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No—Donkey Kong Bananza is not getting its DLC expansion today. Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush launched on September 12, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2. The $19.99 expansion is already available, and the Mario collaboration referenced in newer coverage was a limited-time event inside that DLC—not a separate expansion.
What the DLC includes
Nintendo’s eShop listing describes DK Island & Emerald Rush as a digital Nintendo Switch 2 product requiring the separately sold full game. The download is listed at 919 MB in the U.S. eShop and costs $19.99.
- DK Island: a standalone area with locations including DK’s Treehouse and Gangplank Galleon.
- Returning characters: Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Cranky Kong, Rambi, and Squawks.
- Collectibles: DLC-exclusive character statues obtained with Banandium Chips.
- Bonus content: hidden stages in mine-cart tracks and jungle ruins.
- Emerald Rush: a timed challenge mode spanning DK Island and other Underground World layers.
- Limited-time events: rotating challenges and exclusive rewards.
How Emerald Rush works
Emerald Rush resets your perks and skills after each run, but the locations of fossils and Banandium Gems remain fixed. That means success depends partly on learning routes and level layouts rather than reacting to entirely random stages. Special events can also predetermine elements that would normally vary.
The Mario collaboration was an event, not new DLC
The Super Mario Bros. collaboration ran in scheduled waves inside the existing expansion. Its final listed wave ran from August 25 to September 1, 2026, so it is no longer active as of September 14, 2026. The event included Mario- and Luigi-inspired outfits for Donkey Kong and Pauline, Coins, Super Mushrooms, ? Blocks, and other Mario-themed visual and audio changes.
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- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
Nintendo’s published schedule was:
| Wave | Dates |
|---|---|
| Wave 1 | June 9–30, 2026 |
| Wave 2 | July 14–21, 2026 |
| Wave 3 | August 4–11, 2026 |
| Wave 4 | August 25–September 1, 2026 |
Players needed to own the DLC and complete the main game to participate in the collaboration content. The standard Emerald Rush event identified by Nintendo as “Bobbing for Baubles” awarded statues of Kiddy Kong and DK Coin, with fixed skills and other predetermined elements for that event.
How to access DK Island
If you have not completed the main story
- Reach the Racing Layer.
- Talk to Squawks.
- Use Squawks to travel to DK Island.
If you have completed the main story
- Speak to an Elder about “Bananza Rehearsal.”
- Go to the Warp Gong.
- Strike the Warp Gong to travel to DK Island.
Once you arrive, speak to Void Kong to access Emerald Rush. Nintendo’s complete access instructions are available through its official support page.
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![Donkey Kong Bananza Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Xv8olm5RL._SL160_.jpg)
- Uncover a wide variety of environments, like forest, canyon, and lagoon, as you delve underground
- Reshape the world as you tear through it, with the help of…an Odd Rock?
How to check whether you own the DLC
- Open Nintendo eShop with the Nintendo Account that purchased the expansion.
- Search for DK Island & Emerald Rush.
- Confirm that the listing says Purchased.
- Select the product, then choose Virtual Game Cards on the right.
- Confirm that the DLC’s virtual game card is loaded on the console.
If the listing shows a price instead, the DLC either was not purchased by that account or belongs to a different Nintendo Account.
If the DLC does not appear in the game
Nintendo lists several common causes: the game or console needs an update, the DLC was purchased by another user, its virtual game card is not loaded, the required in-game point has not been reached, or the download has not completed.
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![Donkey Kong Bananza Bundle (game + DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC) Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N7IcgPIEL._SL160_.jpg)
- WARNING: If you have epilepsy or have had seizures or other unusual reactions to flashing lights or patterns, consult a doctor before playing video games. All users should read the Health and Safety Information available in the system settings before using this software. A Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) is required for Save Data Cloud backup. Nintendo.
Load the virtual game card
- From the HOME Menu, select Virtual Game Cards.
- Select the purchasing user.
- Select the DLC.
- Choose Load on This System.
If the content is not installed, loading the card starts the download.
Redownload with an online license
- Open the user icon from the HOME Menu.
- Select Online License Settings and turn Use Online License on.
- Open Virtual Game Cards and select the purchasing user.
- Select the DLC, choose Options, then Download Data.
Update the game and console
To update Donkey Kong Bananza, highlight its icon on the HOME Menu without starting it, press + or −, select Software Update, and choose Via the Internet.
Rank #4
- Embark on a brand-new Donkey Kong adventure exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the Underground World with dynamic environments and hidden secrets.
- Battle VoidCo and its minions using DK’s signature strength and powerful punches.
- Team up with a mysterious new companion with unique gameplay abilities.
- Recover the Golden Bananas across thrilling, action-packed levels.
For the console, open System Settings → System → System Update. The game’s title screen shows both the game version and DLC version in the bottom-right corner.
Physical-copy recovery steps
For a physical copy, Nintendo’s documented sequence is:
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- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Close the game and return to the HOME Menu.
- Remove the game card.
- Open System Settings → Data Management → Manage Software.
- Select the software and choose Delete Software.
- Reinsert the game card.
- Update the game through Software Update → Via the Internet.
- Reload or redownload the DLC.
This procedure deletes software data, not save data; Nintendo does not instruct players to delete their save data.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the original headline gets wrong
- “The DLC is coming out today”: outdated. It launched on September 12, 2025.
- “The DLC is free”: incorrect in the U.S.; it costs $19.99 and requires the base game.
- “The Mario crossover is a new expansion”: incorrect; it was a limited-time event within the paid DLC.
- “You must finish the story to reach DK Island”: incomplete; players can use Squawks at the Racing Layer before finishing the story.
- “Emerald Rush is completely random”: inaccurate; perks reset, but important collectible locations remain fixed, and event rules can predetermine additional elements.
For the original launch announcement, see Engadget’s September 12, 2025 report. Nintendo also announced the expansion in its September 2025 Nintendo Direct.
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