Donkey Kong Bananza LIVE: New gameplay and Pauline revealed in upcoming Switch 2 game

Initial thoughts

My immediate takeaways from that stream are that Donkey Kong Bananza looks completely wacky in some places - but quite brilliant.

I was impressed with the game when I played it earlier this year and this has only hyped me for it even more.

The gameplay looks great, Pauline is quite the surprise and being able to turn DK into a zebra or ostrich is just barmy but brilliant. The game looks so unique.

Stream concludes

And that's the end!

That was an incredibly detailed look into Donkey Kong Bananza. Reaction and thoughts to come.

More features

Players can carve out a space to allow DK and Pauline to recover. Music can be listened to as well.

Discs can be found when defeating enemies.

Subterranean eels allow players to move between layers of the world players have already discovered. There's also the ability to 'teeleport' within the layer that's being explored.

There's a photo mode too.

Players can use individual Joy-Cons to play together in co-op mode. As Pauline, players can launch voice blasts using mouse controls.

GameShare is also supported, even to the original Switch. The game can be shared between Switch 2 systems using GameChat too.

There's also an assist mode with more guidance and more forgiveness on damage.

Outside of the main game, players can carve stones by using mouse controls and sculpt all kinds of creations.

amiibo is supported with a new DK and Pauline figure on the way. Scanning it unlocks Pauline's diva dress and gold explosive KONG tiles will appear. All other amiibo released to now is compatible.

Collectibles and side quests

Found throughout the world are golden bananas, called Banandium Gems.

They're not always visible and can be buried. There are loads to find.

They can be obtained in ruins found throughout the world too. Challenges include time limited battles, courses, side scrolling stages and more.

These look as though they offer unique platforming challenges.

Banandium Gems earn DK skill points which can be used to improve things such as the strength of punches and powering up sonar.

Banandium Chips and gold are currencies that can be used to purchase items.

Fossils can be traded for different fashions to customise looks for DK and Pauline. Each piece of clothing comes with stat boosts too.

Treasure chests can contain maps to help find these collectibles too. There's also a guide showing how many collectibles there are outstanding and which ones have been collected.

Villains

The Void Company are the bad guys in Donkey Kong Bananza.

There's Grumpy Kong, who works to create gigantic corporate soliders, Poppy Kong collects info and Void Kong is in charge of the whole thing.

This crew is responsible for stealing all the bananas, sending DK into the underground and is heading for the planet's core.

The Void Company locked off access to the lower layers with enemies guarding these routes.

Defeating them creates giant sinkholes to progress.

Bananza transformations

By learning powers, Pauline's singing can make DK transform into Kong Bananza.

It's like a super evolution where DK gets even bigger where players can smash through the world with more ease.

DK can also transform into a zebra to make traversal more speedy and run across water and fragile paths.

He can also turn into a flying ostrich to fly around the world and reach new heights.

These don't last forever and can be used by collecting gold. They can be used pretty well at any time.

Characters

There are loads of different characters players will come across in Donkey Kong Banaza, alongside DK and Pauline.

Cranky Kong and Rambi are also venturing through the lands. Cranky Kong is an older, more frail DK and Rambi is a rhino.

There are giant elders who call the underground world home who possess ancient powers.

Gameplay

New gameplay shows DK running, jumping and climbing through different environments.

Pretty well everything can be smashed, crashed or bashed for hidden rewards.

Golden bananas can be collected.

DK can punch, smashing enemies, walls, the ground and most things. Destruction can lead to discoveries.

There's dive punch, where players can punch downwards. Players can roll forward, hand slap to detect hidden objects using sonar, tear off, swing, chunk jump which acts as a double jump, throw, turf surf and make music to remove strange seals.

Story

Donkey Kong has discovered golden bananas on Ingot Island but a sudden tempest sends him deep underground.

He teams up with Oddrock who is actually a talented young singer - Pauline!

DK wants bananas and Pauline wants to find a way to the surface with wishes being granted by going to the planet's core.

The duo set off on an adventure to find it.

It takes place in the underground world.

Pauline is in Donkey Kong Bananza

So the rock that DK finds in Donkey Kong Bananza is actually Pauline!

Stream is live

The stream is live and has been counting down.

There's just over five minutes to go until we find out what Nintendo has been cooking up.

30 minutes left

There's just 30 minutes to go until the Direct starts!

We'll bring you all the latest as it happens.

One hour to go 

There's just one hour until the Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct event gets underway, where new information and fresh details about the game will be shared.

We'll have all the latest as it happens so stay tuned.

Donkey Kong Bananza first impressions

We went hands-on with Donkey Kong Bananza at the Switch 2 preview event in London back in April and this is what we thought of the game then:

"The Switch 2 exclusive continually drew gasps as more moves and abilities were uncovered. Pretty much the whole world can be smashed up and the rewards for going off the beaten track and basically flattening maps are huge. This game was the true standout of the whole event for indy100 and we can't wait to play more of this."

Nintendo Switch 2 UK stock

Still looking to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 console in the UK?

If so, be sure to check out The Independent's Switch 2 stock live blog to find out where exactly you can get your hands on one, both online and in store.

Check out the stock blog here.

Donkey Kong Bananza hands-on preview

We went hands on with Donkey Kong Bananza at the Switch 2 preview event in London back in April.

Check out some early gameplay of the game.

How can I watch Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct?

Nintendo is streaming the event across its official feeds, including YouTube.

Little else has been said about what to expect during the stream except for new information about the upcoming title.

When does Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct start?

The Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct starts at 2pm BST / 9am ET / 6am PT.

The presentation will last for around 15 minutes.

Hello!

Good morning and welcome to the indy100 Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct live blog!

We'll be covering the Nintendo Direct event live later today, bringing you all the latest news and announcements as they happen, so be sure to keep it locked so you don't miss anything.