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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Banjo-Kazooie
Universal acclaim
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 66 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Rare Ltd.
Genre(s): Action, Platform
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: July 1, 1998
Summary
A classic Nintendo platformer that stars a big, goofy honey bear named Banjo who wears tight yellow shorts and carries around a raucous, red-crested breegull named Tooie in his backpack. The bear-and-bird duo must use constant teamwork to rescue Banjo's sister from the evil Gruntilda who wants to steal her beauty.
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot GameSpot Guide
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GamePro
A more complex, more fluid, and more attractive game than its plumber predecessor ["Super Mario 64"]. It’s sure to have even the staunchest N64 critics raising their eyebrows.
Read Full Review >Hot Games
Cute, funny and continuously enchanting - it's what good gaming is all about.
Read Full Review >Games Domain
A breath of fresh air, a wonderful diversion, a good use of puzzle-solving energy. It’s like "Mario 64," but better. Any improvement over a game that got little but perfect ratings when it was released is an improvement to be applauded.
Read Full Review >IGN
Features the best graphics we've seen on the console, it one-ups Mario 64 in terms of gameplay, it sounds astounding and it may just be the most clever title we've ever played.
Read Full Review >Electric Playground
The finest, most polished, most complex and satisfying action-adventure videogame I've ever played...It blew me away because I was still swept up by its fairy tale-light, Disney-esque, bogusness, in spite of all my resistance.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
The kind of game that sends reviewers thumbing through their thesaurus in search of new words to describe its greatness. I can honestly say that it’s as true today as it was the day of release.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Graphically, Banjo-Kazooie takes it to another level. The game maintains the look and feel of Mario 64, but instead of flat, shaded polygons, BK uses a lot of textures.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Rare's homage to "Mario 64," only it's not quite as good. [Jan 2004, p.189]
TotalGames.net
Brilliant, plain and simple, and another example of why Nintendo have become so dependant on Rare -- the company produces games that are every bit as good as Nintendo's own, if not better.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
This is the best platform game that I have played in a long time. Of course, it follows the basic formula of a platformer - kidnapped female, evil castle, jump on enemies, etc. But the reason the formula still exists is due to the fact that, occasionally, it works really well. Banjo-Kazooie is a case where the cliche works to perfection.
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
Faulty cams aside, Banjo-Kazooie is the best 3D platformer since "Mario 64," and we can only wonder what miraculous game Rare will produce next. This is one of the few must-buy games on the Nintendo 64.
Read Full Review >Nintendorks
Unfortunately, the sound is pretty much a mix of "Mario 64" and "Diddy Kong Racing" leftovers. A grunt here, a guffaw there, it's all been done to death.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
It's hard to say how impressed we'll be with future Marios after this one. For now Banjo has the nod with detailed, 3D graphics, crisp sound, beautfiul control and the best gameplay seen on the N64. Excellent job Rare and Nintendo.
Read Full Review >GamerWeb Nintendo
While not necessarily breaking down walls in innovation, Banjo-Kazooie takes us down a path we've been before and makes the ride a whole lot smoother.
Read Full Review >GameShark
The perfect balance of exploration and game play. If you're a big fan of completing games 100%, you'll get every dime's worth out of this purchase.
Read Full Review >Happy Puppy
The game has an ironic weakness, however. It is too much like Mario in some respects and not enough in others. The premise and underlying tasks are just too familiar to allow Banjo-Kazooie its own identity.
Cincinnati Enquirer
Banjo-Kazooie isn't going to win any awards for originality, but who really cares? If you have to borrow a little to make a fun, absorbing adventure, so be it.
Read Full Review >Adrenaline Vault
While it fails to achieve the lofty status of greatest platform game of all time, still held by an overweight plumber, Banjo Kazooie is a close second, and that ain't half bad.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 66 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Todd S. gave it a10:
Banjo-Kazooie is the best game Rare has ever made made. This is a game that has a great concept, a wide variety of moves, fantastic game play that never gets old, and best of all just the right amount of time you get into the game so you can easily replay it without the game getting old. Now a lot of people have compared it to Super Mario 64 because people claim that Banjo-Kazooie is a rip-off of Mario 64 and Zelda Ocarina of Time because they both came out just five months apart from each other and they both won their fair share of game of the year awards (OOT getting more). After that I looked at all three of the games and said too myself, "Banjo-Kazooie blows Mario 64 out of the water and Zelda OOT out of the water temple (shudders). now I think all three of those games are good it's just that Banjo-Kazooie is a little less linear than Mario 64 because Mario 64 forced the player to do one episode in the level, getting kicked out of the level and having to go back in to play in the same level and Banjo-Kazooie has a original concept of being like a scavenger hunt unlike Zelda OOT which was just like a 3-D Link to the Past. You know what scratch that being Rare's best game, Banjo-Kazooie is the best N64 game of all time. God their is just so many great things about this game other than the ones I motioned earlier; the 9 unique, varied, and most of all huge levels that you don't necessary need a map for like in the sequel which is also a great game, the subtle humor and multiple personalities every character gets, the excellent music by Grant Kirkhope that matches as well as emphasizes on the environments that you are in, and that is just a few of the things that make Banjo-Kazooie a great game. My childhood memories with this game will be cherished forever and ever. Hey, forget Banjo Kazooie being the best N64 game, Banjo Kazooie for the N64 is the best game of all time. I love you Banjo-Kazooie, we all do.
EmilyRose gave it a10:
This is by far the most amazing game out there, when i was young all i did was spend all my days playing this. i found it really difficult, all the different places and things made it so hard to beat this game. i really think whoever created this game has the best imagination ever, i've never played another game like this one and i never will. i had this when i was younger, i don't anymore, but sure would do a lot to get to play this again, people need to understand how actually great this game is, it deserves so much more credit. anyone who plays this will never forget it. Donkey kong 64 was great too, but didn't compare to this game. this game was like, an important part of my childhood. only video game that ever truly got me hooked and determined to win at. i <3 this game with a friggen passion.
Shaun J. gave it a10:
This game is obviously one of the best games I've ever played. I got the game when i was 7 and it amazed me just as much, if not more, than zelda:orcarina of time. This game is truly a masterpiece. Rare has been focusing on other titles recently which is fine, when they released information about banjo kazooie: nuts and bolts i got excited....until i looked at the screenshots. I was very disappointed at first at the gaming *leap* they were making with this series but once I read a little about the game, I realized it hasn't changed and I'm currently waiting for it to hit shelves. But anyway back to Banjo Kazooie, the game had a kiddish look but it really did make you feel happy and it kept you playing until the sun came up. Def one of the best games made!
Maslab gave it a10:
With all the praise and the fact that this game deserves it, easily one of the most under-noticed games ever.
Julian P. gave it a10:
This game is just plain addictive. From the screen at the beginning with the dragon fly hitting the rare logo, right up to fighting Gruntilda, it is a blast. The only equivalents to this game are Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Donkey Kong 64. This is the kind of game you never forget.
[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Actually a 9.5 this game was good but also had its flaws like you have to go back to level to get the notes so you have to finish in one hit
Jim W. gave it a10:
Great graphics, great music, great storyline, great characters and great worlds. Overall my favorite game I have ever played even the best game ever made!. Please, please,please make games like this again today. Rare come back.
