Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC Adds Roguelike Thrills to Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC Adds Roguelike Thrills to Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Bananza has quickly become a must-have title for Nintendo Switch 2 owners since its release just two months ago.

Developed and published by Nintendo, this latest entry in the Donkey Kong franchise won critical acclaim for its inventive gameplay and vibrant design, establishing itself as a standout reason to invest in Nintendo’s new hardware.

Now, with the sudden release of the Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush paid DLC—announced during a recent Nintendo Direct and launched immediately after—the game's universe is expanding even further.

Priced at £16.99/$19.99 on the eShop, this downloadable content brings a mix of nostalgia, strategic challenges, and fresh replayability to an already compelling package. DK Island & Emerald Rush: A Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation Drawing direct inspiration from DLC approaches such as Splatoon 3’s Inkopolis & Side Order, Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush introduces DK Island as a new explorable layer, paying homage to the series’ roots.

Fans of Donkey Kong Country will appreciate the callbacks, while newcomers are treated to a lush, character-filled environment.

Players can access DK Island using the Warp Gong Elevators after completing the game’s story, joining familiar faces like Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, Squawks, and Rambi, each offering interactive moments and opportunities for creative photo ops across the island.

Collectibles, such as exclusive statues (some released through limited-time events), and hidden puzzles—including a unique nod to the 2004 GameCube classic, Donkey Konga—enrich the exploration further. What sets this DLC apart, however, is the addition of the Emerald Rush mode.

This roguelike-inspired challenge establishes a dynamic new objective: collecting emerald ore, a green-hued variant of Banandium Gold.

The storyline sees Void Kong co-opting Donkey Kong and Pauline into VoidCo.

In exchange for collecting emerald ore, players earn Banandium Chips and special VoidCo Rewards, unlocking new outfits, accessories, and expanded access to Emerald Rush across different layers of the game world.

As noted by Nintendo, these enhancements are tied to performance, rewarding dedication and skill with progressively more content. Roguelike Mechanics Fuel Replayability Emerald Rush transforms Bananza’s traditional destruction-based gameplay by introducing time-limited quotas for emerald ore collection.

Each run is structured around escalating difficulty settings—seven in total—where both the required quota and challenge increase, demanding efficient movement, resource management, and quick decision-making.

Unique perks, drawn from a pool of more than 100 Emerald Perks, are temporarily earned through collected in-game items like emerald chips and fossils, allowing for stackable boosts such as additional inventory space, better material rewards, and enhanced map information.

While these perks reset after each playthrough, the continuous unlock system offers compelling incentives for replaying runs. Progression is layered: unlocking additional Emerald Rush playable layers and rewards becomes possible only after significant in-game achievements, encouraging players to reach higher milestones.

This system mimics the structure seen in Nintendo’s recent DLC strategies, ensuring longevity and value for committed players. Challenging Objectives and Engaging Gameplay Loop During Emerald Rush, Void Kong sets ongoing tasks—ranging from defeating clusters of foes to orchestrating character interactions.

Succeeding in these small-scale challenges nets valuable bonuses, adding strategic depth to every run.

The cumulative effect is a game mode with a brisk, addictive loop, accommodating both short and extended play sessions.

While some may wish that DK Island had been part of the original release, the new mode’s depth and challenge provide more than enough reason to pick up the DLC if you’ve already completed Donkey Kong Bananza’s main story. Final Thoughts Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush for Nintendo Switch 2 is a well-constructed, content-rich expansion.

It leverages series nostalgia while smartly evolving its formula with fresh gameplay systems inspired by top-tier roguelikes.

The combination of unlockable enhancements, rich collectibles, and a challenging gameplay mode makes this DLC an enticing proposition for returning players.

For those seeking to extend their journey on Switch 2, DK Island & Emerald Rush is a worthy investment in Nintendo’s ever-evolving Donkey Kong legacy. Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush (DLC) is available now via the Nintendo eShop.

A review copy was provided by Nintendo UK.

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