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Banjo-Kazooie

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9.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 19 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Rare

Genre(s): Platform

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: December 3, 2008

Summary

[Xbox Live Arcade] The classic Nintendo platformer stars a big, goofy honey bear named Banjo who wears tight yellow shorts and carries around a raucous, red-crested breegull named Tooie in his backpack. The bear-and-bird duo must use constant teamwork to rescue Banjo's sister from the evil Gruntilda who wants to steal her beauty.

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Banjo-Kazooie (N-64)

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

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...

Gamestyle

On a console starved of the genre, Banjo-Kazooie really stands above all the others and for a ten year old N64 game, that’s some achievement.

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Thunderbolt

Banjo-Kazooie may be more of an homage to Nintendo’s first 3D romp through the mushroom kingdom than a pioneer of the same genre, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying.

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PALGN

Despite being ten years old the original Banjo-Kazooie has aged remarkably well. The game is a must for anyone who loved the N64 outings or simply wants some classic platformer action.

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GamingXP

Banjo Kazooie shows that even the beginnings of 3D-Jump ’n’ Runs have to offer a lot. The different levels still make a lot of fun because of the motivating gameplay.

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Team Xbox

Smooth moves like this are paramount for a platformer, which probably explains why Banjo-Kazooie, even ten years after its release, is still a solid player for both the pick-up-and-play crowd as well as the serious jumpers out there. There’s enough comic relief and clever level design surrounding the slick team-up moves and animations of Banjo-Kazooie’s leading animals to pull it all together into one of the better classic console platformers to grace Xbox Live Arcade.

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Gamer 2.0

With a solid level design, unique transformation mechanic, and plenty of loveable charm, Banjo- Kazooie still holds up well to the stringent of today's gaming market.

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IGN

Banjo-Kazooie is a great game for a kid to play around with, something that the 360 library is often lacking, but many people will find this style of gameplay outdated by modern standards.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Varied controls, unique challenges, and kooky characters make this old-timer a worthwhile blast from the past. [Holiday 2008, p.73]

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VideoGamer

1200 MS Points might seem a little steep for a game that originally came out ten years ago, but this is a true classic and a game that stands up very well today. Visually it's certainly showing its age, but the HD spruce up means it's by no means ugly and the core gameplay is just as universally appealing as it ever was.

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WonderwallWeb

A real nostalgia blast, if you enjoy Mario you will love this. Now I just hope RARE release Banjo Tooie, the ultra rare sequel.

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X360 Magazine UK

If there's one genre the 360 is short of it's platformers, and Banjo is still one of the best within it. [Issue#41, p.113]

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

The closest to Mario we'll ever get, and instantly the best classic platform game on the Xbox 360. [Feb 2009, p.103]

Level7.nu

Even though it's been over ten years since Banjo and Kazooie made their triumphant debut on Nintendo 64 their adventure still holds up very well when released again on Xbox Live. Everything from gameplay to level design is ingenious and this game is still one of the best in it's genre. A few flaws mar the experience though, such as aged presentation and an unwieldy camera, but overall this is a must buy on Xbox Live.

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Worth Playing

Banjo-Kazooie remains a solid resurrection of a classic game whose influential nature can still be appreciated and enjoyed today. Unfortunately, it is hampered by some bad camera glitches and could have used a few more enhancements, given the price tag.

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Console Monster

Even as I come to the end of the review, I’m still pondering whether Banjo-Kazooie is worth the 1200 Microsoft Points tag. Yes you get a fun-filled adventure which many players will enjoy, but the lack of replayability is an off-putting factor.

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Eurogamer Portugal

Fans have here the best version, without any flaws to point to. Still, those who aren't familiar with the game should think before buying because if some things were acceptable in 1998, today they give frustration. Problems - transited from the original - don't stop it from being among the best XBLA has to offer in the genre, but may leave you questioning the high price.

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Eurogamer

It's still a solid platformer with some neat ideas, but it's undone by a host of camera and control issues. If you popped your gaming cherry playing Banjo as a youngster, prepare for nostalgia tinged by disappointment, as you discover it's not quite the classic you remember.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Brent L. gave it a9:
Regardless of what the critics say, if you enjoyed this game as a kid you will enjoy it even more now. Several improvements, such as not having to recollect all notes upon every death, polish this platforming masterpiece. With being able to unlock features and parts in Nuts n' Bolts through this game, the benefits just keep coming. The one thing I would've liked to have seen from Rare was MORE additions to this masterpiece, but this was totally worth the 1,200 MS points for me. In short, if you like platformers at all, or you enjoy a fun, lighthearted story, you will enjoy this game.

Steve L. gave it a9:
Clearly Eurogamer is in the minority with there 50 score. I never played this game when it originally came out. After purchasing BK:N&B online and having to wait a few days for it to be delivered I decided to try this one. I am so glad that I did. It is really good! And it holds up extremely well (much better than Mario 64 IMO). The graphic look good enough so that I don't feel like I am gonna go blind and the camera is good 80% of the time. Really enjoying this one. Now I see why fans are complaining about the new direction for Nuts and Bolts. A modern BK in the same vein as the old one would have worked very well IMO. While I do like the new game, I hope they release a "Real" Banjo Kazooie sequel someday.

Dylan R. gave it a9:
Re-experience the fun of running through the nine worlds collecting music notes, saving jingos, and solving interesting puzzles to collect the jiggies that will leave you one step closer to facing Gruntilda. The music is also a nice touch, it really captures the areas that they play in. Never have I heard anything so absurd, as the adventures of a bear and bird.

Sparkster K. gave it an8:
I think Eurogamers review is a bit harsh. There are a few annoyances with the controls, but they should not be enough to put you off. The characters, a nice mix of exploration and platforming, and just the general charm of this game make it a winner in my books. It has a very fun feel to it, which a lot of modern games sadly don't these days, epically performers. You could do much worse than try the trial and see for yourself. And in the intro when they are playing the instruments is and always will be amazing.

Hagen M. gave it a9:
What a blast from the past. I never owned this game but have had the pleasure to play it at friend's houses when I was 7-10. I see what I was missing. Nostalgia is a must here.

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Banjo-Kazooie

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