Banjo-Kazooie

 Nintendo 64
User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 627 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 587 out of 627
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 627
  3. Negative: 20 out of 627
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  1. DJKrimson
    Aug 26, 2020
    10
    One of the greatest games from my childhood that I personally think still holds up in 2020. Excellent controls, fun & creative levels and awesome music.
  2. Onioncreature
    Jan 25, 2022
    9
    Banjo-Kazooie is an incredible Nintendo 64 platformer in the style of Mario 64, but with it's own distinct identity. The characters and humor are very appealing, and surprisingly crass at times. The visuals are dated certainly, but the polygonal look is utilized well with some great art direction, and has aged surprisingly well in many areas. The levels are for the most part well sizedBanjo-Kazooie is an incredible Nintendo 64 platformer in the style of Mario 64, but with it's own distinct identity. The characters and humor are very appealing, and surprisingly crass at times. The visuals are dated certainly, but the polygonal look is utilized well with some great art direction, and has aged surprisingly well in many areas. The levels are for the most part well sized and structured with there being a good density of collectibles in each, they very rarely felt overly large or padded. The music and sound works is also high quality, though the repetitive voice clips will certainly be grating to some people. I think my biggest issue was the with the final boss, which I found to be slightly too finnicky, as well as a few control issues which made the experience less smooth. I'm delighted to have been able to finally experience this classic, it's deserving of all the accolades it's received and stands apart as one of the finest games on the Nintendo 64.… Expand
  3. RwolfBonerush
    May 28, 2020
    10
    This game is pure childlike wonder, between the characters, the music, and the amazing level design, this is one platform game you can’t miss.
  4. DarCbrGr
    Jun 26, 2021
    9
    One of the best games the Nintendo 64 has to offer and one of the best games Rare ever put out.
  5. Sam_9786
    Sep 19, 2019
    10
    Pure perfection, you must play this game before you die. It is very g made.
  6. Oboeteiru0
    Mar 14, 2022
    10
    Although wasn't as shocking and relevant as Mario 64, is better in all aspects. Graphics, music, gameplay, length. I think is the ultimate 3D platform game. Nothing has been made better after this in platformers, ever.
  7. GamerrrDude
    Dec 21, 2019
    9
    Super amazing game l with such lovable characters! Can get slightly frustrating from time to time but it is so satisfying to overcome a difficult task to collect the next Jiggy. Guh-huh!
  8. Nanelle
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    I've played through this game at least eight times, if not far more. It has a huge amount of variety, from swamps to mountains to the four seasons. The humor is always on point and at no point does it feel as though the creators were ever close to running out of creativity. It is a highly replayable game filled with memorable characters charming locations, and music that brings joy and aI've played through this game at least eight times, if not far more. It has a huge amount of variety, from swamps to mountains to the four seasons. The humor is always on point and at no point does it feel as though the creators were ever close to running out of creativity. It is a highly replayable game filled with memorable characters charming locations, and music that brings joy and a childlike simplicity to everything it touches. Even twenty three years after release it is still a masterpiece. One of the greatest games ever to be released.… Expand
  9. TheTruthfulOne
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    If you want to play one of the best games the N64 has to offer, there's no lie that the charming and whimsical adventures of a bear and bird will make feel like a kid again. You'll meet some whacky characters and go face to face with unique boss fights.

    That and so much more is why this game is one of my favourite 3D platformers of all time.
