Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Demo Hits U.S. Mall Kiosks

The Donkey Kong Bananza demo is now playable on Switch 2 kiosks in U.S. shopping malls. Discover details about this exclusive demo and its place in the Donkey Kong timeline.

Donkey Kong Bananza Gears Up for Release

Switch 2 Kiosk Demo Now Live

As its July launch approaches, Donkey Kong Bananza is available to play on Switch 2 kiosks in U.S. retail stores like Walmart and Target. A Reddit post by user ZiaMonic231 on June 20 revealed that these kiosks now offer a playable demo of the game.

The demo, lasting about 10 minutes, lets players experience the game with Nintendo’s new Pro controller. This has sparked speculation among fans that a digital demo might soon appear on the Switch 2 eShop.

Nintendo has not yet confirmed a digital demo for Donkey Kong Bananza, as the company rarely releases eShop demos for major titles like Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda. Still, fans are eager to try the game on their Switch 2 before its official release.

A Prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?

After the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct on June 18 introduced Pauline, Donkey Kong’s longtime friend, Nintendo’s Japanese website revealed her age, prompting speculation about the game’s timeline relative to Super Mario Odyssey.

Pauline’s profile describes her as “a 13-year-old girl who loves singing, living on the surface until she was mysteriously taken to the underworld and turned into a rock.” In contrast, Super Mario Odyssey portrays her as an adult, the mayor of New Donk City and a celebrated band leader.

This suggests Bananza may serve as a prequel to Odyssey, with its story centered on Donkey Kong aiding Pauline’s return to the surface—a goal she achieves, as seen in Odyssey. However, given their history as victim and kidnapper in the original Donkey Kong arcade game, fans are curious about how Bananza will explore their relationship.

DK Rap Composer Surprised by Its Inclusion

The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct revealed that the iconic DK Rap will feature in the game. In a June 19 Eurogamer interview, composer Grant Kirkhope expressed surprise at its inclusion, saying, “The most infamous rap track in history is back!”

Kirkhope was amazed by the song’s newfound popularity, noting it faced criticism when Donkey Kong 64 debuted. He humorously remarked, “My tombstone will say, ‘Grant Kirkhope, writer of the DK Rap and Goldeneye Pause Music.’ Nothing else will matter!”

However, Kirkhope is unlikely to receive credit for the song’s use. A similar issue arose in 2023 when the DK Rap appeared in the Super Mario Bros. Movie without his knowledge. In an April 29 Eurogamer interview, he shared that Nintendo explained their policy: music from their owned games, except for Koji Kondo’s work, typically goes uncredited, even for vocal tracks like the DK Rap.

Music plays a key role in the game, driving Donkey Kong’s transformations. The inclusion of the DK Rap feels fitting, and a music player will let fans enjoy Pauline’s songs and other tracks.

Donkey Kong Bananza launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game!