Banjo-Kazooie Comments by Kristan Reed

wha?

Don't agree, i'm loving it as much as I did back then. Maybe i'm just odd...swimming gets easy to control once you spend a bit of time with it too. 7-8/10 for me but fair enough if it wasn't your cup of tea.

5/10?

if this isnt another typo you need help.

5/10? im sure

Anyone who was undecided and this review made them decide a nice big "fuck that then" I think you should reconsider. At least try the demo (there is one right?), it's as good as I remember. The music is still brilliant and the environments are varied, but I am a MUSTCOLLECTEVERYTHING whore so I dunno it might just be me.

Yet another 1200 game?

Price increase on Live confirmed then....

5/10 is about right. It's not aged too well at all.

Wow, that's 2 Banjo games in as many weeks that I'm no longer buying!

Now let's all sing,

"Rare are old and shit! Rare are old and shit! Haven't made a decent game since Goldeneye, Rare are old and shit!" etc.

By the way, there were nine levels to visit, plus the castle. I'm tempted to pick it up to see if I can remember where everything is.

Game is still amazing in my books, I really don't agree with this review at all. The controls work perfectly, the camera for the most part works fine, occasionally snagging on scenery but nothing to get annoyed about. Sound and graphics are great considering it's a 'retro' game, the art design still shines through. Garish colours? What you mean bright colours? The game's unforgiving....are you sure you didn't just suck at the game?

This review is overly negative, just makes me realise that Eurogamers opinions on Rare games mean fuck all to me. Banjo is still one of my favourite games, and a perfect example of the platform genre.

Everyone who thought only Goldeneye was a good Rare title should go back to playing CoD.

Viva Pinata FTW!

I'm more looking forward to Banjo Tooie. I could never bring my self to start it again after accidently deleting my profile 2/3rds of the way through. Damn me for tapping A quickly without reading the options properly. :(

Played it for the first time after buying N&B. It's a good game, but there are a whole lot of problems.

I never finished this due to the difficulty level. I enjoyed it at the time. Funny tho, I remember it being very lush, one of the most colourful N64 games, but not garish. I will sample the demo.

Gruntilda had the best lines, although Kazooie would also make me chuckle.

Why a two-pager? This could have easily been part of a round-up feature.

... Kristan... your mother now HATES you.

/outrage

Uh oh... I totally disagree with the review and that score but then I played the original to 100% completion twice so I had absolutely no problems playing it on the Xbox 360. The review seemed a little mean spirited to me, as if it was written purely to fit in with the pun in the tagline. ;)

I'd go as far as to say it looks and plays better than the original. For me this game was better than Super Mario 64, it had bags more charm and personality and kept me playing right to the end, twice over, something that other game didn't. The Xbox 360 controller feels perfect for the game, I have no problems using it for all the moves, and the slicker framerate makes some of the tighter platform bits like the jiggy dashes before the timer runs out on Bubblegloop swamp for example far easier. In fact, it probably makes it too easy. I managed to get half way through the game in less than seven hours but I guess that's down to familiarity not a complaint of the game itself or the quality of the port.

I've not had major issues with the camera either, works exactly how I remembered it, that is to say that although there's the odd bothersome fixed viewpoint, overall it's fine and never annoyed me particularly. The swimming controls are a non-issue too, they weren't an issue in the original either once you get used to them.

I love this game as much as I did the original and in that respect this port is as perfect as I'd hoped it would be. Looks great running in HD too with 4X AA and widescreen support and the jaunty, jolly tunes are as catchy and brilliant as ever. I guess if you were a fan of the original game then you'll undoubtedly love this game just as much so I'd be inclined to ignore EG's rather harsh review (IMO) and try the demo when it comes out next week. Well everyone should try it really because it's a classic blast from the past from Rare and is just so utterly refreshing to play on the 360. Did I say I love it? :D

Nice honest review. I made my mind up about not buying it when i decided to skip Nuts N Bolts.

