The tradition of multiplayer fun in the Donkey Kong series looks set to continue in Donkey Kong Bananza. If recent rumors are accurate, players will once again be able to tackle the journey in local co-op, teaming up to explore and uncover the secrets beneath the surface.
While there were many games to explore, these were the ones I couldn’t wait to try. I left even more impressed than I expected. The Switch 2 may be a continuation in name, but its lineup is setting it up to be something special. It officially launches on June 5.
If local co-op ends up being part of the package, Donkey Kong Bananza may follow in Mario Odyssey’s footsteps with shared exploration and teamwork.
Donkey Kong Bananza Might Evolve with Help from Odyssey’s Co-Op Gameplay

Why Odd Rock Might Be the Donkey Kong Equivalent of Cappy?
pan style="font-size: 14pt;">Gameplay in Super Mario Odyssey involves managing both Mario and his companion Cappy to capture foes and navigate hard-to-reach places with precise timing.During co-op gameplay, Cappy is controlled by the second player, who has the freedom to move around and select capture targets. Mario’s transformations don’t affect Cappy’s ability to collect coins or interact with objects.
Even though this allowed for two-player action, it didn’t fully satisfy fans. The Mario player retained partial control over Cappy, often overriding the second player’s movements.
Many players felt that Cappy’s role lacked substance compared to Mario’s, especially since the signature capture ability was exclusive to Player 1. Even though there’s a multiplayer mod that balances the roles, fans were left wanting a co-op experience straight from Nintendo.
Inspired by Super Mario Odyssey’s co-op mechanics, Donkey Kong Bananza introduces Odd Rock, a musical sidekick who assists Donkey Kong by guiding him through the game’s world.
It’s possible that Odd Rock will be controlled by a second player who can move around and manipulate the environment for Donkey Kong, much like Cappy.
But a recent leak mentions Pauline could appear in Donkey Kong Bananza, and if she’s involved, players might have the chance to play as her separately, giving a fuller co-op experience missing from Mario’s hat sidekick.
The Great Underground Search
14pt;">Super Mario Odyssey’s Luigi’s Balloon World is a multiplayer mode added later as a complimentary update.The gameplay revolves around players hiding balloons, with Luigi offering the choice to either Hide It or Find It, making the expansive worlds of Super Mario Odyssey feel like a giant hide-and-seek playground.
With Donkey Kong’s new moves, this balloon hide-and-seek mode could shine in Bananza, pushing players to hide balloons in distant areas that demand skillful exploration
Instead of hiding balloons in plain sight, Bananza’s smashing mechanics could let players bury them beneath the ground, making balloon hunts an underground excavation.
Exploring New Multiplayer Possibilities in Donkey Kong Bananza
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Fans are speculating if Donkey Kong Bananza’s rumored multiplayer will take inspiration from Super Mario Odyssey’s partner co-op and its hide-and-seek challenges.
Following Super Mario Odyssey’s example, Donkey Kong Bananza’s multiplayer rumors seem very plausible. The game might expand on Odyssey’s multiplayer modes, making them feel right at home in a Donkey Kong adventure, and possibly adding some exciting new twists.
There’s a chance Nintendo might surprise us by giving Player 2 a separate character to control, one that isn’t directly linked to what Donkey Kong is doing
Fans are eager for equal couch co-op gameplay, but only the release of Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2 will reveal if that’s how multiplayer works.
Donkey Kong Bananza
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