Banjo Pilot

GameZone

One of those games that isn’t big on originality but it excels in what it set out to do: bring us a racing game that’s truly addictive in every sense.

Worth Playing

When it comes to multiplayer matches, this one will be the reigning king in my Gameboy for a long time to come, though I admittedly won’t be popping it into my link port-less NDS again.

IGN

The final product definitely plays it safe, but at least Banjo Pilot offers a lot of challenge in its design.

GBA Central

Easily one of the best racers to have been released during the Game Boy Advance’s life. It races well, it’s fun while it lasts, and it’s pretty to boot.

NintendoWorldReport

Banjo Pilot’s biggest problem is the simplicity of its design. It feels like you are flying the same tracks over and over (and often you are, though in reverse), and there is no feeling of connection to the physics because it doesn’t really matter what kind of level you’re racing on.

My Gamer

If there was more variety in the boss battles, a solid transparency effect on the characters, and a single pak link mode, then "Mario Kart" could have faced a run for its money.

Nintendo Power

Despite your better efforts, the outcome seems to be based more on luck than skill. [March 2005, p.107]

GameSpot

Despite the game's utter lack of originality, Banjo Pilot can often be good old-fashioned simplistic fun in the vein of some of the great kart racing classics like "Super Mario Kart" for the SNES.

Game Informer

A graphical masterpiece, especially considering the limitations of the hardware. [Jan 2005, p.148]

AceGamez

More originality would have been greatly appreciated, as this formula is growing tired, but for what it is, Rare has done a great job and this is a solid addition to any GBA player's collection of cart racing games.

Pocket Games

It does get a bit repetitive as the game goes on. [Spring 2005, p.70]

Nintendophiles

Feels too much like the average cart racer. And the fact that you take hold of a plane rather then a cart is entertaining, but still doesn't feel any different, and has just as many boundries (and some odd ones at that).

Gaming Target

Despite being more colorful, being able to dogfight, and being Banjo-ified, Banjo Pilot bears nothing new.

Deeko

The AI lacks any real challenge and the track layouts are somewhat poorly thought out. Overall, the game is entertaining, but the longevity and competition just aren’t enough to keep you on your toes for an extended period of time.

GameSpy

When the far superior "Mario Kart Super Circuit" and the mildly obscure but also awesome "Konami Krazy Racers" already exist on GBA, there's no reason to get this.

AltGaming

To deliver the final shot to the head as far as items are concerned, they very rarely actually have any strategic value in a race. You’re perfectly capable of regaining your previous position in the race within a few seconds should you be hit with, say, a multicoloured spinning disc. Imaginative, huh?

G4 TV

The AI of your opponents seems to be geared for younger gamers, although not to the point where the game feels absurdly easy.

Eurogamer

Overall not a bad attempt to move the Mario Kart formula into the skies by any means, but one that's initially far too easy, then bizarrely too tough, and chock full of fairly irritating and unavoidable shoot-'em up-boss encounters that simply take you away from what you'd rather be doing.

GamerFeed

Unfortunately, due to the difficult controls, it's not a game you can pick up and play without some level of practice.

Detroit Free Press

Works just fine, but it's all familiar. Why didn't someone think to let the chicken jump angrily onto someone's head after a race ends? Now that would have been something different.

Play Magazine

Looks good and handles well, but when it comes to the union of cart racing and flying, the game just doesn't gel. [March 2005, p.66]

Cheat Code Central

Banjo Pilot smacks of contractual obligation as in "We Had No Choice But To Finish This Game and Release It...That's Why Perfect Dark Zero, Conker and Kameo Are Late....Sorry."