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[nial]

Despite the complete lack of any sort of information about the development staff of the newly-announced Donkey Kong Bananza, the general internet consensus is that it's being made by the Tokyo department of the Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division at Nintendo; to make it simple, the studio in charge of developing the 3D Mario games. Given that their first game before the reorganization -when they were known as Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD) Tokyo- was Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat for GameCube in 2004, it basically all went full circle now.



Ignoring the fact that this is all they had to show after almost 7 years, make no mistake, Donkey Kong Bananza looks like a pretty high budget project, rather than some sort of side game for the studio.
So, considering that they've been pretty busy with this title, does that make the next 3D entry for the Super Mario series after 2017's Super Mario Odyssey far away now? Are we looking at a 2029 release target at the very least?
Worth considering that Nintendo hasn't been afraid of letting its major series take a while to realize on a new platform; The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Wii U being a major example of that.

 

[diffusionx]

I wouldn't be surprised if we get some megatons for the end of the year. It happened when the Switch 1 launched. One of those could be Odyssey 2.

 

[nial]

I wouldn't be surprised if we get some megatons for the end of the year. It happened when the Switch 1 launched. One of those could be Odyssey 2.

We already knew about Odyssey before Switch 1 launched, and you didn't have EPD Tokyo releasing a high budget non-Mario project like Donkey Kong Bananza that same year.

 

[Luipadre]

2025 holiday

 

[RetroGamingUK]

2025 holiday

Two big Nintendo EAD 3D platformers in one year?

Not happening.

 

[Evil Calvin]

2025 holiday

Probably. I doubt they would go the whole launch year without a new Mario. Odyssey came out 8 years ago. I'm sure it's ready.
They wouldn't choose a DK game over a Mario game. It's done (or close to it).

 

[diffusionx]

We already knew about Odyssey before Switch 1 launched, and you didn't have EPD Tokyo releasing a high budget non-Mario project like Donkey Kong Bananza that same year.

Your first post literally says that we don't know for sure that this is the studio making the game.

 

[cireza]

This year the big Mario game will be Mario Kart. Don't expect another big Mario title the same year, it won't happen. It will be next year at best.

In the meantime, it is likely that they are working on a Switch 2 version of Odyssey and/or 3D World with additional content.

 

[nial]

Your first post literally says that we don't know for sure that this is the studio making the game.

There's been a ton of evidence pointing to that, something you would have noticed if you've been following the game.

 

[nick776]

I think a new 3D Mario warrants holding back for their big June showcase, it would steal the show and needs all the attention on its own.

 

[Mownoc]

My gut tells me we'll see it in 2027. Maybe a 2d mario next year.

 

[diffusionx]

There's been a ton of evidence pointing to that, something you would have noticed if you've been following the game.

I haven't been paying attention.

Isn't this a speculation thread? I speculated. You didn't like it. I'll see myself out.

 

[Walter Matthau]

Probably 2026. I think Nintendo believes DK will be a great game and purposely put it out there early as to not get overshadowed.

 

[Punished Miku]

2026 is my guess. 2027 for Zelda, if its not delayed to 2028. No idea.

 

[RoadHazard]

I'm absolutely convinced they have a new 3D Mario deep into production, maybe even pretty much done.

Bananza honestly doesn't give off super high production value vibes to me, it feels more like a smaller side project. The game leans very heavily into the destruction gimmick and seems pretty shallow otherwise. Environments etc seem pretty simplistic (almost as if they're procedurally generated), I haven't seen much proper level design.

MKW clearly has a budget many times larger, and I would expect the same for the next 3D Mario. I expect that to be their big 2026 title.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I think EAD Tokyo has multiple teams. I believe that Nintendo deliberately set up a new team within EAD tokyo to make the Donkey Kong IP a bigger thing going forward. They want Donkey Kong to be like Mario.

I think that the next 3D Mario has been worked in parallel with Donkey Kong by a separate EAD Tokyo team, and that it will launch probably in late 2026. So it's soon, but Nintendo will put higher AAA production into Mario and it will take a little longer to release. They want to keep up momentum for the 2nd year on Switch 2, and Mario fills that role nicely. They also get the benefit of having a 3D platformer with Donkey Kong with lower cost/production out near the launch to help grow the IP more.

