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Donkey Kong Bananza
Emerald Rush Guide (DLC)
☽ DK Island and Emerald Rush DLC out now!
☽ Learn how to solve Banandiumtone's Puzzles.
☽ All Collectibles: Banandium Gems and Fossils
☽ Learn How to Skip Layers Entirely!
☽ How to Beat the Final Boss
☽ Post-Game: Rehearsal Halls | Secret Ending
Emerald Rush is the roguelite mode in Donkey Kong Bananza where you need to collect emeralds to meet the quota. Read on to learn how to unlock and play Emerald Rush, the rewards you can get from it, and useful tips for your runs.
List of Contents
How to Unlock Emerald Rush
Purchase the DLC
The Emerald Rush mode is part of the paid DLC for Donkey Kong Bananza. This add-on costs $19.99 and was released on September 12, 2025.
Along with the roguelite mode, the DLC also grants access to DK Island, where DK resides.
DK Island DLC and Emerald Rush Guide
Complete the Main Story
You also need to complete the main story before you can play Emerald Rush, as the lore behind this mode is set after the events of the game.
After purchasing the DLC and completing the game, head to any Warp Gong and you will be transported to DK Island. Find Void Kong in the map to start an Emerald Rush run.
100% Completion is Not Required
Do note that you do not need to reach 100% completion before you can access this mode. This mode is available even if you have not collected all Banandium Gems, Fossils, and other collectibles in the game.
How to Play Emerald Rush
- Reach Emerald Quota Per Round
- Collect Banandium Gems to Get Skills
- Obtain Perks for Passive Upgrades
- Complete Void Kong Missions
Reach Emerald Quota Per Round
Emerald Rush runs are comprised of rounds wherein you need to collect emeralds and reach the quota set by Void Kong within 99 seconds.
Reaching the quota will allow you to move on to the next round, which will progressively get tougher as the run goes on. Failing to meet the quota will end your current run.
Select Difficulty for Run
You can change the difficulty of a run before starting one, as this will dictate how many rounds you'll need to complete.
Harder levels have their own benefits, as completing more rounds will rack up the rewards you can get at the end of a run, but you will have to reach higher quotas per round.
Collect Banandium Gems to Get Skills
Observe how the Banana is tagged with the Skill it will grant.
During Emerald Rush, the skills that you have accrued during the main story will be taken away during the run. Instead, you have to power up DK's skills again by collecting Banandium Gems, which have been turned into emeralds, as you go through rounds.
Each Banandium Gem will grant a random Skill and will be different from run to run. You can check the map to see which Bananas grant which skills so that you can chart out your route ahead of the run.
Obtain Perks for Passive Upgrades
You can also get various Emerald Perks that act as passive upgrades during your run. You will be prompted to select from three perks if you get one, and you can either get new perks as the run goes on or upgrade old perks by picking them again to enhance their effects. You also have the option to reroll if you don't want anything from the given choices.
You can get perks from Banandium Gems that give skills, Fossils, and completing Void Kong's goals.
Complete Void Kong Missions
During Emerald Rush, Void Kong can also give you missions. Clearing them earns emeralds, Emerald Chips, and even Emerald Perks.
Each time you clear one, a new mission is assigned at random. You can also ignore missions if you want. Some Emerald Perks boost mission rewards, so adjust your strategy to match your powers and playstyle.
Emerald Rush Tips and Tricks
- Check the Map and Plan Your Route
- Get Emeralds After Reaching Quota
- Unlock Constructions for Easier Exploration
- Synergize Your Perks and Skills
- Block Unwanted Perks
- Play on a Difficulty You Can Complete
- Equip VoidCo Outfits from DLC
Check the Map and Plan Your Route
Make it a habit to open the map once your run starts or when Banandium Gems refresh to check their locations. Opening the map will pause the timer so you can carefully plot out your route to get all the Banandium Gems available.
Get Emeralds After Reaching Quota
During the early rounds of Emerald Rush, you'll be able to meet quotas quickly as the requirement will start low. It is a good idea to keep getting emeralds even after meeting the quota as this will give you a boost in the succeeding rounds.
You can also try to clear missions from Void Kong to get Emerald Perks and more emerald even long after you've met the quota for the round.
Unlock Constructions for Easier Exploration
All ziplines, barrels, and getaways on the map can be used during Emerald Rush runs, so it is recommended to unlock them before starting a run so you can easily traverse the field.
Note that while getaways can function as warp points, they cannot be built during Emerald Rush. With limited Teeleportation, you'll have the edge if you've constructed these facilities ahead of time.
Getaway Guide: All Getaway Locations
Synergize Your Perks and Skills
Try to get perks that fit the playstyle that you want to do during the run and pick similar perks that will improve them. You'll be able to take full advantage of the perks you have if you're able to limit how you can get boosts from actions.
You can also get perks that synergize with skills you've obtained to maximize all the stat boosts in your current run.
For example, the perks Bare-Knuckle Beat, Wild Warrior, Windup Beat, Encore Groove, and Impactful Punches revolve around punching around enemies while in Kong Bananza, which are all affected by the Punch Power skill.
