CHARACTERS:

OVERALL GAMEPLAY:
With a great storyline in hand, Rare takes everything they know about games and runs with it. They incorporate everything a good game needs- huge levels, eye-catching graphics, fun characters- and more to create what may be the best platform game ever. Banjo and Kazooie are easy to control, with Bottles to help you learn all of their moves. Stomp, fly, and swim through the beautifully made levels, all with their own unique theme. By the end of the game you'll be begging to get the sequel.

GRAPHICS:
Like all Rare games, the graphics in BK are greater than any game that came before it. The scenic levels are crisp and clean; no fog, very few blurry textures, and smooth animations. The cut-scenes are very impressive, the slightly pixilated settings are huge and impressive. No detail is spared as Rare makes new characters exciting to see: Captain Blubber, Clanker, Mr. Vile. This game has a variety of colors, both bright and dark, to make it more visually exciting; different levels have different color schemes, some are dark and dank, while others are bright and cheery. Overall the graphics are quite impressive.

SOUND:
No game is complete without a large soundtrack of new and exciting music. BK is supported with 17 tracks of drool-worthy music, all composed to fit the environments of the levels perfectly. The music changes as you walk along- one minute you'll hear the level theme, the next, as you hop into a pool of water, you hear a "watery" version of the same tune. Rare musicians did a great job writing new music that is very catchy and fun. Sound effects are also all well done, most of them being very cartoon-like, they add an extra panache to the game.

REPLAY VALUE:
Even without a multiplayer option, BK has a lot of replay value. The game is made in such a way that it doesn't bore you to collect over a thousand items. The levels are all exciting and aren't tedious to revisit- the game overall is a pleasing experience. Whether it's your first, second, or tenth time through, you'll still be enjoying yourself.

COMMENTS:
Banjo-Kazooie really raises the bar of platform games. It's fun to play, has great graphics and sound, and it's not boring or monotonous. Rare made it more of a challenge than a chore to find and collect Jigsaw pieces and Music Notes. They did a really great job on this game. If you like BK, you might want to check out Banjo-Tooie, the almost-as-good sequel.

REVIEWED - Banjoman	SCORE
OVERALL GAMEPLAY: One of a kind	10.0/10.0
GRAPHICS: Fresh and clean	10.0/10.0
SOUND: Catchy music, nice sounds	10.0/10.0
REPLAY VALUE:Still strong	10.0/10.0
OVERALL SCORE (NOT AN AVERAGE):	10.0/10.0