Donkey Kong Bananzawill feature several returning characters fromDonkey Kong’s colorful history. Before today’s Nintendo Direct, we didn’t have a ton of information aboutBananza, a game that isfocused on environmental destruction, discovery, and platforming. It’s the first 3DDKgame sinceDonkey Kong 64back in 1999. We now know that Donkey Kong will have a lot of help on his banana-collecting adventure to stop Void Kong and his crew from stealing the island’s bananas.
As revealed duringNintendo of America’s Donkey Kong Bananza-focused Direct,several classic characters are returning for this latest entry in theDonkey Kongfranchise, including Pauline, Diddy Kong, and several others.Nintendo UKalso shared a screenshot on X, confirming Diddy and Dixie Kong’s return, riding rhinos with Donkey Kong. The showcase also confirmed story details, character customization, skill points, co-op gameplay, amiibo support, and a lot more.
Pauline, Diddy, & Dixie Kong Confirmed For Donkey Kong Bananza
The Characters' Debut On Switch 2
Previously,Nintendo seemingly spoiled Pauline’s inclusionin the game as the true identity of the purple Odd Rock, who will be DK’s companion throughout the game. It’s nowappearing that it will not be a major story beat, as Nintendo wasted no time showcasing the story cutscene in which Odd Rock transforms into Pauline. She appears to be much younger than her appearance inMario Kart WorldandSuper Mario Odyssey, so where this game fits in the series' timeline remains to be seen. A co-op mode, similar toMario Odyssey,was also confirmed, with a second player playing as Pauline.
Nintendo revealed an official render for Diddy Kong earlier this year, butwe finally see him and Dixie in the gameplay that was shown. DK participates in a race against the pair, in what looks to be a mini-game or a part of the announced Challenge Course Ruins, which also includes classicDKside-scrolling levels, combat trials, and more. It’s not currently confirmed if Diddy or Dixie Kong will be playable in any capacity, but they seemingly will be assisting in DK’s quest.
Our Take: It’s Great To See Classic Characters Coming Back For DK
Bananza Is Shaping Up To Be An Evolution For DK
After their surprise absence from thelarge character roster ofMario Kart World, it’s great to finally see Diddy and Dixie Kong again. It remains to be seen how involved the two of them will be in the story, or if they will be playable at all. But given the similarities betweenBananzaandSuper Mario Odyssey, and with Luigi appearing as an additional playable character in theGalaxygames, it definitely seems possible. If anything, hopefully, they are at least playable in the racing mini-game that was shown.
Bananzais set to feature not just classic characters, but is also set to bring several Nintendo products together. Every single Amiibo previously released, in addition to two new Donkey Kong and Pauline ones coming on July 17 alongside the release of the game, will be compatible with the game.Donkey Kong Bananzais looking like a potential system-seller for the Switch 2, and the return of Pauline, Diddy, and Dixie seems to be the cherry on top.
