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Earlier this year, I gobbled up Donkey Kong Bananza like an ape. The action-oriented gameplay was engaging, but after a 40-hour binge, I ended up with a bit of a tummy ache. The smash-heavy gameplay grew stale over time. I left the game pleased, yet questioning if there was enough flavor to make me eager for additional content.

Unexpected DLC

I wasn’t expecting, added content debuted via the latest Nintendo Direct. Named DK Island + Emerald Rush, this $20 expansion converts the original title with roguelike elements. Instead of adding more gems, it introduces a retro-inspired new zone along with an innovative experience.

Inside the Expansion

Starting Bananza post-installation, I immediately accessed the new island. The location serves as a tribute packed with callbacks to DK’s past. Notably, players can see modeled after classic controllers. It's destructible as usual, however it lacks no collectibles. Other than enjoying the nostalgia, the primary function is trade Chips for decorative statues.

It feels lacking given the cost, however DK Island’s actual function functions as an introduction the new mode.

Emerald Rush Mode

The concept here requires the Void Company tasks DK with collecting gems from previous layers. To do so, he’s dropped into roguelike runs in which nearly most objects is turned into an emerald. Each run includes as many as ten quick phases, and each one challenges users to hit a certain collection goal which increases exponentially each time.

While it took me some practice to comprehend the objectives, the design fosters some genuine challenges. Players must act as quickly as possible, remembering where gems are throughout the game for obtaining consistent sources of points under pressure. Midway through initial stages, optional tasks emerge tasking players with defeat some enemies, smash targeted items, or pull off other goals to get a significant sum of points.

The Thrill Wears Thin

The excitement quickly wears thin, in spite of replay incentives unlock paths designed to encourage repeated play. Whenever complete a task or earn a reward, I can choose an improvement similar to from games such as Hades. The majority of modifications center on increasing point earnings. Players might earn more emeralds by completing tasks, or smashing enemies, destroying environments. However, these improvements adjust much about the core loop; they only boost the number go up. Minimal in the way of deep strategy.

Ongoing Problems

While playing repetitive runs, progressively obtaining more perks, playable layers, cosmetics, some of my ongoing criticisms regarding the original were reinforced. There’s an immediate enjoyment from its destruction mechanics, yet it lacks depth. With progression, all objectives becomes identical. A big skill tree attempts to up the complexity to actions, but many skills seem redundant. There’s nothing more effective, or fun, compared to relying on core mechanics.

This issue is evident through Emerald Rush handles skills. During attempts, there are no initial bonuses and need to improve via earning currency. I realized it was unnecessary to upgrade anything except for health, punch power, and sometimes useful Bananza form perk like flutter flying. Abilities are essentially the main drive of the base game. Little incentive exists to earn points beyond to unlock more abilities – but these upgrades lack a lot of handy tools on offer.

Aimless Progression

Consequently the final stretch in the game feeling aimless while heading into its thrilling finale, digging through further zones that fail to introduce new challenges. Emerald Rush faces identical issues on a smaller scale, via upgrade mechanics struggling to make runs feel distinct. Compounding this, zones and collectible spots never change, cutting into the randomness found in top roguelikes.

Final Thoughts

DK Island + Emerald Rush doesn’t reduce my enjoyment of Donkey Kong Bananza greatly, but it does make me feel limited potential exists for future expansion unless with substantial new ideas. Bananza itself effectively exhausts everything at the wall, featuring numerous settings and tons of mechanics. Players may sense like you’ve done it all repeatedly after completing Bananza. Should a complete overhaul isn’t enough to make that hook feel new – something that worked for Splatoon 3 through its standout Side Order DLC – this title may be ideal as a standalone experience instead of an ongoing series among franchises.