Nintendo Notes Potential Switch Performance Dip in Donkey Kong Banana Mania

The director of the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza has addressed some performance concerns, stating that the team focused on "fun and playability" throughout development.

In a discussion with La Vanguardia, director Kazuya Takahashi responded to performance issues observed by a journalist during a preview session.

"Several factors come into play," Takahashi noted when questioned about the matter. "Firstly, we deliberately incorporated effects such as hit-stop and slow-motion to heighten the impact of actions. Secondly, our use of voxel technology means the environment can undergo significant transformation and destruction."

"We recognize that performance might dip slightly during these intense moments," Takahashi continued. "However, as the journalist mentioned, the overall experience remains smooth. During major environmental shifts, we prioritized engaging gameplay and enjoyment."

"Bananza appears poised to become one of Nintendo's most visually stunning titles," we stated in IGN's Donkey Kong Bananza preview. "It genuinely leverages the Switch 2's capabilities—the settings are breathtaking, DK's animations are remarkably expressive, and I came away feeling that the next era of first-party Nintendo games has truly begun."

Donkey Kong Bananza launches this week on July 17, priced at $69.99 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. To avoid spoilers, consider muting related terms on social platforms, as details are circulating online following early copies reaching some fans.

For additional insights, explore our collection of interviews with the development team covering various aspects of Bananza, such as the game's initial conception and the decision behind its Nintendo Switch 2 exclusivity. You can access the complete interview here.