03/19/2023 4:14 PM EDT
A new Nintendo rumor has claimed that an open-world Donkey Kong game is in the works and could launch on the eventual Switch sequel. For quite some time, various rumors and reports have continued to say that a new Donkey Kong game of some sort would be released by Nintendo soon. While these rumors have always been somewhat tainted, previous claims have suggested that the Donkey Kong title was developed by the same team at Nintendo behind Super Mario Odyssey. Fortunately, it now sounds like many of these earlier rumors may have been quite legitimate.
Based on new information from Nintendo Prime in the latest episode of the Nintendo Prime Podcast, Nintendo has had a new, 3D Donkey Kong game in development for a while. This project is said to have (strangely enough) been managed by Activision studio Vicarious Visions, before eventually moving in-house to be worked on at Nintendo around 2017 or 2018. Since then, Nintendo is said to have tinkered with the game at the same studio that developed Super Mario Odyssey. That said, many of these team members making the game are said to have split from the Mario group to develop the title.
When it comes to the details of this Donkey Kong game itself, the project is said to have been titled “Donkey Kong Freedom” at one point, but it is not known if this was ever an official name. In addition to this, the game is reportedly set in an open world and would allow Donkey Kong to slide on trees to get around, much like Tarzan. Longtime Nintendo designer and director Shigeru Miyamoto is also said to have been heavily involved in the new Donkey Kong game. Nintendo Prime went on to say that the project is “definitely” still in development, adding that it could be a launch game for Nintendo’s next console.
When it comes to how much of this information was gathered in the first place, the insider claims that they were shown about 40 seconds of footage from the Donkey Kong project not too long ago. This gameplay that was shown is said to resemble something The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and briefly showed Donkey Kong running around in a jungle environment. Nintendo Prime said that other insiders have also seen this footage, but state that it will likely never see the light of day because it wanted out from the person who leaked it.
It’s worth stressing that since this is just a rumor, take everything outlined so far with a grain of salt. Much of what Nintendo Prime has stated here is a little too detailed and specific to be taken as a flimsy rumor, meaning that there is reason to believe what has been expressed. Still, until Nintendo itself confirms that a new Donkey Kong game is on the way, it would be best not to get too excited just yet.
What do you think about a potential Donkey Kong game set in an open world? And do you hope this title will eventually be revealed by Nintendo? Let me know either down in the comments or hit me up on Twitter at @MooreMan12.
(C/T @Pikminsnezkov)
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