Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza direct was packed with exciting new features that showcased how this Nintendo Switch 2 title will push the company's history with 3D platformers to new heights. While the reveal of Pauline as a companion for DK in Donkey Kong Bananza was the spotlight of the direct, there was another detail included that could make the game a massive cross-generation hit. For some players who have yet to pick up a Switch 2, there still might be a way that they can experience Donkey Kong Bananza on their current Switch console.
Although it's Donkey Kong, not Mario, taking the lead role in the Switch 2's debut 3D platformer, it's clear that Donkey Kong Bananza aims to draw from Nintendo's flagship 3D Mario titles. One feature that seems lifted right out of Super Mario Galaxy is the co-op mode for Donkey Kong Bananza that allows a second player to control Pauline to help DK, much like how a second player could control Luma to fire Star Bits or stun enemies in Galaxy. This mode was locked to players on the same Wii console in Mario Galaxy, but Donkey Kong Bananza takes things to the next level by allowing players with a second console to take on the role of Player 2 via Game Share.
Donkey Kong Bananza May Have Worked Even Better with a Different Protagonist
Donkey Kong Bananza's take on Donkey Kong has been controversial for some fans, and a different lead could have resolved this.
Donkey Kong Bananza's Co-op Capabilities Extend to the Nintendo Switch 1, But a Switch 2 is Still Needed
A Second Player Can Control Pauline in Donkey Kong Bananza
From the information revealed in the Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct, it's clear that Pauline and her singing are a cornerstone of the game's narrative and gameplay. That's why it makes sense that her powers would make their mark on Bananza's gameplay one way or another. Not only is Pauline's singing the catalyst that allows DK to utilize his Bananza Power, but she can affect the game's world similarly to DK with her Vocal Blast co-op mode ability.
Donkey Kong already boasts a wide range of abilities in Donkey Kong Bananza, including the power to transform into other animals like a zebra or an ostrich. However, his sidekick comes with a unique moveset of her own that can be accessed while playing in co-op mode. Players can pass a Joy-Con 2 controller to a friend to have them take control of Pauline and use her Vocal Blasts to cause a similar amount of destruction as DK's fists, but players with a second console can access this mode as well and play on a separate screen using the Switch 2's Game Share feature.
Nintendo Switch 2 Owners Can Use Game Share to Allow Switch 1 Owners to Join the Fun
While it was only a footnote in the direct, Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 1 owners will be able to play Donkey Kong Bananza as the second player in control of Pauline as long as a player with a Switch 2 and a copy of the game shares it with them via Switch 2 Game Share. This may not be a perfect solution, since the Switch 1 can't play the game on its own or give players the full experience of playing as Donkey Kong. However, it does serve as a small consolation prize for Nintendo fans who haven't had the chance to upgrade to the new hardware yet.
Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza co-op via Game Share is only possible locally, meaning players won't be able to connect with friends online to play.
Nintendo seems to be doubling down on co-op and multiplayer connectivity with the launch of the Switch 2 and its new generation of games, which is made evident by the multiplayer focus of Mario Kart World as a launch title and Donkey Kong Bananza's co-op features following close behind. The Switch 2 also makes connecting with friends in general a lot easier with the addition of features like Game Chat that can utilize a USB-C camera for video chat. Now that Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong Bananza can be shared with Switch 1 owners via Game Share, the door has been opened for other Switch 2 exclusives to connect to the console's predecessor in some shape or form in the future.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
