Switch 2 Gamers Should Jump Back Into Donkey Kong Bananza Right Now

Donkey Kong Bananza has released its next Emerald Rush event, giving Nintendo Switch 2 gamers a new reason to check out the game. As one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s big exclusive titles, Donkey Kong Bananza has sold millions of copies since its release. Thanks to the DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC, players have an incentive to stick around after the credits roll on the main story.

DLC for Donkey Kong Bananza might not have been surprising, but the way in which it was released caught some off guard. The new content was shadow dropped on the same day it was announced during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct. While there was controversy about the $19.99 price tag, the DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC brought a fresh experience to the game via the Emerald Rush mode. Specifically, this new mode featured some roguelike elements and challenged players to collect enough gems within a time limit. If successful, they could earn rewards from Void Kong. This mode has added more replayability to the game, and Nintendo has looked to keep things interesting by hosting periodic events.

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Donkey Kong Bananza Hosting New Emerald Rush Event Called Ostrich Riches

Most recently, the developer kicked off the Ostrich Riches event. This latest event for Emerald Rush is live now and runs until February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT. As the name suggests, this event takes place in the Forest Layer and means the Ostrich Bananza will come in handy. During Ostrich Riches, players can unlock two statues: one of the Ostrich transformation and another of Expresso from the original Donkey Kong Country. Earning these statues requires reaching specific scores in the game mode, but once they are collected, players can display them on DK Island.

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While this event offers a new reason for Switch 2 gamers to return to Donkey Kong Bananza, it is limited to those who have the DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC. While the price is a sticking point for some gamers, the expansion does include a new layer to explore. In addition, Emerald Rush can be played in a variety of layers, with the roguelike elements helping to keep the experience fresh for those who are interested in that type of mode.

It remains to be seen if Donkey Kong Bananza will receive more Emerald Rush events in the weeks ahead. However, it is not the only DK game that continues to receive support after release. Specifically, Nintendo rolled out a new update for Donkey Kong Country HD at the end of January. While the remaster was released for the original Switch on January 16, 2025, the recent free update added new content, including playable Dixie Kong and Turbo Attack mode. Additionally, Switch 2 players received enhanced resolutions and improved load times.

As these updates evidenced, the last year has been an exciting time for Donkey Kong fans. While it remains to be seen what is next for DK, Nintendo has more Switch 2-exclusive games coming in 2026 for Nintendo fans to look forward to. In particular, Pokemon Pokopia is right around the corner, releasing on March 5. Additionally, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave are slated for later this year. Time will tell if Donkey Kong Bananza and these upcoming games can help sell more Switch 2 consoles throughout 2026.