Latest analysis which I somehow missed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP29ton21k0
I picked up a Nintendo Selects 3DS copy last month to play through and was blown away by the work Monster Games did in translating the game to 3DS – the stereoscopic 3D is also so good you'd think the game was originally designed around the effect.
The Switch port by comparison seems very disappointing – I think given its premium price the least we should expect is a faithful conversion where all graphical effects remain intact.
My guess is given developer Forever Entertainment's background in Unity engine-driven remakes of classic games, this version of DKC Returns has been ported to the Unity engine, hence the removal of specific effects, the lower amount of alpha effects, and other oddities that would not take place if the game shared the original technological foundation, like Retro's faithful port of Tropical Freeze to Switch.
These are common changes I've noticed time and time again when it comes to ports of PS2/GC/Wii games to Unity engine (see SMT Nocturne, Katamari Damacy, Baten Kaitos, Klonoa 1 and 2 etc), which suggests it might not be the best tool for porting games from that era in a faithful manner.
The video author is confident the changes could be fixed by launch, but I'm doubtful – the game would have gone gold by the time the video went live, and while a day 0 patch could be possible, I don't think that's how Nintendo rolls.
by LightPad
6 Comments
It’s just a lazy port to coincide with the release of the theme park.
Most people buying this aren’t going to care that fireball effects haven’t been successfully replicated in this version.
Hell, I’ve played this game 3 times over Wii and 3DS versions, and I wouldn’t even notice it without having it pointed out to me. I don’t think I would class it as an issue.
I think I’m just more disappointed that there isn’t anything special coming out with the game like how TF added funky or how other ports to the switch had new things added. Really should have been a 40 dollar port and then I would think about grabbing it.
Why would unity be the reason why the FX were removed? Is it harder for unity to render a sun, debris, etc.?
Regardless of the reason, I just wish this port included something new like Funky Mode in Tropical Freeze. I haven’t played Returns, but if it’s basically the same game as the Wii and 3DS then why wouldn’t I just grab those versions for cheap if I was interested in this one? The Switch version doesn’t seem to be bringing any genuine unique selling points compared to those versions.
I think it would’ve been nice to have like a whole Donkey Kong Country Collection with Tropical Freeze, DKC Returns and the SNES games. That would be a GOATed value at $60. Could do a more expensive collectors edition with a bunch of extra DKC stuff celebrating the whole series