Banjo Tooie for Nintendo 64

Banjo-Tooie, which came out this past Christmas, was one I have been looking forward to ever since I finished the first one last year. Now Banjo-Kazooie was no easy feat, and took several months, and me almost going bald, to almost complete it. I got about as far as Gruntilda the witch and the duel with her at the end, and got no further.

Having not completed the entire first version, I was optimistic about buying the sequel. But I got lucky in finding a used one and they threw in the Guide as well, so it was to good to pass up!

Banjo-Tooie, as said before, is a sequel, and sometimes they just don't live up to your expectations- so far, this is one of those times.

CHARACTERS

Banjo-Tooie brings back all of your favorite characters from the first: Banjo, Kazooie, Mumbo, the Jinjos, Gruntilda, and Bottles. With the old, their are always new, so now Gruntilda has two sisters aboard, Bottles has his family along, the Jinjos have grown to different colored families, and even Mumbo has competition in the Magic Biz!

THE PLOT

With all of them in mind, the plot is almost morbid. Gruntilda, who was supposedly killed in the first game, has been ressurected by her tweedledee and tweedleedum sisters. She is out for blood, and reeks havoc on a quite country cottage where Banjo and friends are playing cards. The blast nearly kills them all, and this is where the plot comes to life. I do not want to give away the beginning sequence, but let's just say that Banjo and Kazooie are out for revenge and to put Gruntilda out of commision for good this time!

GRAPHICS

The graphics are exactly the same as the first, nothing better or worse, and the scenery is quite similiar. The color is sharp and bright and not to hard on the eyes.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

Any moves you have learned from the first carry over to the second, plus many more you will have to learn. There are certain moves that can only be used in temples, and are complicated to understand when you want to go or do something else, but you are stuck in a certain move.

So far, the level of difficulty has been nill to none. It is pretty much common sense and listening to different characters explain things- I haven't used the Guide much at all.

SIMILARITIES

Banjo and Kazooie are still on quests to rescue Jinjos, earn jigsaw puzzle pieces, transform into different characters and items, and still have to defeat the evil witch, Gruntilda.

DIFFERENCES

All jigsaw pieces have to be brought back to the same building, there are no pictures to be put together, more things to earn, warp pads replace the warp kettles, notes, eggs, and feathers are found in nests now, and the list goes on.....


FUN STUFF

Banjo and Kazooie split up to be their own characters, along with being able to control Mumbo and his magic at certain times in the game!

EXCITEMENT

So far, I feel this game does not hold as much excitement as the first. The levels seem a bit confusing, and their isn't much build-up to each level. The first game seemed more defined and clarified a bit better on what your gains and losses were. I think that maybe as I ascend more levels, that it will get a bit more exciting, but for now, it seems that I am walking through the motions.

OVERALL RATING

I think that if I had never played the first game, that this one would be great. BUT, I have played Banjo-Kazooie, and it is much better than this sequel. Giving a "10" for excellence on the first, I would say this game deserves a "7."

I hope that my review of Banjo-Tooie has helped you make the best decision in your future game buying days.