Following its massively successful launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 has another high-profile exclusive lined up with Donkey Kong Bananza launching this week. Everything about the 3D platformer has looked excellent, from the confirmation of Pauline and the various Bananza Powers to the fact that the Super Mario Odyssey team is working on it.
Director Kazuya Takahashi told Lavanguardia how the team “wanted to create continuity through the chain of destruction, and to achieve this, we needed to include a large number of destructible objects. This was only possible on Nintendo Switch 2, which allowed for the placement of so many elements on the screen, as well as various materials and large-scale destruction. Additionally, to enhance the sense of satisfaction of destruction, we put a lot of effort into the effects and sounds, as well as the appearance of the objects being destroyed.”
However, observant fans may have noticed some slight performance drops in its gameplay. Director Kazuya Takahashi confirmed that they can occur during “major changes and destruction in the environment.”
“There are several factors to consider. First, we intentionally used hit-stop and slow-motion to emphasize impacts. Second, because we use voxel technology, there are times when there are major changes and destruction in the environment. We’re aware that performance may drop slightly at these times.” However because the overall experience is smooth, Takahashi and his team ultimately “prioritized fun and playability” during these “large-scale changes.”
We’ll have to go hands-on for a performance breakdown, so stay tuned for more updates. Donkey Kong Bananza is out on July 17th for the Nintendo Switch 2. It sees the King of Kong venturing into the depths of Ingot Isle to the core, which is said to fulfill wishes. Pauline is along for the ride, seeking a way home and is even playable in co-op mode.
By collecting Banadium Gems, players can upgrade Donkey Kong’s abilities. There are also several outfits to collect, each with unique benefits for the duo.