 

[Chukhopops]

If Bananza was the big Nintendo game of the year it wouldn’t launch in the middle of July.

 

[nial]

I haven't been paying attention.

Isn't this a speculation thread? I speculated. You didn't like it. I'll see myself out.

It's a matter of being realistic.

 

[Codes 208]

Two big Nintendo EAD 3D platformers in one year?

Not happening.

Especially since it looks like this one is in-house.

Dont expect a mario game for at least another 2-3 years

 

[blacktout]

That codename leak from a few months ago contained codenames for both a new game based on Mario Odyssey but probably not staring Mario (SilverStar for the new game vs. RedStar for Odyssey), which was probably Donkey Kong, and a completely new 3D Mario game (SpRed).

It also contained codenames for unannounced games that later were confirmed (Mario Party Jamboree and Echoes of Wisdom), so it's extremely likely to be legit.

Granted, we don't know how far out these games are, but as of right now, I believe only three haven't materialized: SpRed, Legacy (Monolith's new project), and Spiral (likely Splatoon 4). So we're not talking about Nintendo's entire slate for years to come, probably just games that are deep into development.

So it seems like some team, somewhere has been working on a new 3D Mario in parallel to Donkey Kong, or they all but finished DK a while ago but held it back for the SW2 (probably because the SW1 couldn't handle the environmental destruction mechanics).

 

[nial]

If Bananza was the big Nintendo game of the year it wouldn’t launch in the middle of July.

That's Mario Kart World and it's a launch title, what do you mean?
Pokémon is a thing, btw.

 

[L*][*N*K]

I don’t think those are related, Nintendo has a big development force we usually don’t know what it is going on in there

 

[nial]

I don’t think those are related, Nintendo has a big development force we usually don’t know what it is going on in there

We do know, though.

 

[Ribi]

I wouldn't be surprised if we get some megatons for the end of the year. It happened when the Switch 1 launched. One of those could be Odyssey 2.

Is it a megaton if it's expected and all they make?

 

[K' Dash]

Let them cook.

Bananza looks amazing, plus Mario Kart, Kirby and whatever third parties bring to the table, I think we’re good for a good while.

I need my portability without being dependent on a good connection.

 

[Woopah]

I think EAD Tokyo has multiple teams. I believe that Nintendo deliberately set up a new team within EAD tokyo to make the Donkey Kong IP a bigger thing going forward. They want Donkey Kong to be like Mario.

I think that the next 3D Mario has been worked in parallel with Donkey Kong by a separate EAD Tokyo team, and that it will launch probably in late 2026. So it's soon, but Nintendo will put higher AAA production into Mario and it will take a little longer to release. They want to keep up momentum for the 2nd year on Switch 2, and Mario fills that role nicely. They also get the benefit of having a 3D platformer with Donkey Kong with lower cost/production out near the launch to help grow the IP more.

This is what I think too. That the reason we haven't heard from EPD8 in so long is that they've been working on two titles at once. Wouldn't be surprised if this project started on Switch, but got moved becuase the original platform couldn't handle it to their liking.

Simialr happened with EPD10. We didn't hear from them in a while, and then in 2023 they released two games three months apart.

 

[nial]

Simialr happened with EPD10. We didn't hear from them in a while, and then in 2023 they released two games three months apart.

I'm pretty sure Pikmin 4 was mainly developed by Eighting?

 

[Woopah]

I'm pretty sure Pikmin 4 was mainly developed by Eighting?

It was a collaboraiton between EPD10 and Eighting.

It will likely be a similar situation here. One or both of EPD8's game will have Nintendo Software Technology and 1UP collaborating on them, like how Eighting collaborated on Pikmin 4

 

[RoadHazard]

Especially since it looks like this one is in-house.

Dont expect a mario game for at least another 2-3 years

Ten years without a new mainline 3D Mario would be unprecedented AFAIK. I don't think it's that far away.

 

[Deerock71]

They've only had 7 or 8 years to plan for this. I'm sure they've got nothing for Christmas. They don't know how to play the game.

