What Do You Mean Glen Powell Is Fox McCloud in the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ Movie



Just one day after the surprise reveal that the Super Mario Galaxy movie would be bringing Fox McCloud—of Star Fox fame—to the big screen for reasons unknown, we’ve now learned who’s playing him, and it’s only getting weirder than the “Donald Glover is Yoshi” moment.

This morning, actor Glen Powell confirmed that he is the one bringing Fox McCloud to the big screen for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, via a very cute video in which he is actually cosplaying as Fox McCloud.

More specifically, imagine if the success of the ’90s Mario movie somehow led to a Star Fox adaptation—just in time for Star Fox 64—but because we’re still in that era of video game adaptation where people can’t quite trust the source material still, Fox and all his friends are humans instead of anthropomorphic animals, but still made to look vaguely like their gaming counterparts. The hair, the cosplay being surprisingly solid but also still kind of oddly retro, it all fits that kind of vision. But it is 2026! And here we are, with Glen Powell’s Fox McCloud in a Mario movie.

Suffice to say, this all makes it certainly seem like Fox is going to have a bigger role than simply being a cameo queen. You don’t give a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it easter egg character a standalone poster, and you also probably don’t cast one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men of the past couple of years as them, either. Is the Super Mario Galaxy movie really setting up some kind of Nintendo cinematic universe that’s going to climax in, well… some kind of melee? Or some kind of brawl? Or some kind of… well, it doesn’t work with Smash Bros. Ultimate. But you get what we mean.

Glen Powell is Fox McCloud. Anything is possible.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

The best Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2025


With Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo managed to follow up the reinvention of the Zelda series with a game that added more to discover and more to play with, and it even throws in a mystical LEGO kit. Link soon discovers Ultrahand, which lets you grab and stick objects, batteries, engines, weapons, food (and more) to other objects. It’s the standout addition compared to its predecessor; a creative toolbox of solutions (or foolish endeavors) to solve every puzzle, fight every beast and explore every part of Tears of the Kingdom.

The Switch 2 edition adds the sort of improvements and upgrades that, arguably, warrant paying to upgrade your Switch edition. To start with, I struggled to make the frame rates choke in my current playthrough. On the original Switch, the gorgeous world of Hyrule would often stutter and slow as you transitioned between sky, surface and underground. The game’s framerates would peak at 30fps, while busy moments (or lots of custom building) could knock those rates severely.

On the Switch 2, ToTK runs at 60fps, locked. It plays smoothly, pretty much all the time, and it’s a big improvement to what is still a beautiful adventure. The new hardware adds HDR to the graphics. This expanded dynamic range comes into its own in the underground depths sections, the low-light areas a little clearer and easier to navigate. No surprise: loading times are also quicker when fast travelling and loading the game initially.

There are also gameplay quality-of-life upgrades, including audio logs you can discover and listen to on the companion smartphone app and the ability to both store and share your items, weapons and ingredients. If your favorite part was crafting spinning laser death machines, et al, with your Ultrahand, the ability to save builds as QR codes and share with friends is a fun addition, if a little limited in utility at the start. You will have to manually scour the internet for creations from people who aren’t on your friends list.

That limitation aside, the Switch 2 edition delivers plenty for that $10 upgrade charge – and Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass subscribers get both ToTK and BoTW upgrades for free. — Mat Smith, UK Bureau Chief

Nintendo designed a Playdate-like crank for the Switch 2


Nintendo has eyed adding a Playdate-style crank to the Switch 2, according to a recently spotted patent from Nintendo Patents Watch. The hypothetical accessory would add tracking rotational movement to an existing bag of Joy-Con 2 controller tricks that includes motion and mouse controls.

Based on the patent application, the crank accessory attaches to the side of a Joy-Con 2 magnetically, not unlike the controllers’ wrist straps. Whichever game supports the accessory can use the Joy-Con 2’s mouse sensor to track the rotations of the crank as an input. Fishing games or games with dedicated fishing mini-games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, seem like the obvious contenders for an accessory like this, but knowing Nintendo there are weirder possibilities, too.

A patent illustration that shows what looks like a click wheel attachment on a Joy-Con 2 controller.

A patent illustration that shows what looks like a click wheel attachment on a Joy-Con 2 controller.

(Nintendo)

Another patent imagines a similar setup being used for a clickable wheel. The patent illustrations looks like a lighter, but the accessory could just as easily be used while dragging a Joy-Con 2 along a surface. It might even add extra resistance or friction to the Switch 2’s mouse controls.

Given that these are patent applications, there’s no guarantee Nintendo plans on turning either of them into real products. Still, they’re a glimpse at the Switch 2’s untapped potential for supporting goofy accessories, something that defined a good portion of the Wii’s lifespan.

The wildest Nintendo got with the original Switch was Nintendo Labo, cardboard accessories that turned the console into everything from a VR headset to a simple fishing rod. A crank might be the first of several adventurous accessories for Nintendo’s new console.

Nintendo is fighting the attention war, not the console war


As successful as the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch has been (and it has been very successful), it came with plenty of impatience. Its compact day one game lineup, led by Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, left some potential buyers a bit underwhelmed. It was a notable step down from the PlayStation 5’s packed 2020 launch lineup, which brought us Astro’s Playroom, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure all at once. For the Switch 2, was one tentpole first-party game really enough to make a pricey system worth buying?

Not even two months later, the narrative is already shifting. Donkey Kong Bananza followed Mario Kart World’s opening jab with a strong right hook on July 17. The Game of the Year contender has reignited buzz around Nintendo, quickly wrenching the spotlight back from Death Stranding 2: On The Beach just as it felt like the Switch 2’s new console shine had faded. Did Nintendo narrowly avoid a strategic misfire? Should it have released both games on June 5? No, we’re just seeing a long-building strategy that was sharpened in the Switch era pay off. Nintendo is running its own monthly book club, and it’s working — for now.

Look at the Nintendo Switch’s release calendar from 2021 onward and you’ll start to notice a trend. Over the past few years, Nintendo has gotten closer and closer to releasing one first-party game each month. Sure, 2024 may have looked like a slow year for the publisher, but in reality, it dropped exactly 12 games, each carefully spaced a month apart (the only month not covered was April, as Endless Ocean: Luminous just missed the mark on May 2). Like clockwork, there was a new Nintendo game to play every few weeks, a feat made possible thanks to a few remakes and remasters filling in the gaps:

  • January 19: Another Code: Recollection
  • February 16: Mario vs. Donkey Kong
  • March 22: Princess Peach Showtime!
  • May 2: Endless Ocean: Luminous
  • May 23: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
  • June 27: Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
  • July 18: Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
  • August 29: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
  • September 26: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
  • October 17: Super Mario Party Jamboree
  • November 7: Mario & Luigi: Brothership
  • December 5: Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer
Princess Zelda stands before a wide landscape diorama with Hyrule Castle in the distance in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Image: Nintendo

I made a point to play nearly all of those games last year, even December’s Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer. It felt like I was in a book club. One new watercooler conversation starter was delivered to my console each month on a tight schedule. As soon as I finished The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree was waiting for me. Then I was on to Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The quality of those games varied wildly, but I began to see each as an assignment. Skipping one meant missing out on the monthly discussion with diehard Switch owners. The social element was as important as the actual games.

That strategy is now in full swing in the Nintendo Switch 2’s early days, and it’s set to continue. June’s game of the month was Mario Kart World and July’s was Donkey Kong Bananza, both of which did their part in sparking conversation. The August stage is clear for Drag X Drive (but Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Star-Crossed World will likely steal the microphone). While September is a mystery, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has October locked down. And with release dates for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Kirby Air Riders yet to be revealed — all of which currently have broad 2025 or “winter” release windows — it’s very likely that the Switch 2 will have a first-party moment each month this year.

