Since its July 2025 launch for Nintendo Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza has captivated players with its vibrant presentation, humorous storyline, and engaging gameplay. As a flagship title for the console, it delivered exactly what many needed to justify their Switch 2 purchase. When Nintendo announced additional downloadable content would arrive later in the year, anticipation built around what could come next for this fresh take on the classic franchise.
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DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC Arrives
The DK Island and Emerald Rush expansion introduces a new explorable location and fresh activities to the base game. Rather than mining for banandium gems underground, Donkey Kong partners with Pauline and an unexpected ally to hunt for green emeralds. Throughout this new adventure, longtime series fans will appreciate numerous clever callbacks to various Donkey Kong games. However, this fan service appears to be the DLC’s primary draw, as the content offers limited substance beyond these nostalgic references.
Returning to DK Island
The main attraction for most players will be revisiting DK Island, a location deeply connected to Donkey Kong 64 on Nintendo 64. While many consider Donkey Kong Country on SNES the series’ most iconic entry, Donkey Kong 64 remains a influential franchise milestone. The new island content cleverly caters to both perspectives by incorporating references spanning multiple DK titles.
The island layout closely mirrors its Donkey Kong 64 counterpart, featuring interconnected pathways and explorable areas. Navigation proves straightforward whether traveling on foot or using ground-surfing mechanics. Players will discover numerous destructible environments and hidden spots, though key landmarks like Donkey Kong’s treehouse and the coastal shipwreck will likely attract the most attention. These locations contain nods to games including Donkey Kong Country Returns, Donkey Kong Country 2, and even Donkey Konga from Nintendo GameCube. While casual fans will spot obvious references, dedicated players will uncover deeper connections to the broader Donkey Kong Country series.
Notable Omissions
Despite abundant references to Donkey Kong Country games and recent franchise entries, several conspicuous absences may puzzle fans. Although the island expands intelligently upon its Donkey Kong 64 foundation, many characters from that game remain missing. Players will find no traces of Chunky Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, or even Wrinkly Kong’s ghostly presence. While the island includes numerous callbacks to earlier DK characters and animal allies, the absence of these specific Donkey Kong 64 elements feels particularly noticeable. This comprehensive analysis of the DLC’s content reveals both its nostalgic strengths and its limitations in delivering substantial new gameplay experiences.
Originally published on eamvisiondirect.com
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