Donkey Kong Bananza Producer Hints at Next Nintendo Project Influence

In a recent interview at the Game Developers Conference, Donkey Kong Bananza producer Kenta Motokura hinted that elements from the acclaimed 3D platformer could influence Nintendo's next major project, much like Super Mario Odyssey shaped Bananza itself. The comment, made to GamesRadar, has sparked interest among fans awaiting details on upcoming titles for the Nintendo Switch 2, which marked its one-year anniversary in June.

Donkey Kong Bananza launched on July 17, 2025, as one of the console's flagship exclusives, developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning and Development division, the same team behind the 2017 hit Super Mario Odyssey. The game marked Donkey Kong's return to three-dimensional adventures since Donkey Kong 64 in 1999, introducing innovative mechanics like destructible environments and transformation abilities that allow players to reshape levels for exploration and puzzle-solving. It quickly became a commercial success, selling more than 4 million copies worldwide and ranking as the second best-selling Switch 2 title. Critics praised its vibrant worlds, engaging soundtrack, and addictive gameplay, with an average score of 91 out of 100 on OpenCritic and a...