Will all of those games be hits? No, but they’ll keep us talking.

It’s the kind of reaction that media publishers dream of. Even since going all-in on original content, Netflix has fought to deliver a stream of “appointment viewing” moments — good and bad — from Birdbox to Squid Game. It has created its fair share of them in that time, but the glut of content often makes it hard to know what’s worth watching. Disney+ hit the same snag when making an overly aggressive push into Marvel and Star Wars TV series that became a chore to keep up with. (Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige admitted as much during a recent press junket, according to The Hollywood Reporter.) The balancing act comes in remaining relevant with a consistent flow of new releases without leaving audiences with an always-expanding queue that’s impossible to chop down.

A pink Donkey Kong sits with Pauline on his shoulder in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Nintendo’s “one at a time” approach is appealing because it’s manageable at a time when gaming is at its most overwhelming; it may not win the console war, or even partake that much in it, but it’s winning the attention war. Early adopters had enough time to not just play Mario Kart World, but digest it too. I spent June really digging into its free-roam mode and online Knockout Tour races, leading to more substantial conversations with friends about what worked and what didn’t. I had my fill of that by the time July 17 rolled around and I was ready to start that process with Donkey Kong Bananza. There was no pressure to rush through one to get to the other, but there would have been if I had a backlog to work through from my first day with a new console.

Though the Switch 2’s launch month had some itching for more right out the gate, the intent of that reserved rollout is already revealing itself thanks to a careful 1-2 punch. The momentum is unlikely to hold forever; there are bound to be holes if games like Drag X Drive end up landing as duds. But Nintendo’s first-party release cadence gives each new game room to breathe where so many others immediately launch into a cultural memory hole. Stop begging for the next game and join the book club. We meet on Wednesdays and we have a lot of thoughts about gorillas.

Canyon Layer Banandium Gem locations in Donkey Kong Bananza


In Donkey Kong Bananza, the Canyon Layer is the third layer that you’ll crash land onto. It’s full of your crystalline friends, but now some of them are shaped like giraffes!

The Canyon Layer is home to warehouses full of Banandium Gems and smokestacks towering into the sky. The bananas in this layer are particularly difficult to find as you’ll need to weave your way up and down through the layers to collect them all.

Below, we list where to find all of the Banandium Gems in the Canyon Layer we’ve found so far in Donkey Kong Bananza. We’re still updating this guide and will add more golden bananas as we find them.

Sublayer 300 Banandium Gems

There are 60 Banandium Gems in Sublayer 300 of the Canyon Layer.

#1: Tumbled into the Canyon Layer!

DK and Pauline stand in front of a bunch of golden bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Complete the main story quest in Hilltop Layer. When you jump down the hole into Canyon Layer, the gem will be waiting at the bottom.

#2: Behind Tallfall Cliffs

An arrow points out a specific wall to smash to get a Canyon Layer Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you land in the Canyon Layer, dig straight down until you land in a cave below you. Before you head into the larger cavern with Banandium Gem #3, turn around to find a breakable wall. Smash your way through to find the second banana.

#3: Hanging in the Cliffs

A Banandium Gem hangs from the ceiling of a roof road in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

From the starting area after you drop into the Canyon Layer, dig straight down. You’ll wind up in another section of the starting cave. There’s a gem hanging on the ceiling that you can climb up to and collect.

#4: Scenic Smokestack View

The inside of a smokestack in Donkey Kong Bananza, showing where to find Canyon Layer Banandium Gem #4.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you land in the Canyon Layer, look up to see a ladder leading to the top of the tower. Climb up the wall onto the ladder to find a Banandium Gem waiting for you at the top.

#5: Shifty Smash: Cliff Valley

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a glowing pyramid in the Canyon Layer of Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Interact with the glowing triangle and then smash the white blocks. Note that the map shows where you pick up the banana, but the actual triangle is slightly above that (from our provided map perspective).

#6: Growing from the Stone Wall

The end of a banana sticks out of a cliffside above a mine track in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Climb up Tallfall Cliff from the hole where the minecart it situated to find this banana sticking out of the cliffside.

#7: Buried in the Tallfall Cliffs

An arrow showcases where to dig down next to a smokestack in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Enter the hole in the minecart room in Tallfall Cliffs and dig down the left side of the “giraffe neck” (if you’re facing the barrel that shoots you back up).

A Banandium Gem sits in plain sight through a window in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After riding the first minecart in the Canyon Layer, you’ll find a stone home on your right. In its basement, you’ll find a Banandium Gem.

Arrows indicate which cavern entrance to go into on the left side under a smokestack in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you ride the first minecart, follow the path along the right edge until you run into a small rock blocking your way forward. Hop over the rock to find a small cave on your left. Head inside to find a Banandium Gem embedded into the wall.

#10: Pay Dirt Under the Plateau

Arrows show where to break open some concrete that leads to a Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you ride the first minecart, climb the wall beside the Getaway and head towards the crystal shaped like a giraffe. Continue past the crystal giraffe while hugging the left edge until you hit a wall. Look over the left edge to spot a concrete barrier on the floor. Either throw a chunk of the bomb rock nearby or transform into Kong Bananza and dive punch your way through to find a Banandium Gem.

#11: Battle: Exploding Pork Platoon

A plugged-up cavern entrance showing where to find a combat challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Before you climb up the ladder to head into the Longneck Plateau Village, look to the right to see a breakable wall. Destroy it to find the entrance to the Exploding Pork Platoon battle challenge. Defeat the 10 squeeloids to receive the gem.

#12: Spinning in the Stone Pillar

A Banandium Gem sits in a broken-open stone pillar in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

To the side of the Style Shop in the Longneck Plateau Village, you’ll find a spinning stone pillar. Smash your way in to find a Banandium Gem.

#13: Moseyed into the Village

A Banandium Gem sits in the middle of the Canyon Layer town, surrounded by gold in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

As you enter the Longneck Plateau Village, you’ll find a Banandium Gem embedded in a pile of gold beside the tuning fork.

#14: High Shelf Down Below

An arrow shows which hole you need to jump down in the Canyon Layer village in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Speak with the NPC beside the gong in the Longneck Plateau Village to reveal this banana on the map. It’s located on a high shelf in the warehouse underneath the village. If you don’t land on the shelf, you can chunk jump to reach it.

A circle highlights a partially-hidden Banadium Gem in the Canyon Layer town in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Beside the Longneck Crystal at the Longneck Plateau Village tuning fork, you’ll find a wooden platform on the ground. Break it and drop down, where you’ll land on a flat Fractone friend. In the small pond beside the pipe, you’ll spot a sunken Banandium Gem. Dive punch the gem a few times to grab it.

DK and Pauline stand in front of a concrete-blocked entrance for Thorny Blast Cave in Donkey Kong Bananza.
DK and Pauline stand in front of a Banandium Gem reward in Donkey Kong Bananza.

1/2Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Banandium Gems 16-18 can be found inside the Thorny Blast Cave Ancient Ruin. To get to the Thorny Blast Cave, you’ll need to blow up the concrete wall in the warehouse underneath the Longneck Plateau Village. Hit the mine embedded in the wall to destroy it and follow the path to find the Thorny Blast Cave.

In the Thorny Blast Cave, this Banandium Gem is found halfway through the course.

#17: Kaboom the Hidden Room

DK and Pauline blow up some vines using bombs in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you drop down through the metal grate in the Thorny Blast Cave, turn around to find a thorny wall full of mines. Blow up the mines to reveal the Banandium Gem behind it make your way over to collect the gem.

Pauline and DK stand in front of another Banandium Gem with a barrel behind it in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This Banandium Gem is found at the end of the Thorny Blast Cave just before the barrel.

