Extra content is coming to Donkey Kong Bananza, today’s big Nintendo Direct broadcast has confirmed, in the shape of a paid DLC pack: DK Island and Emerald Rush.
DK Island looks to be a new level with some nostalgic nods to Donkey Kong’s past, and a giant stone Kong face you can climb up or pummel through.
This area features emerald, rather than the main game’s familiar gold, which ties into the DLC’s other main addition: the all-new Emerald Rush mode. This challenge option sees you exploring DK Island and returning to other existing areas to amass emerald as fast as possible, with mini-goals set against the clock that will end your run early if you fail.
Developed by members of the Super Mario Odyssey team, Donkey Kong Bananza launched for Nintendo Switch 2 back in July to universal delight among fans and critics alike.
IGN’s Donkey Kong Bananza review awarded the game a rare perfect score, and dubbed it “a truly groundbreaking 3D platformer, with satisfying movement, powerful abilities, impressive destructible environments, and clever challenges that all come together in complete harmony to create Nintendo’s first Switch 2 masterpiece.”
For more, check out everything announced at the Nintendo Direct September 2025.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
