Support NeoGAF

[Hashassin]

This game is definitely not a looker... - Donkey Kong Bananza

For Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "This game is definitely not a looker...".

gamefaqs.gamespot.com

So is it correct to assume that this newest console exclusive sold for the highest price is actually not the best Nintendo has to offer? For a game of this stature you'd at least expect it to be polished into oblivion.

Please help me understand why people are so easily acceptant of this behaviour.

 

[Robb]

So is it correct to assume that this newest console exclusive sold for the highest price is actually not the best Nintendo has to offer? For a game of this stature you'd at least expect it to be polished into oblivion.

I'm only ~6h in but so far it's definitely up there with the best for me. The game allows all kinds of crazy stuff and I haven't encountered a single bug. Seems super polished.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

This game is definitely not a looker... - Donkey Kong Bananza

For Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "This game is definitely not a looker...".

gamefaqs.gamespot.com

So is it correct to assume that this newest console exclusive sold for the highest price is actually not the best Nintendo has to offer? For a game of this stature you'd at least expect it to be polished into oblivion.

Please help me understand why people are so easily acceptant of this behaviour.

Who gives a shit what some asshole on gamefaqs forum thinks? It does look good, like digital foundry says.

People are accepting this "behaviour" because it's a great game, just like Elden Ring and Bloodborne that had issues that didn't stop them from being amongst the best games ever made.

Bananza IS among the best. It's a total banger, polished and incredibly fun every moment, creative and rewarding.

If you play this game and think the dev team didn't work their nuts off, you're an idiot.

 

[Kacho]

This game is definitely not a looker... - Donkey Kong Bananza

For Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "This game is definitely not a looker...".

gamefaqs.gamespot.com

So is it correct to assume that this newest console exclusive sold for the highest price is actually not the best Nintendo has to offer? For a game of this stature you'd at least expect it to be polished into oblivion.

Please help me understand why people are so easily acceptant of this behaviour.

It looks like a Switch game. It won't win any awards in the graphics department. The gameplay and destructibility is where the game shines.

 

[Impotaku]

Lo

This game is definitely not a looker... - Donkey Kong Bananza

For Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "This game is definitely not a looker...".

gamefaqs.gamespot.com

So is it correct to assume that this newest console exclusive sold for the highest price is actually not the best Nintendo has to offer? For a game of this stature you'd at least expect it to be polished into oblivion.

Please help me understand why people are so easily acceptant of this behaviour.

Lol you sound so desperate to find anything to drag on the game that you're literally out there trawling gamefaqs of all places bwahaha. You know that bastion of high quality gamers with their fair & balanced opinions.

Fucking hell talk about concern trolling.

 

[Hashassin]

Right so I myself don't mind graphics that much, but it seems according to that topic at least, that there's still a bunch of stuff that needs ironing out. What I'm saying is that the top of the shelf game(s) should come out near perfect, especially since this has been in development for a long time? Ultra perfect is a lot to ask apparently/of course, but stutters and unoptimised graphics I would assume to be priority 1.

Who gives a shit what some asshole on gamefaqs forum thinks? It does look good, like digital foundry says.

People are accepting this "behaviour" because it's a great game, just like Elden Ring and Bloodborne that had issues that didn't stop them from being amongst the best games ever made.

Bananza IS among the best. It's a total banger, polished and incredibly fun every moment, creative and rewarding.

If you play this game and think the dev team didn't work their nuts off, you're an idiot.

It's not just one dude. And then I could say I the same about your post. Or this topic. Apparently no one cares as everyone still buys it.
I definitely don't exclude the games you mentioned, they receive the same treatment. I just think we should expect more.

 

[Hashassin]

Lo

Lol you sound so desperate to find anything to drag on the game that you're literally out there trawling gamefaqs of all places bwahaha. You know that bastion of high quality gamers with their fair & balanced opinions.

Fucking hell talk about concern trolling.

What? I'm gonna figuratively ignore you.

 

[Mozza]

Taking a break from the game....