#19: An Underground Guide

A sleepy teleporter eel with its head sticking out of a wall in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Head to the area beneath the Longneck Plateau Village to find a small blue fish sleeping on top of a pipe. As you approach the fish, it’ll get scared and start to eat its way through the terrain. Follow it until it reaches a dead end, and break the area directly behind it to find a Banandium Gem.

#20: Canyon Fragmentone Recovery

DK and Pauline stand near a fragmentone missing three pieces near a smokestack in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the underground warehouse below the Longneck Plateau Village, you’ll find a Fractone shaped like a puzzle piece. Head into the tunnel behind them to find a little Fractone and slowly lead them back to the puzzle piece to unlock this gem.

#21: Canyon Fragmentone Restoration

Arrows point out which cavern to go into and how to find some fragmentone pieces in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the Underground Warehouse below the Longneck Plateau Village, you’ll find a crystal shaped like a puzzle piece. In a little divot in the wall, you’ll spot two circular crystals. These crystals cannot touch the water or else they’ll return to their starting point, so you’ll need to punch a pathway through the wall to safely lead them back. Once complete, you’ll unlock the gem.

#22: Traversing the Cliff

A fragmentone sleeps half-buried in the cliffside, before it escapes into a cave in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Before you get on the minecart in the Longneck Plateau Village. Turn to the left and head to the edge of the cliff. If you look down, you’ll spot a Fractone. Follow them down the cliffside to find a cave opening. Enter it and destroy the wall inside to find the gem.

DK and Pauline stand in front of a huge radish-like vegetable in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Starting from the Longneck Plateau Village tuning fork, walk to the Ancient Ruin in the back. Then, turn right and drop down off the cliff. Enter the house below and pull the giant turnip out of the ground to find a gem in a cavern below.

#24-25: Wrecked by Kong Bananza and Quickly with Kong Bananza

The entrance to a Kong Bananza challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Kong Bananza DK and Pauline stand between two Banandium Gems in Donkey Kong Bananza.

1/2Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the Longneck Plateau Village, talk to the Constructone beside the blocked off ruins to clear away the rubble. Head inside and clear the challenge to receive Banandium Gem #24, Wrecked by Kong Bananza. If you finish the challenge with 20 or more seconds remaining on the clock, you’ll receive Banandium Gem #25, Quickly with Kong Bananza.

#26: Beneath the Central Pillar

Kong Bananza DK slams the floor, revealing the location of a hidden Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you’ve completed the challenge in the Ancient Ruin. Head to the center of the platform to find a dirt patch. Dig down at that location to find the gem.

#27: Sparkling in the Secret Storeroom

An arrow points to a cave entrance blocked off by wooden planks with a Banandium Gem behind it in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Go behind the Getaway in the Longneck Plateau Village and descend the cliffside. Make your way to the bottom to find a Banandium Gem hidden behind a wooden wall.

#28: Banandium Gem in the House

A cave with a Banandium Gem inside of it, under a house in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Follow the path through the village up to the minecart at the top of the hill. Just before you reach it, turn right and you’ll see a dirt wall you can punch through to get a hidden gem.

#29: Unstuck the Mine Cart

A half-buried Banandium Gem sticks out of the sand in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you free the minecart in the Longneck Plateau Village from the purple void, you’ll find a banana beside it.

The entrance to one of the challenge areas in Donkey Kong Bananza, along the cliffside near a getaway.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you ride the minecart from the Longneck Plateau Village, you’ll find the Big-Wheel Balloon Hunt Ancient Ruin on your left. Enter and pop all five balloons to get this gem.

An arrow points into a small opening in the ground, towards a Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

At the bottom of the dirt wheel, dig down to find a hole leading to a lower level containing a gem.

An arrow points towards an opening in the side of a smokestack towards yet another banana in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Break a hole into the dirt wheel and ride it until the rightmost point. Exit your hole to the other side of the wheel and climb along the black wall towards the opening. Head inside to find the last banana in this challenge course.

#33: Shifty Smash: Cliff’s Edge

Multiple curved arrows show where to go to find a Shifty Smash challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After entering Big-Stretch Peak via minecart, walk straight ahead to the area with the transparent crystal. There’s a wall you can break into next to it, which well take you to a challenge node. Activate it and you’ll have 20 seconds to break three floating walls, which you can do by diving straight through them. Your reward is a gem.

#34: Sleeping by the Smokestack

DK hits the ground to reveal a hidden Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you ride the minecart into Big-Stretch Peak, you’ll be told by a giraffe Fractone to climb the ladder to the refinery entrance, but right before you get onto the ladder, dig downwards to find a banana.

#35: Canyon Smashin’ Stats

DK talks to a fragmentone with several rocks piled on its head in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Before you climb the tall ladder to the Banandium Refinery entrance, turn to the right of the ladder to find a Fractone with a few rocks stacked on top of their head. They’ll give you a Banandium Gem if you’ve smashed 30,000 cubic meters of stone.

A Banandium Gem juts out of the wall on the side of Poppy Kong’s stone head in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

On the side of the cliff of the Banandium Refinery, you’ll find the face of Poppy Kong carved into the wall. On Poppy Kong’s right ear, you’ll find a Banandium Gem.

A Banandium Gem sticks out of Grumpy Kong’s stone head in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

On the side of the cliff of the Banandium Refinery, you’ll find the face of Grumpy Kong carved into the wall. Inside Grumpy Kong’s right nostril, you’ll find a Banandium Gem.

#38: Hidden Beneath Scoundrels

A cave opening blocked off with concrete under Void Kong’s stone head in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This gem is in a cave blocked by concrete under the stone carving of Void Kong. Use Kong Bananza to break it open, take out the baddies inside, and break another concrete wall to get to this banana.

#39: Circling the Concrete Pillar

A broken-open concrete pillar reveals a Banandium Gem inside in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Climb to the top of the Grumpy Kong statue to find a spinning concrete pillar. Smash your way through with Kong Bananza to find a banana.

#40: Battle: Sturdy Pork Platoon

DK and Pauline approach a combat challenge entrance near a tall smokestack in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

At the top of the cliff featuring the carved faces of Void Kong, Poppy Kong, and Grumpy Kong, you’ll find a battle challenge. Head inside and defeat the five concrete squeeloids to receive a gem.

#41: Finally Within Reach

DK and Pauline climb up the top of pipes that look like a giraffe to find a Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This gem is found on the “horn” of the giraffe pipe structure by the Neckreach Smokestack Exit teeleport point.

#42: Battle: Explosive Laps

DK and Pauline approach a combat challenge entrance with stompoids inside in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you defeat the Mad Mixer and exit the Neckreach Smokestack, you’ll end up on another island with Cranky Kong. On the path to the village, look to the right to find a battle challenge. Defeat the five stompoids in this minecart battle challenge to get the Banandium Gem.

#43-45: The Canyon Growtone, The Hungry Canyon Growtone, and The Sated Canyon Growtone

Three Banandium Gems grow from a rocky tree in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Feed the growtone tree a total of 2,000 gold to receive all three Banandium Gems.

#46: The Lift’s Secret Stop

Pauline and DK stand outside a still taped-off entrance to an ancient ruins in Donkey Kong Bananza.
An arrow points to a stone wall behind a stompoid with a Banandium Gem behind it in Donkey Kong Bananza.

1/2Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the Stompy Ascent challenge course (next to the Mechaneck Isle Getaway), one of the walls behind the stompoids will be made of stone. Break it open for a banana.

DK and Pauline approach a Banandium Gem sitting in the open in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This banana is on the path for the Stompy Ascent challenge course. You can’t miss it.

