Yooka-Laylee developers said that they were working hard on the Nintendo switch version of the game, according to a patch update from Playtonic Games.
In a seemingly hidden section of the patch update (since the patch update is titled ‘Huge Console Patch Out Now’ with no mention of the Nintendo Switch version), the developers of Yooka-Laylee said this:
“The Playtonic team continues to work flat-out on the Nintendo Switch version of Yooka-Laylee. We’re aware of the huge demand for more news on this and appreciate your patience as we work out the final issues. As soon as we’re 100% confident with this version and everything is approved, we will make sure you’re first to know the release date!”
Yooka-Laylee started off as a Kickstarter project and launched in May 2015. Employees of Playtonic Games have previously worked on Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Viva Pinata and more according to the Playtonic Games’ team page.
It managed to raise over £2 million from over 73,000 backers. Originally, along with an Xbox One and PlayStation 4 release, Yooka-Laylee would be released on the Wii U. Since Nintendo has retired the Wii U to make way for their newest console, the Nintendo Switch, Yooka-Laylee will now be getting a release on the Nintendo Switch and not on the Wii U.
One comment from Disqus user SolidSonicTH said that Playtonic Games being mysterious about the Nintendo Switch version can give backers who wanted the game on a Nintendo console the wrong impression.
“Is it really so hard to talk about the Switch version? Tell us anything? I mean didn’t we help back this game? The Switch backers even took on the additional wait time instead of demanding a refund (if they were Wii U backers initially). Don’t you appreciate it,” they said.
Other commenters mentioned that they were excited for the Nintendo Switch version of Yooka-Laylee.
To a certain extent, I also believe Playtonic Games needs to be more open on their development of the game for the Nintendo Switch. Practically hiding this announcement in a patch update doesn’t give fans the satisfaction of having Playtonic Games answer their questions about the Nintendo Switch version.
Yooka-Laylee has received mixed to positive reviews since its release in April of 2017 (according to Kickstarter, the game was originally supposed to be released in October of 2016, so it was pushed back, but this is normal with most Kickstarter-funded games). It received a score of 73 for PC and for Xbox One and a score of 68 for PlayStation 4.
One review from DualShockers gave the game a score of 75 for Xbox One.
“Yooka-Laylee is a fun, familiar, and nostalgic trip to a genre from the past that still holds up incredibly well in the present. It certainly proves that there is a place in the current landscape for games of this genre. If you miss the mascot platformer of yesteryear, then Yooka-Laylee will almost certainly give you your fill and make you feel warm inside,” it says in DualShockers review of the game. You can find the full review of Yooka-Laylee from DualShockers here.
Unfortunately, players will have to wait a bit longer for any updates on the Nintendo Switch version of Yooka-Laylee. I understand why it may be taking the developers longer, since they originally planned for the game to be released on the Wii U as opposed to the Nintendo Switch, so Playtonic Games has to adapt to this new console.
No release date for the Nintendo Switch version of Yooka-Laylee has been announced as of now. Playtonic Games said that once they feel confident with the Nintendo Switch version, they will give fans more information.
Featured image via Flickr/BagoGames.
