“Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush” Review for Nintendo Switch 2
As someone who grew up with Nintendo’s platformers, “Donkey Kong Bananza” instantly struck me as the kind of next-gen experience I’d been waiting for (if you’d like to check out our original review when the base game initially released, click HERE). Donkey Kong has long been one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, but this adventure takes him somewhere completely different. Instead of sticking to familiar jungle settings, the game sends him to Ingot Isle in search of Banandium Gems during a gold rush. Things quickly escalate when VoidCo., a mining company, steals the gems to fuel its own ambitions, and their president, Void Kong, sets out to claim the Banandium Root, a mythical object said to grant wishes. Donkey Kong finds himself trapped in a Hollow Earth-like underground world, where he meets Odd Rock, who later reveals herself as Pauline. Alongside her, he pushes deeper into this strange realm, encountering animal societies, elders, and transformations that expand both the gameplay and the story.
What struck me most about the base game is how strongly it leans into exploration and open-ended design. “Bananza” is a 3D platformer at its core, but it shares more DNA with “Super Mario Odyssey” than any of Donkey Kong’s past outings. Each underground layer has its own theme, such as ice, lava, or tropical, and the sandbox-like layout encourages experimentation and discovery. I spent hours rolling, punching, and slapping my way through the terrain, not just to progress the story but because I wanted to see what I’d find tucked away in each corner. Secret areas, optional challenges, and side-scrolling throwbacks to “Donkey Kong Country” kept the pacing fresh. The transformations stand out as one of the most creative mechanics. By meeting different elders, Donkey Kong learns to shift into animal forms: the gorilla form boosts strength, the zebra adds speed, the ostrich allows gliding and egg bombs, the elephant inhales and spits terrain, and the snake increases jump height. Switching between them mid-level opens up clever puzzles and combat scenarios, though they’re limited by an energy meter. I never got tired of experimenting with which form worked best for a particular challenge.
Progression is tied to the Banandium Gems, golden banana-shaped diamonds scattered across the game. With 1,000 to find, 777 of which are unique, it’s clear Nintendo designed “Bananza” for completionists. They’re used to upgrade Donkey Kong’s abilities on a skill tree, but what impressed me is that you can technically beat the game without collecting any. The freedom to play casually or obsessively hunt for every gem makes it accessible to all kinds of players. I found myself somewhere in the middle, tackling platforming challenges, timed enemy battles, and mining mini-games at my own pace. The story complements the gameplay surprisingly well. Donkey Kong and Pauline’s journey through the underground is full of big set pieces, like their encounters with VoidCo.’s minions and eventually Void Kong himself. I especially liked how Pauline’s arc evolved; her dream of becoming a singer builds alongside Donkey Kong’s physical journey, and her role in the finale adds heart to all the smashing and exploring. By the time the credits rolled, I felt like I’d been part of something both nostalgic and having that experience I know could not have been possible on the original Switch console.
If I had to sum up the base game, it’s a little messy at times, and not every idea feels fully polished, but the sheer joy of exploration and destruction more than makes up for it. The open-world design, the transformations, and the constant sense of discovery make “Donkey Kong Bananza” one of the best reasons yet to own a Switch 2. It captures the spirit of Nintendo’s fun-first philosophy while pushing the Donkey Kong series into bold territory. The adventure doesn’t stop there, though. The “DK Island & Emerald Rush” DLC adds another layer, and while it doesn’t reach the same heights as the main game, it’s an exciting extension. On one end you have DK Island, which gives you a chance to relax in a familiar setting, but the real hook is Emerald Rush, a roguelite mode that flips the formula on its head. Suddenly, instead of sprawling exploration, you’re running quick, frantic sessions filled with secrets, unlockable items, and a tighter gameplay loop. Emerald Rush turns the base mechanics into something sharper and more arcade-like. Runs are fast-paced and replayable, with progression tied to how well you can perfect your attempts. I enjoyed the way old levels were recontextualized with new systems, keeping things from feeling like simple replays. For fans of roguelikes, this side mode is a blast, rewarding patience and experimentation, but it’s also clear that the content is thinner compared to the main adventure. After just a few hours, I felt like I’d seen most of what it had to offer.
That said, the DLC is packed with fun nods to the Donkey Kong series, and it does a good job of giving you a reason to revisit the game. Even if you’re not a fan of roguelites, the charm of DK Island and the fresh perspective of Emerald Rush are worth checking out. For me, it was a nice excuse to return to a game I was already hooked on, even if it didn’t have the same staying power as the base release. Altogether, “Donkey Kong Bananza” and its “DK Island & Emerald Rush” DLC feel like a powerful one-two punch for the Switch 2’s growing library. The base game delivers a massive, charming, and inventive 3D platforming experience, while the DLC experiments with smaller but enjoyable twists. Even with its imperfections, this package cements Donkey Kong’s place as a must-play experience on Nintendo’s newest console.
Base game: 9.5/10
DK Island & Emerald Rush: 8/10
For more information, visit the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop.
Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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