After months of speculation, Nintendo confirmed the Donkey Kong Bananza development team is the same one that made Super Mario Odyssey. The upcoming 3D platformer is the eagerly awaited next mainline entry in the Donkey Kong series, allowing players to assume the roles of Donkey Kong and Pauline in their quest to uncover Banandium Gems and the ability to make wishes. This game was initially announced during the Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025, with more details regarding its mechanics and storyline revealed in a follow-up stream on June 18, 2025.

Since its announcement, Nintendo had kept the details of the development team a closely guarded secret, prompting rampant speculation among fans. Certain stylistic choices and gameplay features introduced in prior streams suggested that the creators of Super Mario Odyssey were behind Donkey Kong Bananza.

Nintendo finally confirmed these rumors during a recent hands-on preview event. According to reports, the same development studios that crafted Super Mario Odyssey, notably Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development along with 1-Up Studio, are in charge of developing Donkey Kong Bananza.