When I first played Dave the Diver, I was completely hooked. So much so that I gave it a glowing review early on in my What’s It Like journey. Its blend of deep-sea diving, restaurant management, quirky characters, and genuine charm made it an easy standout. I already thought it was fantastic, but news of the Yakuza DLC crossover beckoned me to return to the Blue Hole. Originally, I just planned to dip my toes in to try the Yakuza-themed DLC, Ichiban’s Holiday. Due to my save file not being on the cloud, I had to start fresh, and in doing so, I found myself diving headfirst back into everything Dave the Diver does so well. The gameplay loop still hooked me instantly, and the new DLC content was far more compelling than I expected. Developer Mintrocket could’ve played it safe, but instead, they changed the recipe by crossing over into other franchises, surprisingly managing to make each one feel completely at home in Dave’s world. Some are brief, others are a bit more fleshed out, and they are all integrated in ways that fit the game’s humour, heart, and that special Dave the Diver magic.
So let’s take a deep dive into how these crossovers breathe new life into the game, and why now might be the perfect time to revisit Bancho Sushi.
First Course: A Taste of Terror from the Deep
When the Dredge crossover was announced, it kinda made sense, and it seemed they would fit hand in hand. Red fog rolls across the ocean, transforming your calm nightly dives into eerie encounters. Gameplay-wise, it’s a clever twist; the red-fog dives are like night dives with a sinister edge, just dangerous enough to feel exciting. There are a bunch of wild and dangerous “aberrant” sea creatures to capture, and a new “Dredge” mechanic where you can fish up treasures. The eerie ambience slots right in, creating new layers of gameplay without overwhelming the player.
What really impressed me was how this DLC changed the restaurant gameplay. It’s the only crossover that truly alters how you run Bancho Sushi, and it does so without disrupting the game’s tone or rhythm. Hooded customers begin visiting Bancho Sushi, and they only order dishes made from aberrant fish, which you can only catch during these creepy fog events. You will need to balance out the aberrant dishes, which won’t be eaten by regular customers, with regular dishes that hooded customers won’t touch. Thankfully, it keeps it fun and light, and a travelling merchant will buy leftover aberrant fish so you won’t be left with too much stock, which then forces you to dive for fresh stock once the red fog rolls in again. I enjoyed the sushi aspect here more than the diving. That’s how well-integrated it was. I haven’t played Dredge yet, but after this DLC, I went out and bought it.
Second Course: Godzilla Makes a Splash
Of all the DLC moments, Godzilla might have had the biggest fun factor. After a climactic boss battle with a giant lobster, yes, really, you emerge to find Bancho Sushi under attack. Just as it seems like all hope is lost, the King of the Monsters rises from the ocean, and the game pivots into a cinematic fight sequence that plays like a classic monster brawler. I couldn’t help but smile. It was one of those rare crossover moments that actually feels epic.
While it was over rather quickly, and I initially thought the tie-in would be shallow fan service, it ended up being cleverly woven into the narrative. This wasn’t just a quick cameo, it was a well-thought-out addition that felt like a natural part of Dave’s world. Even after the event, the Kaiju energy lingers, and you can collect mini Godzilla figures throughout the game, which you view using an in-game app, and it adds a surprisingly addictive “gotta catch ’em all” element. If I had one small wish, it would’ve been to see more themed sushi dishes or workers inspired by Godzilla lore. But for a free DLC tied into the Godzilla vs. Kong movie release, it was an absolute treat. It’s a shame this was a limited-time menu special, as it worked so well.
A Sample Platter That Goes All-In on Balatro (and Friends)
Balatro has taken the world by storm, even earning a “What’s It Like Certified Exceptional” score of 94/100. I had high hopes for this one, and it delivered. The fact that Dave the Diver managed to recreate the look, feel, and even the addictive pacing of Balatro within its own universe was a total surprise. In Dave’s world, it’s rebranded as “Jimbo’s Game,” a gambling side activity tucked away in the Sea People’s village, and it fits perfectly. What stood out to me was how optional yet enticing it was. I could have powered through to get to the Yakuza content, but like any good side dish, it was too tasty to pass up. I found myself sinking time into Jimbo’s Game, genuinely enjoying how it slowed the pace just enough to offer something different. The only drawback? It’s entirely underwater, meaning this brilliant little homage doesn’t bubble up into the surface-level gameplay at Bancho Sushi. Still, as a distraction, it’s top-tier, and honestly, Balatro deserves all the attention it gets. This was a crossover that felt like a love letter.
The same update also included the Dave and Friends content drop, which added a few extra goodies to the menu. A Potion Craft crossover introduced a small ingredient collection mechanic, while real-life artist mxmtoon joined the game for a musical collaboration. These extras may have been more bite-sized than the other DLCs, but they helped give the game even more personality. The Potion Craft mini-quest in particular offered a subtle but charming way to blend games from very different genres, and once again, it just worked.
Main Course: Ichiban’s Holiday
Finally, I got up to the main course. As a big fan of Like a Dragon, I had some personal excitement heading into Ichiban’s Holiday. I’d recently wrapped up a review of Yakuza Kiwami on the Switch, so the franchise was still fresh in my mind. But even with that familiarity, I was genuinely surprised by how well this DLC captured the tone and energy of the Yakuza series, while still feeling like Dave the Diver. Ichiban arrives in style, and before long, you’re pulled into a small but satisfying story arc that culminates in a classic Yakuza-style beat-’em-up sequence that pays homage to the Capcom CPS1 games of old. It’s short, sure, but incredibly well-executed. The gameplay shifts in a way that pays tribute to Yakuza’s brawler roots without losing Dave’s signature flair.
It’s brief, but it’s brilliant. It’s the perfect crossover moment by crafting something that brings two fan bases together with a wink and a smile. I do wish the DLC had gone a bit deeper or brought in more characters from the franchise, but I was more than satisfied with the experience. For a paid DLC, it was rather short, almost comparable to the Godzilla DLC, which would be my only complaint, but there are new staff and recipes for Bancho Sushi to remind you of your somewhat brief outing with Ichiban.
A Tease of What’s Next: Into the Jungle
Just when you think you’ve had your fill, Dave the Diver leaves one last dish on the table, a mysterious teaser for an upcoming jungle biome. We only get a taste for now, but it’s clear Mintrocket isn’t done expanding the menu. It’s a smart move. After all, the game’s biggest strength is how it constantly evolves without ever losing sight of its core ingredients. Each DLC so far has slotted in naturally, enhancing what’s already there without overwhelming the flavour. If the jungle update continues that trend, bringing new characters, mechanics, or maybe even more franchise crossovers, then we’ve got plenty to look forward to. If this is just the appetiser for what’s next, I’ll gladly keep coming back for seconds.