DK and Pauline approach another Banandium Gem, this time with a barrel behind it in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This is the final banana reward for the Stompy Ascent challenge course.

#49: Cranky’s Canyon Rant

DK and Pauline stand in front of Cranky Kong and Rambi in the Canyon Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Talk to Cranky Kong next to the Mechaneck Isle Getaway to hear his rant and get a Banandium Gem.

#50: Canyon Hide-and Seek

DK and Pauline look inside of a cave with a Fragmentone inside in the Canyon Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Several circled fragmentone, with an arrow pointing behind a boom rock, where another fragmentone sits in Donkey Kong Bananza.

1/2Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Enter this cave to the side of the Mechaneck Isle Getaway to find an NPC asking for you to find its four friends. One is behind the explosive rock, another is in the concrete, one is in the whole, one is in a stone wall, and another is towards the edge near a metal platform. We took a screen to give you an idea of where to smash.

An arrow points to a cavern entrance under a getaway base in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Enter this cave to the side of the Mechaneck Isle Getaway and punch the dirt pile on the ground to drop down onto a platform. Punch the blue punching bag a ton to bring the Banandium Gem over to you.

#52: Bust Through the Giraffe’s Spot

DK and Pauline stand outside of a hole in a smokestack to be broken into in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Fall down the Click-Clack Smokestack and punch through this inconspicuous dirt hole to get a banana.

#53: Behind the Moving Walls

A curved arrow shows where to go to find a hidden Banandium Gem behind some moving platforms in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Smash through the moving walls to find a Banandium Gem hiding in a small room behind them.

#54: Above the Moving Walls

An arrow points upwards against some moving platforms, showing where to find a Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Climb up the side of the last moving wall and punch past the dirt to get to this banana.

#55: Slip into the Secret Room

An arrow points towards an opening below some plus-shaped rotating platforms in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Climb up the nearby plus-shaped rotating walls and allow DK to slip into this opening from the bottom of one.

#56: Hanging from the Crane

A pink Donkey Kong looking at a hidden banana just outside of his getaway in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

The banana is behind the Smokestack Getaway that you make as you climb up the Click-Clack Smokestack.

#57: The Crane’s Precious Cargo

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a shiny metal cube in the Canyon Layer of Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Break open the concrete block the crane is lifting near the Click-Clack Smokestack Roof using Kong Bananza to get this banana.

#58: Battle: Knotted-Thorn Knockout

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a blue crystalline friend in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Around the corner from the Click-Clack Smokestack Roof, there’s an NPC you have to pay 600 gold to open this battle challenge. Take out the two stompoids to get your banana.

#59: Foreman’s Secret Stash

DK and Pauline look at a conspicuous cave entrance in Donkey Kong Bananza

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

To reach this gem, you’ll first need to grab Banandium Gem #78, Under Twin-Horn Smokestacks. Continue down the metal grate hallway and climb into the barrel. You’ll get sent to a small island back on Sublayer 300 where you’ll see a dirt wall you can break through. Smash it to find a gem.

#60: Canyon Chip Exchange

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a hexagonal yellow crystalline friend in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the Longneck Plateau Village, speak the the hexagonal Fractone in front of the Chip Exchange to trade chips and gold for gems.

Sublayer 301 Banandium Gems

There are 18 Banandium Gems in Sublayer 301 of the Canyon Layer.

A bunch of three glowing Banandium Gems sit in front of DK and Pauline.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Beat Grumpy Kong at the end of Sublayer 300 and jump into the hole to get this gem in Sublayer 301.

#62: Battle Laser-Wall Brawl

A pink Donkey Kong climbing a wall beside a window in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Drop into this window and enter the battle challenge. Beat the three crockoids for a banana.

#63: The Refinery’s Hidden Hallway

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a crumbly wall in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After taking the first minecart ride, walk towards the steps to the next minecart up the hill. Before you get there, smash through the wall to the left of the sloped steps and then blow up the concrete wall within to find a gem.

#64: Peak’s Peek at the Refinery

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a cave entrance in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

To get this Banandium Gem, you’ll need to enter a pipe located on Sublayer 300. The pipe is found in a cave on the side of the mountain with the Void Company’s faces on it (specifically, this is the side with Poppy Kong). Use your Kong Bananza skill to break the concrete blocking the pipe and you’ll land right on the banana in Sublayer 301.

#65: Asleep in a Dormitory

A black Donkey Kong standing on a metal contraption looking over a crumbly roof top of a dormitory in the Canyon Layer of Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This gem is first spotted when you’re throwing boom rocks in the mine cart, but you’ll have to wait to claim it until you reach the Banandium Refinery Staff Dorms tuning fork. From the tuning fork, enter the building on your left and walk to the edge to find a metal contraption connecting your building to the one below. Drop down onto the building and break into the adjacent room to find the gem.

#66: Surveying the Staff Dorms

A pink Donkey Kong and a young girl on his back standing on top of a tower with a shiny roof in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This is another gem that you’ll need to fall to from Sublayer 300. Smash the concrete at the top of this tower in Longneck Plateau Village using Kong Bananza to fall on to this banana.

#67: Tucked Away in a Dormitory

A pink Donkey Kong with a young girl on his back standing in front of a tucked away golden banana.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This banana can be found in a building to the right of the Spinning Laser Zone challenge. Inside the building closest to the edge, you’ll find a back entrance that leads to the banana.

#68: Battle: Leaps over the Laser

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a glowing manhole cover that has a banana on it which is also in front of a poster of a monkey in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This battle challenge can be found in the area immediately after the Banandium Refinery Terrace Getaway. From the Getaway, proceed straight and take the first left. Enter the building on the right to find the entrance to the challenge.

Inside, you’ll need to defeat two stompoids to receive the gem.

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of the entrance to the Spinning Laser Zone challenge course in the Canyon Layer of Donkey Kong Bananza.
A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a golden banana in a challenge course in Donkey Kong Bananza.

1/2Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

The Spinning Laser Zone challenge can be found in the area immediately after the Banandium Refinery Terrace Getaway. From the Getaway, proceed straight and take the second left to find the challenge course.

The first banana can be spotted as soon as you enter the challenge. Continue through the challenge to find this gem.

#70: Laying Low in the Laser Zone

A black Donkey Kong slamming the ground, revealing a hidden Banandium Gem under the gravel in a challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Immediately after you find the first banana, you’ll enter an area full of spinning lasers. After you slam the ground to bring up the first concrete wall, you’ll spot a Banandium Gem hidden under the patch of gravel. Dig down to collect the gem.

#71: Laser-Zone End Point

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a golden banana at the end of a challenge in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This gem is found at the end of the Spinning Laser Zone challenge.

#72: De-Voiding the Dorms

A black Donkey Kong standing in front of a half-dug up banana in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you de-void the minecart on the way to Mad Mixer, a Banandium Gem will also get de-voided in the process.

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a bunch of bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

This Banandium Gem is a reward for beating the Mad Mixer boss, and you’ll get it as you progress through the story.

#74: Mad Mixer’s Parting Gift

A circle highlights where to find a Banandium Gem in the lower Canyon Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you defeat Mad Mixer, teeleport back to the Banandium Refinery Gravel Storage waypoint. Continue straight to find a container full of colorful gravel. Before jumping in, spot the pile of gravel that is the furthest away from you. Underneath this pile, you’ll find a Banandium Gem.

#75: Dropped into the Refinery Depths!

A pink Donkey Kong standing in front of a bunch of golden bananas along with a map indicating its location in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

You get this banana as part of the story progression, after you jump into the hole at the top of the Click-Clack Smokestack.

#76: Shifty Smash: Moving Targets

A pink Donkey Kong and young Pauline standing in front of a glowing floating pyramid beside a molten rock along with its location pointed out on a map in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

In the area behind the Spinning Laser Zone Ancient Ruin, you’ll find a shifty triangle beside a boom rock. Complete the challenge by destroying the two floating triangles to get a gem.

