Nintendo to Host Donkey Kong Event This Week

Nintendo is gearing up to showcase its highly anticipated Switch 2 exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza in a special Direct presentation this Wednesday, June 18. The 15-minute stream kicks off at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm UK time, exclusively focusing on the 3D platformer ahead of its July 17 launch.

With the Switch 2 now available, Nintendo is shifting its marketing focus to upcoming exclusives - and Donkey Kong Bananza takes center stage in this dedicated showcase. The company confirms this presentation will be entirely devoted to the primate's latest adventure, meaning fans shouldn't expect surprise reveals about other Switch 2 titles.

A Fresh Face for the Classic Ape

Donkey Kong sports a brand new look in Bananza, building upon his revamped design from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In an exclusive IGN interview, legendary Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto shed light on the character's evolution.

"I remain deeply involved in character development," Miyamoto revealed. "When we originally partnered with Rare for Donkey Kong Country, then later with the Mario team for Jungle Beat, each collaboration pushed the boundaries of what was technologically possible for expressing Donkey Kong's personality."

The Nintendo veteran explained how the team revisited Rare's classic designs during the movie production: "We examined how to make Donkey Kong more expressive while honoring his roots. This informed our decisions for both the film and Bananza's refreshed take on the character."

Expanding the Switch 2 Library

Bananza's arrival will bolster the Switch 2's growing lineup of exclusives, which currently includes launch titles Mario Kart World and Welcome Tour. The platform's upcoming roster features Survival Kids, Kirby Air Riders, and the newly announced Splatoon Raiders.

For hands-on impressions of Donkey Kong's latest adventure, check out IGN's exclusive Bananza preview coverage.