Banjo-Kazooie (N64)

Players: 1, Game type: Platform, Made by: Rare

Best Bits: The amazing Click Clock Wood and the great board game/game show 'Grunty's Furnace fun'

Banjo Kazooie was the first real threat to Mario 64's throne and Banjo came up trumphs! While a one player game, you control the duo of Banjo the bear and Kazooie the bird, while Banjo is the character who is always on screen Kazooie is the one who pulls of the more important, trickier moves such as flying and carrying the pair up steep slopes. The plot while having it's differences is very similar to Mario: Banjo's sister Tooty is kidnapped by the ugly witch Grunty who is trying to steal Tooty's beauty. The graphics are again magnificent the levels breathtaking. The music in the game is excellent and the above level above Click Clock Wood is the best of all which is a forest which you play in all four seasons with the music and the level changing appropriate to each season. There are some excellent challenges in the game including negotiating dangerous engine rooms, playing spooky church organs and searching for Christmas presents. There are nine levels in all, each of them huge including a shipyard, an Egyptian level and a level with a distinctly cheery Christmassy theme. And after you've finished those nine levels there is the game show which offers you the chance to save Tooty. It's an amazing game, second only to Zelda as the best on the N64 and that is represented in the 96% rating.

Other ratings: Nintendo Magazine: 96%, N64 magazine: 92%