My experience with Banjo Kazooie and its sequel, Banjo Tooie, was never an extended affair, which is a fact I both regret and plan to eventually resolve. I was a proud Nintendo 64 owner, but never played either game for long, only messing around with the early levels of both.  Instead, I spent my time on other Rare titles of the era. Despite that obvious mistake, there was a special spot in my heart for gaming’s only Bear and Bird duo, and I was anxious to see what Rare was capable of this generation after getting a chance to learn the hardware.

The story is set eight years after the events of Banjo Tooie and features an overweight and out-of-practice duo, bloated after the years of extended peace. Without warning, the decapitated head of their old nemesis, Grunty, tumbles down a mound of rubble and vows her revenge. Before an awkward confrontation, the Lord of Games (L.O.G.) appears, Grunty’s body is restored, Banjo and Kazooie are whipped into shape, and a set of challenges are put in place to decide who of them is truly the best. He transports the characters to Showdown Town, which acts as a hub world for the rest of the game’s challenges. The town contains portals to all of the worlds as well as Mumbo’s Motors, the garage where most of the game’s time will likely be spent. It’s filled with fun looking characters, different character upgrades, and NPCs to help Banjo along his quest.