Yooka-Laylee’s December 14 launch continues the indie love for Nintendo Switch

Independent developer Playtonic announced today that its 3D platformer Yooka-Laylee is coming out on the Nintendo Switch on December 14.

Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor to the Banjo-Kazooie series, with many of Playtonic’s employees made of former Rare developers. It received $2,765,051 in crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Yooka-Laylee released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on April 11.

But the Switch release, despite coming out later, is a big deal. Indie games have been finding success on Nintendo’s new home console/portable hybrid. A number of studios have noted that the Switch release of their projects have been the most successful, including Thimbleweed Park and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap.

Playonic is promising some updates and polish for this Switch release. It will include an in-game Achievements system (the Switch does not have its own, unlike the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One), and you’ll be able to use a single Joy-Con as a controller for its eight multiplayer activities.

Mike Minotti

Mike Minotti has been with GamesBeat since 2012, starting as an intern. Based near Youngstown, Ohio, he now manages GamesBeat's editorial team. He's also a prolific podcaster, appearing on multiple shows covering the gaming industry.