So does DK Bananza ship with FW or require update?

[itsboot]

I'm thinking of buying the game but only if it doesn't ship with updated FW or require a firmware update, can anyone with the game confirm:

1. Does cartridge auto install a new FW?
2. What firmware are you playing it on?

 

[rudras]

Pfff I will get mine only this friday when I check the tracking, so I cannot say...

 

[mattyxarope]

I'm also following this. I think this is the first, first-party game release since Mario Kart World, so it will be interesting to see if the carts force a FW update. I'm assuming that future carts will eventually.

 

[loler55]

I can confirm DK Runs under 20.1.1 no Update Message in airplanemode

 

[subcon959]

Just a 1.1 update for the game itself.

 

[mh_]

I've just booted DK Bananza game card on 19.1.0, so the game card does not contain any firmware update newer than that.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Just a 1.1 update for the game itself.

Does that make the frame rate more stable?

 

[Moe87]

I believe that game cartridges are shipped several months in advance so they likely to have older firmware.

Games release in the late fall or winter are likely to require later update like 20.2.0 or newer that is several months ago from late fall to winter.

 

[platanos]

Does that make the frame rate more stable?

Ver. 1.1.0 (Released July 16, 2025)​

General

• “GameShare (Local User)” and “GameShare (GameChat)” options added for “Co-op Play” in the Pause menu.
• Various adjustments have been made to create a more comfortable gameplay experience.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Various adjustments have been made to create a more comfortable gameplay experience.

What exactly does that mean?

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

I'm thinking of buying the game but only if it doesn't ship with updated FW or require a firmware update, can anyone with the game confirm:

1. Does cartridge auto install a new FW?
2. What firmware are you playing it on?

Yes any game that is fully on the cartridge will include the required system update on it. Afaik this has happened with every game fully on cart.

 

[KiiWii]

I heard it’s working on 19.1.0

 

[cystbear]

just curious is it possible to sniff nps from eshop?

 

[Moe87]

just curious is it possible to sniff nps from eshop?

Switch 2 isn't hackable that is necessary to dump the game.

Also, this game isn't coming to OG Switch, anyway.

It is going to be years away from now.

 

[SaggyBeans]

I was able to plug my Ethernet into the dock, buy and download the game without having to update the firmware on my switch. I’m running firmware 20.1.1, and the game downloaded version 1.1.0. I unplugged the Ethernet now and no firmware update nag. I was sure to disable auto updates prior to doing any of this.

 

[Moe87]

I was able to plug my Ethernet into the dock, buy and download the game without having to update the firmware on my switch. I’m running firmware 20.1.1, and the game downloaded version 1.1.0. I unplugged the Ethernet now and no firmware update nag. I was sure to disable auto updates prior to doing any of this.

It seems like Nintendo don't see Switch 2 as real threat as they did with Switch 1 since it is not hackable, so they don't make a update as mandatory and eShop can be accessed on older firmware. Don't know about many days for grace period.

Switch 1 had 7 days grace period for eShop to run on previous firmware and not sure if 30 days grace period existed when Switch 1 was new and unhackable back in 2017.

After Switch 1 got hacked in 2018, Nintendo took grace period away and forced everyone to update before they can use eShop as desperate attempt to thwart the hacking, so later, they brought grace period back after released patched Switch (after mid to late 2018). After 7 years passed, 20.0.0 released with no grace period due to new, upgraded eShop that is seen as unintentional, unlike in 2018 when they used hacking as reason to take grace period away.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I was able to plug my Ethernet into the dock, buy and download the game without having to update the firmware on my switch. I’m running firmware 20.1.1, and the game downloaded version 1.1.0. I unplugged the Ethernet now and no firmware update nag. I was sure to disable auto updates prior to doing any of this.

If you're on an outdated firmware it's illogical to buy it from the eShop as eventually you won't have access to it. At least with a physical cart you insert and can play it (whether it's in playable condition or not, and if it doesn't require a higher fw).

 

[Moe87]

If you're on an outdated firmware it's illogical to buy it from the eShop as eventually you won't have access to it. At least with a physical cart you insert and can play it (whether it's in playable condition or not, and if it doesn't require a higher fw).

It did left me with questions about access to eShop on older firmware and I think that has with lengthy grace period, maybe 30 days or more.

Digital games downloaded from eShop is good for life as long as update don't break the game or game data become corrupted that is rare with FAT32 formatted SD cards. It don't have to renew the license, unlike NSO apps that need to be renewed every 7 days.

I have some games from 2018 that I brought from eShop and they are running great.

 

[FanNintendo]

My Switch 2 is offline Mario Kart World 19.1.0 and Donkey Kong Bananza still 19,1,0

 

[nmagod]

I've just booted DK Bananza game card on 19.1.0, so the game card does not contain any firmware update newer than that.

now that's interesting to hear

and it gives me hope for Metroid Prime 4