Operation Backlog Completion 2026

The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Convinced Me

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Jun 182025
 

The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct was this morning, and I went into it hoping to see a bit more variety than what was shown off during the original trailer and Treehouse streams.

And… I got my wish!

The new trailer not only officially revealed Pauline (whose involvement was leaked earlier), but it also showed more varied environments, more platforming and gameplay mechanics beyond smashing things, Bananza transformations with different abilities, and more.

It looks so fun. Any doubts I had about it are gone. It looks like exactly the sort of 3D platformer I’ll love.

There’s also outfits and customization options for both DK and Pauline, and spots called Getaways where you can rest and listen to music. On top of that, there’s a whole separate mode called “DK Artist” where you can use the Switch 2’s mouse controls to sculpt and paint.

I was already interested in Donkey Kong Bananza, but now I’m completely sold. Looks like I’ll be getting a Switch 2.

Well, with how big my backlog has gotten, I think I’ll still wait until there are a couple more exclusives I’m dying for. I have plenty to keep me occupied in the meantime. All the same, I can’t wait to play Donkey Kong Bananza.

What are you thoughts on this more extensive look at the new Donkey Kong game?

Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Announced for Wednesday

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Jun 162025
 

I was a little disappointed that we got through “Not-E3” week without a Nintendo Direct, and while we still don’t have a general Direct announced, we do have a game-specific one.

Nintendo has announced a 15-minute Donkey Kong Bananza Direct for this Wednesday, June 18, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET.

Of all the games shown when the Switch 2 was announced, Bananza interested me the most (just not enough to drive me to buy a Switch 2 at launch). I’m looking forward to learning more about it in the Direct and hopefully seeing more of the gameplay loop beyond destroying things to find collectibles.

That was my one concern about it from what they showed so far, that the gameplay looked like it could get repetitive. I’d like to see more of the platforming, for example.

Meanwhile, I also have my fingers crossed that we’ll get a general Direct after this. In the past they’ve sometimes done a game-specific presentation and then a full Nintendo Direct a week or two later, so I’m hoping that happens again. (Although… with all the games I have in my backlog, I’m not sure why I’m so eager for Nintendo to show me games I’ll want to buy a whole new system for.)

What are you hoping to learn from the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct?

Details on Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian Revealed

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Jun 132025
 

We last talked about Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian back in November, when it was officially confirmed to be an offline, non-gacha game despite being set in the same universe as the mobile game.

At the time, fans speculated that it would be also have turn-based combat as a contrast to the more action-oriented Atelier Yumia, which came out earlier this year.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian has now been revealed to have a September 26 worldwide release for the PS5, Switch, and PC (plus PS4 in Japan), and the speculation was correct. It looks like it has a more traditional turn-based combat system.

In addition to exploration, crafting, and combat, this game is also adding a new feature into the mix – shop management. Players will sell items at their shop and then invest the money in town development to progress the story.

It looks like a fun game, and it’s interesting to see them releasing two very different types of Atelier games in the same year.

Of course, I’m still nowhere near caught up on my Atelier journey, but I’m excited to see this nevertheless. Will I have played another Atelier game by the time this one comes out? …We’ll see.

(In completely unrelated news, it was announced yesterday that Bloober Team is remaking the first Silent Hill game. Maybe I called an end to Not-E3 season too soon!)

Anyway, what are your thoughts on Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian?

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