Day-One Patch 1.1.0 Adds Co-Op GameShare to Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza hasn't even been out for a full day, and it's already getting some extra polish. Nintendo released a day-one update (Version 1.1.0) for the game on July 16, 2025, just ahead of its official launch. This initial patch is fairly small but brings a couple of welcome additions and fixes to ensure players have the best experience from day one. If you've got the game, it should download the update automatically; otherwise, you can manually trigger it by checking for software updates on your Switch 2 menu.

New Co-Op GameShare Features

According to Nintendo's patch notes, the main feature added in v1.1.0 is new co-op GameShare options in the pause menu. GameShare is a Switch 2 functionality that lets two players share a game for cooperative play, either locally or via the online GameChat system. With the update installed, Bananza's pause menu "Play with two people" section now includes "GameShare (Local User)" and "GameShare (GameChat)" options.

In other words, players can more easily set up co-op sessions either on the couch or over the internet. This is a big deal for anyone eager to partner up as DK and Pauline – Nintendo Life even noted that prior to the patch, reviewers couldn't test the online co-op, as the feature wasn't active until this update rolled out. Thanks to 1.1.0, you can now jump into two-player adventures without a hitch.

General Gameplay Improvements

Aside from the co-op enhancement, the rest of the patch notes are a bit vague but still important. Nintendo mentions that "various adjustments have been made to create a more comfortable gameplay experience." In typical Nintendo fashion, the specifics aren't spelled out, but this usually means minor bug fixes and optimizations. Early players have speculated that some of these adjustments could include smoothing out camera controls or fixing small glitches.

Essentially, the developers tidied up any loose bananas to make sure your journey through Ingot Isle's depths is as smooth as possible. Even if the details are sparse, any improvements that "improve the gameplay experience" are a win in our book.

How to Get the Update

It's worth noting that day-one patches have become the norm for most major releases, and Donkey Kong Bananza is no exception. The game was already highly polished in pre-release reviews, but the update ensures that features like online co-op are ready to go and that any last-minute issues identified after the game went gold have been addressed.

If for some reason your Switch 2 didn't apply the patch automatically, you can manually update. Highlight the Donkey Kong Bananza game icon on your home screen, press the +/Options button, and select "Software Update" -> "Via the Internet." The console will download Version 1.1.0 if it isn't already installed. Once updated, the title screen should reflect the new version number.

This 1.1.0 patch sets the stage for a hopefully smooth launch. While the additions are predictable but welcome – mainly the co-op mode enhancement – they show Nintendo's commitment to supporting the game right out of the gate. Now that GameShare is enabled, you can team up with a friend as soon as you start playing. And those nebulous "gameplay improvements" may be subtle, but could make a difference in how the game feels, whether it's a more stable frame rate in hectic scenes or squashing a minor bug with the physics.

In summary, make sure you've got the Version 1.1.0 update before diving into Donkey Kong Bananza on launch day. It'll ensure you don't miss out on the full co-op experience and that your journey to the Planet Core is as hiccup-free as possible. With this quick patch installed, it's time to grab a friend (or go solo) and start smashing everything in sight – happy spelunking, and have a bananza of a time!