Earlier this week, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair arrived on the Switch, so how does it hold up compared to other versions? As usual, Digital Foundry has released a technical comparison and we're happy to report it's good news for anyone who has picked up a Nintendo copy.
The Switch version runs at a fixed resolution of 1360 x 765 in docked mode and 960 x 540 in portable mode. Outside of the Xbox One X version of the game, which runs at 3840 x 2160, all other platforms are locked at 1080p. About the only noticeable downside for Nintendo players are the slightly reduced texture and shadow resolutions.
In terms of frame rate, the game runs at a stable 60fps across all versions. The Switch maintains this in both the docked and portable modes, although the performance is noticeably cut in half when using a Tonic that changes the screen filter.
One other minor issue is the game's initial loading segment. Digital Foundry ran the Switch version off an SD card and found these opening loading sequences lasted up to 40 seconds. Fortunately, once you enter the game this doesn't seem to be a problem.
While there are a few incredibly minor issues here and there, the game runs perfectly fine and the Switch experience should be just as satisfying as other iterations, even if it is considered to be the "least impressive looking" overall.
How has your own time with Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair been so far? Leave a comment down below.
Video: Digital Foundry Thinks Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair Runs Pretty Great On Switch
Find out how the Switch version compares
Comments 41
Wait, they easy got 60, but couldn't bother for more?!
Pssssh, slackers.
It looks and plays great. I wish the loading times were more in line with DKC tropical freeze, but I guess you can't win them all...
This wasn't really on my radar until a few days ago, and I got very excited. This has me even moreso!
Wish the resolution was higher, but smooth performance is more important for a game like this. Their priorities were spot on.
It sucks that the retail version is ten dollars more than other versions for what is only slightly a lesser experience, but I'm glad that it holds up overall and can't wait to play my copy which should arrive today.
@60frames-please yes, but loading times aren't your bag anyway
"a tall order especially on the Switch"
I really hate these PS4 fanboys.
And again after watching the rest of the video. "Oh a frame drop, unplayable game!"
Another glowing write up for a Switch game from DF. They’re pretty much fanboys at this stage.
Game looks great too, looking forward to it.
@sanderev you are clearly seeing something that never happened.
Got the game and it plays great. It does look good, but it’s not at the same level as DKTF. But I really do love the gameplay, it’s smooth and fun.
I’ve heard negative things about the controls by some, but I love the controls and I have had no issue playing the game.
I dare to say that this is my number 2 platform game on the Switch (behind DKTF) right now. Love it, it is really just fun. It has great gameplay, but the levels can get a bit dull after a while.
@m8e3point1415 Yeah I wished it was full HD, I think I will grab it on PS4 now when it releases.
@sanderev What? DF love the Switch. They just point out inconsistencies in every platform
cracking game, sure it could look a bit better but the gameplay is great! ignore the haters, there have been people out for these guys from the start. for me this is better than the first game and the first game was not as bad as some people would love you to believe.
Docked seems a bit low, 900p would have been much more pleasing. But anyway, this is more of a portable experience to begin with.
@m8e3point1415
Rather that than frame rate take a hit
I've only played it handheld so far and I didn't even notice it was sub-720p. It looks a lot more colourful than the first game and I think it looks a lot better.
I didn't like the first couple of levels as it was clear you could miss the Trowzer paywall tokens and not be able to backtrack therefore having to play the whole level again, plus there were unreachable areas and it annoyed me I'd need a tonic or hadn't learned a move to reach them.
In fact those are just areas that only become accessible when replaying the level after flooding it or freezing it. Once I sussed all this out I started liking the game a lot more and now I can't wait to play it this evening after work.
@Sean161 The original already had a physical release on Switch? Or do you mean a double pack with both titles?
Ergh... Digital foundry... Whyyyy with the comparing? You know the outcome right? It's not gonna do the same as a bloody Playstation 4 pro! You know why? 'Cause you're basically comparing a gameboy game to a SNES game. Is it gonna look the same? No? Really??? I' m shocked!!! If you want to say something about the game, fine, review it as if you haven't got another version to play. But the comparing NEEDS to stop!
@sanderev right? Oh they're so annoying. Always have something to b*tch about. And not just switch (though, they have to point out in every video it's not a ps4 pro or xbox one x... Like, really? I didn't know...), but they have got something to say about aaaalll games on aaaalll platforms. Nothing is EVER good enough... They annoy me so much.
@Barbara001
What are you talking about? The whole point of a DF Article like this is to compare different versions technically. They aren’t going to review it because they don’t do reviews. If you don’t like what they do don’t read it.
@Barbara001 Digital Foundry is basically about technical analysis - if you're looking for reviews, that's not really their specialty. That said, it really seemed as if they were very positive about the Switch. In a game like this, frame rate is far more important than resolution and texture detail, and it's delivering 60 fps across the board.
Great job, but I'd love to see them push for native resolution - especially in portable. If thats really not possible, then have an option for 30fps at native res in both docked and undocked.
I can never remember 30fps ever bothering me even after decades of gaming, yet non-native resolution (especially on a handheld) sticks out like a sore thumb, and makes for the sad fact that we don't really have our 'HD Handheld' after all.
For gamers like me, I wish developers would consider this and always include a slider in the options for prioritising resolution over framerate or visa-versa. That way everyone's happy.
@electrolite77 are they reviewing the technical aspects? Thnq, next!
@CobraA1 good that they're positive. My statement is about their technical review (hence the word), in which they COMPARE it to other systems as part of their analysis. Which they always conclude with: worse then other systems. Every. Single. Video.
