Yooka Laylee release date set for April 11; Wii U version canned, now coming to Nintendo Switch

Crowdfunding mega hit Yooka Laylee will launch on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac and Linux on April 11, 2017, developer Playtonic has announced. The game will be available digitally and physically for £34.99.

The Wii U version, however, has been cancelled, after the studio “encountered unforeseen technical issues” while developing for the platform. Instead, development has shifted to Nintendo Switch, with further details on the SKU set to be announced in 2017. Judging by Playtonic’s announcement, the game will not release on Switch simultaneously with the other versions in April.

“The Playtonic team wanted to explore every possible avenue before making the very difficult decision to transfer development from the Wii U,” said the developer. “Our developers worked tirelessly over many months in attempt to solve our technical issues, but unfortunately it’s not been possible to bring Yooka-Laylee to Wii U as originally planned.”

Anyone who backed the project for the Wii U version will be able to move their pledge for free to any other version, including Nintendo Switch, with more information on the transfer process being revealed in January.

Meanwhile, those who pre-order the game digitally on PS4, Xbox One or PC will receive the Toybox demo immediately, free of charge. Playtonic is currently investigating a means to roll it out to other Kickstarter backers, too.

Yooka Laylee is a 3D platformer developed by former members of Banjo Kazooie studio Rare. Its crowdfunding campaign attracted more than £2m in Kickstarter pledges.

Source: playtonicgames.com