I’m not going to lie: While I loved the extended bit I got to play at this year’s E3 and am excited for the workday to end so I can rip open my newly purchased copy, I have mixed feelings about today’s release of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. I am fairly confident everything will turn out fine (maybe even great!), but I have such fond memories of the original game for the Nintendo 64 that it is hard for me to fully get behind this sequel’s wacky new vehicular gameplay.
And the argument about a classic series just evolving doesn’t work with me. Are you honestly saying that no one would say a word if a new game in the traditional Mario series came out and it turned out to just be a glorified Mario Kart with slight platforming elements? People would revolt! Tradition goes a long way concerning classic franchises.
While I am not nearly that upset about Banjo-Kazooie’s new direction, I want to close my eyes and remember the good old days before I go home and pop this new, shiny Nuts & Bolts disc in my Xbox 360. Hopefully everything will end well, but, just in case, let’s revisit a time when Mario was temporarily dethroned as the platforming king by a cute little bear and his sassy bird buddy.
Hold my hand and hit the jump for a (hardcore) fan’s ode to one of the most entertaining games ever created.
A perfect release
Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, Banjo-Kazooie had some pretty big shoes to fill. Just two years prior the entire world had fallen in love with the critically adored Super Mario 64. Over these first two years of the Nintendo 64’s life cycle, many companies tried to create 3D platformer experiences to rival the classic N64 launch game, but failed (some miserably). Nintendo built an entire controller around Super Mario 64, for crying out loud -- topping that game was a near impossible feat.
In the year before Banjo-Kazooie came out, developer Rare took some big risks with the amount of hype they put into their game. The company even went so far as saying Banjo-Kazooie would be to the Nintendo 64 what Donkey Kong Country was to the Super Nintendo. By the time 1998 finally rolled around gamers everywhere couldn’t wait any longer to get their hands on this anticipated platformer.
Luckily, the wait was worth it.
As promised, Banjo-Kazooie lived up to all its expectations -- even surpassing some. The game was critically praised and went on to become one of the top sellers for the Nintendo 64.
But what makes the game so perfect? (Yup, I said it: perfect.)
Let’s start with the basics.
Five quick reasons why Banjo-Kazooie is better than Super Mario 64
First, let me set the record straight: Super Mario 64 is an absolute masterpiece and one of the greatest and most influential games ever created.
But Banjo-Kazooie is better.
In a way Super Mario 64 is kind of like the original Star Wars, with Banjo-Kazooie being The Empire Strikes Back. Both are great -- and Star Wars was an absolute revelation at the time -- but everyone knows Empire is better. It’s just the way it is.
But what makes Banjo so much better than Mario?
Here are five quick reasons:
The graphics
Super Mario 64 is no slouch in this department, but there is no arguing that the colors, textures, and overall design are worlds better than those found in the Nintendo 64 launch game.
The characters
Two words: Mumbo Jumbo. Actually, make that four words: Mumbo Jumbo and Clanker.
The controls
While most of the controls are taking directly from Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie just does everything better. Adding Kazooie and her arsenal of special moves only takes the awesome over the edge.
The humor
As hilarious as Mario is (/sarcasm), who can forget Grunty and her henchman Klungo? Or how about Bottles? Or all the “inside” Nintendo jokes? Hell, everything that comes out of that bitch Kazooie’s mouth is amazingly funny. The list goes on and on ...
The music
Oh God, THE MUSIC -- arguably the strongest thing about Banjo-Kazooie. I will pay someone $500 if they can listen to the opening theme of Banjo-Kazooie without a smile on their face. Do you remember how the main overworld theme would change slightly depending on what level you were standing in front of? Brilliant! All of the music in the original Banjo is so superb that I would easily rank it on a short list of my favorite videogame soundtracks of all time. It really is that good.
Here, check out the opening theme right here to see what I am talking about (and I take full responsibility for all the joyful toe tapping that is about to occur):
And, yes, you will be humming that all day.
The greatness of Mumbo Jumbo
Basic aesthetics aside, Banjo-Kazooie incorporated a gameplay mechanic that really helped it stand out from most Super Mario 64 “clones.” While I would argue the game would still be amazing without it, the inclusion of the Mumbo Jumbo transformations really took the superb quality to the next level.
On most levels, Banjo could enter a hut owned by the creepy shaman Mumbo Jumbo. By standing in a specific spot (and with the right amount of Mumbo skulls), Mumbo Jumbo would change Banjo into a variety of forms -- a different form for each level. One thing that was particularly cool was how each form seemed to relate the level Banjo was on: a walrus for the ice level, a crocodile for the swamp level, and so on and so on.
Each of these forms controlled completely differently and added a huge amount of variety and challenge to an already exceptionally robust game.
Quick moment for discussion: What was your favorite Banjo transformation?
Collect-A-Thon!
Unlike most people, I love collecting things in videogames. Actually, I am admittedly addicted to it.
And for a hardcore collector like me, Banjo-Kazooie is a dream come true.
In addition to the required jigsaws and musical notes, Banjo and Kazooie can collect Mumbo skulls, Jinjos (multi-colored creatures that help you eventually defeat the final boss), honeycomb pieces, Bottles upgrades, blue eggs, red feathers, and gold feathers.
