A new tropical adventure awaits Donkey Kong and friends... Released in mid-July 2025, Donkey Kong Bananza is already back in the spotlight with some surprising additional content. Developed and published by Nintendo, this action-adventure game features the famous gorilla in a formula combining exploration, platforming and object management. Available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, it is now enriched by a first DLC called DK Island and Emerald Race, priced at €19.99. A free update 2.0.0 also accompanies this release.
In terms of gameplay, Donkey Kong Bananza retains its simple yet demanding handling, with levels built around underground strata to explore. The DLC introduces two distinct approaches: on the one hand, DK Island, a new tropical zone packed with iconic characters, new objects and hidden secrets; on the other, Emerald Race, a roguelite mode where each game is based on collecting emeralds in a limited time, improving your stats randomly thanks to fossils and crystals. This blend of classic progression and infinite replayability breathes new life into the title.
In this DLC, players can freely explore DK Island, accessible from a certain point in the story or via a teleport gong after the end of the main adventure. The area features statues to collect with banandium washers and a variety of settings, from a pirate ship to an abandoned mine. At the same time, Void Kong invites players who have completed the main scenario to take part in the Emerald Races, a series of timed challenges where the accumulation of passive bonuses maximizes winnings.
This additional content is aimed above all at players who enjoyed the original formula and want to extend the experience with new challenges. Fans of the series will find familiar faces such as Cranky, Diddy and Dixie, as well as new mechanics to renew their gaming pleasure. The roguelite mode, in particular, will appeal to fans of repetitive, strategic challenges.
On the other hand, those who have not yet completed the main game may miss out on some of the content, as the Emerald Races require completion of the story. What's more, players who aren't keen on roguelite mechanics or randomized progression may not appreciate this new approach to replayability and course optimization.
Our review of Donkey Kong Bananza DLC:
We were able to test this additional content when it was released on Nintendo Switch 2. It's a fairly short DLC, but a lot of fun, since it consists in exploring Donkey Kong Island, through missions given by Void, who here "repents" by asking the gorilla to get him emerald fragments. It's a race against time, then, as you're given an allotted time to collect the required number of fragments.
Graphically speaking, it's as beautiful and colorful as ever, just like the base game. Gameplay is absolutely identical to the base game, too, and just as innovative in its approach to mechanics (destroy to harvest). Nothing more to add on these points: it's as enjoyable as ever and, like the game itself, it's extremely quick and intuitive to pick up.
What more can I say? It would be stupid not to play it, to continue the adventure begun with Donkey Kong and Pauline... A must for gamers who have already finished the game!
Nintendo took advantage of its September 12, 2025 Direct to announce and launch this DLC immediately. A bundle containing the base game and the expansion is also available for €89.98, for those who haven't yet taken the plunge. Also new: a 30-minute free demo now lets you discover part of the adventure, with DK playing solo on Lingot Island and a cooperative section with Pauline.
Update 2.0.0 corrects various bugs and increases the maximum capacity of banandium pucks to 99,999, enhancing the overall experience. All of which enriches the already dense universe of Donkey Kong Bananza and prolongs its appeal to the community.
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