Banjo Tooie vs. Banjo Kazooie

[Bivotar]

When I see people list recommended games for the N64, I see Banjo Kazooie pop up quite often. Having played both Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie, I thought the sequel, Banjo Tooie, was much more fun and actually better than the original.

 

While it was pretty much a big collect-a-thon, I liked the variety and style of the worlds in Banjo Tooie, plus it had an interesting and amusing story line. The train between worlds was neat. There were some cool bosses. The final battle with Gruntie was a HOOT. Rare really made some great games on the N64, imo.

 

So what did others think about the two Banjo games? Which one did you like better?

[Dones]

Most if not all 3D platformers involve some collecting. The problem is making this task fun rather than chore (and game padding). It's like catching lightning in a bottle. That said I think Banjo Kazooie does a great job with the note/jiggies/jinjo collecting. When you play Banjo, you *want* to collect the notes. It doesn't feel like a chore or padding because most of them are conveniently placed as part of the story. You don't have to collect them all which plays well with those who just want to speed through. Some notes are a challenge to grab, but these are completely optional. I think this good balance and design makes Banjo fun to play.

 

When Banjo came out, it was compared a lot to Mario 64. RARE took everything that was good about that game and made it better. It also showed impressive N64's 3rd generation graphics. The music was cool too. They made it so it would change depending where you where. It was always a variation on the same level theme which was pretty neat.

 

The ending takes you by surprise because it makes you realize that a certain someone that pops throughout the whole game (and that you will surely ignore) will play a key role in beating this last stage. I am not saying more not to spoil it...

 

There is also a good amount of british humor which I fail to get but I assume it's either cheesy or good. I really liked both games and I only talked about the 1st one

 

Do you remember the unreachable ice key plot? You know, rumors said something about unlocking a hidden area in Kazooie through playing Tooie. In the end it didn't turn out quite like that but it was one of the most original easter eggs found in N64 games.

[chairmonkey4406]

I like 2 only in the fact that it has a multiplayer first person shooter egg shoot game. Otherwise, I prefer the first.

[MegaManFan]

You know what's sad? I own one if not both, and haven't even played them other than to test them.

[NE146]

I have played through Banjo Kazooie a couple of times. And it is indeed a MASTERPIECE in my humble gameplaying opinion (and I played a lotta games let me tell you) I like Mario 64 too.. but in a one on one.. I gotta take Banjo Kazooie simply for the fun to play factor.

 

Now having said that.. I really have NOT been able to play Banjo Tooie at all. I plan to.. and I've had the cartridge since it's release. But I don't know whether it's a lack of time, or lack of whatever, but I haven't even gotten past stage one on it. So thus, I can't do a proper review. I don't know what it is.

 

P.S. I want to play Banjo Kazooie again just to enter that damn code to get the ice key for the hell of it

[ubersaurus]

I didn't like Banjo at all. I tried it out..couldn't get into it. Everyone said it was cool, but I dunno. Just seemed like a less-fun mario 64.

[Dones]

Now having said that.. I really have NOT been able to play Banjo Tooie at all. I plan to.. and I've had the cartridge since it's release. But I don't know whether it's a lack of time, or lack of whatever, but I haven't even gotten past stage one on it. So thus, I can't do a proper review. I don't know what it is.

 

Maybe because it's so huge. It takes a lot of time to explore just a single level. There is tons of stuff to do. Having Mumbo as a playable character adds variety to the game (and Tooie didn't lack in that dept). Some of the puzzles are a bit harder than Kazooie. There also a lot of distance to walk. That's why the game has so many warp points and a train.

 

P.S. I want to play Banjo Kazooie again just to enter that damn code to get the ice key for the hell of it

 

As far as I know there is no code. If my memory serves me right you get the key in Tooie (the Banjo Kazooie N64 cart is an item in the game).

[Vic George 2K3]

I think I prefer BK over BT, due to the complexity of what you had to accomplish in BT. I mean, trying to get the Jiggy from the snake without disturbing it became an exercise in frustration that ended up making the game less fun than it could be.

[NE146]

P.S. I want to play Banjo Kazooie again just to enter that damn code to get the ice key for the hell of it

 

As far as I know there is no code. If my memory serves me right you get the key in Tooie (the Banjo Kazooie N64 cart is an item in the game).