Only issues I'm seeing is some frame rate drops when a NPC is pointing the next objective and the camera pans quickly to that point. Bit of a slowdown and it is obvious, but it isn't in gameplay. Gameplay is silky smooth and fun as hell.

FSR doesn't seem to have much impact as I've seen what it does in other games and none of that shit is here except maybe slightly less clear than it could be. Emphasis on "slightly". If the gripe is not using DLSS then that's something I never would have known while playing so not much to gripe about in my mind. The end result is what ultimately matters, not the tech they threw at the problem. I'd say this was technical success particularly with the destructible environments that really are a lot of fun.

Back to playing....

It does look pretty good. I will get round to buying this at some point.

 

[Robb]

but stutters and unoptimised graphics I would assume to be priority 1.

I don't think they prioritize like that. Nintendo gave TotK an entire additional year of dev time just for polishing the game, and it still launched with framerate drops in the Korok Forrest, for example. They could obviously have decreased detail density etc. etc. to get rid of that stuff.

 

[Hashassin]

I apologise. Apparently I'm not allowed to share discussions about this game from other posts, as it is considered low effort trolling.

 

[Topher]

Right so I myself don't mind graphics that much, but it seems according to that topic at least, that there's still a bunch of stuff that needs ironing out. What I'm saying is that the top of the shelf game(s) should come out near perfect, especially since this has been in development for a long time? Ultra perfect is a lot to ask apparently/of course, but stutters and unoptimised graphics I would assume to be priority 1.

The graphics are fine. This is a Nintendo game so the visuals are more focused on style than heavy graphics. That's how it has always been. There stutters are isolated. That is a tradeoff for the destructible environments. If you like Nintendo styled games then this looks fantastic. If you want modern graphical feast then this ain't it. Get in the game and start punching your way through everything and you see where the emphasis was in the development. It is a great game.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Right so I myself don't mind graphics that much, but it seems according to that topic at least, that there's still a bunch of stuff that needs ironing out. What I'm saying is that the top of the shelf game(s) should come out near perfect, especially since this has been in development for a long time? Ultra perfect is a lot to ask apparently/of course, but stutters and unoptimised graphics I would assume to be priority 1.


It's not just one dude. And then I could say I the same about your post. Or this topic. Apparently no one cares as everyone still buys it.
I definitely don't exclude the games you mentioned, they receive the same treatment. I just think we should expect more.

Expect more what, exactly? What about Ocarina of Time? It had performance issues. What about Vampire the Masquerade, it's buggy and messy. What about shadow of the colossus?

Games are hard to make, and compromises have to be made. Looking for perfection is a fool's errand. We can wish things didn't have hitches and issues, but we can also be happy we got something truly great and celebrate that, instead of stinking it up all the time with constant negativity. You have no idea what is causing those issues. It could be engineering choices made literally years ago that seemed like a great choice at the time that would take years to fix.

 

[Lokaum D+]

The graphics are fine. This is a Nintendo game so the visuals are more focused on style than heavy graphics. That's how it has always been. There stutters are isolated. That is a tradeoff for the destructible environments. If you like Nintendo styled games then this looks fantastic. If you want modern graphical feast then this ain't it. Get in the game and start punching your way through everything and you see where the emphasis was in the development. It is a great game.

I hate this phrase, even though I love Nintendo games (I hate Nintendo as a company), Nintendo games often get a pass because it's a "Nintendo game" where any other developer would get flak for their tech flaws, Nintendo gets praise and applause cause "its a Nintendo game", which is why they don't push technology anymore and rely on gimmicks since the GameCube, its a sad reality imo, but we consumers allowed this to be the common sense for Nintendo.

 

[REDRZA MWS]

FSR1 and double buffer 30 fps strikes again. Jesus nintendo get a grip

They made clear generations ago they aren't competing in the hardware space. Their games are too notch, but their hardware are merely outdated toys.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

I hate this phrase, even though I love Nintendo games (I hate Nintendo as a company), Nintendo games often get a pass because it's a "Nintendo game" where any other developer would get flak for their tech flaws, Nintendo gets praise and applause cause "its a Nintendo game", which is why they don't promote technology anymore and rely on gimmicks since the GameCube, its a sad reality imo.

