Banjo Kazooie: A (Belated) 20th Anniversary Retrospective · 8:53pm Jul 1st, 2018
Now that July is here, time for me to talk about an anniversary I've overlooked. Though I'm largely retired from playing video games (at least until I get a pay that can tell me I'm secure), there's still the past to look over. Among my favorite genre's, 3D platformers are an all-time favorite for me. And among them that I favor the best isn't Mario or Sonic (though Sunshine and Adventure respectfully do come close), but those by Rareware. And the best out of them are the Bear and Bird Duo: Banjo Kazooie!
The first of the series. I remember playing this a lot as a kid at either my grandparent's house and at certain vacation spots (South Padre being the best memory). Stars our heroes as they go on an adventure to save the one time character Tootie from the Gruntilda. Along the way, they encounter dozens of characters, from Bottles the Mole, a shaman with a skull for a head, to even a massive mechanical whale shark that's bleeding in every orifice. One of my favorite aspects of what makes the games iconic is the soundtrack. In water, or caves, or even boss fights, the level's music would change to fit the mood. The best example of this is Gruntilda's Lair. To understand to what I mean, all that you need is to look up a youtube video.
Would this be better than Mario 64? Well, comparing the two, you can tell quite a few differences. The textures are more detailed while keeping the cartoon aesthetic. The animations are an improvement from Mario's. The music is more nostalgic (it takes a hardcore Mario fan to like 64's music. At my college, only I and a college remember the music to the snow levels) to me. Really it's down to personal taste. Some people prefer Mario 64's level design since in some missions, parts of a level get closed off. In Banjo Kazooie, everything, the moves you learn, the musical notes and Jiggies you collect, is all in one. I'm an all-in-one guy, and I don't mind it all too much.
My favorite levels in the game are Mumbo's Mountain, Treasure Trove Cove, Bubble Gloop Swamp, Freezeezy Peak, and Click Clock Wood. Not to say the others aren't bad, it's just personal taste.
Perhaps the darkest game in the series. After a year or two since Gruntilda's defeat, her sister's return and free her. Now a rotting corpse, the witch forsakes her rhymes and flat out blows shit up. And now it's up to the bear and bird to stop her again before she drains the energy of the world.
There are several differences from it's prequel. One, the levels are massive, and often intertwine with one another (Terrydactyland is connected to Mayahem Temple and Witchyworld). The atmosphere is darker on even the more lighthearted areas (Jinjo Village has it's castle drained to zombie qualities). Bosses are more numerous (Klungo is fought three times throughout your adventure). Mumbo no longer does transformations but is playable. In his place is Humba Wumba. With Bottles killed, his brother Jam Jars teaches you moves for a price.
I tend to enjoy this game better, if only for the larger worlds and a few other aspects (still love playing as a T-rex).
Chronologically the second in the series and thus making Banjo Tooie a Threeie. It's an okay game, but if Rareware would have done it's last game before moving to Microsoft, this would've been better as a Gamecube game, then let "Dinosaur Planet" be its own thing.
This one was a mixed bag for a lot of us. Vehicles in place of platforming. But in my defense, Banjo's Back, bringing with him all the fond memories down to the musical cues. I personally value this as being the first Xbox 360 game I got, and on Christmas no less. The vehicles I've built work well, and had little trouble getting all the collectibles.
And that's my two cents on the Banjo Kazooie series as a whole. I personally like how several people are bringing back the 3D platformer, and would love to see how things turn out in the future.
