Technologies

Donkey Kong Bananza Is Satisfyingly Smashing Madness

DK is exactly what the Switch 2 needed to give gamers a glimpse of what Nintendo may have coming.

Summers are about big, fun, mind-numbing movies. Great escapes in the best of ways. I need that right now, and maybe you do too. I’m happy to say that Donkey Kong Bananza is here to whisk you off to multilevel worlds of satisfyingly smashing madness, to cheer you up and give you an excuse to punch the heck out of things. It’s a game my 12-year-old son has loved playing along with me, although I’ve had to find ways to wrestle the game back to play for myself.

I was wowed by Bananza during an early preview a few weeks ago, but after a few weeks of play at home, it’s even better. This is my favorite Switch game since… I have no idea when. Maybe since Super Mario Odyssey.

The catch is that you need the new Nintendo Switch 2 console to play it. Donkey Kong Bananza won’t work on the original Switch — or on any other gaming device. Of course, that’s the whole idea.

Nintendo needed home run games for its new Switch 2 console, and it hit a grand slam with the new Donkey Kong. I still haven’t finished the game, but I already know it’s the best reason to buy a Switch 2 yet.

Donkey Kong Bananza is available for $70 from Nintendo.com and other retailers. We’re also keeping track of Nintendo Switch 2 restocks if you’re still seeking a console.

Smashing story with co-op options

In a lot of ways, Bananza feels like Zelda and Mario met in the middle.

The story’s weird, but what Mario (or Nintendo) game isn’t? Donkey Kong’s world has been threatened by a sinister bunch of apes, after a large meteor knocks a mining company deep into the planet’s core. The adventure involves diving down into those sublevels — it’s Donkey Kong Hollow Earth, or Journey to the Center of the Kongiverse. The big difference in this game is that you can destroy just about anything, burrowing and tunneling throughout the game’s large 3D maps.

Technically, this isn’t a true collaborative co-op game, but there’s a mode where Pauline — a young girl who mysteriously fell from the sky and becomes Donkey Kong’s friend — can throw her voice, literally, at things to destroy them. A second player takes over as Pauline and aims and shoots words at enemies, and can absorb material powers from nearby rocks and objects. It’s more engaging than the hat-throwing co-op in Odyssey.

You can Game Share Bananza with a local Switch 2 or Switch 1 in co-op mode to play on two screens, or just play on one. For this review, I wasn’t allowed to Game Share to a second Switch.

The Mario mojo

Bananza is made by the Super Mario Odyssey team, and its 3D platforming feels like a Mario sequel. You can wander through large but still self-contained sublevels that remind me of the Kingdoms in Super Mario Odyssey. As you descend to new levels, the characters you meet and the level’s game mechanics shift up a bit. The levels aren’t as drastically different or quite as weirdly whimsical as the ones in Odyssey, but they feel a lot busier.

Jumping and punching are the main ways to control things, but there are plenty of other moves. There’s also a skill tree of abilities to unlock and power up, which uses points you accumulate by collecting giant, crystal bananas (just go with it). Donkey Kong can also buy new outfits, much like Mario Odyssey, but these outfits (or pieces of outfits) give extra perks, like cold resistance or faster energy recovery.

Each of the levels has goals and sub-bosses to fight, but also secret subchallenges to discover — some of them 3D, some 2D side-scrolling. There are other things to find, in every direction, on any potential hillside or surface, if you just pummel your fists and dig. The free-digging usually involves either finding more crystal bananas or various-sized fossils, which can be collected and redeemed for costumes. There’s gold to accumulate, too, which acts as general currency. But even as I rush to the next goal on any level, I’m equally tempted to just start digging around and see what’s going on somewhere else.

The Zelda zeitgeist

Here’s where Bananza really starts to feel like a lower-key Zelda game, especially when it comes to finding characters and following sub-missions. You can talk to lots of the strange characters in each sublevel, and some share important news. You’ll get directed to a particular goal, and on a 3D map, you can track your progress or warp to other spots. But as the game’s progress starts to wind up and down through sublevels, it begins to feel a lot more quest-y than any Mario game.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom kept coming to mind for me. That game’s vast overworld and underworld — and its various ways of finding passages between — is very much like Bananza. Also, like recent Zelda games, you can climb just about anywhere (or surf chunks of rock you rip out of the ground). The outfit perks feel Zelda-like, and so does the game’s sense of real-time, chaotic physics. Some puzzles involve understanding the environment and manipulating it, much like I did many times in Tears.

