Donkey Kong Bananza Swings into Launch Week as Switch 2 Restocks

The much-anticipated Nintendo 3D platformer Donkey Kong Bananza will only be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17. This is the first time in decades that Donkey Kong has been in a 3D game. It also happens to be the same time that Best Buy restocks the hard-to-find new console.

Best Buy says that you will only be able to buy a limited number of the Nintendo Switch 2 in-store on the day it comes out. Customers who want to get Nintendo's next-gen hybrid will have to go to the store in person and not order or reserve it online. "All Best Buy stores will have limited quantities in stock on July 17", the official notice says. However, the store says that the availability of items in each store may change.

The Switch 2 has been out of stock at most major online stores, so this restock is a great chance for people who want to get both the console and Donkey Kong Bananza. And yes, Bananza costs $69.99 in the U.S., even though some people online thought it cost $80 like Mario Kart World. The physical and digital versions both cost $70, and the amiibo that goes with them costs $30. This is because tariffs are going up.

People are really excited about Donkey Kong Bananza. Digital pre-orders have already put the title at the top of Amazon's best-sellers list, which means it could sell millions of copies on its first day. Experts in the field think it will sell over a million copies on launch day alone, making it one of the best Switch 2 launches ever.

It's not a surprise. Bananza is being made by the same main group of people who worked on Super Mario Odyssey, one of the best-selling 3D platform games of all time. The team is working under the direction of Mr. Takahashi this time, who is new to Nintendo but used to working at Square Enix on games like Final Fantasy XV. Takahashi is said to have worked closely with Shigeru Miyamoto, playing through old Donkey Kong games to get back to the series' spirit before adding modern 3D platforming flair to them.

What can fans really look forward to in this brand-new Donkey Kong adventure?

For starters, this is the first real 3D Donkey Kong game since the days of the Nintendo 64. Since then, most of the games in the series have been in 2D, with great games from Rare and Retro Studios. Bonanza goes against that trend by adding a huge new 3D world with fully animated environments and, what might be the coolest addition of all, the ability to destroy environments in real time.

Nintendo's own voxel-based technology lets players tear through barrels, objects, and terrain in very realistic and responsive ways. Because the developers built whole levels around this system, it's not just for looks; it's an important part of the game.

Donkey Kong isn't the only one doing a lot of work. Yes, Pauline is in the game. She's not just a side character; she's a main character you play with. The relationship between Donkey Kong and Pauline feels like a natural progression from Mario and Cappy's relationship in Odyssey. They have dynamic co-op interactions, unique transformations, and costume-based ability changes.

Early impressions even suggest that Bonanza might have more depth and variety than Super Mario Odyssey. This is because the environments can be destroyed, the levels are more complex, and the moves that work with Donkey Kong's different outfits and power-ups are bigger.

The people working on the game want to honor Donkey Kong's history while also moving the series forward. Takahashi has talked about how important it is to get the "feel" of Donkey Kong right by looking at old games to get a sense of the tone, energy, and rhythm of play that longtime fans are used to.

But this isn't just a trip down memory lane. Bananza changes the tone and speed of the show, focusing on character relationships, especially the chemistry between DK and Pauline, as well as telling stories about the environment and having cinematic moments. There's no doubt that Nintendo wants to treat Donkey Kong like Mario and Zelda have been treated in recent generations.

Industry insiders think that Donkey Kong Bananza could be the best-selling Donkey Kong game ever, even though it's unlikely to sell as many copies as Super Mario Odyssey's 30 million. Early estimates suggest that selling 10 million or more units is not too far away, especially since the Switch 2 is garnering significant attention, and the game has performed well even before its release.

Donkey Kong Bananza looks like the game to play this summer, no matter how long you've played Donkey Kong or how many times you've touched a barrel. With its mix of new technology, explosive destruction mechanics, co-op play with Pauline, and polished modern 3D platforming, this could be more than just a new chapter for Donkey Kong. It could be the start of a whole new legacy.