Get Ready to Go Bananas: Donkey Kong Bananza Unleashes a Brand-New Amiibo – Here’s What It Does!

Get ready to expand your amiibo collection, Donkey Kong fans! With the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza, swinging onto shelves on July 17, 2025, Nintendo is launching a brand-new amiibo figure to accompany the adventure: the Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo. This isn’t just a collector’s item; it unlocks some fantastic in-game perks, and surprisingly, other amiibo figures will also have a role to play in DK’s latest 3D escapade.

The Dynamic Duo: Donkey Kong & Pauline Amiibo Unleashed

The star of the show is undoubtedly the new Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo, priced at $30. This figure brings together the iconic ape and his newly revealed younger companion from Bananza, Pauline, in a single collectible. But what does it do in the game?

Scanning this specific amiibo into Donkey Kong Bananza will grant players some immediate and stylish advantages:

• Pauline’s Diva Dress (Early Access): The most significant unlock is Pauline’s elegant Diva Dress. This isn’t just a cosmetic change; when Pauline dons this outfit, music discs will be twice as likely to appear after defeating enemies. While this dress can eventually be unlocked through normal gameplay progression, the amiibo provides early access, letting you flaunt Pauline’s fabulous look from the get-go and enjoy the disc-drop bonus.
• Explosive KONG Tiles: You’ll also receive gold KONG tiles with explosive power. These powerful items can be thrown at obstacles or enemies, creating destructive blasts that aid Donkey Kong in his quest to reclaim the stolen golden bananas.

This new amiibo is a must-have for dedicated fans, offering both a cool collectible and practical in-game benefits that can give you a leg up on the VoidCo baddies.

More Than Just One: Extensive Amiibo Support Confirmed

Nintendo didn’t stop there. Donkey Kong Bananza is demonstrating impressive amiibo compatibility, supporting a wide range of figures beyond the new DK & Pauline duo:

• Existing Donkey Kong Series Amiibo: If you own any previous Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, or King K. Rool amiibo figures (including the Super Mario Collection or Super Smash Bros. series), scanning them will also spawn those valuable gold KONG tiles with explosive power. This is a great incentive for long-time collectors.
• Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands: Even the Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong Power-Up Bands from the Universal Studios Super Nintendo World theme parks are supported! Functioning as amiibo, these bands will also trigger the appearance of the explosive KONG tiles, blurring the lines between theme park fun and home console gaming.
• Any Other Amiibo: In a delightful surprise, Donkey Kong Bananza will support ALL other amiibo figures released thus far! Scanning any non-Donkey Kong character amiibo will cause giant spheres of terrain material to appear. These can be helpful during gameplay, perhaps used to solve puzzles, create platforms, or clear paths. This broad compatibility ensures that virtually any amiibo collector can find a use for their figures in Bananza.

Why Amiibo Still Matter in the Switch 2 Era

The continued strong amiibo support for a flagship Switch 2 title like Donkey Kong Bananza underscores Nintendo’s commitment to its popular toys-to-life line. In an age where many believed amiibo’s popularity might wane, Nintendo continues to integrate them in meaningful ways, offering tangible in-game rewards that enhance the player experience.

For developers, amiibo provide an additional revenue stream and a way to encourage physical purchases. For players, they offer a blend of collecting, displaying, and enhancing gameplay, making them more than just static figures. The clever implementation in Bananza, offering both cosmetic and utility benefits, ensures that these plastic pals remain relevant and desirable.

Donkey Kong Bananza: A Promising New Adventure

Beyond the amiibo news, Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be a truly ambitious title. It marks Donkey Kong’s return to a full 3D adventure, a spiritual successor to classics like Donkey Kong 64. Players will join DK and a younger Pauline (an unexpected but exciting twist that fuels Super Mario Odyssey prequel theories!) as they explore a vast underground world, utilizing DK’s destructive strength and Pauline’s singing abilities to overcome obstacles and retrieve stolen golden bananas.

With co-op multiplayer, new transformations for Donkey Kong (including Ostrich Kong, Zebra Kong, and Super Strong Kong), and a focus on environmental destruction, Donkey Kong Bananza is poised to be a must-play launch window title for the Nintendo Switch 2. The added amiibo functionality is just the icing on this banana-flavored cake.

Are you planning to pick up the new Donkey Kong & Pauline amiibo? What other amiibo features would you like to see in future Nintendo titles? Let us know in the comments below!