Latest news with #DonkeyKong64
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Switch 2 devs are already bleating about performance issues — Donkey Kong Bananza director reveals challenges
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nintendo Switch 2 game developers are already bumping up against the constraints imposed by the new console's hardware. In an interview with Spain's La Vanguardia newspaper (machine translation, h/t WinFuture), Donkey Kong Bananza director, Kazuya Takahashi, admitted 'performance may drop,' due to the extravagant use of 3D voxel technology in the game's destructible environment. This is quite an admission from a Nintendo exec behind a flagship first-party title. Takahashi explained that this performance-second decision was given the green light as the team 'prioritized fun and gameplay.' Donkey Kong Bananza journeyed down quite an interesting path to the Switch 2, which could partly explain the performance wrinkles. This smashing new 3D platformer and Switch 2 exclusive was originally destined for the Switch. However, this first 3D Donkey Kong outing since Donkey Kong 64 goes all-in on destructible environments to deliver its gameplay thrills. Destructible environments in this game are extensive, in a kind of sandbox exploration way, where DK can smash his hulking fists through walls, can dig tunnels, and tear off environmental bits and bats for weapon or platforming tool use. It sounds like explosive fun, indeed, but the 3D voxel engine behind the environment is demanding. That's why the game was pulled back to be prepared for the new Switch 2. A La Vanguardia reporter asked Takahashi about their experience of 'frame drops at certain times and levels,' in what is expected to be the shipping version of Donkey Kong Bananza. 'There are several factors to consider. First of all, we intentionally used effects such as hit stop or slow motion to emphasize the impacts. On the other hand, when using voxel technology, there are times when there are big changes and destruction in the scenery,' said the game's director. 'We are aware that in these moments the performance may drop a bit. However, as you say, overall the game can be enjoyed smoothly, and at points where large-scale changes occur, we have prioritized fun and gameplay.' (DeepL, machine translation) Clearly, there may be a few stutters experienced when the game engine begins to reach its boundaries on the Switch 2 hardware. With Nintendo being aware of this potential issue for gamers, and the always-connected nature of today's consoles, we hope optimizations will eventually arrive to iron out any startling wrinkles. Or they could just turn up the DLSS knob. For clues regarding the faltering performance of the Switch 2 in its maiden year, check out our in-depth Switch 2 review and hardware analysis from June. We note that 3D environment voxel engine games were seen on PC as early as 1992, with Comanche: Maximum Overkill. That game's proprietary Voxel Space engine was apparently written entirely in assembly language for the best performance. Nintendo's unruly new 3D platformer is due to launch this Thursday (July 17). Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
The Verge
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Donkey Kong Bananza for the Switch 2 is $7 cheaper at Costco
Cameron Faulkner The Nintendo Switch 2 isn't even out yet (it's coming June 5th), and one of its launch window games already has a preorder discount at Costco. With a membership, you can get Donkey Kong Bananza — the first 3D platformer for this character since Donkey Kong 64 — for $62.99. A $7 discount may not seem like much to write home about, but it's notable given that Nintendo games rarely go on sale, and any discount in this economy is a win. Bananza launches on July 17th. Donkey Kong Bananza $7010% off $63 Other noteworthy deals If you're looking for a solid Bluetooth speaker that sounds and looks good, is waterproof, and won't break the bank, Bose has you covered. Specifically, Bose's eBay outlet is selling refurbished SoundLink Flex SE speakers in black for $69 (originally $129). The SoundLink Flex was crowned the best Bluetooth speaker under $200 in our buying guide. This discounted version differs only in that it lacks a microphone, which could be used for speakerphone functionality. Not a terrible feature to lose if it means saving around $80 off the cost of buying new. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is now available to preorder at Samsung ahead of its May 30th release date. The super-thin Android phone starts at $1,099.99 for the 256GB version, going up to $1,219.99 for the upgrade to 512GB of storage. As a bonus for preordering now, you'll get a $50 Samsung credit, a free storage upgrade (as in, the 512GB version will cost the same as the phone with 256GB), and boosted trade-in credit. Portable Apple Watch chargers are increasingly easy to find at somewhat affordable prices. A brand called Joyroom is selling one in black or white that's discounted to $15.99, down from its usual $19.99 once you select the 20 percent off coupon on the Amazon product page. It comes with 2,500mAh capacity and a built-in USB-C cable for recharging, and it can charge every Apple Watch in the lineup (from the Series 2 to the Series 10, plus the Apple Watch Ultra).
Arab News
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
REVIEW: ‘Donkey Kong Country Returns' offers classic retro platform fun
LONDON: Way back in 1999, 'Donkey Kong 64' was a genre-defining release for the Nintendo 64. It was the first 3D Donkey Kong game, a generation apart from the first time the gorilla appeared in computer games in 1981. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The return of 'Donkey Kong' in this newly released high-definition title for the Switch, offers nothing as groundbreaking as some of his previous titles but is rather core fun for a new generation of younger players. Indeed, it offers a rehashed, polished and enjoyable platformer for a console that is about to welcome its first major upgrade in the coming months. At its essence, 'Donkey Kong' is platformer ballet, requiring a combination of timing of directional jumps and a small variety of attacks to proceed. Set against the lush backdrop of a tropical island that takes you across nine worlds: from jungles to ruins, underground mines to factories. With jaunty music and a storyline no more complicated than trying to rescue stolen bananas, Donkey Kong is very much a pick and play rather than a brain teaser. The game's simple premise has a degree of depth within it when it comes to the search for perfection. Completing one setting straight through is one thing, doing it whilst collecting all jigsaw puzzle pieces, Donkey Kong letters and bananas is another entirely. Charming music and enemies and allies alike make up part of your journey. Diddy Kong is your key ally, in single-player mode he rides on DK's back providing that extra jump boost, in two-player mode he can take down enemies with his banana throws. Puzzles are straightforward enough for the younger gamer (the game is advertised as age 3 and over) and the biggest frustration is how far you have to go back if you are felled by a bad guy or in a bottomless pit. Racing minecarts or buccaneering rhinos offer more variety away from the core jumping and the end-of-level bosses are imaginative. A nice new touch is the use of perspective, accessed through blasting barrels, to conquer more distant parts of each world. Something that is slightly harder on the handheld versus the console as your character vanishes into a miniature.