Achieving 100% is a chore, sure, but when the process is so entertaining and rewarding ... who cares?! Banjo-Kazooie is the rare game that genuinely makes collecting fun. And I applaud it for that.
A breath of fresh air
Do you remember the first time you played Banjo-Kazooie? From the slightly askew humor to the remarkably memorable characters, everything just felt so new and different. Sure, the gameplay was basically a more evolved version of Super Mario 64, but the overall game felt like a breath of fresh air.
Think back to the incredible level design. Do you remember the massive level that requires Banjo and Kazooie to travel through all four seasons? How about the remarkably creative quiz show right before the final boss? And of course the infamous Stop ‘N’ Swop! All of these things, in my mind, are the definition of perfect game design. There have only been a small handful of games since that have come close to duplicating this level of creative genius.
The memories ...
In two weeks the original Banjo-Kazooie will be released for Xbox Live Arcade (with its stellar -- but not as perfect -- sequel, Banjo-Tooie, coming early next year). If you haven’t played it, please do yourself a favor and download it once available. And if you can, play it before you dive into Nuts & Bolts. From the little I have played, there are numerous references to the first two games in the Xbox 360 sequel. The humor is so great and self-referential at times that you owe it to yourself to be as informed as possible.
Like I said before, I have high hopes for Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, but am worried that the charm and, I don’t know, vibe of the original game might be lost in this technological translation.
If all goes well, I will finish this next battle with the evil witch Gruntilda feeling just as satisfied as I did ten years ago.
If not, I will at least have my overwhelmingly positive memories of the original to keep that smile on my face.
Contest:
4:04 PM on 11.12.2008
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Sure it may be fun, but it's not Banjo.
However...I don't have a 360, but I still have Banjo-Kazooie in my N64. :D That's right. The cartridge hasn't left my N64 for...jesus...years now. I'm wondering if the cartridge and N64 fused...
Oh well. lol.
1) The Music
2) That bitch Kazooie
3) Click Clock Wood
In honor of today, I plugged my mp3 player into the car this morning and fired up the Banjo Kazooie soundtrack. How can you not grin while listening to that midi banjo?
My favourite transformation?
Two words: Washing machine. I was a little shocked when Mumbo turned Banjo accidentally into a washing machine (and this happened on my third playthrough, if I remember correctly) but this is probably why it's the transformation I'll always remember.
My N64 is still reliable as it always was, I wish I could find a cart with this game so I am taken back to 3D platform paradise.
I really hope N&B bombs so Rare makes a PROPER Banjo 3.
But I will buy Banjo-Kazooie on XBLA.
Also, WASHING MACHINE FTW.
But Banjo-Kazooie is better."
YES! YES! YES! THANK YOU CHAD :)
Banjo Kazooie sucked so bad, easy rare 2nd worst game they put out for that damn n64.
SEriously Not even goldeneye sucked this bad, and it is total crap.
The only game worse than Banjo Kazooie and Banjo tootie or what ever the fuck it was by rare IS... Donkey kong 64 that game took everything bad about Banjo Kazooie and vomited it up on a over priced n64 cart and left out anything that made there SNES donkey kong games decent and added FUCKING rap music to top off the trifecta of suckage.
So
Horrblie collecting quest, bad level design boring levels, and ugly ass graphics with annoying banjo music. (and I like banjo music.)
it just one big collectathon and that got old after super mario 64 but even it only had 128 stars. It is no wonder platformer mario clones like banjo are dead now game that sucked as bad as banjo killed them off and have sense been replaced by better games like ratchet and clank or jak 3.
I would have even rather seen golden eye or jet force up on the damn xbox than this game, and i hate goldeneye and jet force, and don't care about perfect dark enough to hate it or like it that much.
So if I was pre ordering the new banjo nuts and bolts I would tell them to keep there download code but I am not doing either. Finishing that game in 1998 scared me for life do not want.
Also, my favourite form was the T-Rex from Banjo-Tooie. Fuck yeah dinosaurs.
Sounds like somebody is butt sore about the success of the n64. Let me guess your mommy bought you a playstation instead? Jelous that your beloved playstation didn't get such awesome platformers/fps's? Go shoot yourself please.
Also, am I the only one who gets in huge christmas spirits at the snow level?
Great article. I have spent a heck of a lot of time playing this game, while I was a kid and even still today I play it.
I even played it enough to be able to finish the game in 6 hours or less, with 100% everything! :D :D
It's OK to not like Banjo. He brings up some good points.
I got PSX, but I loved the N64(I knew a few people with one). When not PSP N64 emulation gets good I will try and catch up on everything.
Jak 3 is better than any Rare game and Jet Force Gemini is their best N64 game. No offense, Banjo 1 & 2 a re pretty good platformers, better than Mario 64(which is not a hard task) but not the holy grail.
I just installed Nuts and Bolts into my 360's hard drive, and will be popping that bad boy on for the first time. I definitely don't expect the same magical feeling I got from the original two, but I still expect a damn fine game.