 

[Codes 208]

Ten years without a new mainline 3D Mario would be unprecedented AFAIK. I don't think it's that far away.

This dk game is definitely a stand-in though. (Plus we got mario wonder just a couple years ago, so its not like we havent been getting mario games)

They've only had 7 or 8 years to plan for this. I'm sure they've got nothing for Christmas. They don't know how to play the game.

Pokemon legends ZA is their big holiday game

 

[RoadHazard]

This dk game is definitely a stand-in though. (Plus we got mario wonder just a couple years ago, so its not like we havent been getting mario games)

Pokemon legends ZA is their big holiday game

DK Bananza is literally nothing like a Mario game though. It's not even really a platformer from what I've seen.

But yeah, I'm not saying Mario is this year, but at the latest holiday 2026 I think. Not 2-3 years.

 

[Deerock71]

This dk game is definitely a stand-in though. (Plus we got mario wonder just a couple years ago, so its not like we havent been getting mario games)

Pokemon legends ZA is their big holiday game

 

[Codes 208]

DK Bananza is literally nothing like a Mario game though. It's not even really a platformer from what I've seen.

odyssey was barely a playtformer, It was mainly another collectathon

And from what weve seen of dk so far, it does have a strong odyssey vibe

 

[RoadHazard]

odyssey was barely a playtformer, It was mainly another collectathon

And from what weve seen of dk so far, it does have a strong odyssey vibe

That it does. But Odyssey definitely had more platforming.

 

[nial]

It was a collaboraiton between EPD10 and Eighting.

It will likely be a similar situation here. One or both of EPD8's game will have Nintendo Software Technology and 1UP collaborating on them, like how Eighting collaborated on Pikmin 4

Sure, but my understanding was that Eighting did the bulk of development. Basically that they would be EPD8 here instead of NST or 1UP.
I don't really remember much EPD staff outside of director and production roles.

 

[Codes 208]

That it does. But Odyssey definitely had more platforming.

So far, we’ve only seen the first level in detail. and we know it has 2d sections similar to odyssey’s 8bit areas

 

[Deerock71]

What if Nintendo puts together a $500 Madden bundle?

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

Following the success of their new wheelchair basketball game I'm sure we'll see Mario and Sonic at the Paralympic Games 2026

 

[Horseganador]

Mario should be ready for this Christmas after 8 years without a "main" 3D installment, Donkey Kong will be good...but it's not the same.

 

[bender]

My gut tells me we'll see it in 2027. Maybe a 2d mario next year.

I'm with you. I think 2026 will be Animal Crossing.

 

[L*][*N*K]

We do know, though.

Do they know that we know?

 

[asdasdasdbb]

I agree that Nintendo has shown everything that will come out this year.

 

[Woopah]

Sure, but my understanding was that Eighting did the bulk of development. Basically that they would be EPD8 here instead of NST or 1UP.
I don't really remember much EPD staff outside of director and production roles.

I'm not sure we ever got a full breakdown of what the split was, but I just had a quick look through the credits and saw plenty of Nintendo people as well as Eightin people, and not just in the very senior positions.

 

[Danjin44]

I don’t mind Donkey Kong Bananza looking so fun.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Bananza looks just like Odyssey, and what we've seen from the gameplay looks smooth and similar as well. I would not be surprised if Nintendo expanded EPD Tokyo enough so they can work on this and the next 3D Mario simultaneously. It's clear they want to grow the DK brand as they have with Mario, which is a major part of why they tied them closely together in the movie. I wouldn't be surprised if the development teams are also working closely.

 

[Hyperborean]

I thought Donkey Kong: Bananza was a launch game . Mario Kart will have to keep me entertained through the launch window period. Looking forward to Bananza though.

 

[StereoVsn]

I am thinking we will see Mario 3D next spring. With DK coming in June, they won’t release Mario 3D in the same year.

 

[Camreezie]

Could this not theoretically be the Splatoon team doing DK?

 

[Neff]

We heard about this game a looooong time ago so I suspect Nintendo has been sitting on it for a while.

The next 3D Mario is probably hip-deep in development as we speak. They won't want to wait too long where Mario is concerned.