What do you even mean by "don't promote technology?" They made a handheld more powerful than people expected with some cool stuff like DLSS in it. It's incredibly power efficient. It's not shooting for max power max wattage fidelity, it's a balanced choice of power and efficiency in a small package.

What is it you want? Do you want to play games or do you just want to look at bar graphs of teraflops? Just try enjoying things again. You might find you like it.

 

[Lokaum D+]

What do you even mean by "don't promote technology?" They made a handheld more powerful than people expected with some cool stuff like DLSS in it. It's incredibly power efficient. It's not shooting for max power max wattage fidelity, it's a balanced choice of power and efficiency in a small package.

What is it you want? Do you want to play games or do you just want to look at bar graphs of teraflops? Just try enjoying things again. You might find you like it.

i corrected myself, i mean they dont push the tech ( powerhorse wise ), Gamecube was their last console that was more powerful than a Sony console.

what i want ? i want Nintendo to do better, this is 2025 ffs, i want to play their games at 4K@60 ( wich i do on my PC ) they have incredible art direction that imo is butchered my low resolution, FPS and assets.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

i corrected myself, i mean they dont push the tech, their game and hardware still have old tech when compared to newer system, Gamecube was their last console that was more powerfull than a Sony console.

Why does it even matter if it's more powerful than a Sony console?

 

[Windom Earle]

« Nintendo is greeey company relasing an unplayable game on a shitty hardware, no one should buy a game from them since the Game Cube »

So this is what actual Nintendo fans actually hear when a normal person says "This game has some tech issues". Interesting.

 

[Topher]

I hate this phrase, even though I love Nintendo games (I hate Nintendo as a company), Nintendo games often get a pass because it's a "Nintendo game" where any other developer would get flak for their tech flaws, Nintendo gets praise and applause cause "its a Nintendo game", which is why they don't push technology anymore and rely on gimmicks since the GameCube, its a sad reality imo, but we consumers allowed this to be the common sense for Nintendo.

But that's out of context from what I'm saying. All I'm saying there is this isn't a graphically heavy game due to Nintendo's style. That's not giving Nintendo a pass. Just stating a fact.

 

[Baemono]

Why does it even matter if it's more powerful than a Sony console?

Cause it became the base powerful console for each generation of console, especially for third parties. So they make their games targetting the Sony console, and the other hardwares are either more powerful or weaker to run the games.

GTA VI is made for the PS5, the other platform(s) is (are) afterthoughts

 

[Baemono]

So this is what actual Nintendo fans actually hear when a normal person says "This game has some tech issues". Interesting.

No these are bits from this very thread. Nice try though

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Cause it became the base powerful console for each generation of console, especially for third parties. So they make their games targetting the Sony console, and the other hardwares are either more powerful or weaker to run the games.

GTA VI is made for the PS5, the other platform(s) is (are) afterthoughts

And? You buy a Nintendo console for Nintendo games, and for having a handheld. If you want the best version of GTAVI, you get something else.

 

[Lokaum D+]

But that's out of context from what I'm saying. All I'm saying there is this isn't a graphically heavy game due to Nintendo's style. That's not giving Nintendo a pass. Just stating a fact.

that's why i "bolded" that part and specifically said that i hate that phrase, i didnt want to take out o context.

Why does it even matter if it's more powerful than a Sony console?

it dosnt matter, its just a metric of comparison that Nintendo once cared about powerhouse console, also i live in a third world country, normally i have money for one console per generation, would be great to have a Nintendo consoles that is good as a PS5 to play multplat and their exclusives with high quality,

back in the day playing RE4 on Gamecube was a game changer since PS2 looked like garbage.

 

[PeteBull]

Why does it even matter if it's more powerful than a Sony console?

