Nintendo Acknowledges Frame Rate Issues in Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo Prepares for the Launch of Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 2

Nintendo is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of Donkey Kong Bananza, the second significant first-party exclusive game designed for the Switch 2. Earlier this week, the development team confirmed that this title’s journey began on the original Nintendo Switch, much like the acclaimed Mario Kart World.

Exclusivity Insights: An Interview with Kazuya Takahashi

One of the key questions surrounding the game’s development is why Nintendo opted for exclusivity instead of creating a cross-generation title. Kazuya Takahashi, Game Director at Nintendo EPD, shed light on this decision during an interview with the Spanish outlet Lavanguardia.

“As we mentioned before, we 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 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.”

Addressing Frame Rate Concerns

Following a hands-on preview of Donkey Kong Bananza, some frame rate issues were reported, prompting further discussion during the interview. Takahashi responded to these concerns:

“There are several factors to consider. First, we intentionally used effects like 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, as you say, overall the game is smooth, and at points where large-scale changes occur, we prioritized fun and playability.”

Upcoming Launch and Expectations

Despite the performance questions, Takahashi and the development team are confident in the game’s overall smoothness. Nintendo plans to officially release Donkey Kong Bananza on Thursday, July 17, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how the game performs in its final state.

Stay tuned for our comprehensive review once the embargo lifts!

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