Alright,having finished Tooie 100%,I am prepared for THE FINAL...erhm..A BK countdown special.
Levels first alright top....I'm going to say 7.This countdown is superbly subjective and illogical.
7.Cloud cuckooland
This aptly named level is probably one of the most unique (if not demented and evil) levels in the series.The vast variety of objects,minigames and locales make it hard to putin one place,and the premise itself is rare.The game also hosts some of the most bizarre quests in the game.From infiltrating Giant,moldy cheese to sanitizing a giant trashcan and trying to earn brownie points with the local bees,it'd be hard to say there isn't variety.The only significant problems with the level are the hoops you have to jump to make significant progress through Jiggy quests,alot of people also seem to have problem beating Canary Mary's clockwork mouse races.(Hint,just because you mash the button doesn't mean you go as hard as you can all the way through.)
6.The Jiggoseum
While we're not starting anything with N&Bs split recieved gameplay,when it comes to the level itself,it shines as one of nuts and bolt's best.The level has a simple multitiered system making it easy to get around,and it's only competitor in the open air department is Nutty Acres.The Jiggoseum,despite being a sports arena,has some of themost creativechallenges in the game,and even the races usually have a bit of a twist to them.Games such as "Up to the Oche" , "The Jiggoseum Torch , "Nine Ball Nightmare " , "Bear In a Ball", "Brown Bears Can't Jump", Who left the TapOn?"and even more make up the top notch of Nuts & Bolts' vehicle challenges,and it still leaves a strong impression replaying the challenges.Platforming it tragically offers little of,but that doesn't stop it from being a contender.
5.Freezeezy Peak
One of the best remembered levels in Banjo-Kazooie,Freezeezy peak is a Winter world of peil.The violent Sir slushes have you to play "catch" with and the water is deathly cold,but that's never been much for a BK fan to handle.The chief landmark of this world is the gigantic snoman in the center (suspicious this looks like SM64 moment).The cast,while small,is memorable.Wozza the (grubby) walrus has a Jiggy,Jinjo,Honeycomb and one special surprise in his cave,and the comical Walrus transformation is the only way to get in.Boggy the polar bear and his kids live in an igloo near the entrance.This adorable family of doomed mammals gets a nasty holiday meltdown.(Boggy manages to appear in both the main series games after this.) The disgustingly charming yet surprising level manages to hold a unique place for such a generic level theme.
4.Witchyworld
The condemned amusement park run by Gruntilda,Witchyworld isn't the most charming level,showing what laziness and neglect can do to places.Banjo and Kazooie just happen to be the 5th and 6th visitors since the park reopened.While there isn't much to say about level in terms of design,at least it's easy to remember.The real highlight of Witchyworld is the minigames!Holding no less than 4 minigames,there's little shortage of yuks to be had.Dodgems,Hoop-Hurry,Balloon burst and or course,the one and only Saucer of Peril Ride make Witchyworld pretty much a blast between the admittedly stale (for the most part) platforming segments.The boss is also one of the most enjoyable battles in Banjo-Tooie.Airborne egg aiming for the win.
3. Nutty Acres
Nutty acres to me,represents the Banjo Motif best out of the Gameworlds in Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.A fusion of new and old,it takes the mystery and exploration of the old Banjo games and fuses it with a trippy and unusualvisuals. Out of straightforward racing levels and fetch missions,Nutty acres does best in terms of challenges.The main attraction is the vast and wonderous world to explore.Rolling hills,cliffsides,Pools,a river,Volcano,the clouds and even the artificial workings of the world itself are able to be explored,and the beautiful Graphics provided by the 360 hardware make it quite enticing.The open space making it good for testing new vehicles is a bonus.The only real problem with the level is the lack of aquatic races,and the rather narrow focus of the challenges.Still,for those craving a hint of the glory days without blatant homages need lookno further.
2.Click Clock Wood
No picture available
The massive Click Clock Wood level is,for all intents and purposes,four levels packed into one.The flow of time throughout the forest is fascinating,and while all the same general layout,no section feels like the other.Watching a bird grow,helping Gnawty and Nabnut throught the seasons and a few other quests make itfeel abit like you're being sucked into the story.That quality,along with the decent and challenging platforming make it a good closing level as you edge towards the final showdown.
1.Hailfire peaks
Hailfire Peaks,like click clock wood is a split level,though less straightforward.Can't remember when this trope started,but this is onethe first levels I remember having a polarizing theme (WetDry worldfrom Super Mario 64was earlier).The levels polarizing themes don't just stop at the level standpoint either.The two sides have different general patterns for Jiggy collection too.(On the spot tasks for fire and multi-step quests for ice.) the colosseum kickball game is a fun diversion.The disgustingly adorable snowball transformation makes for some decently crazy quests,as does Mumbo's spells.Boggy and his family return too.The way the twin worlds are so drastically different,but interconnected,as well as the funny and memorable scenarios (let's not forget the Dragon Bros. )make it a level nearly any Banjo fan should play through.
Honorable mentions:
Grunty Industries
I was so very close to choosing this one,Barely missed the mark,though I had to balance my choices.The level is exceptionally designed,with boundless surprises and unique navigation.It almost made it,but the initially slow pace,as well as the dull and dreary atmosphere was a deterrent,and the only memorable characters were Loggo and Weldar.If it weren't for that,stacked with the irritating enemies,it would probablyhave made it past CC.
Banjoland
EPIC.NOSTALGIA.TRIP. Banjo Land is a Semi Retro Gamer's dream (The 64 isn't old enough in my book).It gives you a variety of timeless Banjo objects and locales,gusses 'em up for the new generation.The level certainly does it's part to give you that sensation.The level is even in the shape of Banjo's head!The chal;lenges,while not up to the Jiggoseum's standards,are still fun.The only thing that kind of ruined it was how messy it looked.The Level is also notable for having the only legitimate medley in a Banjo game,as well as being orchestrated (or they used some amazing synths.)
Mumbo's mountain
For rememberance,the level isn't very remarkable otherwise.
Best Hub world
Showdown Town
Before you proceed with the criticisms,let me begin with this:Showdown Town,in terms of Gameplay,is the most Banjo-esque part of Nuts and Bolts.It's the epitome of exploration and collection.The massive number of collectibles,boundless secrets above and below ground,the familiar faces,the lively atmosphere and a nice soundtrack tie together this large,multi-tiered,Stop 'n' Swop equipped level.If you disliked Nuts and Bolts,you have to at least admit this was pretty neat,and no more room cutoffs!
That's all for now Stay tuned for part two:Items,moves and battles!
Log in to comment