Donkey Kong’s Back—But He’s Still Losing to Mario in Sales (Again)

Donkey Kong Bananza has just launched on the Nintendo Switch 2, and despite roaring to the top of the UK’s physical game sales chart this week, it’s already facing stiff comparison. According to Eurogamer, the latest Kong adventure hasn’t quite matched the heights set by Super Mario Odyssey, selling less than half the physical copies in its debut week. That’s not a banana slip, it’s a reality check for DK fans hoping for gorilla-sized glory.

A New Generation, Same Old Rivalry

There’s no denying the appeal of the Donkey Kong franchise. With its classic side-view platforming DNA and banana-hoarding charm, Donkey Kong Bananza was hyped as a triumphant return for the King of Swing. Now on Nintendo’s shiny new Switch 2, it landed with strong physical sales, and that’s something in today’s hybrid physical-digital market.

But even climbing to number one on the UK charts doesn’t mean victory. Bananza moved fewer than half the physical copies that Super Mario Odyssey did back in 2017. And that’s despite being one of the Switch 2’s few high-profile exclusives this summer. Now, this doesn’t include digital sales because Nintendo continues to keep those numbers locked tighter than DK’s treasure hoards, but the physical numbers paint a clear enough picture: players still show up more for the red plumber than the brown ape.

Still, what Bananza has achieved matters. It’s overtaken entries from franchises like FIFA and Call of Duty, which typically dominate physical sales territory in the UK. That alone suggests fans care deeply about DK’s latest solo effort. And critically, it shows that platforming isn’t dead, especially not when bananas and barrels are involved.

Why Mario Still Wins (And It’s Not Just The Hat)

So why does Mario continue to edge out Donkey Kong?

It’s partly brand power. Super Mario Odyssey was a landmark title that pushed open-world 3D platforming into experimental territory. Cappy added a fresh mechanic, and the lush sandbox levels were an instant hit even with non-platformer fans. Donkey Kong Bananza, on the other hand, hews closer to classic platforming tropes—side-view, collectable-focused levels, and single-player gameplay rooted in tradition rather than reinvention. It’s comfort food, while Mario Odyssey was gourmet pizza delivered by a plumber in a raccoon suit.

Then there’s the release moment. Mario had the benefit of launching within months of the original Switch’s debut, riding a fresh wave of hardware hype when expectations were sky-high. Donkey Kong Bananza arrives on the Switch 2, which, while popular, hasn’t yet cemented itself as a hardware essential for all but the hardcore Nintendo faithful.

But most significantly, Mario has always had marketing muscle, and Odyssey had a strong campaign behind it that reached beyond Nintendo’s usual circle. Bananza’s hype has been decidedly more muted, driven largely by nostalgia and returning players rather than a multi-pronged mass-market campaign.

Does this mean Bananza is a sales failure? Absolutely not.

Sales numbers can’t solely define creative success. Reviews for Bananza have been mostly positive so far, praising its level design, refined controls, and vibrant pixel-style visuals that blend modern lighting with classic animations. Whether it matches Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in long-term appeal is yet unclear, but there’s substance beneath the barrel-busting action. And with digital figures still to come, this banana may not be fully peeled yet.

UK gamers clearly adore a throwback—just not quite as much as they love cap-throwing Italians.