If you aren’t familiar with the game, well I feel sorry for you. The game follows Banjo, a lovable bear, and Kazooie, a snarky bird, as they try and save Banjo’s sister from the clutches of Gruntilda the Witch. Gruntilda is pissed off that she was beaten by the ugly stick while Tooty was not, so her genius plan was to snatch Tooty up and steal her beauty via a machine of her own creation. But, Banjo is not about to stand for this and with the help of a mole wearing glasses, named Bottles, Banjo and Kazooie set out on an adventure that is going to take them to many strange places.
Gruntilda’s lair, which is conventionally situated right near Banjo and Kazooie’s house, is filled with many different worlds and many different characters in need of the duos’ help. Each level is opened up by jigsaw pieces, which must be collected throughout each level and in the castle itself. The pieces, dubbed jiggies, are then used to put a picture of each level together. Not enough jiggies? Then too bad for you.
Each level harbors ten jiggies. The castle itself has ten too, but must be found via the levels through a special button (or witch switch) that must be pressed. Every level will have unforgettable characters that will require you to do finish random tasks. The only task that will be repeated will the the jinjos, a weird type of bird, that are scattered throughout each level. By collecting them all you will receive another jiggy to add to your stash (yay!).
Every level will also have hidden honey combs, which will add to your overall health once 6 are found, and Mumbo tokens, which can be used at Mumbo Jumbo’s hut (more on him later!). Feathers and eggs are also scattered all over the levels in order for you to take out baddies and complete your many tasks. Your good mole friend will also have his hills throughout the levels so he may teach you new moves, such as how to fly and ram yourself into the many types of baddies that are determined to kick your furry behind. Lastly, one hundred music notes will be in each level that will help you open up certain doors throughout Grunty’s castle.
Quite possibly my favorite character in the Banjo-Kazooie series is Mumbo Jumbo. As a skull headed magic user and self proclaimed "best shaman in all game," he will turn you into all kinds of animals, and also a pumpkin, so you may face smaller tasks that you couldn’t as a bear and a bird. You can even leave the levels and search out Cheato, Gruntilda’s rogue spell book, that will provide you with several passwords so you may hold a larger amount of eggs and feathers. Most of the animals are defenseless, minus the tiny crocodile you become, but each form allows you to do something your original form cannot. Your walrus form, for example, will allow you to swim in the icy cold water, while your pumpkin will allow you fit through tiny holes (lulz).
I barreled through this game. I was amazed at how much I actually could remember from the old days. It was like being with an old friend. However, if you’ve never played before you may have a hard time figuring out just where exactly all the puzzles pieces are, especially when you get to the higher levels. The last level, Click Clock Woods, is by far one of the funnest and toughest levels you will play. Taking place over all four seasons, you must do things only to wait until it’s the right season to complete specific tasks. This level can quickly bring even seasoned gamers to absolute tears. Have fun scratching your head at the last few jiggies in this one.
Interestingly enough, when Rare first designed this game they had an idea for several colored eggs and an ice key that must be collected. The idea was abandoned, but could be completed if you had the right codes. Other than that, you were destined to stare at the key that continuously spun around in the Freezy Peaks level, but never be able to reach it. Rare did, however, add them into Banjo-Tooie, this game’s sequel. BUT, when the games were redone for the Xbox Arcade, the eggs and ice key were taken out of Tooie and placed into their rightful spots in Banjo-Kazooie (that is, if you play via Xbox Live). If you aren’t connected to the internet you will not be able to complete the new version of the game.
Once those eggs and ice key are found, they will be transferred over to your Tooie file where you will gain several things, such as new moves, pictures, and (the ultimate) Dragon Kazooie! To be fair, the eggs and key aren’t really hidden too well. In fact, most are pretty easy to get to. Hell, the ice key is literally sitting there for your taking. So make sure you pick them up, so you are playing the way Rare always wanted you to (*gives cookie*).
Honestly, the only downside of this game is one specific part near the end. You will be required to play a game show. Throughout the castle is Gruntilda’s pretty (?) sister that will feed you random facts about the nasty ways of Grunty. Don’t just think this is all for fun. In fact, you may even want to write them down if you plan on taking your time with this game. All of that seemingly useless info will be needed when Grunty quizzes you about what she likes, etc. A wrong answer will cause you to lose a honey comb of life. Yet once you’re done you will finally get to face Gruntilda in a real battle that will consist of many different tricky moves on your part. When you see Grunty plunging to her death, you will not only have beaten the witchiest witch, you will have beaten one of the greatest puzzle games with even harder puzzles to come in Tooie [yes there will be a Cullination review for that one too(ie)]!
SCORING
GRAPHICS: 7.5 Even for the time period of 1998, these graphics weren't the best and didn't compete very well with the original Playstation. But, you didn't play this game for the graphics now did you? Did I mention it came out in 1998?
AUDIO: 8.5 Grunty's strage echoing laughter during EVERY room change when you are in her lair admittedly gets a bit annoying. I never understood why she was laughing though...you just waltz into her house with your noisy, sassy bird and start killing her pets and doing all of her jigsaw puzzles! What if she wanted to do them later? HMMM?! But yeah, the soundtrack is memorable to say the least. Both Banjo and Kazooie each have their own distinctive sounds that make it just as amusing to kick some baddie ass as it does to intentionally jump off cliffs.
GAMEPLAY/PLOT: 8.5 The controls can be a bit frustrating at times, most notably when swimming underwater. However, the general gameplay is easy and logical. You don't have to be an expert gamer to learn how to play this classic. The plot is simple, but entertaining at the same time. For the most part, the gamer is less worried about the plot than he is about getting the next jiggy. Gotta collect 'em all!
DIFFICULTY: 9.5 Not going to lie here, getting ALL of the jiggies is a difficult feat. There are several mini-games that drove me crazy while playing this, and others that didn't seem difficult from a distance but took me multiple tries to complete. While beating the main storyline of the game is not very challenging, COMPLETING this game is a challenge for even experienced gamers. With 100 jiggies, 45 jinjos, 900 notes, and countless Mumbo Tokens, the fun just never ends. Unless you get all those things.
MULTIPLAYER/ONLINE PLAY: N/AMISCELLANEOUS: 9 Being such an old game, there are bound to be glitches. Banjo will occasionally diffuse through walls and platforms, or be stuck humping a baddie's leg for all eternity; none of which, mind you, made me want to stop playing.
OVERALL: 8.5
Banjo Kazoie will forever remain a classic title. Despite a few kinks here and there, this is a game I have returned to many times, and one I will continue to return to over time. Oh, and I forgot to mention that you can poop eggs. If that didn't just buy Banjo Kazooie a special place in your heart, nothing will.
I feel like buying Banjo Kazooie right now. When I get something to play it on I just might have to buy it! I actually want to try it now that I know about it and I know what it's about !
ReplyDeleteYou have the N64 right? That is its original console. You can probably find it anywhere older games are sold!
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