1315 - Dunk Dunk First Impressions

Broadcast live on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine the morning of the Switch 2's launch, Hyle and Matt kick off a new era with a leisurely chat about what the video game announcement season (formerly known as E3) means to them before discussing the Stinky Ape Summer ahead. Nintendo Directs! Xbox Showcases! And at the center of it all: Donkey Kong Bananza!

DUNK DUNK! The new sci-fi and horror-themed basketball game for Steam and Switch is an over-the-top cartoon JAM featuring some beloved indie characters, including a few near and dear to the DKU. Hyle and Jeff give their initial thoughts and also share their joint experiences playing the madcap monster mash!

DK Vine Forum Mods Adam and Andrew recently visited Japan, gaining a firsthand look at Donkey Kong and the DKU's enduring popularity in Nintendo's homeland as they visited the Nintendo Museum, Super Nintendo World, secret Nintendo speakeasies, and more!

Hyle and Jeff SQUELCH about Season 15 of Sea of Thieves! Subtitled "Wild Things," it was the season that upped the wildlife across the islands and ocean of the game, as well as boosting the importance of the Hunter's Call faction. And like any good fishing trip, there's enough beer to last for the duration of this episode!

Despite Donkey Kong Bananza releasing in under two months, we still know little about DK's new adventure. With positive and negative speculation abundant for the first 3D Donkey Kong game in 25 years, Hyle and Dustin address their own Bananza hopes and fears!

With a millimeter of flesh between the eyes and some massive DDs smacking him upside the head, Diddy Kong's design for the new era of Donkey Kong has been revealed! Given how beloved the character is by the Kongversation's hosts, how are they dealing with the change... and what do they think this means for Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World... and Chunky and Swanky Kong?

What were the results of 2025's DKU Double Draft!!?? Hyle, Jeff, and Mitchell reconvene to analyze their picks on episode 1308, as well as discuss the Idaho Crew's own DKU Draft, breaking down the complex fan politics of Donkey Kong Universe games and characters!

The Kongversation takes a brief vacation from the Donkey Kong Bananza hype to focus on another 3D platformer coming out in 2025: Yooka-Replaylee! It's been some time since we caught up with Playtonic's enhanced remaster, so we discuss all of the additions, improvements, and surprises announced thus far! Plus: Is there room in our hearts for both Bananza and Replaylee?

The DKU Draft is back, but doubled up with a twist! Hyle, Jeff, and Mitchell are once again drafting 15 games from across the shared universe of Donkey Kong and Rare... but all 15 games drafted last year are now off the table! Which also-rans will comprise the Second Bananas? Then, who will be picked when the three teams also draft 15 CHARACTERS from the DKU?

The beloved setting of Donkey Kong Country 3 and Donkey Kong Land III, the Northern Kremisphere, appears on the Fossil Maps in Donkey Kong Bananza. Naturally, we have quite a bit to say about this. How far will we dig into the possible implications?