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Banjo Pilot gba Game Reviews
Banjo Pilot
Critic Score
Metascore: 68 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.0 out of 10
based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 2 votes
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Rate this game

Banjo Pilot is a kart-style racing game which was originally slated to become "Diddy Kong Pilot." It features at least eight characters from the Banjo-Kazooie series, each with its own aircraft and storyline, including Banjo, Mumbo Jumbo, Humba Wumba, Guntilda, Klungo, Jolly Roger and Kazooie. The game includes link cable support for up to four players.

PUBLISHER: THQ
DEVELOPER: Rare Ltd.
GENRE(S): Racing, Action
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2005

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

82
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.
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80
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.
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80
IGN
The final product definitely plays it safe, but at least Banjo Pilot offers a lot of challenge in its design.
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80
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.
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75
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.
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74
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.
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72
Nintendo Power
Despite your better efforts, the outcome seems to be based more on luck than skill. [March 2005, p.107]
72
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.
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70
Game Informer
A graphical masterpiece, especially considering the limitations of the hardware. [Jan 2005, p.148]
70
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.
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70
Pocket Games
It does get a bit repetitive as the game goes on. [Spring 2005, p.70]
67
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).
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66
Gaming Target
Despite being more colorful, being able to dogfight, and being Banjo-ified, Banjo Pilot bears nothing new.
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65
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.
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60
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.
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60
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?
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60
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.
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60
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.
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60
GamerFeed
Unfortunately, due to the difficult controls, it's not a game you can pick up and play without some level of practice.
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50
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.
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50
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]
50
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."

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Banjo K. gave it a10:
Great game! honestly if you're a banjo kazooie fan who loved the N64 titles you wont be disappointed. great graphics for gba. you'll recognize the levels from previous games as well as the music. playing this brings back the good ol' memories of the orginal games. not only that but it is very much like diddy kong racing so if you enjoyed that you'll love this!

Dick S. gave it a6:
Gameplay is average and gets boring quickly.

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