
Donkey Kong returns with a refreshed look in Bananza, building on his updated appearance from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In a recent conversation with IGN, legendary Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto shared insights into the character’s evolution.
"I still take an active role in character creation," Miyamoto explained. "Looking back at the original Donkey Kong Country, we collaborated with Rare to bring Donkey Kong into the 3D era. When we explored new iterations, such as in Jungle Beat, we worked alongside the team behind 3D Mario games. With advancements in technology, we were able to make Donkey Kong more expressive. We revisited Rare’s original design, reevaluating how we could enhance it for modern storytelling. That progression naturally led to the new look seen in the movie—and now in Bananza."
For more details, check out IGN's hands-on preview of Donkey Kong Bananza.
The game’s arrival is poised to bolster the Switch 2’s growing lineup of exclusives, which currently includes launch titles like Mario Kart World and Welcome Tour. Additional exclusives in development include Survival Kids, Kirby Air Riders, and the recently revealed Splatoon Raiders.
