If you’ve wondered why the bananas in your local store are glowing a little more golden or while crocodiles are continually chanting for King K.Rool, it’s because there’s whispers of a new Donkey Kong game.
Every time we go to the store to buy bananas, one of us mentions something about a new DK adventure.
That someone is usually me, and it’s because Donkey Kong 64 remains one of my favourite N64 games of all time, up there with Ocarina of Time and Banjo Kazooie.
It’s just a fantastic game from start to finish, and the first 3D adventure that we’d seen DK starring in.
Since him and Mario have patched things up in the new movie, it’s high time for our favourite tie-wearing simian to swing into action once again.
As always, we’ve scoured the internet for all of the information, rumours, and slices of truth-cake that we can find.
So, lock up your banana hoard, make sure Kranky has some soup in the pot, and join us as we talk about all things Donkey Kong!
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Everything We Know About The New Donkey Kong Game So Far
It’s been a while since we had a new Donkey Kong game dropped onto consoles. In fact, it’s almost been 10 years since Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze arrived on the Wii U!
2018 saw a cool Nintendo Switch release for DK’s topical ice adventure, and he’s appeared in other titles such as Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. Still, apart from his appearance in Ninty’s main titls such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Party, he hasn’t had a game of his own.
News of a new DK adventure first came from well known Nintendo Leaker Pyoro, a tweeter that has been pretty bang on with his previous Nintendo predictions. His gif of DK looking excited in the Super Mario Bros. Movie caught our attention, and now we’ve been scouring the internet for more information as to what the new Donkey Kong title could look like, as well as what it could mean for Nintendo.
Could this be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Main Rumours About The New Donkey Kong Game
The main rumour surrounding the new Donkey Kong game is that we might finally be getting a 3D title again. The side scrolling games will always be incredible, but we’re angling for that long awaited sequel to Donkey Kong 64.
DK64 dropped onto the N64 in 1999 and we’ve not had a 3D Donkey Kong game since then. We want it, the fans want it – heck, even DK wants it!
And thanks to the Super Mario Bros. Movie dropping, our wishes could finally be coming true.
Seth Rogan, the voice behind Donkey Kong in the new movie, has shown interest in doing a spin-off film based on Donkey Kong. It would even feature more of the Kongs, kind of like the cartoon series that we all used to watch as kids.
With the arrival of Donkey Kong LEGO and Seth’s interest in some new Ape-escapades on the horizon, the time is right for a new Donkey Kong title to hit the shelves.
Another rumour spreading around the internet is that we might just be getting a remastered version of Donkey Kong 64 to mark 25 years from the original release.
That would mean a 2024 release, and we know from the shadow drop of Metroid Prime remastered that Nintendo can just blow our minds with little to no warning whatsoever.
Which Consoles Will The New Donkey Kong Game Be Released On?
The new Donkey Kong game will only release on Nintendo Switch, with some speculation that this could be a new launch title for Nintendo’s next console.
Even though Mario is Nintendo’s poster boy, Donkey Kong is a massive pull for the company and the fans. And after the success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, it’s not implausible that he could be the next major release after Tears of the Kingdom.
And to be honest, I would personally buy a new Nintendo console even if the launch title was a remake of Donkey Kong 64.
DK is Nintendo through and through, but DK64 was a Rare title back in the day, and Rare is now owned by Microsoft.
If we see a remake of that classic game, would that drop onto Microsoft too? Xbox got GoldenEye 007, so I guess it’s possible, which means it’s less likely that DK64: Remastered would actually be a launch title for Nintendo’s next console.
Still, we’re all hoping for a brand new game anyways, so I guess that little speculation rabbit hole I fell down was kind of unnecessary. Still, it’s good to plan out all the possibilities, right?
When Will The New Donkey Kong Game Be Released?
The new Donkey Kong game is likely be released Winter 2024.
I’m sticking with the 10 years since the last DK game and 25th anniversary of Donkey Kong 64 line – it makes total sense and would be the perfect way to celebrate everything that Donkey Kong has done for Nintendo over the years.
And, as I’ve said above, there’s a chance that we might be seeing DK heading up the marketing for the Super Nintendo Switch.
That would be a dream come true, and if Luigi can help to launch the GameCube, then DK can definitely make waves with a new Nintendo machine.
When Did The Last Donkey Kong Game Come Out?
The last Donkey Kong game came out in 2014 on the Wii-U, with an updated version dropping onto the Nintendo Switch in 2018.
That means that we’ve had almost 10 years without a new Donkey Kong game, which is far too long if you ask me!
When Did The First Donkey Kong Game Come Out?
The first Donkey Kong game titled ‘Donkey Kong’ came out in 1981.
The iconic game with Mario (or Jumpman) heading up sloping ramps and jumping over barrels is instantly recognisable to this day. It’s retro gaming royalty, for crying out loud!
This original title has sold close to 18 million copies over the years, which I think we can all agree is a major success!
Why Is Donkey Kong 64 So Special?
Donkey Kong 64 was the first ever 3D Donkey Kong adventure game and is regularly clsassed as one of the best N64 games of all time.
Imagine Banjo-Kazooie but with Donkey Kong. Yeah, it’s that good and such an amazing title to play. Plus the multiplayer battle mode was fantastic.
DK’s Coconut Gun still hits hard today!
Will The New Donkey Kong Game Be Multiplayer?
The new Donkey Kong game will likely have multiplayer modes in line with the co-op action of the side-scrolling titles and the battle mode in Donkey Kong 64.
The DK64 battle mode was fantastic, with all the Kongs using their weapons in epic arenas. Imagine multiplayer madness via Nintendo Switch Online – now that would be incredible!
When Will The New Donkey Kong Game Release
The new Donkey Kong game is likely to drop at the end of 2024.
Just in time for Christmas; talk about something epic to look forward to, right?
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 33 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