There’s also a sense of persistence in Bananza. You can create little home bases that let you rest up and change outfits. You’ll meander off and come back to locations. Mario Odyssey had some of this too, but Bananza feels more lived in.

Unlike recent Zeldas, though, this game’s challenges are relatively contained. You won’t have long lists of subquests or stories to lose track of. After spending months away from Zelda, and coming back not remembering what I was meant to do next, I appreciate Bananza’s simpler vibe.

A whole new yet familiar feel

Most importantly, Bananza just feels fresh. I get a little tired, sometimes, of diving back into new Zeldas and Marios that layer legends on top of legends. Donkey Kong’s universe is different from previous Kong games, especially the giant, wrinkled Elders who preside over subworlds like spirits, granting extra transformation powers. This is where the “Bananza” name comes in.

Accumulating enough gold triggers a chance to become a spirit animal. There’s a Bananza version of Kong that has stronger punches, an ostrich that can fly and drop egg bombs, and a zebra that can run fast over ice and water. (I haven’t unlocked any others yet.)

After a week-plus of playing, I’m still consistently surprised by what I’m encountering. But I’m also finding it familiar and comfortable, just like a big summer movie. And that’s what this is: Nintendo’s big blockbuster summer game, one of the best I can remember. Something I don’t want to end, and I’m glad to have more to explore.

I’m also surprised by other things: there’s no online mode, which I don’t mind but feels surprising after Super Mario Wonder’s clever additions. The game download size is only 8GB, shockingly small compared to Switch 2 launch games like Cyberpunk 2077, which were nearly 60GB. I was getting worried about how much storage space I’d have on the Switch 2 over time, but if more games are like Bananza, things will be OK.

My youngest son was instantly interested in Bananza, so much so that he didn’t want me playing without him. I had to, though, so I could carve enough time out to play. We’re going to backtrack and play again, and he’ll start playing, too. Will Bananza feel as replayable and infinitely fun as many of Nintendo’s best? I can’t entirely tell yet, but there’s already so much I’ve skipped over in so many levels, I don’t doubt it. There’s also a 3D art mode thrown in as a bonus where you use the Joy-Cons to sculpt and paint ape heads and bunches of bananas.

Donkey Kong makes it worth buying a Switch 2

Bananza is a great sign for where Nintendo’s heading with the Switch 2. It feels like a more evolved version of many Switch games of the past, but just like Mario Kart World, the other major Switch 2 exclusive, it takes the good ideas even further. Bananza is also an extension of Nintendo’s universe, including the Super Mario Movie, which has a Donkey Kong that looks like this one, and Super Nintendo World, which has a Donkey Kong land, too. And yes, Super Nintendo World’s Donkey Kong Power-Up bands even work like Amiibo with this game.

This is a game as vibrant and kinetic as Sony’s fantastic Astro Bot and similarly full of things to search for and do. In comparison, Super Mario Odyssey now seems surprisingly quiet and chill.

And yes, this game is worth getting a Switch 2 for — that was the idea all along. It’s nice to see that Nintendo really pulled it off, though. Combined with Mario Kart World, this is a heck of a one-two punch. I’d still love a proper 3D Mario sequel someday, but Bananza is practically that right now.

Technologies

U.S. ‘Economic Outcast’ operation gains momentum as EU joins sanctions; South Korea weighs military backing

The European Union has formally joined the U.S.-led sanctions campaign against Iran, while South Korea is considering a military role to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as Washington pressures allies to support its war against Tehran on both financial and military fronts.

The European Union has formally joined the U.S.-led sanctions campaign against Iran, while South Korea said it’s weighing a military role to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington pressures allies to support its war against Tehran on both financial and military fronts.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the EU for signing on to “Operation Economic Outcast,” the campaign aimed at cutting Tehran off from the global financial system.

“We appreciate their strong and early stance,” Bessent said in a social media post Thursday evening stateside. “The world is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime: We will not stop until every remaining financial lifeline has been severed,” he added.