Kristan + Stake + Fire

I've enjoyed this a lot. It's been a long time since I played the game, but IMO it still has a lot of charm and fun. Microsoft could have invested a bit in upscaling the visuals (that is, giving the characters and environments just a bit more fluff) but they decided to release it "as-is" instead. As a result, Banjo-Kazooie does look a bit strange when compared to many other 3D games on XBLA.

However, it is certainly much better than most of the crap that's available on the service. I'd give it a 7/10 (adjusted for price, the 1200 MSP is stupid).

Another thing: Playing this game again made me realize that a straight cookie-cutter platforming sequel isn't what this franchise needed after all, and I'm actually glad that Rare decided to take Nuts & Bolts in another direction.

EDIT: Regarding the slowdown, it's true that it's a problem. In the most unlikely of places too, when there isn't much happening on screen (most often underwater).

Oh and the game is a 10/10 for me... and easily the best game on XBLA by far. Feels like a proper game for a change but then it *is* a proper game. Can't wait for Banjo-Tooie, only briefly played it on the N64 but it looked even better, although that will undoubtedly get an EG 5/10 too.

Aside from the achievements and the stop 'n' swop is there anything new in this version? Can you replay the end quiz after completing the game?

I didn't rate banjoTooie hlaf as much as the original darren. It's alright, but nothing compared to this beauty.

I wonder when people are going to realise that upping the resolution on old games makes them uglier. Low poly models aren't meant to be displayed in super high def, all it does is emphasize their lowpolyness.

/high fives Darren

I don't get all this EG-bitching against Banjo and Rayman franchises. Awful (American way) animation ang cheesy (American way) dialogues of Jak & Daxter - good, Something (European way) different and fresh - bad?
Maybe local reviewers aren't as much into platforming as they think they are.
I'm not trying to start the fight, I just don't get it.

"Jarring slowdown crops up in the unlikeliest scenarios, which is unforgivable for a game of this age."

Huh... what slowdown? I've not come across any noticeable framerate drops so far playing it at 1360x768 and 720p and I've visited seven of the nine levels... even Clanker's Cavern is fine and better than I remember. The framerate is actually much improved over the original IMO which at times definitely got a little chuggy on the poor old N64. As I said earlier the slicker framerate in this port actually makes this game easier to play than the original so this strikes me as an odd criticism. :?

I always thought the N64 graphics looked horrible in comparison to the PS1. As great as goldeneye was, I always thought it looked like a vaseline smeared piece of shit! Much to the horror of my mates. Wasn't a massive fan of this or super Mario 64 either. Think the N64 might be the only console since the NES that I don't own. And the wii of course

It's definitely not great, but its not as much of a stinker as 5/10. Admittedly, I had this game for the N64, and the nostalgia probably ranks up the game some, but I think some of these points in the review have been taken too harshly.

I have to say I've not disagreed with an EG review so much in a long time. Abosultely the camera is tricky but just using the bumper buttons fixes almost all problems - including swimming and flying issues.
Of course, you shouldn't have to work around something, but this IS a 10 year old game.

Also, I'm surprised to see no mention of the incredible sound design. Whilst playing through (I'm at about 70%) I can't help but sing along to all the elements of the game, not just the music. Frankly it's brilliant.

Yes the game is ugly as hell, and it certainly has some cliches and control issues, but again it is 10 years old, and there is the whole problem with reviewing retro games (even on re-release).

I think the game is a blast, but perhaps would have been easier to stomach at a lower price point. There's lots of fun to be had, though.

@Nikanoru - Well I think Banjo-Kazooie looks better than I remembered it, at least technically since I think it is still a very nice looking game artistically.

Sure the textures aren't great and the geometry is simplistic but this port has a longer draw-distance (making it easier to find things) and an overall better framerate plus anti-aliasing and widescreen support so it is as good as it could possibly be without destroying the integrity of the original which is what most people would want I'm sure. This is a port of the original *not* a remake/reimagining after all. EG seem to have reviewed it as if they expected all the issues to be fixed but that was clearly not the intention here, instead it was to bring it to the Xbox 360 as faithfully as possible and that's what 4J Studios have achieved IMHO. I'm sure the fans of the original game will adore it and hopefully Banjo-Tooie will be just as true to the original too.