That way they got excuse for switch2 exclusive games looking like mkw or dkb, aka below multiplats from last gen, they dont need to have devteams of 300+ and humongous gaming budget when graphical fidelity on their hardware is well below current gen AA or even " indie" games

 

[Baemono]

That way they got excuse for switch2 exclusive games looking like mkw or dkb, aka below multiplats from last gen, they dont need to have devteams of 300+ and humongous gaming budget when graphical fidelity on their hardware is well below current gen AA or even " indie" games

Eh, I'm not sure I would want to see a realistic Donkey Kong with a little girl Pauline on his shoulder, wreaking real concrete.

Or a realistic Mario, 5ft4 italian plummer with a mustache and a belly, jumping everywhere

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

that's why i "bolded" that part and specifically said that i hate that phrase, i didnt want to take out o context.

it dosnt matter, its just a metric of comparison that Nintendo once cared about powerhouse console.

back in the day playing RE4 on Gamecube was a game changer since PS2 looked like garbage.

But I still had a PS2 in addition to my GameCube because ps2 had nonstop killer games, while GameCube had a great, much much smaller library and sold very little compared to ps2.

Power is mostly irrelevant outside of what special teams do with each unique piece of hardware.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

That way they got excuse for switch2 exclusive games looking like mkw or dkb, aka below multiplats from last gen, they dont need to have devteams of 300+ and humongous gaming budget when graphical fidelity on their hardware is well below current gen AA or even " indie" games

Mario Kart World and DKB look far better than indie games lol, and they offer much more than just general AA current gen games. Have you played them? Do you own a switch 2?

Not having gigantic budgets and dev teams and focusing on delivering quality is a good thing.

 

[Lokaum D+]

But I still had a PS2 in addition to my GameCube because ps2 had nonstop killer games, while GameCube had a great, much much smaller library and sold very little compared to ps2.

Power is mostly irrelevant outside of what special teams do with each unique piece of hardware.

again i live in Brazil, consoles and game prices here were always incredible high, i've always had money for ONE console per generation, i sold my PS2 ( moded ) to buy a GameCube just cause it was more powerfull and had Nintendo exclusives on it, not everyone can have all consoles, thats why i would love to have a Nintendo powerfull gaming console, its simple as that.

and No power isnt irrelevant, just look at the example of RE4 on GC, you would have a way better experience and immersion playing on GC tham on PS2, all games can benefit of powerful consoles, weak consoles ll butcher a great art direction cause they cant handle higher resolution or assets, just look how much better BOTW and TOTK look at SW2 by just having higher resolution and frame rate.

 

[Radical_3d]

Mario Kart World and DKB look far better than indie games lol

Hmmmmmm…

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Hmmmmmm…

Eriksholm a nice looking game, absolutely. Arguably the best looking ever in terms of these kind of graphics. Turns out some indie games do look great. There are always exceptions, given the availability of modern engines and tools now. Which is great!

But Mario kart is still a great looking game, as is DKB, and most indie games do not look as good as Eriksholm.

I mean, I think hollow knight looks absolutely incredible, but it's not 3D.

 

[BlackTron]

I apologise. Apparently I'm not allowed to share discussions about this game from other posts, as it is considered low effort trolling.

Sorry you had to learn this way, but a gamefaqs link is scraping the literal very very bottom of the barrel

 

[PeteBull]

Eh, I'm not sure I would want to see a realistic Donkey Kong with a little girl Pauline on his shoulder, wreaking real concrete.

Or a realistic Mario, 5ft4 italian plummer with a mustache and a belly, jumping everywhere

Not realistic, u can see how nintendo characters look in cgi/mario movie, so instead of what we got now on switch2 characters would look about halfway between current switch2 and mario movie cgi quality, aka current gen

Those dont look realistic, but still compared to switch2 look tons better, no? Ofc its cgi quality so cant expect real time graphics to look as good, but roughly 50% as good would still be huge improvement vs what we got now

 

[SILKYSMOOTH30FPS]

Really not a fan of DK changes. His design and especially the facial expressions look like they were made to put a smile on a 4y old child.
Like wtf is this? Goofy as hell. RARE's DK had a style. When i look at this one, i think of those Happy Meal toys from McDonalds. Its shit.