Block Unwanted Perks
After reaching a rating of 2000 and watching the credits for the DLC, you'll unlock the option to block perks from appearing during your current run in exchange for some Emerald Chips.
This mechanic will allow you to remove any unwanted perks so you narrow down the most useful ones as your run goes on, but make sure to get as much chips during each round.
Play on a Difficulty You Can Complete
The best way to raise your Rating Points quickly is to complete runs, as these reward the most amount of points compared to failing to complete all rounds.
Try to find the difficulty and layer where you can easily complete quotas per round. It helps to choose a layer that you are very familliar with so you know where the Banandium Gems and Fossils are as well as the best routes to take.
Equip VoidCo Outfits from DLC
Some of the new outfits added in the DLC have effects that are useful during Emerald Rush. These VoidCo outfits can be equipped before starting a run and their boosts stack with Emerald Perks.
 VoidCo Bow Tie
|
 VoidCo Employee ID
|
 VoidCo Britches
|
 VoidCo Regalia
|
| Crystal Regalia | Emerald Regalia |
Emerald Rush Rewards
Banandium Chips
At the end of Emerald Rush, you earn Banandium Chips based on your results.
Banandium Chips can be exchanged for Banandium Gems as usual, or traded at Squawks’ Hut for character figures. There are over 80 types, including the Kong family and underground residents.
Exclusive Character Figures During Events
It has been announced that regular in-game events are planned for Emerald Rush.
During these events, you’ll play a special version of Emerald Rush with fixed random elements, and can obtain exclusive character figures. Stay tuned for details and schedules!
Play Emerald Rush on Other Layers
| Layer | Rating Points |
|---|---|
 Canyon Layer
|
0 |
 Hilltop Layer
|
150 |
 Lagoon Layer
|
400 |
 Freezer Layer
|
800 |
 Feast Layer
|
1200 |
 Forest Layer
|
2100 |
 Resort Layer
|
3000 |
 Landfill Layer
|
4000 |
 Radiance Layer
|
5000 |
 Tempest Layer
|
6000 |
You can also play Emerald Rush on other locations as you raise your Rating Points. Banandium Gems and Fossils appear in the same locations as in the main game, and built Getaways and other constructions will carry over.
New Outfits
| Outfit | Rating Points |
|---|---|
|
VoidCo Employee ID
|
90 |
|
VoidCo Britches
|
330 |
|
VoidCo Regalia
|
1100 |
|
VoidCo Bow Tie
|
2000 |
| Gold-Seeking Gear | 2600 |
| Crystal Regalia | 3600 |
| Gold-Hunting Gear | 4700 |
| Gold Dress | 6800 |
| Platinum Dress | 8000 |
| Emerald Regalia | 10000 |
You can also unlock new outfits which were added in the DLC as you raise your Rating Points. Some of the new outfits have effects that are useful in Emerald Rush.
New Discs
| Disc | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Emerald Rush #1 Emerald Rush #2 |
700 Rating Points |
| Emerald Rush #3 Emerald Rush (Hurry Up!) |
9200 Rating Points |
| Emerald Rush #4 | Play through Emerald Rush |
New discs are also available to be unlocked as you play through Emerald Rush. You can play these discs from your getaways.
How to Get All 117 Music Discs
Secret Void Kong Boss Fight
Reaching 10,000 Rating Points will also unlock a secret boss battle against Void Kong, which will be held in DK Island. The fight will be largely similar to your previous bout with the VoidCo boss, but you'll be chasing him around on DK's home turf instead.
Emerald Rush Overview
Roguelite Mode in DLC
Emerald Rush is Donkey Kong Bananza's roguelite mode, where it allows DK and Pauline to play as as a Void Company employee collecting emeralds in search of riches.
During Emerald Rush, all gold across the island turns into emeralds. Just like gathering gold, you’ll want to collect as many emeralds as possible while relying on skills and Emerald Perks to improve DK's emerald-gathering techniques.
DK Island DLC and Emerald Rush Guide
Raise Your Rating Points
Emerald Rush has its own progression system in the form of Rating Points. These accumulate across runs and will unlock a variety of new content, like outfits, discs, new Emerald Perks, and access to playing Emerald Rush in other layers.
Donkey Kong Bananza Related Guides
Guides by Category
| List of Categories | |
|---|---|
 Walkthrough |
 Layers |
 Banandium Gems |
 How-To Guides |
 Challenge Ruins |
 Bananza Forms |
 Outfits |
 Bosses |
 Fossils |
 Post-Game |
 Music Discs |
 Items |
 Terrain Types |
 Skills |
 Message Boards |
 Latest News |
Recommended Guides
Comment
1 
Anonymous 3 months
Anonymous 3 monthsHow do you change DK island to sunset? There is literally 0 answers online how to do this
Author
Emerald Rush Guide (DLC)
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You have to "beat" the DLC and see the credits. That'll happen after you get 2000 points.