![]() The 3DS port of DKC Returns with its 30 fps frame-rate was a disappointment so it's great to see its sequel perform so well in handheld mode.īeyond the performance and visual elements, there are other aspects of the Switch release worth mentioning. This is where frame-rate is even more critical. And better yet, the same is true of handheld performance. Of course, there's always that 0.1 per cent chance of a dropped frame here or there but I was unable to locate even a single missed update. Please enable JavaScript to use our comparison tools. It's one of those rare games that manages to completely avoid slowdown. Not once throughout my play session did Tropical Freeze ever drop a frame or exhibit any sort of hitching. Unsurprisingly, when docked, the Switch has no issues powering through every level in the game at the target frame-rate. Since its work on Metroid Prime and its sequels, Retro Studios has always placed an emphasis on a smooth 60 frames per second frame-rate and Tropical Freeze is no exception. Popping into an actual stage proves faster but the Switch is still nearly twice as fast here, making it easier to pick up and play.Īnd there's more good news too - performance is on-point here. ![]() Starting the game has a 40 second loading time with DKC running from disc on Wii U, which is cut down to a mere 11 seconds on Switch. With its lack of hard drive, the Wii U is not known for speedy loading times and even Retro Studio's magic touch wasn't enough to fully overcome these limitations. Visuals aside, there is another major enhancement worth discussing - loading times. It's difficult to complain when the game looks this nice though, and it is certainly a lot better than DKC Returns on 3DS, the last attempt at bringing Retro's Donkey Kong game to a portable Nintendo system. Yes, the Switch is getting deluged by ports, but Nintendo's first party fare always looks great and runs well on the console hybrid.Īside from these minor visual tweaks and the increase in resolution, there isn't much else in the way of visual enhancements. Our video breakdown of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Bloom lighting increases its radius at lower resolutions, so this effect looks closer to the Wii U original while playing in portable mode, while appearing more muted when docked. For the most part, the Switch version of Tropical Freeze looks visually identical to the Wii U version but there are some very minor changes: a subtle difference in Kong's fur shading and other environmental effects for example, while some aspects of the rendering pipeline seem to be tied to resolution. It's not cutting-edge, but it does demonstrate the benefits of an optimised engine and thoughtful art direction. When playing on the Switch's LCD screen a touch of blur is evident thanks to the sub-native resolution but, as we saw on Wii U, the design of the artwork helps to mitigate the issues inherent in sub-native output on a fixed pixel display.Įither way, Tropical Freeze is still a lovely game. In determining this figure, we examined numerous levels in search of a potential adaptive resolution implementation but came up empty - Tropical Freeze appears to use a fixed resolution. As for portable mode, our pixel counts reveal a resolution in the area of 1152圆48. Textures are certainly sharper on Switch, but the fixed perspective helps minimise image noise and aliasing on the Wii U. The visual design works well at 720p and the bump to 1080p allows smaller details to shine but it might surprise you how subtle the jump in pixel count can appear in many scenes. It's a more polished, streamlined experience all around, with the stand-out improvement coming from rendering resolution, where the Wii U's native 720p is increased to full 1080p when playing docked on Switch. Well, it turns out that this is a rather straightforward port with a few minor tweaks and changes designed to take advantage of the Switch's more capable hardware. It's a game well worth resurrecting - with its potent mix of fantastic controls, great level design and a memorable David Wise soundtrack, it's a personal favourite I've continued to play years on from its initial release - but how does it stack up on Switch and what enhancements and refinements have been made? Nintendo's strategy of remastering and re-releasing its first party Wii U back catalogue continues to pay off handsomely, with Retro Studios' Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze making the transition across to Switch with some excellent results.
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