Donkey Kong Bananza Adds DK Island DLC and Emerald Rush Mode on Nintendo Switch

Donkey Kong Bananza, the vibrant platforming adventure from Nintendo, continues to delight players with new content.

Announced during the latest Nintendo Direct, the game’s first downloadable content—DK Island—launched today exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, delivering fresh challenges and nostalgia for both series veterans and newcomers. DK Island invites players to return to Donkey Kong’s legendary home, now fully explorable in Donkey Kong Bananza.

This expansive DLC allows fans to traverse iconic areas, interact with beloved characters such as Rambi the rhino, Cranky, Diddy, and Dixie Kong, and uncover new secrets scattered across the island.

As players journey through familiar environments, they’ll discover bonus stages inspired by classic mine cart chases and jungle ruins, adding an extra layer of depth for those seeking hidden treasures. One of the standout additions is Emerald Rush, a new roguelike mode fronted by the enigmatic Void Kong.

In this mode, players must destroy emerald ore within a set time to meet their quota, navigating procedurally generated rooms and overcoming unique obstacles.

Success in Emerald Rush rewards players with emerald fossils and the coveted emerald Banandium gems.

These unlock temporary perks to enhance each run, as well as new decorative statues for DK Island.

However, as in any roguelike, upgrades and abilities reset at the end of each playthrough, encouraging mastery and replayability. According to Nintendo’s official eShop listing, Emerald Rush isn’t limited to DK Island alone.

The mode will be accessible across various game layers, though both DK Island and Emerald Rush become available only after completing the main story campaign.

Players will first catch a glimpse of DK Island upon reaching the Racing Layer, but unlocking its full suite of activities requires finishing the core game.

This ensures all participants experience the foundational story before delving into DLC content. DK Island and the Emerald Rush mode are now available for Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch eShop, priced at $19.99.

This significant expansion underscores Nintendo’s ongoing support and creativity in evolving its flagship franchises, offering engaging post-launch content that rewards both long-standing fans and new players alike. Stay tuned for further updates from Nintendo Direct, as Donkey Kong Bananza continues to receive new adventures and gameplay innovations for the Nintendo Switch.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza eShop Switch DLC Bananza DK Rush DK Island Emerald Rush Nintendo Direct Void Kong Rambi Cranky Kong Diddy Kong Dixie Kong