  10. DJgummy
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This is the greatest game of all time. There simply is not another game that engages the player with its world as well as Banjo-Kazooie. The meat of the game is entering the nine main levels and collecting items. To start, the game expertly encourages the player to explore freely while collecting things. A limitation of the N64 that actually makes this version far better than the XboxThis is the greatest game of all time. There simply is not another game that engages the player with its world as well as Banjo-Kazooie. The meat of the game is entering the nine main levels and collecting items. To start, the game expertly encourages the player to explore freely while collecting things. A limitation of the N64 that actually makes this version far better than the Xbox 360 port is that you can only see the collectables if you are relatively near them. This forces the player to enter the various areas of the level to see if there are collectibles (particularly “notes”), rather than just seeing the notes from afar. This goes to further engage the player with parts of the level that are farther away from Banjo. Once the player has explored freely, collecting things and completing challenges along the way, he or she must use their gained knowledge of the level to figure out where he or she might have missed something, surveying the landscape and always knowing where he or she is within the level. This is necessary because the game requires the player to collect the vast majority of the collectibles in order to complete the game. Each of the levels lie within an overworld, which is unfortunately broken up by many loading zones due to hardware limitations. This along with clunky swimming controls and an unbalanced set of attacks are the only flaws in a game that works incredibly well where it really counts. The graphics have aged wonderfully, the music is great, and the characters are brimming with personality. This is a game I think everyone on this planet should play.… Expand
  11. BullyDestroyer
    May 26, 2020
    9
    Everything about this game screams fun. From the art style, music, and level design. It's all amazing. Speaking of the levels, they're some of the best in gaming. Treasure Trove Cove and Clock Wood are easily the best levels here. Not to say the others aren't good, but just these ones are awesome. Click Clock Wood is a great level, for you can go into the level in 4 different seasons.Everything about this game screams fun. From the art style, music, and level design. It's all amazing. Speaking of the levels, they're some of the best in gaming. Treasure Trove Cove and Clock Wood are easily the best levels here. Not to say the others aren't good, but just these ones are awesome. Click Clock Wood is a great level, for you can go into the level in 4 different seasons. Each time you go into a different season there are different things to do. As you go around the levels you try to find jigsaw pieces to activate pictures to go to different levels. There's red feathers which you use to fly. Blue eggs to shoot enemies. Golden feathers to get temporary invincibility. And different colored jinjos to save too get a jiggy. There's also Mumbo's hut that allows you to transform. You have to pick up his skills and spend them on transformations, so you can get to special parts of the level. The final boss (Gruntilda) is amazing. That's all that needs to be said. But I'll explain. It's extremely challenging the first time, and when you finally beat it... It's just amazing. She has around 4 stages, with no checkpoints. One phase is when she dives at you with a broom, another shooting fireballs at you and you try to shoot eggs. The final two are you trying to activate statues as she shoots loads of fireballs. Once you finish it's awesome. Easily one of the best games ever crafted. I think it gives Mario 64 a run for its money.… Expand
  12. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Along with mario 64 my favorite adventure / platforms. Unforgettable soundtrack, endless movements in the playable section and most importantly, fun to rage. 10/10.
  13. TheBeast11
    Jun 15, 2020
    10
    Banjo-Kazooie is phenomenal, an apex for the 3D platform genre. The graphics are impeccable, the soundtrack is absurd, with animal sounds in the songs, which brings incredible immersion, very good gameplay, and diverse levels, which does not make the game repetitive, but exciting to play. For these reasons, Banjo-Kazooie, for me, becomes one of the best games of all time.
  14. PoptartKing
    Dec 21, 2021
    9
    Banjo-Kazooie is one of the most colorful, vibrant, enjoyable games I've ever played. Each level is so much fun to explore, and the puzzles are extremely satisfying to complete. But the music and sound design is what puts this platformer above the rest. Every song is so addictive that you'll be listening to it on repeat, and the sounds are incredibly unique and give the game so much of itsBanjo-Kazooie is one of the most colorful, vibrant, enjoyable games I've ever played. Each level is so much fun to explore, and the puzzles are extremely satisfying to complete. But the music and sound design is what puts this platformer above the rest. Every song is so addictive that you'll be listening to it on repeat, and the sounds are incredibly unique and give the game so much of its tongue in cheek personality. Really, the only negatives to find in the game is that the controls and graphics of the N64 hardware have not aged that well. However, this is only a minor complaint and if you have a N64, this is a must buy for the console!… Expand
  15. PaxtonKrahn
    Jul 13, 2020
    10
    A true masterpiece it has some good humor good control and loveable charecters
  16. Yaboihasataco
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    This game was so fun. The music, platforming, and story all give of the happy bubbly N64 platformer. Just a fun experience that is unforgettable.