#77: Treasure by the Triceratops

Donkey Kong standing on a large pile of colorful rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Behind the Spinning Laser Zone Ancient Ruin, you’ll find an area full of colorful gravel. Dig into the biggest pile to find a banana.

#78: Under Twin-Horn Smokestacks

Arrows point towards an entrance to some smokestacks in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Go to the village in Sublayer 300 via the Longneck Plateau Village tuning fork. Take a right and drop down off the cliff behind the gong. You’ll see a minecart with a Fractone miner near it. Talk to him and pay 1,000 gold to create the track. Take it to the island and smash your way through the concrete wall blocking the left smockstack. Climb up the ladder inside, climb the ceiling bridge to the right smokestack, and climb to the top of that. Break the concrete panel blocking it and you’ll land in Sublayer 301, where you’ll get a gem.

#79: Hanging Hallway Over the Refinery

An arrow points to an open lip of a chimney in Donkey Kong Bananza, showing where to find a Canyon Layer Banandium Gem.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

After you enter the Longneck Plateau Village in the Canyon Layer. Head up to the rotating stone pillar behind the clothing store. If you walk up to the edge and look down to the left, you’ll notice a suspicious black pillar below you. Drop down and make your way over to the pillar to find a stake embedded into the ground. Break the stake.

Donkey Kong Bananza release time in your time zone on Switch 2


Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer developed by the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey, is the second major Nintendo Switch 2 game, swinging onto the platform later this week.

In Donkey Kong Bananza, which looks absolutely bananas from early previous, you join Donkey Kong and a young Pauline on a trek to the planet’s core in order to fulfill Pauline’s wish — to go back home. On your way, you’ll meet a few friendly faces, collect huge golden bananas called Banandium Gems, and face off against a group of dangerous monkeys.

For anyone dying to get into the game and monkey around in the Switch 2’s second exclusive title, look no further! Here’s when Donkey Kong Bananza will release in your time zone.

Donkey Kong Bananza release time in your time zone

Donkey Kong Bananza will be releasing at midnight of your region’s easternmost time zone on Thursday, July 17. This can be a bit confusing for those who live in larger countries, but as soon as it hits midnight anywhere in your region, the game will become available to play — barring any hiccups.

To make things a little easier, here’s when Donkey Kong Bananza will be available in your time zone:

Now, you can technically change your account’s region to, say, New Zealand to get Donkey Kong Bananza as soon as possible, but that will come with a few drawbacks like unlinking your Nintendo Network ID and potentially being locked out of switching regions. Rather than having to deal with any issues, we’d suggest making an entirely new account in a different region if you want to go this route.

Of course, this will all only apply if you’re purchasing Donkey Kong Bananza from the eShop. If you’re getting a physical copy, you can play as soon as you’re able to get one.

Can you preload Donkey Kong Bananza?

Yes! You can preload Donkey Kong Bananza now as long as you’ve preordered it from the Nintendo eShop. You’ll need 8.6 GB of available space to download the entire game, so make sure to free up some space if you don’t have enough room.

Once it reaches midnight in your region, you can launch the game and monkey around!

The best Prime Day gaming deals from laptops and peripherals to the latest video games


There is nothing more sublime than having a perfectly kitted out gaming station. That said, staying on top of things with the current pace of technology is always tricky. But for anyone hunting for upgrades, Amazon Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to improve your gaming setup on a discount. So regardless of whether you’re looking for some cables, extra storage or a brand new monitor and headphones, we’ve gathered all the best gaming deals in one place for easy reading.

Image for the small product module

Square Enix

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake (PS5/Nintendo Switch) for $35 ($25 off)

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a fantastic update to a truly wonderful JRPG classic. It features an updated HD-2D art style along with some nice quality-of-life changes and UI improvements. But at its core, it has the same great story and turn-based combat that set the world on fire back in 1988. And because the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, this could be a great title to play on Nintendo’s latest handheld, though you can always opt for the PS5 version instead.

$35 at Amazon

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Nintendo Switch) for $52 ($8 off)

We rarely see discounts on first-party Nintendo games, especially when it comes to major franchises like The Legend of Zelda. But for Prime Day, Echoes of Wisdom is available for 15 percent off, which is even more impressive when you consider the game the game is less than a year old. Not only is this the first Zelda game to put our beloved princess in the spotlight (instead of Link), it offers a fun twist on the series’ classic top-down action RPG formula thanks to Zelda’s new ability to summon objects and monsters with the Tri-rod.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch) for $55 ($15 off)

Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit faster paced, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom may be one of the best sequels in recent video game history. And now for Prime Day, it’s available for $15 off its normal retail price. Not only is this a great pickup for anyone who hasn’t played it yet, it’s also a great showcase of the Switch 2’s capabilities as users can purchase a $10 upgrade pack (or get it for free if you have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack) that adds support for HDR, faster loading times, enhanced textures and smoother framerates.

Star Wars Outlaws – Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5 for $29 ($31 off)

At full price, this game was easy to skip. But now that it’s available for just $29 (half off its normal retail price), Star Wars Outlaws suddenly becomes a lot more interesting for fans of the franchise. You get to live out your dreams of being an intergalactic scoundrel while taking down bounties or battling secret crime syndicates. And because this is the limited edition, the game includes some pre-order rewards like the Kessel Run bonus pack and the Rogue Infiltrator bundle.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Limited Edition for PS5/Xbox Series X for $48 ($22 off)

If you missed the latest entry in Ubisoft’s most well-known franchise, this might be the time to jump in because for Prime Day, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available for $48, more than $20 off its regular retail price. This instalment has you explore feudal Japan as either the shinobi Naoe or the legendary samurai Yasuke while encountering some notable figures from the time period. If all you want is a wonderful world to sneak around in, it’s hard to go wrong with Assassin’s Creed on a discount.

Elden Ring: Shadow of The Erdtree Edition for PS5/Xbox Series X for $60 ($20 off)

Elden Ring is one of the most highly regarded games of this decade so far (and arguably of all time). For Prime Day, you can become a foul tarnished by picking up a version that includes the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for $60. Elden Ring typically costs around $50 (though it’s down to $30 on PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X for Prime Day) and the DLC will usually run you another $40, so that’s a decent discount compared with buying them separately — or even the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition at its regular price.

The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 for $33 ($36 off)

The Last of Us is one of the greatest modern video game franchises, spawning both a critically acclaimed sequel and TV adaptation. For Prime Day, you can now get part one of the remastered version for more than 50 percent off. This latest edition for the PS5 features a brand new game engine, improved loading speeds and haptic feedback support for Sony’s DualSense controller and more, which is enough to make the series feel like an entirely new experience (even if you played the original back in the day). And while it isn’t getting as big of a discount, you can also pick up The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on Amazon for just $40 (10 off its regular price).

Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition for PlayStation and Switch for $45 ($30 off, lowest ever price)

This collection of pixel remasters of the first six Final Fantasy games is an absolute steal at $45 during Prime Day. It’s the lowest price we’ve seen to date for this set, which comes with a nice little sticker sheet of character sprites. Several other games in the series are on sale for PS5 as well, such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade ($30, $10 off), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ($40, $30 off) and Final Fantasy XVI ($25, $15 off)

Meta Quest 3S 128GB Bundle for $249 ($51 off)

The Quest 3S is one of our picks for best VR headsets for good reason. Meta cut just the right corners from the more full-featured Quest 3, enabling it to drop the list price down lower. It has the same Snapdragon chip and controlers, but cheaps out a bit on the lenses, slightly lowering the graphics fidelity in use. Just like the Quest 3, it works standalone for lighter games and streaming, or in concert with a gaming PC for full-fat AAA VR titles. It’s well worth the $300 Meta usually asks for it, so at $249 with two games included (Cardboard Hero and the excellent social VR hit Gorilla Tag), it’s a steal.

