Yooka-Laylee Gets a Release Date, Wii U Version Canceled

The highly anticipated 3D platformer, Yooka-Laylee, has got its release date. Playtonic, the developers of Yooka-Laylee had initially aimed to have the game be out this year before pushing it back to 2017.


Published: December 13, 2016 12:47 PM /

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yooka laylee

The highly anticipated 3D platformer, Yooka-Laylee, has got its release date. Playtonic, the developers of Yooka-Laylee had initially aimed to have the game be out this year before pushing it back to 2017. The game will now launch April 11, 2017.

With the release date announced Playtonic have also released a trailer showing off a level called "Capital Cashino" giving a look at a new environment for the game.

Some sad news has also come out, though. Wii U players will be disappointed to learn that the Wii U version has been canceled. In an FAQ on Playtonic's website, the developer cites "unforeseen technical issues" as the reason for the cancellation. On the topic of why it took so long to make this decision, they went on to say,

"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."

Playtonic has confirmed their interest in bringing the game to the Nintendo Switch however.

https://twitter.com/PlaytonicGames/status/808597492992536576

When it comes to people who backed the Wii U version on Kickstarter, it looks like they will be able to switch to another version of the game or change to a possible Nintendo Switch version.

All Wii U backers can move their pledge free-of-charge to any of the versions launching on April 11th (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac or Linux) or upgrade to the Nintendo Switch version when we announce further details in 2017.

Unfortunately, backers will have to wait until January for more info on how to change platforms.

It is worth noting that when speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Playtonic has insisted that the cancellation of the Wii U version has nothing to do with the production of the Wii U stopping as some theorized, but is all to do with technical issues.

Preorders for the game are now open on Amazon (affiliate) and Microsoft store. People who preorder it will gain access to the Toybox mode. This mode had previously only been available to kickstarter backers of the game.

Yooka-Laylee is being described as a spiritual successor to Banjo Kazooie with Playtonic being made up of ex Rare developers. It harkens back to the 3D platformers of the N64 and aims to breathe life into a genre that doesn't have much life in it these days. It's Kickstarter managed to raise £2,090,104 from 73,206 backers and now has a release date of April 11, 2017.

How do you like the look of Yooka-Laylee? What are your feelings on the Wii U version being canceled? Let us know.

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


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More Info About This Game
Learn more about Yooka-Laylee
Game Page Yooka-Laylee
Developer
Playtonic Games
Publisher
Team17
Release Date
April 11, 2017 (Calendar)
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