  17. Okevin212
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    Really fun and they crack alot of jokes I mean alot. I have finished it a few times. It's always hinting to movies or something very fun.
  18. Klorel92
    Jun 14, 2022
    10
    One of the best games ever made. Beatiful soundtrack, great level design, charming characters, its just a blast. This is a must play!
  19. valenelpro64
    Aug 22, 2020
    10
    Best game on Nintendo 64 with Super mario 64, i played it in rare replay and its AWESOME,the characters,the gameplay, everything, I love this game a lot, I played 20 hours and i loved every second of the game (except Rusty Bucket Bay and 90% of the last battle), one of the best games of all time.
  20. Xrayplayer
    Jun 12, 2022
    9
    Banjo kazooie is without a doubt one of the best 3D platformers of all times it perfected the collectethon sup-genre, the graphics and animations are amazing and the art style is very good, the characters are so charming and the worlds are memorable and full of details and things to see and do with some good platforming and fun and varied movesets and creative objectives and everything inBanjo kazooie is without a doubt one of the best 3D platformers of all times it perfected the collectethon sup-genre, the graphics and animations are amazing and the art style is very good, the characters are so charming and the worlds are memorable and full of details and things to see and do with some good platforming and fun and varied movesets and creative objectives and everything in every aspect of the worlds have a purpose and all of the collectables are rewarding to get, and the soundtrack is outstanding.

    The only issues I had with the game are the swimming controls and the aiming controls those can be a bit clunky sometimes but I got used to them eventually, also the musical notes respond if you die and you have to collect them again that can be tedious but this problem can be simply avoided if you got good at the game.

    Overall it's a great experience.    … Expand
  21. AltairMorhen
    Jan 9, 2021
    8
    A fun game with cute characters (even the Kazooie being more helpful than Banjoo mostly times) and provides about 10 hours of gameplay. The only reason that I don't gave 10, it beacuse of the confusing camera from the game.
  22. ChunkDump
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    A Nintendo staple in the gaming industry. this odd duo makes it work. i loved the different power ups you can unlock and the story was interesting enough. i was about 5 when this released but didnt actually play until i was about 7 but it still enjoyed the hell out of it.
  23. HelloMane8
    Apr 28, 2021
    9
    I grew up with this game and it will always have a special place in my heart. Although being a pc gamer, i'm a Nintendo fan too and my journey with Nintendo started with this delightful video game. Banjo-Kazooie is not perfect but it's too brilliant and charming to be missed by platformer and Nintendo fans.
  24. bonkgaming
    Jan 3, 2021
    10
    I just got this game, and I'm immediately hooked. Lots of moves to play with, lots of items to collect, sensational music, this game has it all.
  25. beastmodeilleri
    Dec 26, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love Super Mario 64. It was like my first game ever and it will always have a special place in my heart, thus I will always have a bias towards it. I first played Banjo Kazooie when I was around 7 years old, so I'm not as emotionally attached to it as Mario 64, even though it also was a part of my childhood. However, this is an honest review so I must keep it real. This game is a **** masterpiece. I never realized truly how good it was until I got older. I really wish that I could say Mario 64 is better, but that wouldn't be true. According to me, this is easily the best 64 game, third only to the Zelda games (Ocarina of Time & Majora's Mask), if not the third best game ever, period.