Razer Blade 14 with RTX 4070 for $2,300 ($400 off)

The Blade 14 is one of my favorite laptop lines because it combines a super sleek chassis with solid performance and truly excellent build quality. And now, as a way to get in on the Prime Day festivities, Razer has an exclusive offer on its website that will knock $400 off configs with RTX 4070 GPUs or up to $300 on models with RTX 4060 cards. These kind of savings go a long way towards neutralizing my biggest issue with Razer’s laptops: their price. So if you’re looking for a system that can do some serious gaming but is still easy to carry around, you’re going to want to snap this deal up fast.

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop with RTX 4060 for $1,360 ($340 off)

While an RTX 4060 isn’t the most powerful GPU on the market, getting a whole new laptop with solid specs for just $1,360 isn’t something you can just ignore, especially if you’re on a budget. This ROG Strix G16 comes with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. And while its Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU is one generation old, it’s still plenty fast enough for gaming, video editing or pretty much anything else you need to do. I also appreciate small features like a MUX switch that lets the laptop connect directly to the GPU for increased performance, though if you want, you can also enable automatic switching for better battery life. And with a 16-inch 240Hz QHD display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, everything on screen is sure to look great.

Acer Nitro V gaming laptop with NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU for $1,200 ($150 off, lowest ever price)

Acer’s Nitro gaming laptops are meant to be more affordable alternatives to its flagship Predator systems. But now thanks to Prime Day, this model just got even more budget-friendly while still offering decent specs. You get an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and an RTX 4060 GPU, the latter of which should pair nicely with its 15.6-inch full HD 144Hz display. I also appreciate that unlike some gaming laptops, the Nitro V is stylish without being in your face with too many RGB lights, which makes it feel like an even better deal at $1,200. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen to date for this configuration.

Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) RAM for $95 ($25 off)

Adding some extra memory to your desktop can help unlock its full potential. So for Prime Day, Corsair is offering two 16GB sticks of its Vengeance DDR5 RAM for just $95. Not only do you get built-in RGB lighting, Corsair’s onboard voltage regulation makes it simpler to overclock your system. And for those who don’t want to mess around in BIOS settings, you can control almost everything from the easy-to-use free iCue app.

Thermaltake GF1 (2024) Fully Modular ATX 850W Power Supply for $80 ($30 off, lowest ever price)

Even though power supplies aren’t the most exciting component you can put in your desktop, the importance of a good one can’t be understated. For just $80, which is the lowest price we’ve seen to date for this product, the Thermaltake GF1 is fully modular (which means you can add or remove power cables as you need them) and has an ample max power of 850 watts along with an 80 Plus Gold rating for efficiency. And thanks to its 140mm fan, it should be pretty quiet, so it won’t cause a ruckus if you decide to play some games at night.

Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD for $114 ($63 off)

If you’re like me and are constantly running out of storage, this deal for one of Samsung’s 990 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 SSDs is a fantastic way to add extra room on the cheap. With a 36 percent discount for Prime Day — down to $114 — this is the lowest price we’ve ever seen. And it’s not like you’re cutting corners on speed either, as the SSD supports both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 and read/write rates of up to 7,250/6,300MB/s.

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Processor for $165 ($110 off)

The Ryzen 5 9600X isn’t super flashy, but it’s a really solid budget CPU. And now, it’s even more affordable during Prime Day where it’s going for just $165, which is $110 off its normal retail price. It features six cores and 12 total threads with a max boost speed of 5.4GHz and support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5. It’s also unlocked, so you have the freedom to overlock if you want. That said, you will need to buy a CPU cooler separately, as one doesn’t come in the box.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor for $434 ($215 off)

The biggest issue with the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU was that at launch, it was a bit overpriced. But during Prime Day, that problem is being addressed thanks to a $215 discount that brings its cost down to under $500. The CPU features 16 cores and 32 threads along with 80MB of cache and support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5. However, like some of AMD’s other processors on sale this week, you will need to get a CPU cooler separately.

Razer Enki Gaming Chair for $450 ($50 off)

If you’re going to be spending all day in front of a screen gaming, you better make sure whatever you’re sitting on is super comfy. And as I’ve been using the Razer Enki every day for the last four years, I can attest that this chair is worth the money. It has a ton of adjustability for things like the arm rests, seat height and more. For more flexible folks, it was even designed so people can sit cross-legged. I also appreciate that in homes where neon green might not fit your vibe, there’s an all-black model (plus a pink one too, though that one is currently sold out).

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 for $110 ($40 off, lowest ever)

If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a gaming streamer or simply want some extra customizable controls for your PC, Elgato’s Stream Deck MK.2 could make a great addition to your setup. It has 15 programmable macro keys with built-in LCD displays so you can make custom buttons for switching scenes, turning on lights and so much more. Elgato also has plugins for services like YouTube, Twitch, Discord, so it’ll play nicely with all the major streaming platforms. In short, it’s like a command center for all your content creation and livestreaming needs.

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse for $29 ($21 off)

The Logitech G305 Lightspeed gaming mouse is just a simple PC peripheral done well. And at just $29, it’s super affordable during Prime Day too. It features six programmable buttons, compatibility with both PCs and Macs and a sensor with sensitivity of up to 12,000 DPI. Meanwhile, thanks to a battery that lasts up to 250 hours between charges, you can go weeks between needing to plug it in. And because it’s wireless, there won’t be any cords or cables to get in your way.

Amazon Luna Controller and one month of Luna+ for $40 ($30 off)

The Luna Controller by itself is down to $40, which matches a record-low price. However, if you’re a newcomer to Luna+, you may as well pick up this bundle (which is also matching a record low) for the same price, as it includes one month of access to the service for new subscribers. This gamepad is a solid option for those who want to check out Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service. Prime subscribers get access to a dedicated channel with a rotating selection of games at no extra cost. This month, for instance, you can check out Death Stranding Director’s Cut, Hollow Knight and EA Sports FC 25.

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard for $80 ($20 off)

With its Retro Mechanical Keyboard, 8BitDo strikes a great balance between a nostalgic design and support for more modern features like wireless connectivity (both BT and 2.4GHz). There are several different versions to choose from, though the one inspired by the classic NES is the model I’d choose. The keyboard features an 87-key layout with PBT keycaps and Kailh Box switches, though because the PCB is hot swappable, you can always change them out for something else.

Sony Inzone H9 Wireless Gaming Headset for $198 ($102 off)

For anyone looking for a new pair of over-the-ear wireless gaming headphones to pair with a PS5, it’s hard to do better than Sony’s Inzone H9 headset. Not only does it have a similar design to the console, they are the only other headphones besides the official Pulse cans that support on-screen status notifications for volume, mic mute, game/chat balance and more. They also share a lot of the underlying tech used in Sony’s iconic WH-1000XM line, so you’ll get fantastic audio quality and active noise cancellation. But the best part is that at $198, you’re looking at a serious discount of 34 percent, which is more than $100 off its regular retail price.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB Solid State Drive for $209 ($21 off)

Games are getting bigger every day, so if you need some extra storage for your Xbox Series S or X, you’d be silly not to pick up one of Seagate’s 2TB Expansion Cards for just $209. That’s enough room for a dozen or more digital titles (or like three versions of Call of Duty) and it’s the biggest SSD storage module that slots into the back of the console without the need for a separate box.