The comments came after Brussels, in a statement on Aug. 31, said it supported efforts aimed at stopping the “destabilizing activities” by Tehran and resuming peace talks, including through Operation Economic Outcast, to apply additional economic pressure against the Islamic regime.

The bloc’s endorsement came as the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors gathered in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier this week.

“The United States stands firm with our allies in ensuring the murderous Iranian regime cannot exploit the global financial system to fund its nuclear ambitions, weapons programs, and terror proxies,” Bessent said in the Thursday post.

The Trump administration launched the Operation Economic Outcast campaign in late August, targeting Iran’s access to digital assets, advanced technology procurement, gold reserves, commercial aviation and shipping.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, pushed back against the EU’s move to endorse what he called Washington’s “economic terrorism.” Baghaei blasted in a post on Sept. 1 that the bloc had “surrendered its sovereignty, its laws and regulations, values and ethics to U.S. coercion.”

Bessent cast the campaign as an “economic onslaught” against Iran’s global financial connections, warning that countries aiding Tehran should “expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime.” China was the largest trading partner for Iran, buying around 90% of Iran’s sanctioned crude exports before the war.

The EU has separately maintained its own sanctions regime targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its military support for Russia.

Bessent had signaled ahead of the summit that he intended to press G20 counterparts to cut financial ties with Tehran, or face secondary sanctions. He also indicated new secondary sanctions each week with an initial focus on banks, warning to cut off institutions that facilitate Iran-related transactions entirely from the dollar-based financial system.

Seoul weighs Hormuz role

Separately, South Korea is weighing options including military assistance to support the U.S. bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, Reuters reported Friday, citing the presidential office.

The government, however, denied local media reports that a decision has already been made, saying “details related to the issue have yet to be decided,” in a statement to reporters, according to Yonhap News.

Several South Korean media outlets reported Thursday that Seoul was preparing to send troops to the Gulf region before year-end, and could seek parliamentary approval as soon as this month.

The consideration came as Washington has expressed dissatisfaction with Seoul’s reluctance to offer military assistance in its war against Iran, including by scaling back an annual joint military drill last month and canceling a landing drill scheduled for September.

Standoff

Military hostilities in the region intensified in recent days, reviving fears of a return to broader war.

The U.S. military carried out a new wave of strikes earlier this week, hitting military targets in Iran in retaliation for attacks on ships and American forces in the region. Iran has retaliated, launching missiles on U.S. military bases across the Middle East.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a choke point for roughly a fifth of global oil flows before the war — remained subdued, with Iran launching periodic strikes on vessels using the southern shipping lane near the Omani coast.

The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade in the strait, blocking vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports to stall the country’s crude oil shipments. U.S. Central Command said Friday that it has redirected 87 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two to ensure total compliance.

Technologies

Buy these cheap dividend-paying energy stocks, Goldman Sachs says

The firm still sees an opportunity to grab attractive dividend-paying energy names, despite the sector’s run higher this year.

