Donkey Kong Bananza Director Addresses Performance and Frame Rate on Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, is poised to mark a new chapter for the Donkey Kong franchise.

Developed by Nintendo and helmed by director Kazuya Takahashi, Bananza is the first 3D Donkey Kong adventure in many years, drawing significant attention from both critics and players after its reveal.

Early hands-on impressions have generally praised the game’s visuals, innovative gameplay, and energetic tone.

Yet, as with many ambitious next-generation titles, discussion has emerged regarding the game's performance and occasional frame rate dips on the new Nintendo hardware.

In a recent interview with Lavanguardia, Takahashi shed light on both the philosophy behind Donkey Kong Bananza’s design and the team’s approach to technical challenges.

Addressing the observed frame rate inconsistencies, Takahashi explained that these are, in some cases, a deliberate choice: “Certain moments, such as hit-stop and slow motion, are intentionally designed effects to accentuate impact during gameplay.

Additionally, our use of voxel technology allows for large-scale changes and environmental destruction, which can sometimes result in minor drops in performance.” Despite these rare dips, Takahashi emphasized that the game maintains a largely stable frame rate, consistently targeting 60 frames per second.

According to Takahashi, the core development goal was always clear: “Where significant changes or destructible environments could impact performance, we made the conscious decision to put fun and playability first.

Our priority was to deliver an experience that feels exciting and engaging above all else.” Donkey Kong Bananza is set to launch next Thursday, with anticipation building among fans eager to experience its new mechanics, striking environments, and the addition of characters like young Pauline.

Producer Kenta Motokura and Takahashi have elaborated on the title’s journey from its initial development on the original Nintendo Switch to its current home on Switch 2, crediting advances in hardware for enabling the dynamic new features and expansive level designs seen in recent previews. As a flagship release for the Nintendo Switch 2 platform, Donkey Kong Bananza affords the iconic series a fresh, modernized take that harnesses both innovative technology and classic Nintendo charm.

The industry will be watching closely to see how these design decisions resonate with players and critics post-launch.

For now, early reception highlights both the bold creative risks and Nintendo’s continued focus on delivering polished, enjoyable gameplay experiences. Stay tuned for further updates following the game’s official release on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop and at retail later this week.

Nintendo Switch 2 Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Switch Kazuya Bananza Kazuya Takahashi Takahashi Kenta Motokura Lavanguardia Pauline