Banjo Kazooie Switch, originally released as part of the Nintendo 64 classic game series, can now be enjoyed on Microsoft-designed hardware as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service and supports Xbox Achievements.
This game introduces players to Gruntilda and her bear and bird companions as they embark on a mission to rescue her from Gruntilda’s minions. Along the way, players will encounter various worlds that demonstrate its signature gameplay and visual style that made it such a success in 1998.
How to play
The original Banjo-Kazooie game remains one of the greatest and most iconic Nintendo console games ever produced, perfectly embodying the golden age of N64 gaming with its fun action-platforming gameplay and lush worlds to explore. Since its original release, several rereleases have occurred, including on Nintendo Switch as part of N64 Classics; more recently it made a triumphant return with Xbox One X and S systems as part of another re-release campaign.
Banjo and Kazooie, two beloved bear and bird companions, must rescue Tootie from Gruntilda, an evil witch living across multiple dimensions. To do so, they must complete various quests across different worlds collecting items such as golden puzzle pieces and music notes along the way.
Wading Boots, Kazooie Switch and Extra Honeycomb Pieces will help you traverse sluggish liquids and sandy surfaces while the Kazooie Switch allows for instantaneous character switching (except in Cauldron Keep). Plus, Mumbo Tokens allow communication with Mumbo Jumbo for magic spells or advice to make your journey smoother!
One of the hallmarks of Banjo-Kazooie Switch’s charm lies in its faithful recreation of its original version on N64 or even earlier N64 games like Yooks! Cheering and bickering together, our heroes will have you laughing out loud as you race through dangerous Treasure Trove Cove or Freezeezy Peak – two popular locales known as shark breeding grounds!
Nuts & Bolts was released for Xbox 360 as a standalone title in 2003 before later appearing as part of N64 Classics pack in 2012. Unfortunately, however, multiplayer was absent; however the Split-Up Pad allows players to control both Banjo and Kazooie at once and helps make up for this shortcoming.
Controls
Rareware’s Nintendo 64(r) classic Banjo-Kazooie Switch is now available to players on a new generation of consoles, offering players an enjoyable journey through flying, swimming and firing eggs across wild locales to rescue their sister from Gruntilda – the evil witch Gruntilda! Since debuting in 1998 and quickly gaining in popularity – leading to two sequels for N64 followed by Game Boy Advance releases before a Xbox 360 version debuting in 2008.
Banjo-Kazooie features straightforward controls. Players use the joy stick to move freely in all directions while pressing A Button can perform several special actions – pressing it while running/walking will cause Banjo and Kazooie to jump, giving them access to places in the world they may otherwise never reach by walking alone. Furthermore, A button pressing underwater lets Banjo and Kazooie explore watery worlds more deeply!
While the control system in banjo and kazooie switch is similar to its predecessor, some notable modifications have been implemented. One significant update is the addition of a stop ‘n’ swop feature that enables players to change between four items at any given moment in their inventory.
Once inside Gruntilda’s lair, players must engage Gruntilda in a final confrontation. She attempts to steal Tooty’s beauty for herself but is defeated and trapped beneath a boulder instead.
Banjo and Kazooie will now have access to explore all of the game’s worlds, collecting golden jigsaw pieces and music notes as they traverse them in search of saving their sister, Mumbo Jumbo and Bottles the Mole among other characters such as Mumbo Jumbo and Bottles the Mole in their quest to save her, all the while encountering other characters like Mumbo Jumbo and Bottles the Mole on their journey towards Treasure Trove Cove with shark-infested waters and Freezeezy Peak with its frozen hazards; in addition, Banjo and Kazooie will also need to break all spells on Gruntilda’s lair with note scores accumulated to unlock each door and complete this stage of Gruntilda’s lair and complete this game’s mission successfully.
Gameplay
Beginning of Game: Banjo and Kazooie Meet Bottles in this scene. Bottles informs them about Gruntilda Winkybunion who wishes to abduct Tooty’s sister from Gruntilda Winkybunion’s Lair. Meanwhile he prepares them by teaching basic moves and repairing bridges leading to Gruntilda’s lair.
Banjo-Kazooie is a 3D platformer focused on collectables and platforming. To progress in the game, players collect jiggies (collectible currency) musical notes and Mumbo Jumbo tokens – these eventually unlock doors to new worlds when enough have been collected. Furthermore, special temporary items like running shoes and wading boots allow the player to cross hazardous water or run faster at certain points in the game.
Tokens provide unique functions that enable players to explore more fully. Musical notes open magic note doors that lead further into Gruntilda’s Lair, while Mumbo’s tokens act as power-ups that increase health or movement rate. Furthermore, you may come across rarer temporary items such as extra lives and Honeycomb energy which add an increase to health levels.
The worlds that players explore contain various dangers and challenges, ranging from shark-infested Treasure Trove Cove to the freezing Hazards of Freezeezy Peak. Players will also come across NPCs such as Gnawty the Beaver (similar to Donkey Kong Country antagonists) and Tiptup the bird who leads Tiptup Choir.
Since their re-releases for Nintendo Switch Online service in 2018, Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie remasters have been met with much praise by YouTubers, game websites and fans. Some have noted the games’ departure from some concepts introduced in their original titles: such as new vehicle systems that allow fans to build and control vehicles; an increase in action and combat elements; as well as modifications to visual style elements of worlds and characters – however despite these modifications fans still found them enjoyable.
Hints
Banjo the honey bear and Kazooie the breegull are on an adventure to rescue Tooty from Gruntilda’s magic lair and gain access to various wild locales to retrieve tokens such as golden jigsaw pieces and musical notes that will aid them on their mission.
This platformer boasts both side-scrolling and third-person camera perspectives, offering various worlds to explore with unique themes and characters – Mumbo’s Mountain, Treasure Trove Cove and Isle O’ Hags being notable ones with Jiggies, Jinjos, Mumbo Jumbo Cheats among them – that players can explore. Many elements from its gameplay have since been integrated into subsequent titles including Super Mario 64.
Even though this game is quite old, it remains fun and challenging. While not overly difficult, there are certain tricky sections and corners which may present challenges to newer players. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks which can help improve a player’s performance in this title.
Players using Banjo and Kazooie’s up air combos to KO opponents at lower percents is especially useful when an opponent closes in with a dash attack, since an up air combo may hit before they have time to grab shield. Furthermore, Banjo and Kazooie’s side special Wonderwing has five uses per stock with decent launch capabilities; it’s important to monitor how much power-up remains since this only shows up once you perform an action that uses one stock.
Other helpful strategies include taking advantage of Banjo and Kazooie’s down smash – consisting of flapping their wings in an circular motion to strike enemies hanging on ledges – which offers high knock-out percentages.