The new Donkey Kong Bananza DLC, DK Island & Emerald Rush, is finally out. Is it worth your money? We’ve played it, and can say it’s a good, but not essential unless you are a real fan of the main game and desperate for more.
What’s Included in the DLC?
The DK Island & Emerald Rush expansion is split into two parts: a nostalgic trip back to DK Island and a brand-new game mode.
DK Island: A Trip Down Memory Lane
For long-time fans of the series, DK Island is a fantastic throwback filled with references and Easter eggs. It’s a beautifully designed area that pays homage to the franchise’s roots. However, there isn’t much to do on the island beyond collecting items. It functions more like a hub world and feels like something that really could have been part of the base game.
Emerald Rush: The Real Star of the Show
The highlight of the DLC is easily the Emerald Rush mode. This new roguelite game mode offers a fun challenge to how you play.
In a nutshell, here’s how it works:
- You join the Void Company.
- Your mission is to destroy environments to collect emerald ore.
- You’re racing against a timer, and each round gets harder.
What makes Emerald Rush so addictive is its dynamic perk system. The perks you get change with every attempt, making each run feel unique and unpredictable. This mode forces you to master the game’s core destruction mechanics and offers tons of replay value.
Final Verdict: Is the DLC Worth It?
Overall, we give the DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC a score of 6 out of 10, which is not bad but not essential.
Emerald Rush is an incredibly fun and replayable addition that will appeal to players who love a good challenge. However, the DK Island portion (as much as I like the nostalgia) feels a bit empty and doesn’t live up to its full potential.
At $30 in Australia, it doesn’t feel like it adds enough to warrant that price, half of that would be acceptable especially since you’ve forked out $109.95 for the main game and you can’t play this DLC until it is completed.
Should you buy it?
For casual players: You can probably skip this one. While fun, it doesn’t add anything essential to the main game experience and you might not have finished that main game yet, so it’s pointless.
For die-hard fans: Yes. If you love Donkey Kong Bananza and want an excuse to jump back in, this DLC is a worthwhile purchase.
