A semiconductor device assembly can include an assembly semiconductor die having a top surface with a first and a second assembly communication element thereat. The semiconductor device assembly can further include a semiconductor die stack coupled to the top surface. The die stack can include a first and a second semiconductor die, each having a top surface perpendicular to the top surface of the assembly semiconductor die. Further, the first semiconductor die can have a first die communication element aligned with and configured to directly communicate with the first assembly communication element, and the second semiconductor die can have a second die communication element aligned with and configured to directly communicate with the second assembly communication element.