 

Yep.. there sure is! It came out way later after the game's release.. I think years later even.. But sure enough, the stuff is unlockable via codes. Luckily I just posted this at Digitpress not too long ago, so here it is.. from gamefaqs.com:

 

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/ 9.20. Get The Ice Key 2

===========================

 

This is for non-GameSharkers. On the Sandcastle in Treasure Trove Cove, enter

"CHEATNOWYOUCANSEEANICEICEKEYWHICHYOUCANGETFORFREE". (Now you can see a nice Ice Key which you can get for free) This will remove the ice wall in Wozza's Cave. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

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/ 9.45. Open Gobi's Door

==========================

 

Enter on the Sandcastle, "CHEATADESERTDOOROPENSWIDEANCIENTSECRETSWAITINSIDE" (A desert door opens wide, ancient secrets wait inside). Gobi's Door will open. Get the Blue ? Egg inside and the Stop 'n' Swop screen will appear. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

 

=======================

/ 9.51. Open X Barrel

=======================

 

Enter on the sandcastle, "CHEATDONTYOUGOANDTELLHERABOUTTHESECRETINHERCELLAR" (Don't you go and tell her about the secret in her cellar). The X Barrel in the cellar in Mad Monster Mansion will open. Get the Turquoise ? Egg inside and the Stop 'n' Swop screen will still appear. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

================================

/ 9.54. Raise Sharkfood Island

================================

 

Enter on the sandcastle, "CHEATOUTOFTHESEAITRISESTOREVEALMORESECRETPRIZES" (Out of the sea it rises to reveal more secret prizes). Sharkfood Island will rise. Get the Pink ? Egg inside and the Stop 'n' Swop screen will still appear. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

============================

/ 9.60. Reveal Green ? Egg

============================

 

Enter on the sandcastle, "CHEATAMIDSTTHEHAUNTEDGLOOMASECRETINTHEBATHROOM"(Amidst the haunted gloom a secret in the bathroom). The Green ? Egg will appear on top of Loggo the Toilet in Mad Monster Mansion will open. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

==========================

/ 9.61. Reveal Red ? Egg

==========================

 

Enter on the sandcastle, "CHEATTHISSECRETYOULLBEGRABBININTHECAPTAINSCABIN"

(This secret you'll be grabbin' in the captain's cabin). The Red ? Egg will

appear on the Captain's Bed in Rusty Bucket Bay. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

 

=============================

/ 9.63. Reveal Yellow ? Egg

=============================

 

Enter on the sandcastle, "CHEATNOWBANJOWILLBEABLETOSEEITONNABNUTSTABLE" (Now Banjo will be able to see it on Nabnut's table). The Yellow Egg will appear on Nabnut's desk in Winter. Note that when you enter it in, you will hear "Moo!" when you enter in CHEAT. During the rest, you won't hear another moo until you enter the last letter.

[Dones]

I had a feeling someone would get interested after my post saying otherwise. Maybe you were setting this up for you prove them wrong? Darn, I fell for it. He he

[NE146]

I had a feeling someone would get interested after my post saying otherwise. Maybe you were setting this up for you prove them wrong? Darn, I fell for it. He he  

 

No I wasn't "setting up" anything, nor do I feel I am proving you "wrong". I'm just sharing info I too only found out a short while ago!

[Dones]

It's ok, I was just kidding So have you been able to use the code? I wonder what happens when you get the key. Maybe just have it in your inventory?

 

Looking at the codes made me remember about the cheato pages. I never collected all of them and like you said there are a few codes RARE released themselves. Lucasarts did a similar thing with Rogue Leader. Remember the code that would let you fly a Naboo figther? Pretty cool.

[Jasoco]

I loved both. But I liked the first better. While the second had some really cool levels. (I loved the Fire and Ice one that you could switch between.)

 

And becoming Mumbo was great.

 

But I found the first easier to tell if I got everything after leaving for a while. I would go back to BK and I'd know exactly where I was. But in BT I couldn't tell at all and just.. lost interest.

 

I hope they somehow release a remake. Or at least a third sequel. For the Xbox no doubt, but still a sequel. I could go for another Rare Collect-it-all game.

[Shannon]

Flipping thru the inventory screens is a good way of figuring out where you left of in banjo tooie.

[Dones]

Yes, the inventory tells you everything you gathered and what's left to find. I think what he refers is that the quest is so massive that you can't help to feel overwhelmed, specially if you stop playing for a while.

[Jasoco]

Yeah. Exactly. I don't know why, but for me it was easier to figure out where I was in BK than in BT. In BK, there was the same stuff in each level. 5 Jinjos, 100 notes, etc.. In BT it was a little messed up and different. I never knew what I would need to find.

[Shannon]

Yes, the inventory tells you everything you gathered and what's left to find. I think what he refers is that the quest is so massive that you can't help to feel overwhelmed, specially if you stop playing for a while.

 

Actually I know exactly how he feels cause I did the same thing. But once I figured out the inventory screens it was not as hard.

 

Although Tooie is bigger and better, the original still holds a place for me.

 

I started losing interest in the first level with lots of water, where you invade davie jones locker. The amusement park didn't do much for me.