Donkey Kong Bananza Co-op Makes Pauline Playable

During the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, Nintendo confirmed that Pauline will be a sidekick for Donkey Kong in the Switch 2 game and will be playable in two-player co-op alone or with GameShare. While initially the game showed Odd Rock as a rocky ally for the character, it turns out it is actually a younger version of Pauline in disguise. In addition to her assistance when playing alone, she’ll be able to play an additional part if someone joins the owner of te game for co-op. There will be amiibo of both characters released on July 17, 2025 as well.

In Donkey Kong Bananza, it seems our goal is threefold. We need to help Pauline get back to the surface. We have to defeat Void Company and keep them from reaching the Planet Core. We also need to get Donkey Kong bananas. Pauline’s singing allows Donkey Kong to attack. When he gets Bananergy from gold, she can sing to change him into beings like Kong Bananza, Ostrich Bananza, and Zebra Bananza. 

Pauline won’t be able to hop off and run around on her own if you enter into two-player co-op in Donkey Kong Bananza. Instead, it will function like two-player element a game like Pikmin 4, where the second person can be a Pebble Pitcher to throw rocks to attack. When a second person assists using mouse controls with a Joy-Con locally either on the same system or GameShare or with GameChat GameShare online, the Pauline player uses Vocal Blasts to attack. She can do this with standard rocks or by copying materials in the environment to create golden vocal blasts. 

As for the amiibo, they offer two types of bonuses. The Pauline one gives immediate access to a Diva Dress outfit and KONG tiles. Donkey Kong and other amiibo unlock KONG tiles and possible terrain material. 

Here’s the full Nintendo Direct. Skip ahead to the 29:30 mark to watch it.

Donkey Kong Bananza will come to the Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.