An underrated entry in the Banjo-Kazooie series
Summary
Everything in this game just breathes the same quality as the original Banjo-Kazooie. Given the limitations of the GBA hardware the game looks simply amazing (Rare did it again) and sounds great. Too bad the game is a little short though.
Gameplay
Grunty's Revenge brings the same quality platforming action seen on the N64 to the GBA. It still feels fresh to control the unity of bear and bird and all their special moves. The characters are still quite funny, though they aren't as elaborated as in the original.
The game let's you explore several world, while trying to collect jiggies to at last be able to enter the lair of the final boss. The special moves can be learned from the mole by -again- collecting notes. And your lifebar can be upgraded by collecting hollow honeycombs and give them to the character Honey B.
Although this sounds like a lot of collecting, it never becomes boring.. at least not for someone who knows B-K. Every item has its own particular use, and although some are a little more difficult to obtain the game is generally not that hard (it's easier than the N64 titles).
The best part of the game however is still that polished feel that results from both great gameplay, graphics and music/sound. Even the numerous minigames can be fun.
BTW; the quiz at the end of the game is back (so you can't allow yourself to play in a uninterested fashion)!!!!
Gameplay FHC (=frequently heard comment): "The collecting is terrible"
Well, I don't really agree. That's what B-K was always about. If you know what you're doing and which item does what, it feels absolutely great.
I think the collecting in the Mario games is a lot more stupid than here, because when do you actually use those coins in Mario games?
At least everything feels cohesive in this game.
Graphics
I was totally blown away by the graphics. Especially the character models look amazing, even better than on the N64. The backgrounds are colorful and pretty well done. In a lot of 2D platforming games this -false- 3D effect doesn't work that well, because you can't see the height of objects and the perspective is done poorly. B-K however manages to fully create the 3D look on a 2D handheld.
Sound
One word: incredible. All the multi-layered tunes and sound effects are nothing short of amazing. And they're still catchy too.
Value
This is where the game falters. The adventure can be easily played through in under 10 hours. I even completed it 100% in under 10 hours. Although you can unlock the minigames, they're not enough to increase the replay value by much.
However, the game itself is still one heck of a quality game and the value represented by the game's main adventure in its own right partially balances its length issues. However, games like ICO are not any longer, and that's a game on a far more powerful system.
Closing comments
I would recommend Grunty's Revenge to anyone who enjoyed the original Banjo-Kazooie. IMO, Banjo-Tooie never reached the same quality as the original due to for example frame-rate problems, and although this game doesn't match the original either I feel that this game on the GBA is an amazing feat.