Darren wrote: Feels like a proper game for a change but then it *is* a proper game.

I think your definition of a proper game is different from my definition of a proper game. I love XBLA games and own about 60 XBLA titles and all of them definently proper games.

I'm giving this a miss (only because I have the original) but I still think Nuts And Bolts has something going for it so I wouldn't put it down so soon, it looks like one of those games that you get out what you put into it.

@muscleblade - Well many XBLA games that I've played feel like something knocked out during a developer's lunchbreak while they're working on a major release to me and, as such, I rarely play any for more than 15 minutes tops hence the reason I've stopped buying most of them (although I still try the demos). The size limitations of XBLA means that production values invariably suffer and there's nothing on the 360 to match the slick values of Super Stardust HD, PAIN, Tekken 6 DR or WipEout HD for example.

Banjo-Kazooie like many PSN games feels like I'm getting more game for my money and thus qualify in my book as being "proper" games. At the end of the day it's about perceived value for money and I don't usually feel I'm getting that from 90% of XBLA releases especially as there's a high quota of shite on there which diminishes the quality releases when they do arrive. ;)

@Darren

Well ive played games like Geo Wars 2, Rez HD and Omega Five for dozens of hours. Enjoyed every minute of it too.Thats Value for money imo.

There's an immense amount of crap on live. But there are also some real gems on there. Braid, Puzzle Quest, Puzzle Fighter, etc. Braid is basely one of my 3 best games of the year.

Well that's you obviously isn't it, muscleblade, I'm speaking purely for myself and as such XBLA has frequently been a letdown for me for games and seldom keeps my interest. I prefer the sparser but generally better quality releases on PSN myself and usually find they offer me more gameplay per pound.

Banjo-Kazooie though, to get back on topic, is definitely a step in the right direction for XBLA and I'd like to see more of these quality ports instead of the sub-par tat that makes up 80% of XBLA IMO.

@Darren
"@muscleblade - Well most XBLA games I've played feel like glorified tech demos to me and I rarely play any for more than 15 minutes tops hence the reason I've stopped buying most of them although I still try the demos. Banjo-Kazooie like many PSN games feels like I'm getting more game for my money and thus qualify in my book as being "proper" games."

Is there that much of a difference between XBLA and PSN games? I'd always imagined that they were very similar types of games on both services (and indeed a lot of cross-platform games).

"Banjo-Kazooie like many PSN games feels like I'm getting more game for my money and thus qualify in my book as being "proper" games"

Its kind of odd that this comes from a guy that barely touches most of hes full retail games. No offense my friend i just find it strange that you think value is important but havent completed a lot of great games you own (even short ones like Dead Space and COD4).

The review is wrong - very wrong - so much so that perhaps it displays more of Mr Reed's contempt at having to "lower" himself down to reviewing duties for an Xbox Live game - which is also unusually difficult and lengthy.

This was the best looking/playing game out there in it's day full stop i.e. played better than Mario64, was much larger and longer, contained British Humour and hammered m64 into the ground from a technical point of view.

Made my (then) newly ass kicking Voodoo 2 powered PC look stupid playing Quake 2 - the texture quality in B&K that Rare managed on a non expanded N64 defied belief - my PC Graphics card alone had 3 times more memory than the entire N64.

Only the original TombRaider challenged it for gaming greatness on console the year after - which was itself completely amazing in it's day (easy to forget for some people after the poisonous dilution by the sequels).

Anyone who has played N&B will laugh at the comments it makes of todays gamers being namby-pamby i.e. slapped round the head a few times when drowning (kinda eradicates the feat of stressful daring underwater raids).

Clearly that kind of challenging gameplay is an echo through time of the transition from Arcade to Home Entertainment - the reward is becoming less and less about skilful play - mealy sinking more time into something continues to reward (thank the lord for things like veteran level selection etc.)

