Game Review: “Banjo-Kazooie”

An Unforgettable Classic

GAME REVIEW

By DANIEL O’LOUGHLIN

There have been many gaming mascots catered to children over the years Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario being the most well known. One, or more specifically two mascots that In my opinion didn’t get their time to shine were Banjo-Kazooie. Originally released on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 Banjo-Kazooie tells the simple story of Banjo the bear and Kazooie the Breegul. Gruntilda the Witch, who bears a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, kidnaps Banjo’s sister attempting to steal her beauty with a contraption when a magic cauldron tells her

so, clearly inspired by Snow White. The influence of Fairy Tales goes beyond its story. The excellent musical score by Grant Kirkhope, which changes depending where Banjo-Kazooie are in the level. The funny and weird characters the bear and bird meet along the way and the well aged colourful visuals all contribute to a delightfully whimsical atmosphere that is a complete breath of fresh air compared to the modern trends in the Gaming Industry. Since Kazooie is a 3D platformer collecting objects is the name of the game. The main collectible Jiggies, which are jigsaw pieces unlock levels in Gruntilda’s lair. The musical notes unlock doors throughout her lair. A lot of complaints have been made over the huge amount of items collected in the game. Is it tedious, no, at least I don’t think so. The collectibles are fun to collect and encourage exploration. One label on the game I am not fond of is; Super Mario 64 clone. Is Banjo-Kazooie in the same genre as Mario 64? Absolutely. Is it the same game? Definitely not. Even the Microsoft acquisition of Rare in 2002 couldn’t hinder their popularity. Its spiritual successor Yooka Laylee, released in 2017 on the PS4,Switch, XBOX ONE and PC divided journalists and gamers alike. Some claimed it captured the spirit of Banjo Kazooie while others called the game disapointing. Personally I am in the latter camp. I tried, oh how I tried to like it. The game simply has too many fundamental design and technical issues to be considered a worthy successor. Banjo Kazooie did everything in the game better nearly twenty years prior. The overwhelming reaction gamers felt when the duo were added to star studded fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2019 proves how much their legacy has prevailed. Banjo’s good natured attitude and Kazooie’s sarcastic wit have made the pair one of the most enduring and beloved. Banjo- Tooie (2000) is considered better than the original by fans or worse depending on who you ask. BanjoKazooie; Nuts and Bolts (2008) is even more polarising. The main issue being how it deviates from the established platforming formulae in favour of vehicle construction and driving missions.

Kazooie takes flight, not her only ability too. The duo are named after musical instruments

Banjo surveys his surroundings.

Will the Bear and Bird duo ever make a proper return? It is unlikely but never say never.

Available on N64,XBOX Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online.