Donkey Kong Bananza: 3D Platforming Returns on Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo just dropped a massive bombshell in their Nintendo Direct Switch 2 reveal. A new, full-3D Donkey Kong platformer is on the way. Ready for Donkey Kong Bananza, launching on Nintendo Switch 2 this summer.
DK's First 3D Adventure in Decades
This is not just another Donkey Kong game. This is a big step forward. Donkey Kong Bananza is the victorious return of DK to the world of full-fledged 3D platforming since the Donkey Kong 64 days of the Nintendo 64 generation. Although we have seen dozens of side-scrolling Donkey Kong Country adventures since then, Bananza promises to take us into a whole different level of ape-swinging, barrel-blasting fun.
The trailer flaunted a fresh, revamped look for Donkey Kong himself as he goes on an adventure to unexplored, subterranean realms. Expect time-tested DK action brought to 3D heights. Smashing, grabbing, and throwing anything handy at any pesky critters that cross his path.
Summer Release and Side-Scrolling Surprises
Mark your calendars. Donkey Kong Bananza will be released on July 17th, which also coincides with being just a couple of weeks after the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 console in June. Summer 2025 is already shaping up to be a wild time for Nintendo fans.
Coincidentally, while Bananza is being advertised as a 3D adventure, the teaser was hinting at something bigger. Astute observers caught glimpses that unmistakeably drew on the classic side-scrolling action of beloved Donkey Kong Country series. Are we being presented with some hybrid of 3D exploration and old-fashioned 2D side-scrolling. It is an exciting possibility that adds a further layer of expectation to this already over-the-top revelation.
Get ready to go bananas. Donkey Kong Bananza is coming to Switch 2, promising a thrilling blend of 3D exploration and classic DK action that will absolutely delight both long-time and new fans.
Kirby Air Riders Sequel Glides onto Nintendo Switch 2 After 22 Years
After what feels like an eternity – a whopping 22 years, to be exact – Nintendo finally listened to our prayers. Fasten your seatbelts and journey through landscapes once more because Kirby Air Riders is getting an official sequel, and it is headed to the Nintendo Switch 2.
A Dream Come True for GameCube Fans
News continues to trickle in, keeping us on the edge of our seats, but that single glimpse of those stunning redesigned graphics is enough to send a shiver of excitement coursing down our spines. And the icing on the cake. The legendary Masahiro Sakurai himself, brains behind the original GameCube original (and, ahem, creator of Kirby), back at the helm. This is a victorious comeback for Sakurai to the Kirby series, as Kirby Air Ride was his final Kirby game he worked on before embarking on the Super Smash Bros. journey with Brawl in 2008.
What Made the Original So Special?
For those who might have missed out on this GameCube classic, let's take a quick rewind. Kirby Air Ride was not your typical racer. Imagine a world of hairpin racing where you never even need to press the accelerate button. Your Warp Stars and other wacky vehicles are always in overdrive. Your challenge. Master the art of steering, expertly navigating those serpentine tracks, and, of course, the iconic Kirby inhale power. Inhale enemies, nick their powers, and wreak havoc on your foes. It is classic Kirby mayhem at breakneck speeds.
Other than the races, the soul and center of Kirby Air Ride was "City Trial." Visualize this. Four players running wild in a big city map, blessed with five fabulous minutes of free-for-all pandemonium. The goal. Get as much power-ups as you can get your hands on. If fate favors you, you might even stumble upon the fabled components of a mythical air ride machine. As soon as the timer hits zero, the actual fun begins – a random mini-game is unleashed. Will it be a speed dash. A deadly duel. An frantic enemy-killing contest. Nobody knows. Your carefully crafted gliding vehicle might be perfect for a race, or utterly useless when you are suddenly pulled into a boss battle against King Dedede. Its randomness was the feature that made City Trial repeatedly playable and superaddictive.
Will City Trial Come Back?
Even when the original Switch 2 announcement of Kirby Air Riders did not explicitly flaunt an revamped City Trial, come on – it has to be included. Releasing a Kirby Air Riders sequel without City Trial would be, in effect, unthinkable. Cross our fingers that this beloved mode will not just return but be bigger and better than ever in our minds.
Everyone, come and get it. Kirby Air Riders is back, and it is coming onto Switch 2 to pilfer our hearts (and thousands of hours) once again.
