Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot sales lower prices in December 2025

Donkey Kong Bananza was sold for $55, which is $15 less than its normal price of $70. Astro Bot also saw big discounts.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Sales |

This report examines recent video game sales events, focusing on prominent titles like Astro Bot and Donkey Kong Bananza. The data, gathered from multiple online deal aggregators and gaming news sites, indicates recurring discounts on these and other popular games during significant promotional periods such as Black Friday and holiday sales. The timing and extent of these discounts provide insight into market trends and consumer engagement with specific gaming platforms.

Multiple sales events across late 2025 featured notable video game deals. These promotions included:

  • The Game Awards Amazon Game Sale (December 12, 2025): This event, running shortly after the 2025 Game Awards, offered discounts of up to 60% on various titles. Donkey Kong Bananza was listed among the deals.

  • Black Friday Sales (November 28, 2025): A broad range of discounts were available across platforms like Switch, PS5, and Xbox. Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot were among the games featured in these sales.

  • Best Buy 3-Day Holiday Game Sale (December 5, 2025): This sale focused on PS5 titles, with Astro Bot being highlighted.

The presence of specific games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot across different sales events suggests consistent consumer interest and strategic promotional efforts by retailers.

The Best Deals Today: Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok, Donkey Kong Bananza, and More - 1

Key Titles Under Scrutiny

Astro Bot

Astro Bot, a PlayStation 5 exclusive, has been noted for its awards and critical reception.

  • Release Date: September 6, 2024

  • Awards: Nominated for multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024 and BAFTA Games Awards 2025, including Best Game Audio Achievement, Family Game Design, and Artistic Achievement.

  • Metacritic Score: 94

  • Gameplay: Described as a "supersized space adventure" involving new power-ups and interactions with iconic PlayStation characters.

The game's consistent appearance in sales, as noted by IGN and other deal sites, indicates it remains a desirable title for PlayStation 5 owners.

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Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza, a Nintendo Switch title, has also been a recurring feature in sales.

The Best Deals Today: Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok, Donkey Kong Bananza, and More - 2

  • Release Date: July 17, 2025

  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2

  • Metacritic Score: 91

  • Gameplay: Features Donkey Kong and Pauline in an action-adventure with co-op modes and "Bananza Transformations."

  • Awards: Nominated for several awards at the Game Developers Choice Awards 2026 and The Game Awards 2025, including Game of the Year and Best Family Game.

Sales data from November and December 2025 shows Donkey Kong Bananza being offered at discounted prices, such as $55 from a regular price of $70.

Evidence of Promotional Activity

The provided articles demonstrate a pattern of sales activity tied to significant retail periods and industry events.

Retailer/EventDateFeatured GamesDiscount Mentioned
Amazon (The Game Awards)Dec 12, 2025Donkey Kong Bananza, Silent Hill f, AC ShadowsUp to 60%
Amazon / Woot (Black Friday)Nov 28, 2025Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Galaxy 1 + 2Varies, 20% off
Best Buy (Holiday Sale)Dec 5, 2025Astro Bot, Spider-Man 2, Gran Turismo 7From $20
IGN (General Deals)Feb 22, 2026God of War Ragnarok, Donkey Kong BananzaSolid discounts
IGN (General Deals)Sep 20, 2025AirPods Pro 3, Donkey Kong BananzaLimited-time offers

The recurrence of Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot in these diverse sales suggests they are actively promoted titles, potentially to drive sales during peak shopping seasons.

The Best Deals Today: Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok, Donkey Kong Bananza, and More - 3

Competing Narratives on Sales Value

Retailer Promotions Drive Accessibility

From the perspective of deal aggregators like 9to5Toys and IGN, these sales events are framed as opportunities for consumers to acquire popular games at reduced prices. The emphasis is on the "best deals" and "solid discounts." The broad application of discounts across multiple retailers and dates implies a deliberate strategy to make these games more accessible. For instance, Donkey Kong Bananza appears in both Amazon and general IGN deal roundups, indicating its availability through various channels.

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Game Performance and Awards as Sales Drivers

Sites like Deku Deals provide detailed information on game releases, awards, and player metrics. The extensive list of nominations for both Astro Bot and Donkey Kong Bananza at prestigious award ceremonies like The Game Awards and the BAFTA Games Awards suggests that their critical acclaim may also influence sales. The framing of these games as award contenders or winners could be leveraged by retailers in their promotional messaging.

Analysis of Discount Patterns

The available data indicates a pattern of seasonal discounting for Astro Bot and Donkey Kong Bananza.

The Best Deals Today: Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok, Donkey Kong Bananza, and More - 4

  • Seasonal Relevance: Both games were prominently featured during the late 2025 holiday sales period, including Black Friday and The Game Awards. This timing is typical for maximizing sales volume.

  • Platform Specificity: Astro Bot, being a PS5 exclusive, appears in PlayStation-focused sales at retailers like Best Buy. Donkey Kong Bananza, a Nintendo Switch title, features in Nintendo-centric deals and broader sales events.

  • Depth of Discount: Discounts of "up to 60%" and specific price points like "$55" for Donkey Kong Bananza suggest significant price reductions were offered, making the games more attractive to budget-conscious consumers.

The consistent presence and discounting of these titles across various sales events point to their established market presence and ongoing appeal.

Conclusion and Implications

The evidence indicates that Astro Bot and Donkey Kong Bananza have been consistently featured in sales events throughout late 2025 and into early 2026. This activity is closely linked to major retail periods like Black Friday and post-awards promotions.

Read More: PlayStation to Release Games on PC and Other Consoles Starting 2025

  • Market Standing: Both games appear to hold significant appeal, evidenced by their repeated appearance in deal roundups.

  • Retail Strategy: Retailers are leveraging these titles during peak sales seasons, suggesting they are considered strong performers and reliable draws for consumers.

  • Consumer Opportunity: For consumers, these sales represent recurring opportunities to purchase highly-rated games at reduced prices.

Further investigation could explore the specific sales volume attributed to these discounts or compare their pricing trends against other major game releases.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot cheaper in December 2025?
Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot were part of big sales events in December 2025, like Black Friday and holiday sales. Retailers offered lower prices to sell more games during busy shopping times.
Q: How much did Donkey Kong Bananza cost during the December 2025 sales?
During the December 2025 sales, Donkey Kong Bananza was sold for $55. Its normal price is $70, so this was a $15 saving.
Q: Which other games were on sale in December 2025?
Other games like Silent Hill f, Mario Wonder, and Assassin's Creed Shadows were also on sale at Amazon. Best Buy also had deals on PS5 games like Spider-Man 2 and Gran Turismo 7.
Q: When were these game sales happening?
The sales happened in late 2025. Key dates included Black Friday on November 28, 2025, and sales events around The Game Awards on December 12, 2025, and a Best Buy holiday sale on December 5, 2025.
Q: Why do retailers put popular games like Astro Bot on sale?
Retailers put popular games like Astro Bot on sale to get more people to buy games during busy times like holidays. These games are well-known and have won awards, making them good choices for sales.