    The plot is so simple that a newborn baby would be able to understand it. The witch Gruntilda is jealous of Banjo's little sister's looks. She proceeds to kidnap her and attempts to steal her good looks from her. Banjo and Kazooie are forced to save her. Not really much of a story, but the journey makes for a hell of an adventure. I won't go into detail, but the gameplay is amazing, the music is amazing and the characters in this game must be the most charismatic characters I've ever seen in a video game. This element really takes this game to another level for me. The world building and design is also amazing. One thing, amongst many other that I love with this game is that Gruntilda's benevolent sister appears in the corners of some of the different rooms and tells you random facts about Gruntilda. This can presumably be taken as useless trivia, but these facts come more than handy in the final quiz in the game, which I also loved. I wanted to keep this short, so a I won't type anything more.
    All in all, this game is easily a 10/10 masterpiece without question, easily one of the best games ever made and a must play.    … Expand
  26. Yarun64
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    A videogame that deserves a remasterization in all possible ways. Guaranteed entertainment, good OST, really fun gameplay, a nice story. This game is memorable.
  27. Icefang
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    Amazing game that holds up to this day. Fun exploration and catchy music. Enjoyed it as a kid and I collected all the jiggys and notes recently.
  28. grimreapersims
    Oct 19, 2021
    10
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................blank
  29. LuissDt
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    Great and Magical, what can I say about Banjo-Kazooie that hasn't been said before
  30. Shlepeee
    Nov 27, 2021
    10
    Banjo-Kazooie is in my opinion one of the greatest games ever made. The graphics are amazing for it's time, playing it today just really gets you into that nostalgic feel! How the characters act and sound is pretty much unique to this game, the hilarious bosses and the wide range of maps, challenges, upgrades, transformations and terrain makes this game simply amazing. The soundtrack isBanjo-Kazooie is in my opinion one of the greatest games ever made. The graphics are amazing for it's time, playing it today just really gets you into that nostalgic feel! How the characters act and sound is pretty much unique to this game, the hilarious bosses and the wide range of maps, challenges, upgrades, transformations and terrain makes this game simply amazing. The soundtrack is also exceptionally good! Altogether the game feels phenomenal… Expand
  31. cavendish
    Jul 2, 2022
    10
    Mejor platraforma 3D que he jugado nunca, incluso ahora en el 2022. ¿No lo has jugado aún? pues hazlo ya! No te cuento nada más, descúbrelo por ti mismo.
  32. Por64
    Jul 20, 2023
    10
    I played this on N64 Switch online service, I enjoy this game Rare should make Banjo threee
  33. Olenjan08
    Mar 30, 2022
    10
    My favouirite game of all time. The Gameplay is fantastic and all the jiggys are Not like the others. The characters are really nice ans the dialogues too! The music is also the best of all time. I really really Love this game!
  34. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 30, 2022
    9
    Sin dudas de los mejores plataformeros 3D que puede haber incluso hoy en día. Juego divertido, banda sonora excelente y niveles muy lindos. Una pena no haber podido disfrutar más como esto en el futuro.
    Nota Final: 8.6
  35. neomoonsevin
    Nov 18, 2022
    8
    Good game my first step into banjo was a good game but tiny things pissed me off with it and the save points suck there is none good game but certainly something beta was happening with this but still it's a good game
  36. toaster64ssb
    Jun 16, 2022
    10
    Banjo Kazooie is such a masterpiece. Its music is beautifully crafted, the dialog is so charming, the level design is great, and it adds new moves even in the last level. The attention to detail is incredible. I could keep going about how incredible the game is. It's just such a masterpeice.
