Mid-way through July and we’ve got another summer scorcher right around the corner.

Following Nintendo’s blockbuster Switch 2 dropping last month, they’re getting ready to hit us with their next first party offering and it’s a doozy – Donkey Kong Bananza.

If you’ve been wondering what the Super Mario Odyssey team have been up to since October 2017 – yes, they’ve REALLY been cooking that long – then the wait is finally, nearly over. In case you were any doubt on why this is our game of the week!

It’s the first real 3D Donkey Kong  action adventure since Donkey Kong 64 that launched back in 1999 on the N64, as the series has most recently followed a more side-scrolling, 2.5D approach ala Donkey Kong Country and before that it was a LOT of Donkey Konga.

And it looks fantastic as Donkey Kong teams up with a very young Pauline – who you might also recognise from Super Mario Odyssey – and finds himself just…smashing things up.

Rather than just throwing barrels and helicoptering with Diddy Kong over large gaps, Donkey is going in hunt of beautiful shiny golden bananas by smashing, bashing, crashing and crunching through all nearby terrain. It looks like the perfect game to work through some frustrations, for sure.

Among other things, Donkey Kong can carve tunnels, punch deeper underground, break through walls and even tear off parts of the terrain to find hidden secrets.

And the deeper you dig underground, the new layers and levels you’ll encounter and explore!

Donkey Kong can also collect Bananza gems and these, combined with Pauline’s supreme vocal talents, will also transform Donkey Kong into new animal forms, like a King Kong version of himself! A little bit like when you could be a T-Rex in Odyssey!

On top of that, you can also find fossil which can be traded in to try out new cosmetic apparel and customise your Kong – and Pauline. But these changes in attire can also have physical effects like reducing damage.

Bananza also lets you carve out your own Kong masterpiece with boulders and share it with others, and there’s even an Assist Mode to help you get a start if you’re finding the game a bit tricky.

Launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, the game does support GameShare so you are able to stream it to a friend’s Switch 1 to play co-operatively. You can also, of course, play locally together on one Switch 2 console, with the second player able to use mouse controls to control vocal blasts from Pauline.

Donkey Kong Bananza will be available digitally and physically on July 17th and if you’re so inclined, there’ll also be a brand new Amiibo launching alongside the game with Donkey Kong having Pauline on his back. By scanning this – and previous Donkey Kong, Pauline and other Amiibo – you’ll get a host of unique benefits, such as a Diva Dress for Pauline to wear.

You can pick up a bundle of Donkey Kong Bananza and the Amiibo on the My Nintendo Shop, as well as Donkey Kong Bananza and a Donkey Kong DK Barrel Cushion or Shoulder Bag.

Donkey Kong Bananza launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17.