As for the strange slow down, someone on here indicated it slows down at exactly the same place as it does when running on one of the N64 emulators (can't remember which one but think it was Project64) so should bode well for future Rare releases if the emulator is stable enough to pass all of M$ stringent tests.

If it does use the emulator it would be nice to see Rare to optionally incorporate some of the enhanced texture packs for an even greater looking release to appease those that remain unconvinced. Blast Corps would be my choice - its throw away gameplay would suit live fine - more so with a LIVE scoreboard.

I don’t usually post on these forums, but after reading this review I genuinely believe that the reviewer hasn't been playing the same game. Not only is Banjo-Kazooie still one of the best 3D platformers on any system, but it also has charming characters and humour that is such a rarity these days. If you enjoy platformers, you should go on Xbox Live and buy the game if they haven’t already done so because the review misses the mark completely. It is a real shame that some people will read this review and dismiss the game; they will be missing out on lengthy enjoyable single player experience and a piece of gaming history

I work in a games company and we have regular discussions on what sort of games we would like to see on Xbox Live. If there’s one thing we all agree on is that 'Live' needs more games like this. Keep up the good work Rare, bring Banjo-Tooie on XBLA too.

Eurogamer.....you truly disappoint me on this occasion.

Somethings gone horribly wrong at the reviewing factory, a cog must be missing from the review-o-tron, or a reviewbot is running low on batteries, as this review is clearly not of merchantable quality.

I shall be returning it first thing in the morning and picking up a brand new BK review from my local supermarket.


/Plays BK and basks in the decidedly-9-or-more-out-of-10-ness.

/Looks over shoulder scornfully at the defective BK review sitting scrunched up in the bin

There is no slowdown what so ever in this game aslong as you dont have your 360 set to 1080p or 1080i,i run mine at 1360x768 and there's not one bit of slowdown same as if you run it at 720p,check for yourself

I'd be interested to know how many people defending the game played it when it was new, on the N64. There's a strong feeling of nostalgia in a lot of people's posts. The game isn't being reviewed as a retrospective, it's being reviewed as a new title that has just been released, like all other Live Arcade games. 5/10 seems about right to me. If no-one had played it previously, and no-one had any fond memories, it would be getting slagged off a lot more than it is right now. Because it doesn't stack up.

Also disagree with this review. I could see where it is coming from if you never played the original and are now playing it for the first time expecting a decent platformer.

I am one of those who loved the originals however (disappointed by the direction they took the new one in) and got used to the little quirks so all of the faults are not faults in my eyes. If you didn't play the originals but understand that it is a 10 year old N64 game brought to the Arcade in 2008 then, again this score should be of little use when deciding whether to buy it.

Trial and error gameplay? It saddens that people nowadays call everything trial and error as soon as you can make a mistake or two. It's a challenging game, that's for sure. And I don't care wether people enjoy linear levels where the only thing you have to do is press forward and then stop for a second or so to completely refill your healthbar. If that is what people enjoy I don't blame them.

What I don't get it is why everything else is stamped off as unforgiving, ancient, trial and error etc. BK is not a game where you constantly fall to your death without having any chance to avoid it. In fact it is always your own mistake if you do so.

I'm sold, even if 1200 points is more than most other XBLA games. It's definitely worth it.

I agree that Blast Corps is the Rare title most deserving of a revisit. Banjo was always a more poorly designed derivation of Mario 64.

If you think this game is better than Mario 64 you are off your rocker.Of course you're entitled to your own opinion :)

OMG Yet again Eurogamer showing they are in Microsoft's back pocket obviously, wait what?...

Hmmm perhaps alot of the harshness towards Rare is from disgruntled fans of Nintendo in the snes - N64 days with sentiments of"Its not right seeing this on a none Nintendo console"... unless of course EG have treated Virtual Console with the same scrutiny as they have here(I really dont know if they have or not but I did see 10/10 in there for a few of them).