Nintendo teases that Donkey Kong Bananza may provide "hints" for the next project

With many Nintendo fans scrambling for any hints on the next mainline 3D Super Mario Bros. game, producer Kenta Motokura has teased it Donkey Kong Banana may contain some ideas that will carry over to the company's next big project. Donkey Kong Banana is one of only two first party titles to launch as Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives, and with the console set to celebrate its one-year anniversary in June, players are crossing their fingers that a big game reveal is coming soon. If Motokura's statements are accurate, fans may already have some indicators of what to expect from the next entry in the Switch 2's first party game catalog.

Donkey Kong has long been beloved for its 2D side-scrolling platform adventure games, but older fans and gamers who enjoy retro classics are no doubt familiar with Donkey Kong 64the franchise's first ever journey into the 3D realm. In fact, Donkey Kong 64 was the only 3D game in the series until Donkey Kong Banana hit the scene as a Switch 2 exclusive in July 2025. Donkey Kong Banana received critical and commercial acclaim for its vibrant design, catchy music and addictive gameplay, which featured destructible environments that allowed players to explore the world of Donkey Kong in an unprecedented way. Now, as audiences await news of another 3D Mario-starring game, it seems Donkey Kong's latest outing could be a taste of what's to come with Nintendo's next mainline release.

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Is Donkey Kong Bananza connected to the next 3D Nintendo game?

While speaking with GamesRadar+, Donkey Kong Bananza producer Kenta Motokura teased that “some ideas from Donkey Kong Bananza hint at future [Nintendo’s] next project.” Motokura further explained that Nintendo's next major release will follow the same development steps that took place between Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Bananawhich could mean a potential upcoming 3D Mario the game is once again able to build on the intuitive gameplay features of its predecessors while expanding the game world for greater exploration. Some game features in Donkey Kong Banana can be easily connected Super Mario Odysseysuch as DK Bananas transformations that have similarities to the Cappy abilities i Odysseyboth of which follow in the footsteps of franchise staples like Fire Flower powers and Tanooki suits.

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Whether Nintendo continues to build on these character transformations in its next first-party game remains to be seen, but it would certainly serve as a reason for the team that worked with Banana and Odyssey to maintain a consistent playing tone. Of course, there are other possibilities for how Donkey Kong Banana may hold teasers for the next 3D Mario game. The inclusion of a young Pauline in the Banana can open the floodgates for any number of games featuring the mayor of New Donk City, from a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey to a prequel that follows a connecting story between Banana and Odyssey. Go further outside the box, the destructive environments in DK Banana can be used in a third part i Super Mario Galaxy series, where the various planets Mario visits each have their own destructible properties.

A new one Galaxy the game can build on the expected success The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and would go nicely with the recently released one Galaxy collection for Nintendo Switch. Players have been asking for another one for years Super Mario Galaxy game, and many parts of Donkey Kong Banana could transfer nicely to a third part too Galaxy fans. Alternatively, the popularity of Super Mario Odyssey and its newer release date may make it a more enticing sequel option for Nintendo. This is all pure speculation at this point, but Motokura's comments re Donkey Kong Banana containing development tie-ins to the next mainline Nintendo game certainly gives fans plenty of foreboding material.