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By HercMax
Published: Jun. 9, 2009 10:18 PM

The game can get quite difficult at times and only hardcore completionists will find every Jiggie. Another niggle is that it was perhaps a bit too similar to the first game and although the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra is well and good, gamers expect more. The level design is intricate and puzzles can stretch over more than level that requires you to back track to solve it. The Jiggie collecting and puzzle solving is interspersed with enemies and boss fights but normal enemies can be dispatched a little too easily. There are also a plethora of mini-games that you encounter on your main quest which can be played competitively outside the main game with others later once unlocked.

Back when it was released on the N64, Banjo-Tooie was one of the best looking and sounding games on the system. The Xbox 360 port has retained the classic look while refining some rough edges and adding online leaderboards. Although the angular graphics look dated today the game still carries more charm and charisma than many titles released today. Granted the sounds are mostly grunts and groans when the characters speak but it works well in this context. The camera controls could have used a current-gen update though as the N64 controller had to rely on 4 digital buttons for the camera controls. 4J Studios (who did the port) should have updated this to allow the X360’s right analogue stick to control the camera freely as the auto camera struggles to give you optimal viewpoints on too many occasions. Zooming out doesn’t give you enough info on what’s going on above you and this is frustrating given the fact that a lot of the levels have a high degree of verticality in their level design. Instead you have to switch to a first person view and then pan up to see what’s going on above before switching back to progress. Despite this, the game retains its playability after all these years and is a worthwhile trip down memory lane for what is arguably the best classic 3D platformer for Xbox 360 owners who can’t get access to Mario 64. Thank the gaming lords for services like XBLA so Gen Y can experience some gems they would have missed out on. Now Rare, where’s HD Goldeneye 007 with online multiplayer? Pleeease?

Xboxzone Score: 8/10

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