No More “Oops!”: Donkey Kong Bananza Confirms Helpful Terrain Reset Feature!

No More “Oops!”: Donkey Kong Bananza Confirms Helpful Terrain Reset Feature!

Get ready to smash, bash, and perhaps, re-smash, because Nintendo has officially confirmed a fantastic quality-of-life feature coming to Donkey Kong Bananza: the ability to reset destroyed terrain! This highly anticipated 3D platformer, which sees DK team up with a younger Pauline to explore the underground world of Ingot Isle, is putting unprecedented emphasis on destructible environments. And now, players will have a convenient way to undo any overzealous demolition.

Set to launch on July 17, 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is already garnering immense hype after last week’s dedicated Nintendo Direct. The game’s core loop revolves around Donkey Kong using his immense strength to punch, dive-punch, and rip through practically every surface of the environment. From tunneling into the ground with a Dive Punch to tearing off chunks of land to hurl at foes or use for boosted jumps, the game is designed for chaotic, physics-driven fun. It’s even been compared to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in its approach to environmental interaction.

The “Oops” Button: Resetting the Chaos

The confirmation comes directly from the official Nintendo UK Twitter account, which posted a short video demonstrating the feature. The video shows DK reducing a nearby hill to rubble, followed by the terrain seamlessly reforming. The accompanying caption confirms: “No rock formation is too big for Donkey Kong to demolish! Gone a bit overboard? You can restore the terrain from the map screen…and have fun destroying it all over again.”

This seemingly simple feature is a game-changer for a title so focused on environmental destruction. It provides:

• Correction of Mistakes: Players won’t have to worry about accidentally destroying a crucial path or obstacle, as they can simply reset the terrain from the map screen. This prevents potential frustration and ensures smoother progression.
• Encourages Experimentation: Knowing that mistakes can be undone will empower players to experiment freely with DK’s destructive abilities, trying out wild combos and seeing just how much chaos they can unleash without consequence.
• Enhanced Replayability: The ability to reset environments means players can repeatedly engage with the game’s core mechanic of destruction, perhaps to uncover hidden secrets or simply for the sheer fun of leveling the landscape.

The emphasis on player freedom and the ability to “undo” actions perfectly aligns with Nintendo’s philosophy of making games accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels.

Beyond Destruction: What Else is New in Bananza?

While the destructible environments are a huge draw, Donkey Kong Bananza is packed with other exciting features that have emerged from recent reveals:

• Open-World Exploration: The game embraces an open-world design, allowing players to explore vast, seamless underground layers of Ingot Isle, each with unique themes like ice, lava, and tropical biomes.
• Young Pauline as a Companion: Donkey Kong teams up with a younger version of Pauline from Super Mario Odyssey, who initially appears as a sentient rock named Odd Rock. Pauline’s singing voice plays a crucial role in activating DK’s new “Bananza Transformations” and removing seals.
• Bananza Transformations: Pauline’s singing can transform DK into powerful new forms:
  • Kong Bananza: Makes DK super strong for maximum destruction.
  • Zebra Bananza: Increases speed and allows for dashing over water.
  • Ostrich Bananza: Grants flight and the ability to drop egg bombs.
• Deep Skill Tree: Collecting “Banandium Gems” (golden, banana-shaped diamonds) allows players to earn Skill Points, which can be used to upgrade DK’s power and unlock new abilities.
• Co-op Play: A second player can control Pauline locally using a Joy-Con 2 controller, or even locally on an original Nintendo Switch via the GameShare feature. Pauline can unleash vocal blasts using the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality.
• Collectibles Galore: Players will unearth Banandium Gems, Banandium Chips (for trading), Banandium Gold (for useful items), and even Fossils (for customizing DK and Pauline’s outfits with stat benefits).
• Creative Modes: The game includes a Photo Mode for capturing in-game moments and “DK Artist,” where players can use Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to sculpt designs into stone.
• Accessibility Features: An “Assist Mode” will be available for players who prefer a less challenging experience, offering guidance and reducing damage received.
• Amiibo Support: Scanning the new Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo unlocks Pauline’s Diva Dress, while other DK amiibo provide explosive KONG tiles. Other amiibo can summon special terrain spheres.

Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a truly ambitious and innovative entry in the long-running series, showcasing the capabilities of the new Nintendo Switch 2. With its focus on destructive freedom, dynamic transformations, and now, the helpful terrain reset feature, it promises an unhinged yet incredibly fun adventure when it arrives next month. Get ready to go bananas!