After much anticipation, Nintendo has confirmed that the development team behind Donkey Kong Bananza is the same group responsible for creating Super Mario Odyssey. This new 3D platformer marks the next significant installment in the Donkey Kong franchise, where players will control Donkey Kong and Pauline as they venture underground in search of Banandium Gems, which hold the power to grant wishes. Donkey Kong Bananza was first introduced during the Switch 2 Direct stream on April 2, 2025, and further insights into its mechanics and storyline emerged in a follow-up stream on June 18, 2025.
Since the announcement, fans have speculated about the identity of the development studio due to Nintendo’s deliberate secrecy. Certain stylistic choices and gameplay elements hinted that the creators of Super Mario Odyssey would eventually be confirmed as the developers for Donkey Kong Bananza. This speculation was validated at a recent preview event, where Nintendo disclosed that the Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development team, alongside 1-Up Studio, is behind the project.
However, the company has yet to share which specific members are involved. Nintendo’s last major title, Super Mario Odyssey, was released in late 2017, just after the original Switch launch. Eight years later, it remains the latest mainline Super Mario game, leaving fans curious about what the development team had been up to.
The findings from the recent footage further support this connection. The shops seen in the gameplay showcase a similar design to those in Super Mario Odyssey, and the visual cues when Donkey Kong collects Banandium Gems resemble those of Mario’s Power Moons. Additionally, the character Pauline returns as a younger version of herself, further linking the two titles.
While this reveals a promising future for Donkey Kong Bananza, it may delay the arrival of the next flagship Super Mario game. With many of the original Super Mario Odyssey developers onboard, fans can expect yet another top-tier 3D platformer from one of Nintendo’s most esteemed teams.