Amazon Basics UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector 800VA/450W for $65 ($10 off)

I’m not here to nag, but if you have a desktop PC, you really ought to consider adding a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to your setup as they prevent power surges or momentary outages from knocking your system offline. Plus, this one has a beefy 450-watt battery backup and 12 outlets so you can connect all of your other PC gadgets to it. So if you’re going to do the smart thing by adding some extra electrical protection to your home during Prime Day, you might as well save some money in the process.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) for $1,055 ($365 off)

With Samsung’s next Unpacked event expected to show off new foldables, it looks like some of the existing models are getting some serious discounts for Prime Day, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra. And at $1,055, this is the lowest price we’ve seen for Samsung’s current flagship phone yet. For gamers, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Ultra offers some of the best performance you can get in a phone right now, while its built-in vapor chamber should help prevent throttling. Its 6.9-inch AMOLED display is also one of the best mobile screens on the market today.

Razer Kishi Ultra for $100 ($50 off)

Razer doesn’t normally run a ton of deals for Prime Day, but it seems this year the company is making an exception as there are discounts on everything from gamepads to headsets and more. That said, one of the standout deals is for the Kishi Ultra gaming controller. On top of just being a well-built gamepad add-on for phones and tablets, its larger dimension and USB-C port means it works with a huge range of devices — both Android and iOS. This even includes more niche devices like foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold series, which often don’t fit inside other mobile gamepads due to their unique design.

Sony 85-Inch Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 LED TV for $1,098 ($500 off)

There’s no better way to upgrade your living room gaming setup than with a brand-new, big-ass TV. Granted, the Bravia 3 is one of Sony’s entry-level models (fancier sets get higher numbers), but with a discounted price of $1,098 for a massive 85-inch panel, this deal represents one of the biggest screens you can get for the money. It also has Google TV built in, so you’ll get a very simple and straightforward way to stream your favorite shows and movies from services like Netflix, HBO and more. But perhaps most importantly is that for PS5 owners, the Bravia 3 supports exclusive features when connected to a PS5, such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture mode.

Alienware AW2725DF 26.7-inch OLED gaming monitor for $600 ($300 off)

For anyone who has been waiting for prices of OLED gaming monitors to drop, this may be your chance to pounce on a great deal. That’s because at $600, Alienware’s 26.7-inch OLED display strikes a good balance between price and performance with a 360Hz refresh rate, 2560 x 1440 resolution and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. And of course, you get those lovely pure blacks and vivid colors that OLED panels have become known for.

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Series 57-inch 4K 240Hz 4K gaming monitor for $1,600 ($700 off)

This 57-inch monitor isn’t for people with limited space. But if you’ve got the room, at $1,600, this is the lowest we’ve ever seen the Neo G9 as this deal represents a whopping $700 savings compared to its regular list price. This thing features a solid 240Hz refresh rate along with support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, a 1000R curve and Quantum mini LED tech with 2,392 local dimming zones. For people who love ultra-wide displays, this should be at the top of your upgrade list during Amazon Prime Day.

Acer Nitro 27-inch WQHD IPS gaming monitor for $170 ($120 off)

Anyone looking for a solid and affordable 1440p gaming monitor during Prime Day should really check out this 27-inch IPS display from Acer. For just $170 (matching a record-low price), it features a relatively speedy 180Hz refresh rate along with support for AMD FreeSync Premium and a good color range that covers 95 percent of DCI-P3. The height-adjustable stand can also swivel and pivot, while thin bezels on top and on the sides will make sure it won’t look dated in a few years. So while this thing isn’t super fancy, it’s simple and competent in the best ways.

UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank 10,000mAh fast charging battery pack for $30 ($3 off)

The Switch 2 is a fantastic handheld, but its longevity could be better. So if you’re planning to take it on a long trip, pick up UGREEN’s 10,000mAH fast charging battery pack to help keep running when you’re away from a plug. This power pack almost has enough juice to fully refill a Switch 2 twice, which can add between five and 12 hours of additional game time (depending on the title). It also has an output of 20 watts, which is as much as the Switch 2 can suck down at once, but it’s still super pocketable measuring just four inches long and 0.7 inches thick. And if you need a convenient way to recharge your phone, the battery pack also comes with Qi wireless support.

Latest stock updates at Walmart, Best Buy and more


The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available in the US for more than two weeks — but good luck finding one. While millions of people have been able to snag the $450 console since it officially went up for sale on June 5, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores soon after launch and remains difficult to find today. Best Buy restocked as recently as June 23, but those units — which required in-store pickup — quickly went of out of stock. Target, likewise, has some stock in at least one locality we checked, but it requires in-store purchase. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you’re a member there. Otherwise, it’s been slim pickings. As of today, we’re not seeing almost no availability — though you may have different luck in your locality when checking inventory, online or in person.

Again, venturing to a physical retail store can sometimes be the winning hack here. We can’t guarantee you’ll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it’s worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. For now, you can skip Amazon, though: For whatever reason, the biggest online retailer doesn’t even have a product page for the Switch 2 (but it does seem to be selling games and accessories). All that said, if you’re still on the hunt, we’ve rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up.

Walmart began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5. Currently, both the Mario Kart World bundle and the standalone console are “available” via third-party retailers, but listed for much higher than their standard $500 and $450 price tags — with limited quantities available. We wouldn’t recommend buying these; instead, wait for the console to be listed at its regular MSRP. Naturally, the world’s largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location.

Best Buy started selling the Switch 2 at its retail locations on June 5. It previously said it wouldn’t sell the handheld at its online store during launch week, but it made additional consoles available on June 11 around 12PM ET, and again on June 23. Those restocks lasted for the better part of an hour and required in-store pickup, but the device is now sold out again.

Target had the Switch 2 in stores on June 5 and restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It then had another restock on June 12 around 2:30PM ET, but that appears to have died out in less than an hour. As of June 24, we’re seeing in-store stock in at least one Philadelphia location.

One Philadelphia area Target was showing One Philadelphia area Target was showing

One Philadelphia area Target was showing “limited stock,” but couldn’t be reserved online. (Target)

GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for the past week, with the listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle now pointing to a “Find a Store” page. We saw a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World, a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, but it’s no longer listed (and it was kind of a raw deal anyway).

You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since launch day. Sam’s Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it’s out of stock now. We also saw the console at BJ’s early on June 5, but it’s no longer live there.

Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that’s dried up. Only those with Verizon service were able to order, and the process was apparently somewhat rocky.

Amazon hasn’t had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed Mario Kart World. The company didn’t take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it’s unclear if and when it will sell the device. You can, however, find some Switch 2 games.

Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it’s given no indication as to when it’ll begin sales. It previous showed a couple listings from a third-party seller, but at massively inflated prices.

With all of these stores, we’ve seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2’s biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing.

Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can’t hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don’t expect it to bear fruit immediately — it’s taken weeks for many people who registered in April to receive their invite.

You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second.

Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle:

Where to buy Switch 2:

Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from its (pricey) Pro Controller to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza, won’t be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now.

As of this publication, just about all Switch 2 games are broadly available. Stock for the accessories remains a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo’s official Switch 2 carrying cases have been the main exceptions, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away.

Mario Kart World ($80)

Donkey Kong Bananza ($70)

Additional Switch 2 games

Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60)

Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95)

Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85)

Switch 2 Camera ($55)

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60)

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40)

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25)

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85)

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40)

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120)

Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65)

Image for the mini product module

The 11 best new games for summer 2025


For video games, the summer season kicker off with a double-header: the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, smack amid the three-day slew of game reveals that comprise Summer Game Fest (and its surrounding press conferences). But the most exciting games of the summer aren’t all Switch 2 ports or massive studio tentpoles. In fact, it’s the smaller games — the indies and the AA gems — that have captured most of Polygon’s attention.

