Donkey Kong Banaza demo is now available on Switch 2 kiosks across U.S. shopping centers. Read on to learn more about the exclusive playable demo and where Banaza fits in the Donkey Kong timeline.
Donkey Kong Bananza Ramping Up Towards Launch
Demo Now Available on Switch 2 Kiosks
Ahead of its July release, Donkey Kong Bananza has been spotted on Switch 2 kiosks across shopping centers such as Walmart and Target in the U.S. According to a Reddit post by user ZiaMonic231 on June 20, Switch 2 kiosks now feature a playable demo of DK Bananza.
The demo lasts approximately 10 minutes, with players getting the chance to play the game using Nintendo’s new Pro controller. Fans were quick to speculate that, because of this, a DK Bananza demo may be shadow-dropped soon on the Switch 2 eShop.
Nintendo has yet to confirm or announce a DK Bananza demo for the online shop, as the company typically does not release eShop demos for their huge titles, such as most of the Super Mario mainline games, The Legend of Zelda series, and more. Regardless, fans remain hopeful of trying the game out with their Switch 2 weeks before its launch.
Is it a Super Mario Odyssey Prequel?
Following the reveal of DK’s long-time friend and sidekick, Pauline, during the DK Bananza Direct on June 18, Nintendo revealed her age on the game’s Japanese website. This sparked questions regarding the game’s timeline in relation to Super Mario Odyssey.
Based on her character profile, Pauline is described as "a 13-year-old girl who likes to sing. She lived on the ground, but for some reason, she was brought to the underworld and turned into a rock." Meanwhile, her appearance in Odyssey depicted her as a grown-up, serving as the mayor of New Donk City and a popular lead singer of a band.
This makes the connection that Bananza may be a prequel to Odyssey, as its overall story revolves around DK helping Pauline return to the surface, and based on Odyssey, she does make it in the end. However, their relationship has always been between victim and kidnapper ever since the original DK arcade game, so fans are curious whether Bananza may shed light on how this came to be.
DK Rap Composer Was Not Aware it will be Included in Bananza
During the DK Bananza Direct, fans discovered that DK Rap will be included in the game. In an interview with Eurogamer on June 19, Composer Grant Kirkhope revealed that he wasn’t aware that the song would be used in the upcoming DK game. "Well, what can I say, the worst rap track in the history of rap tracks seems to be back again!," Kirkhope said.
He was shocked to see that people now love the song, considering it received backlash when DK64 first came out. Kirkhope stated, "My tombstone will read, 'Here lies the body of Grant Kirkhope, he wrote the DK Rap and the Goldeneye Pause Music'... Nothing else will matter!!"
Unfortunately, it seems that he will not be credited for the inclusion of the song. A similar case happened in 2023, as DK Rap was also featured in the Super Mario Bros. Movie without his knowledge. Kirkhope told Eurogamer on April 29 that he spoke with Nintendo after the film’s release to find out why he wasn’t credited.
He explained, "[Nintendo] said we decided that any music that was quoted from the games that we owned, we wouldn't credit the composers - apart from Koji Kondo. Then they decided anything with a vocal would get credited, so the DK Rap scores there. But then they decided if we also own it, we won't credit the composers. And that was the final nail in the coffin."
Music will be a main mechanic for the game as it will be used for DK’s transformations, so it’s a no-brainer that the famous DK Rap will be included in the game. There will also be a music player for fans who want to listen to Pauline’s songs and other soundtracks.
Donkey Kong Bananza is set to release on July 17, 2025 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
Source:
Switch 2 kiosks now have demos of DK Bananza playable, so try it out!
DK Rap composer wasn't aware "the worst rap track in the history of rap tracks" would be included in Donkey Kong Bananza
DK Rap composer explains why Nintendo didn't credit him in the Super Mario Bros. Movie
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