Game Debate #56: Banjo Kazooie

[Reed Rothchild | 9,547]

[Sumez | 2,966]

8/10, but the description is wrong. I don't ever recommend Banjo-Kazooie to anyone, because anyone who'd enjoy the game has already played it.

[RegularGuyGamer | 2,013]

9 for me. It was a staple of my childhood and I actually played it again during a covid quarantine and loved it. I don't mind the collect a thon and really liked exploring the castle.

Its definitely a game I think everyone should play and at least decide for themselves. 

[erac | 78]

5, so very boring. I played it to see how they did things on the N64, but couldn't last more than a couple hours in.

[TDIRunner | 2,742]

Never played it, and as with most 3D platformers from that era, if you didn't play it during that era, it's probably pretty hard to get into today, so I doubt I will ever get around to it.  

[Strikezone1 | 154]

10. One of my favorite games ever. Got it within the first few months it launched. Have played through it to 100% about a half dozens times. 

[G-type | 2,482]

I'm not crazy about this style of game, or N64 in general, but I'd be willing to give it a try, just because I know its beloved.

[DefaultGen | 5,413]

I like exploring and collecting stuff. 10/10.

[cj_robot | 542]

8/10

It's been a long time, but I definitely really enjoyed it back in the day. There were a lot of great 3D platformers back then, and Banjo-Kazooie probably ranks as one of the best.

[Brickman | 3,993]

9/10 love the exploring, collecting and cheesy lines. Great range of levels and really holds up well against others in the genre.

[Tanooki | 4,936]

I'll start right up from saying *7*

The graphics, audio, general stage design, excellent.  Characters are all memorable and really fun.  Excellent gameplay mechanics, control isn't a dog nor is the camera which says something in those years.

So why?  The game is forceably repetitive and exponentially annoying in that respect because of one thing that largely drags the game down, most Rare games down... overkill collect-a-thon mechanics.  If it iced that stuff, let the game play just flow naturally, minimal finding of a few items at best (like Conker did in 2000) I'd give it a 9 easily.  But when I have to go from space to space in an environment and it's like you need to collect 200 pieces, next door is 300 pieces, next door is 400 pieces -- or it won't open, it's aggravating and demoralizing eventually as those counts add up more and more.  I'd rather be able to flow through a stage or at times return back to one as something happened so I can go further, like other titles would do.  Have those door locks removed, have those puzzles be like the coins in mario or the little sprites in Rayman 2 to get 1UPs or optional things.

That's about it really.  Great game made good by one big dumb choice.  I don't hate exploration, don't hate collecting either, but when its taken to extremes it's a full on turn off.  The only one I'd rip on lower would be DK64 whenever/if ever that one is polled.

[mbd39 | 2,024]

I don't like collectathons, but it's good for what it is. 6/10

[Nintegageo | 582]

I put 9. The second one wasn't nearly as awesome as this one.

[rdrunner | 422]

Never played this, but I own it and Tooie, fully intending to play both.  I like DK64, so these should be right up my alley.

[CMR | 520]

7 I haven't played all the way through, but what I did play was OK.  I never had this one BITD.  It came out at a time when I had begun to despise furry mascot games regardless of how well they were made.

[AstralSoul | 502]

In my top 20 favorite games of all time. My 2nd favorite 3D platformer after Mario 64. I still love how charming the characters and world were. I debated between a 9 and 10 since I don't think it's a perfect 10 but it's damn close. Probably closer to a 10 than a 9 so I went with 10.

[DarkTone | 985]

8.

[Dr. Morbis | 2,089]

This was one of the last video games I ever rented, when that was still a thing, and I did not care for it - I am just not into forced scavenger-hunt collect-a-thons that are required to proceed at all.  When it's optional, like getting 8 red coins in a course for a star in Mario 64, yeah, I'm all for it, but forcing me to hunt a bunch of shit down to advance?  No thanks...

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,105]

Never played it. I'm guessing I would have played it back in the day if I was going to so I doubt I'll get to it anytime soon.

[Tanooki | 4,936]

19 hours ago, Dr. Morbis said:

This was one of the last video games I ever rented, when that was still a thing, and I did not care for it - I am just not into forced scavenger-hunt collect-a-thons that are required to proceed at all.  When it's optional, like getting 8 red coins in a course for a star in Mario 64, yeah, I'm all for it, but forcing me to hunt a bunch of shit down to advance?  No thanks...

Preach it!  That's why I rated it downward.  This game was an easy 9-9.5 level game if not for the forced mass amounts of collectible garbage through every door through every area, wash, very slowly rinse by hand, repeat...argh.  Play Conker, all the great elements, with the the forced abuse to proceed removed.

[asmikace | 68]

10 but I am very bias on that game for being my first N64 experience. I still find the game charming and the collecting and puzzles make it a relaxing and enjoyable game along with Banjo Tooie. Its still a collectathon game that if you are not into it not be your cup of tea but its much managable than DK64

[Andy_Bogomil | 815]

I don't like collecting and wandering. Not my type of game and I've given it a decent try a few times. 5/10.

This one is all over the board in the poll lol.

[Kguillemette | 1,545]

I will give anything deemed a classic a full on try. When I get around to picking up an Xbox one, I'll pick up the rare replay and give her a go. I like the 3D Marios and Jak and Daxter a lot.

[SpoonMan Abrams X | 697]

4/10. I like this much less then Mario 64, as there's just too much shit to collect and nothing to ever really keep my interest. I did enjoy watching friends play it more then ever playing it myself.

[themisfit138 | 523]

6/10. Much like DK64 the overall game was pretty good, but the end boss battle can be rage inducing.