u/cheat-master30

What predictions do you have for future events in Donkey Kong Bananza's Emerald Rush and why?

For me, my predictions are as follows:

Elephant Bananza Event

Pretty much everyone knows this one, since it's almost inevitable that you'll get statues of Ellie from Donkey Kong Country 3 and the Elephant Bananza from this game. It'll take place on the Tempest Layer, and involve perks related to the Elephant Bananza, like Typhoon Tycoon, Rock Ensemble Beat, Storage Groove and (given the layer) probably Batteroid Demolisher as well.

Zebra Bananza Event

Not sure who they'd pair this one up with, maybe Winky or Squitter from DKC 1 or 2. It'd obviously take place on the Freezer Layer though, and involve zebra related perks like Super Sprinter, Kickin’ Beat, Slingin’ Beat, Spinnin’ Beat and Spin Groove.

Funky Kong Event

On a less obvious note, I also suspect the Resort Layer will be where we get the inevitable Funky Kong statue, and that the event will involve surfing related perks that fit his character. So, Turf and Surf Groove, Surfin’ Beat, Skip Groove and (given the layer) likely Trailfinoid Demolisher.

Not sure who they'd pair this one with, my theory would be either Kiddy Kong (because he can skip on water in DKC 3) or some other Kong that hasn't had an event year (Candy Kong, Swanky Kong, etc).

But what do you expect to see event wise? What Emerald Rush events do you see coming in future?

Like say, before level 4 or so?

Been wondering given that all the records I've seen focus on either level 7 or the events, and it feels like the 6 rounds available in earlier levels might be rather tight timing wise even with a great combo and plenty of enemy grinding.

So, is there a layer where you could max out the score on level 1? Or is that pushing it too much given the low round limit?

I asked this on ROM Hacking.net before, but I may as well ask here too.

Personally I'm kinda torn on this. On the one hand, it's sometimes neat to see mods that add effects that can't be done on the original system, and there are some nice attempts at overhauling old games available for emulators like Mesen.

At the same time though, I can't help but feel like there's a degree of pointlessness to a mod that doesn't actually work on the hardware it's designed for. Like if your Super Mario 64 hack only works in certain emulators because the level geometry and textures would lag the hell out of the system/crash it on a real N64, I have to at least half wonder why you're not just making it in Unity or Unreal Engine or something instead. It feels like you're just making a PC game with extra steps.

I also personally feel like one of the more impressive things about a ROM hack is that you're pushing the limits of the original hardware, and a game that just dispenses with those limits entirely feels a bit weird to me.

But what do you think? Should ROM hacks always work on original hardware?

It's an idea I've thought about for a while now, and one which Echoes of Wisdom has shown could work pretty well.

Basically, what if instead of 120+ shrines spread across the open world map, there were something like 40-60 mini dungeons there instead, which would give a full heart container or stamina upgrade for clearing them?

These would all be themed around the areas they're placed in (shipwrecks for ocean areas, mines for Death Mountain, dead trees for forests, pyramids for the desert, etc) and be a bit like the longer shrines in BotW length wise (the Blue Flame and Trial of Power ones, and the Plateau ones in the DLC).

Each one would have a mix of simple puzzles and combat (with enemies from the surrounding area rather than just Guardians or Constructs) and feel like a mini accomplishment when you complete it.

That's how the abandoned ship, eastern palace and cave of flames worked in Echoes of Wisdom, and I thought those were some of the best side areas in the series because of it.

But yeah, do you think that would fix the issue the wild era games have with repetitious content? Would a few more fleshed out, well-themed mini dungeons in each area be more interesting than a few dozen generic shrines?