Don’t Sleep On Donkey Kong Bananza‘s Co-Op Mode

Donkey Kong Bananza is the newest entry in one of Nintendo’s longest-running franchises, and it’s a rip-roaring good time for fans eager to destroy everything in their paths. However, players only control Donkey Kong this time around, with his usual sidekicks like Diddy and Dixie taking on supporting roles as non-playable characters. What does that mean for the prospect of co-op, though? Let’s talk about it.

Does Donkey Kong Bananza even have co-op?

If you’re looking to play Donkey Kong Bananza with a friend or family member, I’ve got some exciting news: The game features a co-op feature! One other player can join up and help you beat levels, but it just might not be in the way that you think. But what can you do with it?

Co-op in Donkey Kong Bananza doesn’t split the screen and give a second player full control of their own DK-like hero in the game world. Instead, it allows them to control Donkey Kong’s adorable companion Pauline as she rides along his shoulder. Because of this, the second player is rather limited in their moveset, not getting to experience the rolling, punching, or general sense of momentum that comes from playing as the game’s titular star.

However, that doesn’t mean that Pauline is useless. She’s anything but! While controlling Pauline, the second player can copy materials around a level, then shout that material at enemies or obstacles to deal damage. This can help with clearing paths, and it’s especially helpful for dishing out damage to bosses.

You can play Donkey Kong Bananza via local co-op or online. Even cooler, by using GameShare, you can temporarily allow your friend or family member (especially young children) to join your game with their own Switch or Switch 2, even if they don’t own the game themselves. Whoever’s controlling Pauline also doesn’t have to worry about abilities cooling down. They can spam away, which can make the game even more fun and chaotic. Like many Nintendo games, this opens up the door to a lot of fun play opportunities and quirky moments of discovery. It’s rad as hell.

While the co-op mode in Donkey Kong Bananza is a little limited when compared to other fully fledged co-op games, it’s still a neat way for youngsters or casual gamers to join in the fun. Whether you’re flying solo or bringing a pal along for the ride, Donkey Kong Bananza is available now for Nintendo Switch 2.