| Banjo-Kazooie | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Rare |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo (N64) Microsoft Game Studios (Xbox 360) |
| Series | Banjo-Kazooie |
| Release Date(s) | Nintendo 64
|
| Genre(s) | Platformer, action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64, Xbox 360 |
| Successor | Banjo-Tooie |
Banjo-Kazooie is a platform video game developed by Rare and that was originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. It is the first game in the Banjo-Kazooie series.
Originally conceived as an adventure game named Dream for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Banjo-Kazooie was designed to appeal to players of all ages even though it looks like a game for children.
The game was a critical and commercial success, selling nearly two million copies in the United States. It was praised for its detailed graphics, dynamic soundtrack, and intricate level design.
The game was remastered for the Xbox 360 in 2008 and included in the Rare Replay video game compilation for the Xbox One in 2015.
A sequel, Banjo-Tooie, was released in 2000.
Gameplay[]
The player plays as a bear like animal named Banjo with their bird partner Kazooie as they try to stop the plans of the witch Gruntilda, who intends to switch her beauty with Banjo's sister, Tooty. The game features nine worlds where the player must use Banjo and Kazooie's wide range of abilities to gather items and progress through the story. It features challenges like solving puzzles, jumping over obstacles, collecting items, and defeating opponents.
Xbox Live Arcade[]
The Xbox Live Arcade version of Banjo-Kazooie, developed by 4J Studios, was released for the Xbox 360 on November 26, 2008. This version runs in a full widescreen mode, includes achievements, and supports the "Stop 'N' Swop" connectivity that was incomplete in the Nintendo 64 game, used now to unlock features in both Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts and the then-upcoming Xbox Live Arcade version of Banjo-Tooie.
Reception[]
The Xbox Live Arcade version was generally well received by critics, featuring an aggregate score of 77 out of 100 at Metacritic. While some publications such as Eurogamer considered the relatively unchanged game to be outdated, several agreed that the Xbox Live Arcade version was a solid revival of a classic.
Reception[]
Metacritic gave the game a 92/100, IGN gave the game 9.6/10 and one of the workers (journalist Peer Schneider) stated " Its one of the best 3D platformers he has ever played, and GameSpot rated the game a 9.5/10