There is still an opportunity to grab attractive dividend-paying energy names, despite the sector’s run higher this year, according to Goldman Sachs. While the firm continues to see long-term value in the oil and gas sector, it recognizes the area is outperforming the broader market right now. The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has gained 45% so far this year and hit a 52-week high on Thursday. In comparison, the S & P 500 is up 13% year to date. XLE YTD mountain State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF year to date Energy companies have benefited from the jump in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude futures closed above $95 per barrel . “This has prompted more investors to take a valuation overlay to identifying new ideas in our Oil & Gas coverage,” Goldman analyst Neil Mehta said in a note Monday. “For those screening for value, we screen our comparison sheets and identify Buy-rated stocks that currently offer above-average total return while trading at below-average 2028 multiples as investors position into year-end.” Here are some of the names that made the cut: Devon Energy has gained roughly 33% so far this year, versus a 40% advance for its large-cap oil exploration and production peers, said Mehta, calling the name “a compelling valuation opportunity.” “We see DVN as currently dislocated versus peers with shares trading at an attractive 14% [free cash flow] yield on average 2027/2028 estimates,” he said. He also has a constructive view on Devon Energy’s development and focus on the Delaware Basin asset as the core of its long-term portfolio. Plus, the company seeks to return up to 70% of its free cash flow to shareholders, he added. Last month, Devon Energy handily beat earnings and revenue expectations for its second quarter. It announced a dividend hike in May. Mehta’s $55 price target implies 12% upside from Wednesday’s close. The stock pays a 2.3% dividend yield. Gas exploration and production name, Expand Energy , also has a compelling valuation relative to its Appalachian peers, according to Mehta. He sees it currently trading at a 10% free-cash-flow yield on his average 2027/2028 estimates relative to its peer average of 8%. Expand Energy, which yields 2.3%, has reliable free cash flow and a steady capital return program, Mehta said. In addition, he believes in its ability to “generate sustainable cash flow improvement through incremental marketing and commercial initiative.” The company posted mixed second-quarter results in July, with its adjusted earnings per share topping expectations and its revenue falling short. Shares are down roughly 10% so far in 2026. U.S. refiner HF Sinclair , on the other hand, has rallied 131% year to date — and also hit a 52-week high on Thursday. Despite that, Mehta believes the stock trades at a discount to its refiner peers due to uncertainty around the CEO and chief financial officer transitions. Both are currently interim roles. ”[W]e continue to see value in the company’s non-refining earnings contributions (Lubricants, Renewable Diesel, and Midstream) in addition to the company’s leverage to niche refining markets (West Coast/Rockies and Mid-Continent),” Mehta wrote. HF Sinclair posted a beat on both its top and bottom lines for the second quarter and raised its quarterly dividend. The stock currently yields about 2%. Mehta’s $114 price target suggests 7.5% upside from Wednesday’s close. Lastly, oil major ConocoPhillips has a $146 price target, which implies more than 6% upside ahead. Goldman’s buy rating is based on a $7 billion free-cash-flow inflection by 2029 as four major growth projects come online and the company cuts $1 billion in costs. The stock is trading at a discounted multiple, which reflects “a heavy phase of the capital cycle, with the market hesitant to pay for a back-half-weighted free cash flow inflection, where the bulk of the uplift lands in 2029,” Mehta wrote. ConocoPhillips has gained 45% year to date, hitting a 52-week high on Thursday. It currently yields 2.5%.

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Technologies

Netherlands central bank relocates gold bars from U.S. and Canada, citing ‘crisis readiness’

The Dutch central bank has moved about 86 metric tons of gold from the U.S. and Canada to the U.K. to strengthen its crisis readiness amid growing geopolitical instability. Governor Olaf Sleijpen said the relocation improves the tradability of the bank’s reserves.

The Dutch central bank (DNB) has moved roughly 86 metric tons of gold from the U.S. and Canada to the U.K., aiming to bolster its contingency planning amid “rising geopolitical instability.”

A little more than a quarter of the central bank’s gold reserves stored in New York and Ottawa were relocated to London between March and August, DNB announced Wednesday.

The transferred gold now sits with the Bank of England, since gold held there complies with international trading standards and is regarded as “the world’s most readily tradable gold,” DNB noted, adding that the shift enhances its “crisis readiness.”

In contrast, DNB explained that gold bars held in the U.S. and Canada could not be deployed as swiftly or directly during a crisis.

“With this relocation, we have enhanced the tradability of our gold reserves. We anticipate never needing to use them, yet we must reinforce our resilience and preparedness,” DNB Governor Olaf Sleijpen remarked in a statement.

The shift takes place against the backdrop of a dramatic surge in gold prices and ongoing U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions concerning the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, with a broad settlement deal still far from assured.

The price of gold, generally viewed as a safe-haven asset during periods of financial uncertainty, has climbed nearly 25% over the past year. The yellow metal is presently trading at $4,429.61 per ounce, up roughly 1% for the session.

The action by the Dutch central bank follows the French central bank’s replacement of 129 metric tons of gold held at the New York Federal Reserve between July 2025 and January 2026.

Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau stated at the time that the move was not driven by political motives.

Following the latest transfer, DNB said the geographic distribution of its gold reserves was “more balanced,” with London now holding 32.1%, the central bank’s cash center in Zeist in the Netherlands holding 30.8%, and New York and Ottawa holding 18.5% each.

Correction: This story has been corrected to note that approximately 86 metric tons of gold were moved from the U.S. and Canada to the U.K.