  37. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    9
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  38. BackloggedYT
    Aug 25, 2022
    10
    I hate that I missed this game back in the day. I kept looking for nitpicks, but I really don't have any! I heard for years this was better than Mario 64, and now that I've finally played, I'm inclined to agree! It looks and sounds great for the 64, and the level design was really impressive. Nothing was completely shocking to me, but it was so polished and well done that the overallI hate that I missed this game back in the day. I kept looking for nitpicks, but I really don't have any! I heard for years this was better than Mario 64, and now that I've finally played, I'm inclined to agree! It looks and sounds great for the 64, and the level design was really impressive. Nothing was completely shocking to me, but it was so polished and well done that the overall experience left me yearning to play again. So I did! I actually think the Xbox version is slightly better, mainly because you keep the notes you collect, which makes the only bad level, Rusty Bucket Bay, suck way less. What a delight! Hey Microsoft, got to work on Banjo-Threeie yet? XD… Expand
  39. DanielGG91
    Nov 15, 2022
    9
    Juegazo total, de la gran época de los plataformas de Nintendo 64. Super divertido y con muchísima originalidad.
  40. Bep592
    Nov 15, 2022
    10
    the best of the Nintendo 64 along with Banjo Tooie, and it's not even nostalgia, as I played this year for the first time. I marveled at the massive content, humor and gameplay. Congratulations banjo kazooie :)
  41. TortoiseGuy
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    It's Banjo Kazooie, it's literally one of the best games ever made. I'm sorry but if you don't love this game there is genuinely something wrong with you, the characters, the game play, everything down to the funny noises everything in this goddamn game makes oozes with everything that makes games great. If you haven't played it do so now so that you don't regret it later.
  42. Yojimbo2015
    Apr 13, 2023
    8
    3D platformer based upon the Mario 64 template with nice colourful graphics. One of the best examples of its type on the N64.
  43. Hamboy
    Jan 16, 2023
    10
    Still at the top of the 3d platformer genre, full of charm, wonderful characters, well designed and fun levels to explore.
  44. Allin333
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    The greatest 3D platformer ever made. The worlds, the whimsy, the characters, and the inventiveness are unmatched in the space.
  45. djcredit
    May 9, 2023
    10
    classic, absolute genius even better with stop and swop on the xbox.

    Come on Rare bring on Banjo Threeie !
  46. miguellopez99
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    96/100 .
  47. DSalax
    Aug 19, 2023
    10
    (2005/2006) Este juego lo disfrute cuando tenia unos 6-7 años y la verdad para mi era alucinante lo jugaba con mi mama y mi papa, los veia jugar y en muchas ocaciones me pasaban el mando por que la verdad mi yo de 6-7 años tenia mejor control de las mecanicas y sistemas de juego que ellos jeje recuerdo que casi no los completamos llegamos al final pero no peleamos con la bruja , luego años(2005/2006) Este juego lo disfrute cuando tenia unos 6-7 años y la verdad para mi era alucinante lo jugaba con mi mama y mi papa, los veia jugar y en muchas ocaciones me pasaban el mando por que la verdad mi yo de 6-7 años tenia mejor control de las mecanicas y sistemas de juego que ellos jeje recuerdo que casi no los completamos llegamos al final pero no peleamos con la bruja , luego años mas tarde durante mi adolescencia me lo complete nuevamente pero nunca logre pelear con la bruja.

    La verdad el juego es increible tiene una direccion artistica maravillosa una de las mejores en su epoca , cada mundo tiene sus amplias diferencias que los hacen muy variados , personajes super carismaticos que aun a la fecha recuerdo con mucho cariño y una progresion de juego que aunque aveces te quedabas atascado por no poder completar algo era muy buena para su epoca , definitivamente uno de los mejores juegos que he jugado en mi vida lo amo

    -Graficos 10/10
    -Jugabilidad 10/10
    -Sonido 10/10(Magistral)
    -Innovacion 10/10
    -Historia 10/10(Basica Pero Cumplia, la verdad la historia no era el fuerte de este juego pero a nadie le importa la verdad)
    -Diversion 10/10
    -Total 10/10    … Expand
  48. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    10
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best N64 Game of 1998
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1998
2
#2 Most Shared N64 Game of 1998

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Nintendorks
    90
    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
  2. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    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
  3. IGN
    96
    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
See all critic reviews »