Multiplayer Innovations in Donkey Kong Bananza: Local, GameShare, and GameChat Options

This article explains the innovative way to experience Donkey Kong Bananza, highlighting the unique multiplayer options available for the game.

A single purchased copy of Donkey Kong Bananza enables online play. During the latest Nintendo Direct event, a local multiplayer feature was introduced. In a style reminiscent of a popular platform adventure, one participant maneuvers Donkey Kong while the other controls Pauline, who performs sound-triggered maneuvers using mouse input and offers additional support in various minor yet important actions.

According to Nintendo’s website, this multiplayer mode is strictly local—limited to a single system—so both players share the same TV, with the second player using a Joy-Con controller.

Additionally, the game supports local cooperative play across two consoles through a feature called GameShare. In this arrangement, if only one person owns the game, the partner can download a temporary version on their Switch 2 or even an older Nintendo Switch. In this cooperative mode, the main copy runs on the host Switch 2 while the second device receives the game through streaming.

An online cooperative option is also available using the GameChat feature. For this method, the host must create a GameChat session and invite a friend. The invited partner is required to own a Switch 2, and even without their own copy of the game, both players can enjoy the session together—provided a stable Internet connection is maintained by each party.

In summary, although Donkey Kong Bananza does not offer a traditional online multiplayer experience with matchmaking, it still allows friends to play online using just one copy of the game. Moreover, the online mode is accessible without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription until March 31, 2026. Beginning in April 2026, GameChat will become part of the subscription service.