Donkey Kong Bananza DLC: First In-Game Event 'Chip Fever' Announced

10/20/2025

Nintendo has officially announced the first major in-game event for its recently released Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush downloadable content. This new event, translated as 'Chip Fever' from Nintendo's Japanese website, promises to introduce a unique challenge within the game's popular Emerald Rush mode. Players will be tasked with gathering as much Ore as possible, relying exclusively on specialized Chip-based Perks to achieve high scores. The event is set to offer exclusive rewards, encouraging players to dive back into the vibrant world of Donkey Kong Bananza.

While the DLC itself has been met with mixed reception, with many enjoying the Emerald Rush roguelike mode and the return to DK Island, some players found the overall package a bit lacking. This inaugural in-game event aims to enhance the experience, providing additional content and a fresh twist on existing gameplay mechanics. The developers hope that such events will help expand the game's offerings and keep the community engaged, adding more depth and replayability to the Donkey Kong Bananza universe.

Introducing the 'Chip Fever' Event

Nintendo has officially announced the first in-game event for the Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC, referred to as 'Chip Fever.' This event is slated to commence on October 28th and conclude on November 4th, providing players with a limited window to participate. The core objective of 'Chip Fever' is to engage players in the Emerald Rush mode with a specialized focus on collecting Ore. Participants will need to strategically utilize various Chip-based Perks, such as 'Chip Hoarder' or 'Chip Negotiator,' to maximize their Ore collection within the given timeframe. This unique twist on the familiar Emerald Rush gameplay aims to introduce a fresh layer of challenge and strategy for experienced players and newcomers alike.

The event is designed to offer exclusive incentives for high-achieving players. Those who manage to secure a top score in 'Chip Fever' will be rewarded with two brand-new figures for their DK Island collection: Kong Bananza and Enguard. While these figures may not offer significant gameplay advantages, they are valuable additions for completionists and fans who enjoy expanding their in-game decorative items. The introduction of such time-limited events suggests Nintendo's intent to continually refresh the game experience and encourage ongoing player engagement with the DLC, addressing some initial feedback that the core DLC content felt somewhat sparse. This event serves as a strategic move to infuse more dynamic content into Donkey Kong Bananza, making the DLC feel more robust and rewarding.

Gameplay and Rewards for High Scorers

The 'Chip Fever' event centers around a distinct gameplay modification within the existing Emerald Rush mode of the Donkey Kong Bananza DLC. Players will find themselves immersed in a challenge where the primary goal is to amass as much Ore as possible. What sets this event apart is the mandatory use of Chip-based Perks, which are specific abilities or enhancements directly tied to the collection and management of chips. This mechanic forces players to adapt their usual strategies, relying on perks like 'Chip Hoarder' to increase their capacity for chips or 'Chip Negotiator' to optimize their chip acquisition rates. The success in this event hinges on mastering these chip-centric perks and applying them effectively to achieve the highest possible Ore score within each run.

Participating in and excelling at the 'Chip Fever' event offers players the chance to earn unique rewards that enhance their in-game collection. Achieving a high score will unlock two exclusive figures for display on DK Island: Kong Bananza and Enguard. These figures, while primarily cosmetic, serve as coveted trophies for dedicated players, symbolizing their mastery of the event's challenges. The inclusion of such limited-time, exclusive items aims to create a sense of accomplishment and rarity, motivating players to actively engage with the event. This strategy not only adds value for those who enjoy collecting all in-game assets but also provides an incentive for players to revisit the DLC and explore its new dimensions, fostering continued interest in the Donkey Kong Bananza experience.