So I Just Played Banjo-Kazooie Games All Day...

[Twi]

Went through the XBLA BK in about 6 or 7 hours, and it seems a hell of a lot easier and shorter than I remembered. I'm aware you don't have to recollect notes if you die/leave the world, which is actually a welcome change, but there are a few changes that disappointed me.

The removal of the N64 Logo just made the intro scene really awkward to sit through. They could have at least flashed the Microsoft or Xbox Logo instead. The scenes playing throughout the start menu are fun to watch if you remember the originals. Whoever was playing was trying to repeat what the N64 version had, but mostly failed. Also, a jiggy spirals in to show the scenes as opposed to jiggies filling the screen.

The opening cutscene's audio doesn't always sync up, but it's not as drastic (or hilarious) as Tooie's opening. One thing I noticed was that they removed the fighting sounds between Tooty and Grunty, and I sort of hoped that Banjo would ask "Where did all the noise go?" as opposed to his original line.

I remember the Bottles Bonus challenges being harder on the N64 version for some reason. I could be wrong, but I swear they gave you less time for each puzzle as opposed to only on the last one.

What pissed me off the most though was that they screwed up my favorite Jiggy in the game: Motzhand's organ game. The organ made a different sound every time it was pressed in the original, but in the XBLA version, it only plays the same note, so the point of playing his tune is eradicated.

If I remember right, this is the first time I ever got everything in every world. I don't remember getting both Empty Honeycomb pieces in Rusty Bucket Bay or Click Clock Wood, although I vaguely remember both rooms I found them in. I got all of the Stop n Swop items, but I wish they made you enter in the cheats rather than leaving everything open for you.

I only died twice; once in, of course, the Rusty Bucket's engine room (really a stupid mistake on my part, damn you Banjo not being able to go up tiny inclines), and the other time in Click Clock Wood while attempting to surface from the icy water. I surfaced for a split second and somehow ended up going under again by getting too close to the edge of the hole.

But with my playthrough done, I'm left with two questions that maybe some old fart RWP member could explain: does anyone know why it's always Grunty's right eye (left if you're facing a statue) that's destroyed or missing in the series, and is it possible to stuff the pumpkin down the little chimney on top of Mad Monster Mansion where the green Jinjo waits?

Overall, a good day was had.

[wkw427]

I never noticed the jiggy thing.. But, I'm sad to admit I've never beaten BK XBLA.. I got to CCW and got bored. Damn casual games conditioning me for a short attent-ooh a pencil.

[Pez]

Originally Posted by TwilightVestige

...is it possible to stuff the pumpkin down the little chimney on top of Mad Monster Mansion where the green Jinjo waits?

Madam...you just unearthed the secret to Stop 'n' Swop.

[Sublimex]

Originally Posted by TwilightVestige

is it possible to stuff the pumpkin down the little chimney on top of Mad Monster Mansion where the green Jinjo waits?

I've always wondered this myself, though I could never find a way to get up there.

[Dylan Yoshi]

You can't get the pumpkin down that chimney, even if you use a levitate cheat to get up there.

[Walecs]

Actually, in Banjo-Tooie Grunty's lair missing eye is the left one, while in Nuts & Bolts for some reason is the right one.

[TRBB]

Originally Posted by TwilightVestige

The removal of the N64 Logo just made the intro scene really awkward to sit through. They could have at least flashed the Microsoft or Xbox Logo instead.

The least I excepted was to see 4J Studio's logo to walk out and shrug, but even that wasn't there. At least they kept the spinning logo in Perfect Dark.

One thing I noticed was that they removed the fighting sounds between Tooty and Grunty,

This. Anyone else noticed the screen doesn't shake either?

and I sort of hoped that Banjo would ask "Where did all the noise go?" as opposed to his original line.

What? I don't ever remember this being in either version of the game.

But with my playthrough done, I'm left with two questions that maybe some old fart RWP member could explain: does anyone know why it's always Grunty's right eye (left if you're facing a statue) that's destroyed or missing in the series,

Nope, no reason. Just a running gag Rare made.

and is it possible to stuff the pumpkin down the little chimney on top of Mad Monster Mansion where the green Jinjo waits?

It's impossible to get up there with the pumpkin. Even if you could, there's nothing up there. People tried this with levitation cheats way back and results say no.