@Barbara001 because the switch version will always be the least impressive when it comes to visuals and performance. Why are you taking it so personal. The switch version of games can be the worst but still a good port.
Why do you continue to watch DF when you hate it so much?
@kobashi100 I'm not, but it keeps showing up on this site for some reason. And I know it will always be the least impressive, cause it has the lowest hardware specs. Hence my point, comparing a gameboy to a snes. Because it's ALWAYS going to be the case, I don't see the point in pointing it out every time. Do a seperate tech analysis, cause they are not in the same league. And I'm not taking it personal, I find it annoying, you defending them strikes me as taking my opinion about it personal, but that is a whole other subject, which I think is irrelevant.
I'm enjoying Yooka Laylee on my Switch. I have both PS4 and Switch and I often buy the Switch game for the portability factor. I buy PS4 version of games if I know the comparison will be huge... or if a graphically heavy game is ported to switch, I'd still likely pick up the the PS4 version.
@grayoncharles;
And??? Did he ask you? Or did you juist answer your own question?
@grayoncharles,
Okay man, great! Still don't get your point, but I'm just not very clever.
@Barbara001
“ If you want to say something about the game, fine, review it as if you haven't got another version to play.”
“are they reviewing the technical aspects? Thnq, next!”
Makes no sense.
“ But the comparing NEEDS to stop”
No it doesn’t. Some people find it interesting and don’t throw hissy fits when the Switch version is the ‘worst’ graphically. Unusually is. But again, DF are full of praise for a Switch version and the whining from people like you is completely misplaced.
Don’t like it, don’t watch it. But spare us the nonsense.
@m8e3point1415
Why? Just so a pixel number is higher. Looks to me-using my eyes rather than some numbers-like they’ve struck a nice balance.
@brunojenso
“ For gamers like me, I wish developers would consider this and always include a slider in the options for prioritising resolution over framerate or visa-versa. That way everyone's happy.”
This I agree with. In a platform we like this I’m always going to lean towards a higher frame rate but it would be nice if people got the choice.
@electrolite77 Cheers buddy
@electrolite77 they're reviewing the technical aspects and comparing the systems, right? So it's a review of those technical aspects and the comparison, right? Can you keep up for this long? Does it make sense to you now? And I'm not whining, you are. My opinion is that the comparison between a mobile and a ps4 pro is nonsense, so the comparison between a switch and a ps4 pro is nonsense. Comparing a xbox one x and ps4 pro, now that makes sense. Can you follow this far? So are you done now with whining about my opinion, or are you gonna give me some more?
@Lordplops I could change my name to "1 sec load times plz"
@Barbara001
“ they're reviewing the technical aspects and comparing the systems, right?”
Nowhere in the title of that video or the description does it say it’s a review.
“So it's a review of those technical aspects and the comparison, right? Can you keep up for this long? Does it make sense to you now?”
No because it’s just you calling it a review.
“And I'm not whining, you are.“
You need to read your posts again. Your first contribution to this thread was “ Ergh... Digital foundry... Whyyyy with the comparing?”
“My opinion is that the comparison between a mobile and a ps4 pro is nonsense, so the comparison between a switch and a ps4 pro is nonsense. Comparing a xbox one x and ps4 pro, now that makes sense. Can you follow this far?“
Yes I follow and it’s irrelevant. The point of these videos is to look at different versions of the same game A) To Help potential buyers choose which version they want, and B) Because some people are just interested. If you aren’t, don’t watch it. You’re perfectly entitled to think it’s pointless and even to get bizarrely upset but your only worthwhile option if that’s the case is....don’t watch it. Spare those who are interested your complaining.
“So are you done now with whining about my opinion, or are you gonna give me some more?“
The ‘more’ I’m going to give you is a tip. There are plenty of articles on this website I’m not interested in so guess what? I don’t read them, I don’t comment. Try it.
@m8e3point1415
They’d have to dial back quite a lot to get pretty much double the resolution it currently puts out. A Switch version running at the same resolution and frame rate as a PS4 Pro version is going to take a big hit. Far more likely they’d have gone for a slight drop in resolution to 720p Id have thought. That might have made sense from a scaling POV.
@electrolite77 how about if you don`t like my opinion "don't read it and don't comment on it"? ☺️ Just a "tip". 😉
@Barbara001 because some of us love nintendo first party games but hate how graphically far behind the games are. im allowed to love Nintendo games but wish they made a system that would play them in 1080p. Just because you are ok with questionable resolutions doesnt mean everyone is. Just because i rip on the resolution does not make me less of a nintendo gameplay fan than anyone else here. It just makes me a type a personality which always wants things the best they can possibly be. btw i want 1080p and 60fps.... before anyone says that xbox one or ps4 barely do that, guess whats on the way. ps5 and a new xbox.
@sixrings parents have a word for children who always want more and are never content with what they are getting. Who want the "best". I think it's called spoiled. Luckily life will hopefully wash away that quality.
ok everybody, listen Nintendo used to have a graphically capable system which was the gamecube. it was more powerful than the ps2 despite the fact that ps2 played dvds. but despite how powerful the gamecube was, it didn't get that much love. On the other hand the ps2 which was the worst graphically of all three systems has the most love. So Nintendo like said forget this, we are going to just make systems that innovate despite the graphics and stop competing with other systems. So for all those that wished Nintendo would make systems as powerful as others, this is the reason why.
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