Nintendo finally spilled the beans after people were buzzing for ages. Yep, the folks who brought us Super Mario Odyssey are back at it. This time, they’re cooking up Donkey Kong Bananza. Think of it as a 3D platformer packed with whacky adventures. You’ve got Donkey Kong and Pauline teaming up, going all treasure-hunter mode looking for Banandium Gems. Why, you ask? Apparently, these gems hold the power to grant wishes. Isn’t that wild? Anyway, they announced this during the Switch 2 stream on April 2, 2025, and gave more deets in June. But, oh, that’s ancient news by now.
The secret kept fans guessing like crazy. Was it intentional? Maybe. Or maybe Nintendo enjoys watching us flail around with theories. Folks noticed some familiar vibes in footage — like certain artistic choices that screamed “Odyssey.” I mean, you get a look and you’re like, “Didn’t I see that before?” Sort of like when you think you’ve seen a face in a crowd. Turns out, we weren’t just seeing things.
So at some recent hands-on shindig, Shacknews confirmed the suspicion. Nintendo’s crack team from Super Mario Odyssey, and 1-Up Studio, are indeed steering the Bananza ship. But who exactly? Who knows. Nintendo’s staying tight-lipped on that front. Keeps the mystery alive, I guess.
Ah, let’s talk Odyssey for a bit. (I mean, why not?) Dropped right after the Switch debuted in 2017, felt like a breath of fresh air. And now, eight years later, it’s still a hot topic. What’s the team been doing all this time? Well, now we know — they’ve been brewing this Donkey Kong project. Makes sense, right? After delivering a gem like Odyssey, they’ve got the chops.
Signs were all over the place. Like, remember those shops in Bananza that LOOKED just like Odyssey? And when Donkey Kong grabs a Banandium gem, it’s like déjà vu — similar to Mario’s Power Moon moment. And speaking of Pauline, she’s got her whole New Donk City connection carrying over like a thread from Odyssey. Could be a nod, or maybe I’m just connecting dots. Who knows?
This breakdown might mean folks waiting for the next epic Mario installment will need to hang on a bit longer. But, with this crew at the helm, it’s probably worth the wait. Expect another classic from Nintendo’s vault, no doubt.
Anyway, got sidetracked there — Switch 2 is all set for July 17, 2025, with Bananza joining the lineup. Something to watch out for, even if fantasy violence isn’t your jam.
