Nintendo has revealed a prototype build of Donkey Kong Bananza from the original Nintendo Switch, offering a rare look at how the game began before the Switch 2. Read on to learn how the test version laid the groundwork for Bananza's gameplay.
Donkey Kong Bananza’s Origins With Nintendo Switch Prototype
Bananza’s Core Gameplay Originated from a Goomba with Arms
Nintendo has officially revealed a prototype build of Donkey Kong Bananza that ran on the original Nintendo Switch. While the final game is now a flagship title for the Switch 2, the early version offers a unique glimpse into what the game could have looked like.
Development began in 2019 at Nintendo EPD Tokyo, with the team focused on creating a system that lets players permanently reshape the environment. To test this concept, the team started with a simple experiment: attaching oversized arms to a Goomba.
"That’s right, we did," laughed Game Director Wataru Tanaka. "In Super Mario Odyssey, there’s a boss called Knucklotec who attacks Mario with giant hands. One of our programmers attached those arms to a Goomba as a test. The Goomba could smash terrain, tear off pieces to use as weapons, and throw them."
This early prototype ran entirely on Switch 1 dev kits. Textures were compressed and reused more frequently, foliage density was lower, and draw distances seemed shorter. From there, the team began blocking out levels, coding destruction mechanics, and testing animations—all without the benefits of newer hardware.
Transition to Switch 2 Unlocks Full Destructive Potential
The turning point came in early 2021, when Nintendo gave the green light to move development over to Switch 2 hardware. That leap allowed the team to:
⚫︎ Fully realize real-time voxel destruction
⚫︎ Implement seamless world transitions
⚫︎ Support dynamic lighting and audio
⚫︎ Expand companion AI for co-op play
It also meant no compromises on DK’s massive animations or world interactivity. Terrain deformation became a gameplay pillar, not just a visual gimmick
"We first looked into how we could upgrade what we'd originally built for Switch to take advantage of Switch 2," Art Director Daisuke Watanabe explained. "One of the most obvious improvements was that we could place far more objects in the environment than before. Being able to place more objects in the terrain didn't just enhance the game's visual richness."
In term of story, Donkey Kong Bananza weaves its destruction theme through the villainous syndicate VoidCo—led by Void Kong, Grumpy Kong, and Poppy Kong—who control the island’s Banandium Gems and seek the legendary wish-granting power hidden deep within the planet’s core.
As players explore the game’s diverse subterranean biomes, they face multi-phase bosses connected to VoidCo’s minions and elemental forces. The terrain itself is designed so that when destroyed or carved out, its appearance and physical properties change. This layered approach introduces new strategic elements, such as uncovering hidden paths and triggering environmental hazards unique to each biome.
Game Director Kazuya Takahashi added, " Continuity is another important concept we focused on. For example, there’s a move called the Hand Slap, where Donkey Kong slams the ground. That move also acts like a sonar, revealing objects buried nearby."
He continued, " You might spot something glowing on the other side of a wall, and when you break through the wall and dig up the fossil buried there, you might then come upon a hidden area beyond that, leading to even more discoveries." At its core, Donkey Kong Bananza rewards player curiosity and keeps the momentum of exploration moving forward.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches on July 17, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. For all the latest updates, be sure to check out our coverage below!
Sources:
Ask the Developer Vol. 19: Donkey Kong Bananza — Part 2
Donkey Kong Bananza Direct: Everything We Learned
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