Nintendo’s upcoming release, Donkey Kong Bananza, has garnered some early feedback regarding performance. Director Kazuya Takahashi acknowledged potential performance drops in certain sections of the game but stressed that the team prioritized fun and playability during development. 
In an interview with La Vanguardia, Takahashi responded to a journalist’s concern about frame rate dips, explaining that the inclusion of effects like hit-stop and slow motion could cause temporary performance issues, especially during large-scale environmental changes and destruction, which use voxel technology.
Despite these occasional performance hiccups, Takahashi remained confident that the game remains smooth overall, with the gameplay experience coming first. “While we’re aware that performance may drop slightly at times,” Takahashi explained, “we wanted to ensure the overall experience was fun.” The director’s comments reflect a broader strategy of focusing on engaging gameplay rather than technical perfection.
The excitement surrounding Donkey Kong Bananza continues to build ahead of its release on July 17 for $69.99, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. With early previews praising its visuals, it’s clear that the team has pushed the Switch 2’s hardware to its limits. However, as early comments and reactions suggest, not everyone is sold on the console’s ability to consistently perform at a high level. With spoilers already circulating online, now might be a good time to avoid social media if you’re looking to keep the game’s surprises under wraps.