Donkey Kong is back — and the jungle drums are pounding with excitement. On July 17, Nintendo will release Donkey Kong Bananza, the first original title in the iconic ape’s mainline series in over 18 years, sending waves of nostalgia and anticipation across the gaming world.

Fans are eagerly awaiting what’s being billed as a massive return for the banana-loving gorilla, with early previews suggesting a vibrant mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and next-gen co-op mechanics. With record-breaking pre-orders already being reported, analysts believe Bananza could set new milestones for Nintendo, further boosting the company’s celebrated Switch 2 platform.

While Donkey Kong is charging into new territory this month, it’s worth remembering that the character already holds a special place in video game history:

• Debuted in 1981, in the legendary arcade game Donkey Kong, created by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto in his first major design project.
• Was the launchpad for Mario, then known as “Jumpman,” who would go on to become Nintendo’s global mascot.
• Donkey Kong has starred in dozens of games, spin-offs, and crossovers, and is one of the longest-running characters in video game history.
• The original Donkey Kong arcade game was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame and has been the subject of multiple world record competitions, including the famous high-score rivalry documented in The King of Kong.

With Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo promises to blend classic charm with modern gameplay innovations — possibly featuring dynamic jungle environments, AI-powered sidekicks, and cooperative missions unlike anything fans have seen before.

As release day nears, one thing is clear: Donkey Kong’s comeback is set to be bigger, bolder, and more bananas than ever — and after nearly two decades of waiting, gamers couldn’t be more ready to grab a vine and join the fun.