I had a n64 saturn and ps1 and they all sucked. hell the playstation 1 even had cheep ass CD drives on the things that broike constanlt the ps1 sold because people had to buy like 3 of things every time it broke.
the first playsataion had a damn cheep ass cd drive the launch game was ass I hated 99% of sony damn exclusives and most of the platformers on it sucked.
If that was considered awsome platformer keep it I won't play them on anything, well who cares now platfomers are dead anyway, h ow many do you see.
and the n64 had the worst launch line up of all damn time 2 fucking games and even well into 1997 there was much but crap of course everybody was happy to get goldeneye.
No I have a PC i played REal FPS back then online and over lan thanks you can keep that I am not "Jealous" of it.
Hell I will even post my damn copys of the lame banjo games with a damn yoshi figure on it to show t you how fucking now Jealous i am. I had the thing since 1998.
Oh, and turning into the awesome crocodile is by far the best transformation. You spend the whole level avoiding poisonous swamp water, and then you get to wade through it unscathed. Awesome!
Jesus calm down friend. You just sounded butt hurt about everthing n64. I didn't own an n64 back then, I wasn't making wild fanboy comments. I played banjo on NOT EMULATORS back in the day and while it wasn't the best game ever, it still was a pretty good 3d platformer for its time. I understand your hatred for goldeneye if you were playing fps's on your pc at the time. But alot of people didn't own pc's for gaming in those days so goldeneye was the best fps at the time. I love pc fps's as much as the next person, I played quake 2 for years on heat.net(RIP), but goldeneye was still a great game for playing with your friends in one room.
I've always preferred Mario 64 over Banjo-Kazooie. Especially after revisiting it not long ago to give it a second chance.
It's boring. There's just too much collecting to do, in a non compelling way and the humour falls flat. (but to be fair, it's aimed at children)
That rhyming witch is so damn annoying.
I liked being the pumpkin D:
Also: Cube, give me Nights.
Also, I too preferred Tooie to the original.
I also find it funny the guy saying i didnt even own or play the game played it on" not emulators" and Semmingly did not even pay for it and played it on one of those crappy PC emulators for n64 that makes the game worse than a real copy I guess.. The n64 emulators are not anywhere near the level of ones like zsnes.
SO as for RARE,goldeneye and perfect dark, To start Playing with my friends in one room we used 4 PC's a 4 port switched and called it a "LAN party" and didn;t put up with any of that splitscreen console crap.
the single player of golden eye is HORRIBLE and the game is buggy the AI is dumb as rocks. weapons poke out of walls and enimes get stuck in doors it is pathteic,
The fact that RARE went from good games to stuff like banjo not surprized petter more talked mild smack about them when he left and nintendo let them go, Microsoft is not getting anything from them now. Banjo nuts and blots sucks, and some how with that brick art style they make the characters look worse than they did on n64.
and super rmario 64 is way better than banjo and even that was not a super mario world or super mario 3 level of awsomeness.
There is nothing new about banjo you can make the damn bird shoot an egg so what? ny then all the mario 54 rip off got old mario 64 was a 1 shot deal, that showed off 3d that was it, by the time banjo got here it was already annoying.
lets try the formating again for fun,
I wish I wasn't that stupid to throw away the game boxes to just keep the carts when I was a kid :C That's a beautiful collection.
You selling any of those? I have been wanting to push my old N64 to the whole glory with different titles
Favorite transformation? Probably the T-Rex.
I found most of them though.
I got the original Banjo Kazooie on the N64 recently, about 2 weeks ago, and I absolutely love it. It's so much fun, and it is definitely my favourite game in the N64 library behind Zelda: OoT.
You know, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Tooie delivered more of the same and expanded on the game in every possible way but it was inferior nevertheless. If B3 expanded in a similar way then there's no guarantee it would be a better game or more of a proper release in the series than Nuts and Bolts. The demo, contrary to what I've been reading from all of you around here, is actually very good and as a Banjo fan I couldn't help but smile with glee when playing around in Banjo Land and listening to that epic track! Kirkhope is at it again...I for one am happy with Nuts and Bolts because it expands the genre just like the original, keeping much of what made it great in the first place intact. Not to mention building different kinds of vehicles is great great fun. Just try building a rocket of blocks with 4 springs at the base. Or just the seat on a single spring. People should just chill...
I agree!
Sadly, I didn't really like the Nuts & Bolts demo, but you can bet I'm gonna buy Banjo-Kazooie and Tooie when they're out on XBLA.
*awaits 15 paragraph response*
I was lucky enough to get a free code from a friend, but then I decided to get another code for my girlfriend by reserving Nuts & Bolts. When I went to cancel it today, the guy there made me feel bad about it and so I have a copy of Nuts & Bolts now. I'm going to try my hardest to like it, cause I really liked the first one.
Also, I never played Banjo-Tooie. I'll definitely pick it up on XBLA when it comes out, though.
STFU please, now your just being an idiot. I never once said you didn't own the game jackass. I just said you sounded butt hurt. I also don't give a shit about your lan parties, I already stated not everyone had the luxory of owning a pc back in those days, especially children, and even if they did that doesn't mean they had the know how to set up quake lan parties.