Not long after Donkey Kong Bananza’s debut, Nintendo already added to the experience with DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC. Did it arrive quickly? I guess, but two months after launch isn’t really too fast. But what I find interesting is that it almost feels like it is designed to not only capitalize on nostalgia for past entries in the series, but I got the impression that the roguelike Emerald Rush almost intended to tap into my fondness for Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay itself.
This is a totally post-game experience, so someone must complete Donkey Kong Bananza, then talk to one of the Elders, before being able to take the Eelevator the entirely new DK Island location on the surface. Void Kong basically wound up there after being knocked out of the picture by King K. Rool, and is stewing.
Now, to start, this is an incredibly faithful rendition of DK Island based on appearances from multiple games. There’s the wreckage of King K. Rool’s Gangplank Galleon next to Void’s shack that acts as headquarters for his new company. Squawks’ Hut is on the beach. You could sort of consider the Jungle Ruins to be a bit of the recreation of the Kongo Jungle or even Diddy Kong Racing Strangled Shrine spot. Once you get inside the mountainous monkey head, the Crystal Mines from Donkey Kong 64 seem to be represented inside. Vine Valley and DK’s Tree House are present. I could really tell when certain spots were referencing specific entries in the series and locations, which felt quite fun both when wandering around for fun or exploring the area during Emerald Rush.
I do wish there was a little more to it in terms of other characters showing up on DK Island in the Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, however. Squawks does return as a vendor, which is fun. There are statues for everyone who does make a cameo if you get enough Banandium Chips from Emerald Rush. However, once you ask Rambi to bring people by, there isn’t too much interaction with Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky. You can see them there and talk to them, but I suppose I hoped to hear more from them or see them engage in more activities when on the island.
I mentioned before that the roguelike Emerald Rush also seemed like a nostalgia trip for Donkey Kong Bananza itself. Part of that is bringing Void Kong back so quickly. He’s here and (sort of) on his redemption arc. His mode prioritizes gathering as much Emerald Ore as possible over six Rounds, gaining Perks for doing things like finding Bananas, collecting fossils, and completing challenges. We’re starting from scratch! There are no standard Skill Tree skills carried over! We need to bust things up as much as possible, as quickly as possible, to meet Quotas.
It really feels like a more condensed take on the general Donkey Kong Bananza experience. Hey, did you enjoy collecting the Gold Ore the first time around? How about revisiting all of those places and doing so in timed challenges? The nature of it also reminded me of Splatoon’s Salmon Run in a way, due to the collection elements and needing to make quota to continue playing. (Just like how some of the bosses reminded me of ones from Splatoon campaigns!) It felt like a way to incentivize revisiting everything.
Which means how much you get out of the Donkey Kong Bananza DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC varies depending on how much you enjoyed this entry and the series in general. Getting a new location that does highlight famous DK Island locations in a new format is really fun. Especially as you piece together what each spot represents. Meanwhile, Emerald Rush feels designed to compel people to go through Donkey Kong Bananza again in a roguelike way, speeding up the destruction and collecting process with new incentives. Which means both elements really hit best if you love the series and this particular entry. If you don’t, you might not get as much mileage out of it.
Donkey Kong Bananza and its DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC are available now.