Banjo-Kazooie

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.

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.

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.

This 3D polygon world is absolutely astounding.

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.

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.

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.

Rare's homage to "Mario 64," only it's not quite as good. [Jan 2004, p.189]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.