The concept of destruction is at the heart of Donkey Kong Bananza, and its developers took a unique approach to bring it to life. The game’s use of voxel technology allows for an unprecedented level of destructibility, making it feel surprisingly satisfying.
According to Tanaka, the team started researching smashing mechanics even before development began. They experimented with different ideas, including attaching arms to a Goomba, which led them to explore the concept of “what if everything in the environment is destructible?” The results showed that destruction-based gameplay could work, and it aligned perfectly with Donkey Kong’s enormous strength.
The team used voxel technology to create a flexible terrain system. Each voxel can be assigned one of several materials, such as soil, grass, or rock, which gives them unique physical properties and appearances. This allows for rich and dense visuals that don’t look like voxels at all.
While voxel technology was new to the team, they had used it in Super Mario Odyssey before. The experience they gained from experimenting with destruction-based gameplay directly led to what they could do in Donkey Kong Bananza.
The move to Nintendo Switch 2 enabled the game to run smoothly and unlock its full potential. With more memory and processing capacity, the team was able to incorporate complex gameplay ideas, such as explosions flinging large objects or causing them to collapse.
The sound design also played a crucial role in making the destruction feel satisfying. The developers used Foley techniques to record sounds for materials like rocks and sand, capturing the textures of each material. They aimed for pleasant sounds that varied depending on how the material was destroyed, rather than always sounding the same.
One key aspect of the game’s design is continuity. The team crafted layers with continuity in mind, so breaking one thing would naturally lead to the next. This sense of continuity makes the destruction feel unique and fun, even if players can destroy almost anything.
Designing levels with flexibility was a significant challenge, but it’s part of what makes Donkey Kong Bananza so enjoyable. The game’s expansive design, both vertically and horizontally, requires careful consideration to avoid getting lost. However, the team used various mechanisms and terrain to gently guide the player, balancing exhilaration with satisfaction.
By combining voxel technology with a focus on continuity and sound design, Donkey Kong Bananza creates an unparalleled destruction experience that will keep players engaged from start to finish.
Source: https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-19-donkey-kong-bananza-part-2