Nintendo Addresses Minor Performance Issues in Donkey Kong Bananza, Focuses on Engaging Gameplay

The director of the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza has recognized minor "performance" concerns, emphasizing that the team focused on delivering "fun and playability" throughout development.

In a discussion with La Vanguardia, director Kazuya Takahashi addressed performance concerns raised by a journalist during a game preview.

"Several elements come into play," Takahashi explained. "We deliberately incorporated effects like hit-stop and slow motion to highlight impactful moments. Additionally, our use of voxel technology can lead to significant environmental changes and destruction."

"We acknowledge that performance may dip slightly during these moments," Takahashi continued. "But as [the journalist noted], the game runs smoothly overall, and in areas with large-scale changes, we prioritized an enjoyable and playable experience."

"Bananza is shaping up to be one of Nintendo’s most visually stunning titles," we noted in IGN's Donkey Kong Bananza preview. "It fully leverages the Switch 2's capabilities – the environments are breathtaking, and DK’s animations are incredibly lively, leaving me convinced that Nintendo’s next generation of first-party games has truly begun."

Donkey Kong Bananza launches on July 17 for $69.99, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. To avoid spoilers, consider muting related terms on social media, as spoilers for Donkey Kong Bananza are circulating after early copies reached some fans.

For more details, check out our interviews with the development team, covering topics like the game’s original concept and why it was designed for the Nintendo Switch 2. You can read the full interview here.