Can you play Donkey Kong Bananza as a newcomer to the series?

You're planning to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, and you're asking yourself, "Can I play Donkey Kong Bananza as a newcomer to the series?" Given that the franchise has been around since 1981 (which is more than four decades), jumping into the latest installment could seem a bit overwhelming. Especially given that there are three Donkey Kong games on the Nintendo Switch.

You might feel that getting straight into the latest IP of Donkey Kong will leave you with a fear of missing out (FOMO). However, that's not going to be the case. As such, you can play Donkey Kong Bananza as a newcomer to the series, without having to play the other IPs.

Furthermore, since this will be the first Donkey Kong game on the Switch 2, Nintendo will want to ensure newcomers can jump over the "barrel" seamlessly. That said, even if Donkey Kong Bananza does feature familiar faces and elements from any of the older games, it wouldn't alienate or make new players feel left out; allowing you to go "Bananzas" on your first playthrough.

---

What can you expect from Donkey Kong Bananza?

Starting with the release date, Donkey Kong Bananza comes out on July 17, 2025. As currently stated on Nintendo's official page, the game will retail for $69.99. As for the Nintendo Switch 2, it is slated to be released on June 5, 2025. This means the game will release a little over a month after the Switch 2 is live and kicking.

In terms of gameplay, we know a few things for certain. For instance, you will be able to destroy a lot of environmental assets and even use them in combat. In fact, based on gameplay showcased thus far, at times, it will be necessary to destroy the environment to progress.

As seen in the clip above, Donkey Kong cannot break the metal gate, but he can tunnel under it and go around it by destroying the environment. However, there are limitations to this mechanic. Once you hit the bedrock, you will not be able to dig any deeper. Exploration using this "destructive mechanic" is going to be fun.

Having said that, if you do want to try out the previous Donkey Kong titles, there are three of them that will work on the Nintendo Switch 2, they are: Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

With backward compatibility with Nintendo Switch games having been confirmed, you'll be able to utilize the power of the newer console to play these games. Who knows, Nintendo may even offer discounts on them to urge players to immerse themselves in the world of Donkey Kong.

---

To recap, you don't need to play the previous Donkey Kong tiles to play Donkey Kong Bananza. Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible, which means you can play older Switch Donkey Kong titles on it (but only if you choose). The game releases on July 17, 2025, for $69.99.

---

Read more articles here:

• Nintendo sparks fresh debate with Switch 2’s no-achievements decision
• Could Switch 2 be better than Steam Deck? Possibilities explored
• How is Switch 2 better than ROG Ally?