Donkey Kong Bananza DLC Review: DK Island & Emerald Rush Mode Disappoint on Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s celebrated 3D platformer, returned with new paid content in the form of the DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

Released two months after the base game’s initial launch and confirmed during the most recent Nintendo Direct, this $20 add-on continues Nintendo’s trend of premium downloadable content—joining headlines like the $70 Super Mario Galaxy amiibo bundle.

While Donkey Kong Bananza itself was met with critical acclaim, expectations for its DLC have been mixed, leading to discussion among fans and industry observers alike. The DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC was originally conceived for the first Switch, highlighting Nintendo’s commitment to supporting the Donkey Kong franchise on its next-generation hardware.

However, the marketing during the Nintendo Direct left many consumers seeking clarity about its actual gameplay value.

DK Island, highlighted as a picturesque new area, serves more as a visually impressive set piece rather than an expansive, collectible-filled world akin to the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey.

The island does not introduce new Banandium Gems, fossils, or substantial collectibles beyond unlockable outfits tied exclusively to the Emerald Rush mode. Emerald Rush—inspired by roguelike mechanics and drawing comparisons to Splatoon 3’s Side Order—forms the backbone of the DLC.

Unlike typical Donkey Kong content, this challenging mode has players navigating existing game layers in high-stakes sessions where the primary objective is to collect emeralds within time-limited rounds.

Fans expecting a vast expansion or additional platforming levels may be disappointed; DK Island largely serves as a hub for this new mode, with little else to offer in terms of exploration or secrets. Addressing community concerns, it is important to clarify some misconceptions.

Emerald Rush is not limited to a handful of stages; with perseverance, players can unlock the mode on nearly every layer in Donkey Kong Bananza, except for smaller ones like The Divide.

Each difficulty setting varies in length, with early ones spanning ten rounds and advanced difficulties extending up to fifteen.

Completing tasks rewards players with in-game upgrades, such as skill restorations and score multipliers, increasing the strategic depth needed for success at higher levels.

Despite a selection of new costumes for Donkey Kong and Pauline, acquiring the full set requires significant time investment in Emerald Rush. The DLC’s core appeal lies in its replayability and challenge: completionists aiming for 100% will need to conquer all seven difficulty levels across each layer—a formidable task demanding both knowledge of the game’s layouts and refined reflexes.

Yet, for many, the Emerald Rush mode may lack the novelty to maintain engagement over extended periods.

Notably, the content does not appear to be integrated with the base game’s main narrative or progression, which some critics argue reduces the perceived value of the $20 price tag. In summary, while Donkey Kong Bananza’s DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC introduces a unique, roguelike-inspired gameplay loop to the Nintendo Switch 2, its overall substance falls short of expectations set by previous platformer expansions.

The new content will appeal primarily to those drawn to challenging replayables, but for the broader audience of Donkey Kong or 3D platformer fans, the lack of new collectibles and limited expansion of the core game may not justify the additional purchase.

Prospective buyers are advised to review gameplay footage or community impressions before committing, as the specialized gameplay of Emerald Rush may not resonate with all players.

Despite its ambitions, DK Island & Emerald Rush serves more as a minor diversion than a must-have addition to the Donkey Kong Bananza legacy.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch DLC Bananza DK Rush DK Island Emerald Rush DK Island & Emerald Rush Nintendo Direct