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Banjo-Kazooie n64 Game Reviews
Banjo-Kazooie
Critic Score
Metascore: 92 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.9 out of 10
based on 19 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 51 votes
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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.

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Rare Ltd.
GENRE(S): Action, Platform
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1998

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...

100
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.
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100
Hot Games
Cute, funny and continuously enchanting - it's what good gaming is all about.
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100
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.
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96
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.
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95
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.
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95
Gaming Maxx
This 3D polygon world is absolutely astounding.
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95
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.
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95
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.
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94
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Rare's homage to "Mario 64," only it's not quite as good. [Jan 2004, p.189]
93
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.
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91
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.
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90
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.
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90
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.
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90
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.
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90
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.
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80
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.
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80
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.
80
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.
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80
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.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 51 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[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.

Mike R. gave it a10:
I've just played and finished this game for the 6th time. I love it that much. My constant argument is that the writers are wasting great, creative brain power on these newer games and not designing a game similar to this one. Perhaps even a sequil!

Banjo-Kazooie Forever gave it a10:
Ah...the memories of good times. The first action platform game I ever got when I was 10. 9 years on and I still consider it to be the best platform game EVER. The beautiful, rich worlds amazed me when I first played the level Mumbo's Mountain at the shops. This was the N64 generation (a very special time to have been a part of....just watch the N64 Kid video...that's the kind of impact it had) and I still remember the day I got it for Christmas. I couldn't have been happier when I got my very own copy. I don't get that kind of satisfaction these days that I got then when I buy games...probably since the N64 was such a big technical leap. The rich worlds, lively characters, fantastic gameplay and music are what made it a very memorable game. (Damn the music was awesome! Rare always make good music.) I realise that a lot of games these days try ato be too cool and hardcore...but the truth is, they're often just depressing. Banjo Kazooie may have seemed kiddish, but it was a game that made you happy. The atmosphere of the whole world was amazing. I don't know what Banjo Threeie will be like (from the looks of the trailer it looks horrible) but I know that Banjo Kazooie along with Banjo Tooie will always have a special place in my heart. :'( I'm sure many other people feel the same way. An absolute masterpiece...full stop.

Michael J. gave it a10:
Absolutely amazing. I grew up playing this game- I loved it when I was 6, and I love it even more now. It may seem "kiddy", but trust me, there are some very challenging parts, and the ENTIRE game is constantly fun. You will never be bored.

Flappy Flappy gave it a10:
Best game in the whole world! I think they should make a movie on the first to games.

Edouble 24 gave it a10:
Best N64 game ever.

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