"Pauline Joins as Sidekick in Donkey Kong Bananza; DKTransforms into Zebra, Ostrich"

Nintendo has unveiled exciting new gameplay details for *Donkey Kong Bananza* during today’s Nintendo Direct, confirming that Pauline from *Super Mario Odyssey* will serve as a key sidekick character in the upcoming 3D platformer. This younger version of Pauline was previously leaked by Nintendo before being swiftly removed from the web, but now she's officially back and ready to assist DK in his next adventure.

How exactly *Donkey Kong Bananza* ties into the broader Kong universe is still unfolding, but what we do know is already impressive. In this title, Pauline uses her musical abilities to temporarily transform Donkey Kong into unique forms—like a fast-charging zebra or a flying ostrich capable of dropping explosive egg bombs. Even better, Pauline can be controlled by a second player, transforming the game into a co-op experience where her vocal blasts become powerful tools aimed using Joy-Con mouse controls, giving DK an extra edge in destruction.

Thanks to GameShare, you can enjoy this co-op mode across multiple local Nintendo Switch systems—including the original Switch—without requiring your partner to own a copy of the game.

Additional gameplay features revealed today include DK’s ability to skate on environmental debris he’s ripped from the ground, even combining them to build structures like bridges. The newly introduced DK Artist mode lets players get creative with the game’s destruction mechanics, allowing you to sculpt custom statues from stone.

Classic characters like Cranky Kong and Rambi the Rhino make their return, but eagle-eyed fans also caught sight of Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong in the latest footage. While their roles remain unclear, Nintendo has confirmed their inclusion, including their appearance as racers in Bananza’s mini-game events.

SPOTTED: Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza. (They're alive!) #IGNSummerOfGaming

— IGN (@IGN) June 18, 2025

Nintendo UK also shared a clip showing Diddy and Dixie in action:

pic.twitter.com/Eyligdsgzg

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) June 18, 2025

Fans were also treated to a fresh take on the iconic *DK Rap* from *Donkey Kong 64*, which will appear in *Bananza*. Many hope composer Grant Kirkhope receives proper credit for this version, following previous concerns over his omission from the *Super Mario Movie* credits.

Interestingly, the Nintendo Direct didn’t reveal which development team is behind *Donkey Kong Bananza*, though speculation points toward the same talented group responsible for *Super Mario Odyssey*. Whether Pauline’s presence is a hint toward future crossovers remains to be seen.

Alongside the game, Nintendo announced a brand-new *Donkey Kong Bananza* amiibo featuring both DK and Pauline. This exclusive figure unlocks a special costume for Pauline earlier than normal. All other existing amiibo are compatible too, offering helpful terrain pieces when scanned.

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“Bananza is on track to be one of the most gorgeous Nintendo games I’ve seen,” wrote IGN in our *Donkey Kong Bananza* hands-on preview. “It really does take advantage of Switch 2’s hardware—the environments are stunning and DK’s animations are expressive and fluid. It feels like the next generation of first-party Nintendo titles has finally arrived.”

Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.