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

Ive never heard anyone use the word "caveat" in conversation in my entire life. Thankfully I have digital foundry to close that gap for me.

 

[GymWolf]

Really not a fan of DK changes. His design and especially the facial expressions look like they were made to put a smile on a 4y old child.
Like wtf is this? Goofy as hell. RARE's DK had a style. When i look at this one, i think of those Happy Meal toys from McDonalds. Its shit.

Always hated the face change, he looks TOO childish and a bit on the spectrum.


And i thought the ash face change in the pokemon anime was bad

 

[Windom Earle]

No these are bits from this very thread. Nice try though

My 'tism is not strong enough to study this whole thread but I have a hunch this is a dishonest representation. What you said does not even have anything to do with tech. So if we have posters spamming this stuff they should be thread banned.

 

[Kataploom]

i corrected myself, i mean they dont push the tech ( powerhorse wise ), Gamecube was their last console that was more powerful than a Sony console.

what i want ? i want Nintendo to do better, this is 2025 ffs, i want to play their games at 4K@60 ( wich i do on my PC ) they have incredible art direction that imo is butchered my low resolution, FPS and assets.

That way they got excuse for switch2 exclusive games looking like mkw or dkb, aka below multiplats from last gen, they dont need to have devteams of 300+ and humongous gaming budget when graphical fidelity on their hardware is well below current gen AA or even " indie" games

I know you don't care but I will still ask, even rhetorically so... Haven't you MAYBE thought that we're not "giving it a pass" or "asking to improve" because the games look great for us? I've had issues with DK art style but I can see why they picked mostly flat colors and has actually won me BTW since the direct.

As long as art direction is good (and I mean, that we like it, not that anyone else likes it for us), performance is good, and IQ is good enough, Nintendo games will look great on screen, and that's what MKW and DKB have so far, they've literally checked the right checkboxes for us, it's not a matter of they "getting away with it" but literally giving us something we're happy with.

Nintendo games were great graphically on Switch 1 already for the people like us that love a stylish art direction, they just needed better IQ and some needed 60 fps, that's about it, you guys comparing Nintendo games with others graphically not only derailed the thread severely, but are also just trolling basically, Nintendo goes on another direction graphically and that's not something we "deal with" but one of the things we like about them.

 

[Boo Who?]

Played for a few hours last night. Loved every second of it. Hopped into Marvel Rivals after playing DKB, and played several matches as The Thing. Had the best matches ever with that character punching the shit out of everyone. DKB improving Marvel Rivals skills.

 

[cireza]

Really not a fan of DK changes. His design and especially the facial expressions look like they were made to put a smile on a 4y old child.
Like wtf is this? Goofy as hell. RARE's DK had a style. When i look at this one, i think of those Happy Meal toys from McDonalds. Its shit.

I just can't see the same character. Looks like a younger brother or whatever.

 

[Mozza]

I hate this phrase, even though I love Nintendo games (I hate Nintendo as a company), Nintendo games often get a pass because it's a "Nintendo game" where any other developer would get flak for their tech flaws, Nintendo gets praise and applause cause "its a Nintendo game", which is why they don't push technology anymore and rely on gimmicks since the GameCube, its a sad reality imo, but we consumers allowed this to be the common sense for Nintendo.

We are anything but typical consumers on here. Let's stop pretending our views are the same as the mass market customers.

 

[Mozza]

I know you don't care but I will still ask, even rhetorically so... Haven't you MAYBE thought that we're not "giving it a pass" or "asking to improve" because the games look great for us? I've had issues with DK art style but I can see why they picked mostly flat colors or has actually won me BTW since the direct.

As long as art direction is good (and I mean, that we like it, not that anyone else likes it for us), performance is good, and IQ is good enough, Nintendo games will look great on screen, and that's what MKW and DKB have so far, they've literally checked the right checkboxes for us, it's not a matter of "ñ them "getting away with it" but literally giving us something we're happy with.