From a management sim about temperamental clones to an open-world adventure in which you bike your way to saving the world, here are 11 under-the-radar games to watch out for this summer.

The official banner from sci-fi game The Alters.

Image: 11 Bit Studios

Release date: June 13 (out now!)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

How well do you think you would enjoy working with a few radically different versions of yourself? That’s the question Jan Dolski is facing — that, and how he’s going to survive imminent death on a hostile world. In The Alters, Dolski is the sole survivor of a scientific expedition in search of a new element. Through survival and base-building gameplay, he, alongside the alternate versions of himself he brings to life, has to find a solution for survival while contending with how varied his life could have turned out if different choices were made.

The protagonist of BloodRush standing in front of a giant skeleton.

Image: Nuntius Games

Release date: July 1
Where to play: Windows PC

BloodRush: Undying Wish is like if Bloodborne met Crank, that offbeat 2006 Jason Statham action flick (stay with me here). It’s a hack-‘n’-slash roguelike where your character is constantly bleeding out during combat. You can increase your blood by killing enemies, so the gameplay is fast and frenetic; you’re constantly dashing around the battlefield like you need adrenaline to survive. So, Crank. BloodRush is a fun time with gorgeous pixel art to boot. Check out a demo on Steam ahead of its early access launch.

A group of bikers ride on a track in a screenshot from Wheel World

Image: Messhof/Annapurna Interactive

Release date: July 23
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

In Wheel World, you play as a cyclist with the simplest of simple tasks: save the world. (You’ve got this!) With a customizable bike, complete with a ghost head accessorizing it, you’ll pedal and race around an open world as you set out to save it. Originally unveiled as Ghost Bike in 2023 with a somber narrative, Wheel World was rejiggered in fall 2024 with a new title and a lighter tone focused on “the joy and freedom of living around bikes,” developer Messhof wrote in an update on Steam.

Kenji and Kumori fight demons on the rooftop of a Japanese building in a screenshot from Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Image: The Game Kitchen/Dotemu, Koei Tecmo

Release date: July 31
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

It’s a big year for the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remaster of 2008’s Ninja Gaiden 2, was surprise dropped earlier this year alongside the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4, the first new mainline entry in over a decade. Between those releases, fans will also have the chance to play Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a side-scrolling action-platformer. The Ninja Gaiden series started on NES, so Ragebound takes it back to its roots in a way with its pixel art aesthetic. You can play its Steam demo to get a feel for the challenge of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which comes from the developers behind the Blasphemous games.

Combat in the roguelike Panta Rhei.

Image: Reignite Games

Release date: July 31
Where to play: Windows PC

Like in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, wielding time is a core tenet of Panta Rhei, a roguelike that casts you as Phi, who must protect the flow of time. Bend time to solve environmental puzzles as well as to save your skin in combat. Panta Rhei’s art style and orange and violet hues remind me of Annapurna’s excellent Cocoon, so it’s already starting off on the right foot. Get a taste of its roguelike combat via its demo on Steam.

Arkane ordering a snack in Artis Impact.

Image: Mas

Release date: Aug. 7
Where to play: Windows PC

Artis Impact follows Arkane and her AI companion, Bot, as they venture through a futuristic world full of murderous AI — and tasty potato croquettes. Its pixel art is great, and the manga-inspired comic panels that function as cutscenes are truly killer. Gameplay will be a mix of turn-based combat and regular life activities, like cooking or earning passive income. It may be set in a post-apocalyptic world, but it’s a cozy post-apocalyptic world.

Mobile bookshop parked in front of a cafe in Tiny Bookshop.

Image: neoludic games/Skystone Games

Release date: Aug. 7
Where to play: Windows PC

There are two things the world can never have enough of: books and bookshops. In Tiny Bookshop, head to a small coastal town to start your own bookstore. It’s a quiet and cozy game, one that’s divorced from the stress of working retail IRL. Tiny Bookshop instead lets you sit back and recommend great books to customers who’ll buy them up. Decorate your bookshop on wheels to your heart’s content and keep your shelves stocked by purchasing used books from classified ads like it’s 1998 all over again.

The character in Sword of the Sea using a sword as a skateboard.

Image: Giant Squid

Release date: Aug. 19
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC

Developer Giant Squid is known for stylish games Abzû and The Pathless, and Sword of the Sea looks to carry that stylish torch forward. Your big, cool sword isn’t needed for combat, but for traversal. Sword of the Sea’s gnarly movement is based on skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfboarding, and you’ll use your Hoversword to ride waves of sand. Over the course of the game, you’ll work to restore an ocean, and then catch its waves. Surf’s up, dude.

The Knightling using their shield to surf on water.

Image: Saber Interactive

Release date: Aug. 28
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

The Knightling ditches swords and maces for a shield as its titular hero’s weapon of choice. It’ll be used in combat Captain America style, of course, but also for traversing the game’s open world via some very sick-looking shield surfing. The Knightling gives off the vibe of a PS2-era platformer with modern-day visuals, and I can’t wait to check it out this August — good thing it’s got a demo on Steam!

Hiro walking through an origami world in Hirogami.

Image: Kakehashi Games

Release date: Sept. 3
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC

Set in an origami world, where seemingly everything has been created via the delicate Japanese craft, Hirogami is an action-platformer. Hiro can fold himself into different transformations, like an armadillo or a frog, to traverse the fragile world and battle digital creatures who are threatening it. Play the demo on Steam to get a feel for Hiro’s origami powers yourself.

Remi standing with a big glowing sword in Hell is Us.

Image: Rogue Factor/Nacon

Release date: Sept. 4
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

Hell is Us wears the aesthetics of a Soulslike without some of the genre’s challenges; enemies stay dead, meaning your corpse runs won’t be as tenuous, and the game places a greater emphasis on exploration than combat. You’re cast as Remi as he enters and explores a war-torn country in search of his parents. Along the way, he encounters more than he bargained for in the way of some creepy enemies, and he’lll wield a big glowing sword to take them down.

What is Blitz Royale in Fortnite, plus full weekly schedule


Blitz Royale is a new limited-time game mode introduced in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 Super that is available until Tuesday, July 15.

Blitz Royale is Fortnite as you know it, but at a much faster pace. Blitz Royale is meant for those on the go as each game can take five minutes or less. Although Blitz Royale is “made for mobile,” it’s available on every platform. As Blitz Royale will only be around until July 15, each week will feature an event to make your battles even more interesting.

Here’s everything you need to know about Blitz Royale in Fortnite, plus a breakdown of the weekly schedule.

What is Blitz Royale in Fortnite?

Blitz Royale is a Zero Build mode that pits 32 players against each other on a tiny map featuring fan favorite locations, Pleasant Park and Retail Row. Blitz Royale is available until Tuesday, July 15 and can be played as a solo, duo, or squad.

As Blitz Royale games are meant to be quick, every player will start the game with the same medallion or unique weapon — allowing you to immediately get into the fray.

To make things even faster, Blitz Royale incentivizes you to hunt down your enemies with the introduction of Blitz Level, which is a new system that will reward you with powerful weapons and boons as long as you’re eliminating opponents and surviving storm circles. As you gain more Blitz Levels, you’ll gain more weapons and boons — making you a force to be reckoned with.

If you’re having a hard time increasing your Blitz Level, you can get your hands on strong weapons and buffs through other means. There are a lot of golden chests containing power-ups scattered around the map, and periodically golden supply drops will fall out of the sky and grant you more medallions.

Fortnite Blitz Royale weekly events schedule

As Blitz Royale is only available for a month, it has been packed with weekly events to keep you coming back:

Fortnite Blitz Royale rewards

Along with the new game mode, you can earn two rewards from playing Blitz Royale: