Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The bear and bird’s second outing available in full. Loads of rollicking fun to be had here and with the legendary Stop 'N' Swop feature reinstated. The best use of a backpack in a game ever! [Microsoft]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Nine years was worth the wait, a solid platformer that will please everyone.
  2. 85
    If you played Banjo-Tooie back in the day it's worth a revisit to remind yourself how good this game was and earn a few achievements. And if you've never played Rare's masterpiece it's high time you found out why it is considered a high point for the genre.
  3. For every moment where the game deviates from predictable platform tropes, there are dozens more when it's really nothing more than a very nicely assembled and presented riff on what other games were pioneering. Banjo-Tooie, then. Not one of the all-time greats, but when you take off the rose-tinted glasses the result is still enough to make it a standout on Live Arcade.
  4. Another classy retro conversion but Rare's platforming sequel feels older than it looks.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. LebanM.
    10
    Why are certain reviewers takes this game harshly, & the fact that it's "A derivative of SM64" baffles me, it brings a lot to the table. Besides, we need platformers like this anyway, cause the gaming scene is filled with FPS games, I need more originality, people. Ultimately, it's a long lasting title, that will keep you hooked! Expand
  2. [anonymous]
    10
    This games was and still is a great fun game. i never really liked the Multiplayer games and stuff....... but the story is great resuming right off the first one and with the XBLA version now you can do the Mysterious Stop n' Swop! Expand
  3. NathanW
    10
    Classic game, i beat the game as a kid, and i'm enjoying the experience once again on the 360. Definitely more than worth the $15 they charge for it. And definitely worth a play though if you love platformers. If your looking for an Arcade game that lasts longer than a few hours to beat, this is the game for you. Expand
  4. As a kid I loved this game, but as I've grown this games true form has taken shape before my eyes. This game is full of tedious back tracking and empty rooms. Large numbers of areas have one ore two minor collectibles in them and then a warp on both ends leaving them to only be entered once. Some collectibles however require traveling across 3 separate worlds to get any kind of reward. The note system shrunk in this game when it should have expanded to fill the large worlds with content, but instead it shrunk.

    Now while I'm bashing this game far more then I did Kazooie's port, I will say that this is the better port. Every flaw was untouched, and every thing the game did right is still there outside a few reference jokes about plumbers and monkeys and pocket monsters. The game looks good, plays well, and only the most loyal of fans will notice/give a crap about the slightly out of sync intro music.
    Expand

See all 10 User Reviews