Nintendo games were great graphically on Switch 1 already for the people like us that love s stylish art direction, they just needed better IQ and some needed 60 fps, that's about it, you guys comparing Nintendo games with others graphically not only derailed the thread severely, but are also just trolling basically, Nintendo goes on another direction graphically and that's not something we "deal with" but one of the things we like about them.

No I doubt that particular scenario would have even crossed their minds. This game looks great and lots of fun too.

 

[Baemono]

Not realistic, u can see how nintendo characters look in cgi/mario movie, so instead of what we got now on switch2 characters would look about halfway between current switch2 and mario movie cgi quality, aka current gen

Those dont look realistic, but still compared to switch2 look tons better, no? Ofc its cgi quality so cant expect real time graphics to look as good, but roughly 50% as good would still be huge improvement vs what we got now

Reminds me of Luigi's Mansion 3

 

[Lokaum D+]

We are anything but typical consumers on here. Let's stop pretending our views are the same as the mass market customers.

Good to know that we are especial beings that does not share that same view as mundane customers out on the real world.

 

[PeteBull]

I know you don't care but I will still ask, even rhetorically so... Haven't you MAYBE thought that we're not "giving it a pass" or "asking to improve" because the games look great for us? I've had issues with DK art style but I can see why they picked mostly flat colors or has actually won me BTW since the direct.

As long as art direction is good (and I mean, that we like it, not that anyone else likes it for us), performance is good, and IQ is good enough, Nintendo games will look great on screen, and that's what MKW and DKB have so far, they've literally checked the right checkboxes for us, it's not a matter of "ñ them "getting away with it" but literally giving us something we're happy with.

Nintendo games were great graphically on Switch 1 already for the people like us that love s stylish art direction, they just needed better IQ and some needed 60 fps, that's about it, you guys comparing Nintendo games with others graphically not only derailed the thread severely, but are also just trolling basically, Nintendo goes on another direction graphically and that's not something we "deal with" but one of the things we like about them.

Decided to not write big reply, just gonna say it like that- we all remember when xbox fans were ok with medicrity for over a decade, now they all jumped to pc or switched to playstation ecosystem, would be awful if same thing happened to nintendo, hopefully company with such a huge legacy can make it.

 

[Lokaum D+]

Reminds me of Luigi's Mansion 3

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Decided to not write big reply, just gonna say it like that- we all remember when xbox fans were ok with medicrity for over a decade, now they all jumped to pc or switched to playstation ecosystem, would be awful if same thing happened to nintendo, hopefully company with such a huge legacy can make it.

You can't seriously be comparing Nintendo's Switch library with Xbox over the last 15 years. There's a massive difference here - Xbox has not been delivering until very, very recently, and Nintendo has. The Switch library is one of the strongest out of any console.
Nintendo has released some of the best games of the last ten years. That's not mediocrity. MS has consistently overpromised and underdelivered.

 

[RoboFu]

The same guys are still mad ? lol.

put it this way. the game still gets rated highly because its a 13 / 10 gameplay wise then you minus the difference from the 7 / 10 graphics and it equals 10 / 10. so don't be mad anymore.

 

[Mozza]

Good to know that we are especial beings that does not share that same view as mundane customers out on the real world.

No we simply have different likes and priorities. Those mundane customers probably haver a few views on us as well.

 

[Mozza]

Decided to not write big reply, just gonna say it like that- we all remember when xbox fans were ok with medicrity for over a decade, now they all jumped to pc or switched to playstation ecosystem, would be awful if same thing happened to nintendo, hopefully company with such a huge legacy can make it.

I am pretty sure Nintendo will be fine and grateful for your concern.

 

[Baemono]

Decided to not write big reply, just gonna say it like that- we all remember when xbox fans were ok with medicrity for over a decade, now they all jumped to pc or switched to playstation ecosystem, would be awful if same thing happened to nintendo, hopefully company with such a huge legacy can make it.

You got me scared, I though the game went below 90 on MC for a sec