Donkey Kong: Bananza's new co-op feature has interesting implications for the original Switch

The Nintendo Direct presentation for Donkey Kong Bananza showcased more about the game that Nintendo Switch 2 owners can expect to see on July 17th, 2025. Those who have been waiting for another reason to justify purchasing a Switch 2 won't have to wait much longer for a single-player adventure that will have them smashing their way to gold bananas with Donkey Kong. But in addition to a brand-new adventure for Nintendo's favorite gorilla with a tie, Donkey Kong Bananza has a few interesting features on the Switch 2 that are drawing attention. The game will have a co-op feature that lets players bring a friend to control the young Pauline on Donkey Kong's escapades. But this is part of something that is much more intriguing for Switch 2 owners, and could mean something even greater for future games for the console.

With the GameShare feature on the Nintendo Switch 2, those who own Donkey Kong Bananza can share the experience with others who don't own the game. However, this isn't solely limited to people who own a Switch 2. Through Game Sharing, Donkey Kong Bananza can also be shared with others who have the original Nintendo Switch console, despite the game not being available for it. This is a big deal for a number of reasons, especially for those who engage with Nintendo platforms on a regular basis. Here's why Donkey Kong: Bananza's new co-op feature will have interesting implications for the original Switch going forward.

Enticing people to upgrade

Giving them a sample of the new

The most obvious perk of GameShare is how easy it is to get others to participate in a game, even when they don't own it. The Nintendo Switch 2 that has the cartridge for a game is able to share data with another console that doesn't, allowing both to participate together. This is a feature that was utilized when the Nintendo DS was still on the market, allowing two DS handhelds to communicate locally. However, this same thing can be done with the Switch 2 online over to another Switch 2 console. GameShare opens up a lot of potential for multiplayer and co-op gaming in ways that developers can be really clever with, but it also allows for something else that is beneficial to Nintendo themselves. By having the Switch 2 use this feature with the original Switch console, it can give people a taste of what the new console has to offer.

Like any other company, Nintendo would like to see more people upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 from the original Nintendo Switch. And the best way to do that is to show and let them feel what it's like to play something from the latest hardware. A game like Donkey Kong: Bananza is a great example to showcase some of the best aspects the Switch 2 has to offer, especially with features like GameShare and GameChat. Although the co-op feature limits a second player to controlling Pauline and not Donkey Kong, seeing the game run on the Switch console is enough to entice anybody to be interested in the new hardware. It can definitely make someone want to get the full experience for themselves, as opposed to being a sideline character for the experience.

This is something that definitely has the potential to be part of future Nintendo Switch 2 releases, and not just Nintendo first-party titles like Donkey Kong: Bananza. If they wanted to, Nintendo could add other co-op features to upcoming games that still allow original Switch owners to be part of the experience. It's almost a different way of delivering a demo to people, but in a more dynamic fashion that can still be attention-grabbing for them. Does that mean every release would necessarily have this? Not really, we shouldn't expect to see something randomly thrown into a game like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond that suddenly implements co-op for the sake of this. But the potential for other games like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and others in development is definitely there.

Multiplayer sharing for more games

Some cross-Switch experiences

The GameShare feature can only be started on a Nintendo Switch 2 console, but it can be received on any Switch console. This means that both Switch 2 and original Switch consoles will be able to join a GameShare session, even if they don't own the title themselves. Something like this can be great for titles with multiplayer that are released on both generations of consoles. Whether you get the original Switch version of a game or the newer version on Switch 2, the potential for cross-generation multiplayer is high. The feature takes away a barrier between Switch owners of both generations, allowing the pool of people to still play together when they own different consoles and games.

However, this is only available locally for the original Nintendo Switch, not online. GameShare can't be done over the internet without another Switch 2 console on the receiving end. So GameShare sessions for multiplayer matches online would still have to be done on the latest hardware. But that doesn't take away local co-op and multiplayer sessions for a variety of Switch games that could take advantage of this. Anything from the fighting game genre on both platforms could make good use of this, especially retro collections for series like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. But co-op experiences like Monster Hunter Rise or Kirby and the Forgotten Land could also utilize this in ways to let owners from both generations join games together, even if there are upgraded versions of them for the Switch 2.

As of the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, only a handful of games are compatible with GameShare, both locally and online through GameChat. The number of compatible titles will eventually grow as more games are released on the platform, but most of the games that can do so are Nintendo first-party titles that would make a lot of sense. Super Mario Party Jamboree and Super Mario 3D World are among the games that are out now that can do so, which will allow original Switch owners to join GameShare sessions too. Donkey Kong: Bananza will be another big title to add to that lineup, but one can definitely expect more Nintendo first-party games to do the same.

Tying the Switch platforms together

One thing that all Nintendo fans can agree upon is that Donkey Kong: Bananza is going to be a big release for everyone. Whether you own a Nintendo Switch 2 right now or have yet to upgrade to it from the original, the amount of attention the game is getting is very high. Features like GameShare and the co-op within Donkey Kong: Bananza are going to be bridges between both Switch consoles that will more than likely get people to upgrade. But it also has the potential to lay the groundwork for some clever and interesting ideas in future game releases that will benefit Switch owners. Nintendo has always had a big focus on bringing their audiences together through various means, so things like this are a step in the right direction for everyone. Donkey Kong: Bananza is set to release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17th, 2025.