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Why Banjo 3 Is So Important

Published: Tue 29 Jul, 2008 | 12 Comments
Tags: Banjo-Kazzoie, Banjo, Kazooie, Platform, Platformer, Romp, Bird in my backpack, Wozza

 

Remember when most games were platformers? Every second game released was a platformer, double that statistic for licensed games. Many licensed game still use the old platforming cut and paste formula, but in all seriousness how many actual platformers have you played this year? One? Two?

 

The disappearance of the platformer has been a gradual one, but why has it happened? Possibly its prosperity eventually got the better of it. Super Mario 64 was a revolution, it took the genre into 3D back in 1996… or 97 for us in New Zealand. Ten years later the only game to arguably beat it at its own game was the recent Super Mario Galaxy. The genre has stagnated despite the rare glimpse of brilliance from titles such as Ratchet and Clank.

 

 

 

Back on the Nintendo 64 however there was some pretty close competition. A company called Rare released the brilliant Jet Force Gemini, Conkers Bad Fur Day and their ultimate party trick, Banjo-Kazooie. Much like the 3D platformer, Rare themselves have gone underground in recent years. Fitting then that Rare could be the company to put the genre back on the map.

 

Not content with merely rehashing their most recognised mascot (Mr Pants doesn’t count), Rare are looking to make a platformer unlike any other. Fans expecting a colour by numbers sequel were initially sceptical about the game featuring vehicles. Reading more into the title, you can’t help but start to feel curious.

 

 

 

 

In Banjo 3 gamers will be able to create their own vehicles to achieve certain goals and tasks. This opens up a lot of ways to play the game and will give the player a heap of creativity.

 

Banjo-Kazooie creator, Gregg Mayles gushes:

"This is actually the third Banjo 3," revealed Mayles. "We scrapped two other approaches because we didn't think they offered a big enough step forward. I bet you didn't expect that!

"What you have seen so far only scratches the surface of what is possible. You'll have hours of fun just making things - I'm sure of it! Banjo games were never really strong on replayability, whereas this one sure is."

 

Bold words indeed. Platform games have always been limited in terms of replay value, so being able to try and do things more efficiently by creating a better vehicle should stretch out the game time dramatically. Good on Rare for taking a risk with this title, we really do hop it pays off. Being an exclusive game for Microsoft only ups the ante.

 

Could Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts be the game to not only put Rare back on the map but also rejuvenate the platforming genre?

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