Welcome Back to DK’s World! After the wild subterranean ride through Ingot Isle, the DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC offers a breath of fresh air — literally and figuratively. Rather than digging your way under the world, this DLC invites you out into the open: sunny beaches, palm trees, and nostalgic landmarks. It’s the calmer half of Bananza’s soul, paired with a new high-intensity challenge mode that pushes Donkey Kong (and you) in exciting directions. Is it worth the extra bananas? Let’s find out.
What’s new (and what’s familiar)
The DLC adds two significant new pillars to the base game’s strong foundation, and if you are looking for my original review to freshen up the memories of the base game, look no further!
Review: Donkey Kong Bananza
DK Island
DK Island is best described as a hub-meets-playground. Once you unlock it, you’re greeted with a gorgeous tropical environment that’s more than just a backdrop. So, what do you get? Well, the classic Donkey Kong locations, such as the Treehouse, jungle ruins, and mine cart tracks, return, reinterpreted in Bananza’s destructible, block-like world. For fans of the series, this feels like a reunion and an ode to the work Rare did with Donkey Kong in the past.
And don’t worry, there is still enough to collect. As you earn Banandium Chips, you can unlock exclusive statues of characters, enemies, and set pieces. These aren’t just collectibles; they can be placed and arranged on the island to personalize it. And yes, you can punch them around as well. Plus, the addition of in-game photography feels natural here. You can take photos with Diddy, Dixie, Cranky, and even helpers like Rambi and Squawks. It’s a fun way to relive moments and share them.
And it wouldn’t be a Donkey Kong game without some hidden challenges. Scattered throughout the island are optional bonus stages — tighter platforming and puzzle challenges tucked into ruins or accessible via mine cart rides. These aren’t as elaborate as the Emerald Rush stages but provide variety for explorers.
Overall, DK Island gives you reasons to return regularly, offering a slower, more creative outlet that contrasts nicely with Bananza’s usual forward-driven gameplay. But there is more!
Emerald Rush
Emerald Rush is where the DLC flexes its muscles. This new mode flips Bananza’s leisurely exploration on its head and turns it into a straight-up rogue-lite. But Nick, what is a rogue-lite? *Scrapes throat*: A roguelite is a video game subgenre characterized by procedural generation (randomly generated maps and encounters) and permadeath (losing progress upon death), but with persistent progression systems that allow players to unlock permanent upgrades or new content across multiple runs. This combination of elements creates high replayability and a feeling of gradual mastery as players “just one more run” to improve their chances in subsequent attempts. For reference, this is one of my favorite genres to play, so when I saw the direction this DLC took, I was hooked.
Emerald Rush is a race against the clock. Instead of digging at your own pace, you’re constantly timed. The goal is to collect as much emerald ore as possible before the clock runs out. And the kicker? You aren’t doing it for DK himself, but for Void Corp. Worst. Internship. Ever. However, the DLC comes with some new perks and trinkets, unique to the DLC, like warping barrels and some new upgrades, which become vital to efficient runs. Mastery of switching between them is key. And to keep things interesting on DK Island, Void Kong puts optional objectives in each run. Think of things like reaching hidden caches, defeating specific enemy waves, or completing a section under stricter conditions. There are also limited-time events that cycle in with unique layouts or hazards. And because every run is scored and ranked, there’s an incentive to retry levels to improve your time, maximize ore collected, and unlock rare perks or decorations.
Where DK Island is relaxing, Emerald Rush is tense and addictive. It almost feels like a competitive mini-game bolted onto the main adventure, and that’s what makes it so refreshing. But is it worth it? Let’s talk Pros and Cons.
The pros
Visual & Nostalgic Charm: DK Island shines with atmosphere. Whether it’s the sound of waves at the beach or spotting the Gangplank Galleon in the distance, the environments make you smile. Longtime Donkey Kong fans will appreciate how carefully the island nods to series history.
Playstyle Variety: The DLC excels at providing two very different experiences. DK Island caters to players who prefer exploration, collection, and creativity, while Emerald Rush offers adrenaline-pumping precision gameplay. Together, they extend Bananza’s life significantly.
Emerald Rush Depth: What could have been a simple “speed mode” is actually layered. Between transformations, side missions, and event variations, no two runs feel identical. Leaderboards and ranking also encourage mastery.
Rewards That Matter: Unlockables like statues and perks aren’t throwaway items, they let you personalize DK Island or strengthen your performance in Emerald Rush. This ties the two modes together nicely.
Replay Value: Whether you’re decorating the island, snapping photos, or shaving seconds off a Rush run, there’s plenty to keep you coming back.
The cons
Abrupt Tone Shifts: The jump between DK Island’s laid-back pacing and Emerald Rush’s intensity can feel disjointed. Some may love the contrast; others may find it clashes too much.
Emerald Rush’s Steep Curve: The mode assumes you’ve mastered transformations. Newcomers or casual players might hit a wall, especially in side missions that demand near-perfect precision. This could lock them out of some rewards.
- Island Depth: While DK Island is visually stunning, some players may find it light on gameplay substance. The photo ops, statues, and hidden stages are charming, but the island doesn’t push mechanics in the same way the underground levels did.
Collectible Fatigue: For those already tired of Bananza’s collect-a-thon structure, adding another layer of chips, statues, and perks may feel overwhelming rather than rewarding.
Conclusion
Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush is a worthy expansion that leans into Bananza’s strengths while experimenting with new ideas. DK Island is a love letter to Donkey Kong history ; a vibrant, nostalgic hub that rewards exploration and creativity. Emerald Rush, meanwhile, is a bold new mode that challenges even veteran players with its time-pressured design.
Together, they balance relaxation and intensity, though not always seamlessly. The island could use more mechanical depth, and Emerald Rush’s difficulty curve risks shutting out casual fans. Still, the package as a whole is generous, polished, and fun ;exactly what good DLC should be. However, the pricetag for 20€ feels a bit steep compared to the depth of the base game and what we got for Kirby’s DLC in the same price range.
