Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering the all-new paid DLC for Donkey Kong Bananza, Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush by developer, Nintendo EPD:
Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush (Nintendo Switch 2)
Revealed during the Nintendo Direct presentation that aired on September 12, 2025, Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush is a brand-new paid DLC released on the same day it was revealed. But with Donkey Kong Bananza being the top banana on Nintendo Switch 2, as we currently feel it is the best game on the platform so far, can the same be said for the DLC?
The short answer is a regrettable no, but it’s highly enjoyable nonetheless, and if you’ll permit us, we will be explaining why in great detail and covering every aspect that has led us to this conclusion. So, to begin, the simplest way to sum up Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush is to compare it to Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC. Both offer a brand-new setting and a new game mode that is roguelike in nature.
In the case of DK Island & Emerald Rush, Donkey Kong Bananza adds a new layer in the form of DK Island. DK Island is a masterful recreation of the Island first seen in Donkey Kong Country, and what a view it is. If you thought returning to the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey was great, DK Island in Donkey Kong Bananza is absolute perfection in its HD glory. There’s just one downside: how empty it feels. As stunning as it is to see the likes of DK’s Treehouse and Gangplank Galleon, DK Island offers a lot in exploration, but for anyone hoping it would have new collectables to obtain, think again.
Unless trying out the game’s new Emerald Rush mode, DK Island is banana-free, with no fossils in sight. But if you have plenty of Banandium Chips to spare, you can interact with Squawks, and by spending 100 Banandium Chips, Squawks can give you a new statue. The statues are given out randomly, with over 80 statues to collect, and their placement is based on which statue you’ve obtained. Slowly but surely, the more you have, the more filled out your island becomes, but without the likes of other collectables, DK Island still feels empty.
Still, it’s not all bad, there’s a few new music discs to obtain and, being as though DK Island is visually stunning, it’s a good thing Rambi is here, there and everywhere, as Rambi can be found in various locations around by interacting with Rambi, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong can be summoned to a specific spot, allowing you to capture any picture perfect moment you can think of. But just in case something more is still required, DK Island has one new unlockable clothing item, which is no easy task to get. This is because of an encounterable NPC that will put players to the test in more ways than one. There is also a mine cart for players to ride and hidden bonus stages that can be discovered, which offer gold galore.
But what of the Emerald Rush itself? While DK Island is a new setting and serves as the player’s first introduction to Emerald Rush, Emerald Rush is a new gameplay mode that utilises existing gameplay mechanics and allows them to take off in another direction. Accessible via warp gongs once the main story has been completed, Emerald Rush sees the return of Void Kong, who recruits Donkey Kong and Pauline to work for him.
Void Kong is done with Banandium Gems and now only cares about emerald ore. The ore-obsessed mogul needs Donkey Kong and Pauline to collect emerald ore for him, but when doing so, it triggers a fast-paced challenge that sees all gold on a given layer replaced by emerald ore, and our heroes need to complete the required amount within the time limit to complete each round. Due to the emerald ore and the rush to collect it, the title for this DLC is self-explanatory.
Depending on how well players perform during an Emerald Rush, the more ore they obtain, the more points they can earn. By meeting point requirements, new rewards can be had, which include a few clothing options, but also new perks and allowing players to do an Emerald Rush in other layers. Yet, as fun as it is to do an Emerald Rush in other locations, let’s be honest, the only real layer to do an Emerald Rush in is DK Island, but that’s purely because it’s a new location we haven’t played to death yet, and it makes the island feel livelier.
However, to truly enjoy an Emerald Rush is to play the challenge on a higher difficulty. Not only do the harder modes allow players to collect more emerald ore, resulting in more points given and Banandium Chips provided as an additional reward, but it helps to make the whole DLC more worthwhile. To do an Emerald Rush is easy enough to complete with no real challenge provided. But the minute you ramp things up, you need every perk you can obtain from bananas and fossils possible, and because the clock is ticking down, with more rounds to play through, it’s a great way of making every punch, turf surf, roll and jump count.
What’s more, while Donkey Kong’s current skills get wiped clean every time you start a new run, or even have the Bananza abilities taken away, at least players can take comfort in knowing that for every Emerald Rush you do, the locations of every banana and fossil will remain the same, allowing you to collect them sooner and unlock the perks they have to offer.
So, while Donkey Kong Bananza’s destructive gameplay mechanics can feel a little stale once every collectable has been obtained, DK Island & Emerald Rush makes them even more relevant and rewards players for every effort. But if further convincing is needed as to why the emerald ore needs to be collected, how about a new boss battle and new credits?
Of course, where these Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush differs to Side Order is that Side Order is one part of Splatoon 3’s Expansion Pass, whereas Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush is entirely its own thing. So, while Side Order, as part of the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass, retails at $24.99, Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush is priced at $19.99.
On the surface, it looks like we’re getting a slightly better deal, but in an age where Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games are a thing, we must remember that in the case of Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World, it costs $19.99 to upgrade the Nintendo Switch version ($59.99) or $79.99 to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 version with the added content. Whereas Donkey Kong Bananza is already a $69.99 game, and to purchase both it and the DLC will now set you back $89.98.
While public opinion decreed $79.99 was too much for Mario Kart World, $89.98 for is certainly a large chunk to swallow for Donkey Kong Bananza + DK Island & Emerald Rush, but for those willing to swallow the price tag, or just needed another excuse to play the masterpiece that is Donkey Kong Bananza, there is some enjoyment to be had in the Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC. Every playthrough is different, and while some playthroughs can feel like the odds are stacked against you, it only takes one in your favour to make you see this new mode in an entirely new way. Plus, with the announcement that the DLC will see regular events that offer exclusive rewards, DK Island & Emerald Rush could wind up being improved via future updates.
Game Specifications:
Developers: Nintendo EPD, 1-Up Studio
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Digital)
Genre: Adventure, Platformer
No. of Players:Â 1 – 2 (Single System)
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Price:Â $19.99
File Size: 919 MB
Nintendo.com Listing
