Hey oh, fellow members of VGChartz! Enjoying your Wednesday so far? Today I bring to you a topic that has had me taking a trip back down memory lane. This is a special three part series detailing what these three games have done for me as a whole. I think I have done more rambling than writing, so sit back, relax, and have fun reading!
December 25, 1998. After near sleepless night, I had finally decided to take the chance to face a harsh scolding from my parents. On my way downstairs however, I had found a completely different scene. My brother already grinding out Donkey Kong 64, even though it was amusing he didn't have much of a clue of what he was doing, I hurried on downstairs to observe and analyze my contents of my present. After some serious jovial emotional tearing of paper, I had come across two games. One of which, was the game I had been asking for in Ocarina of Time. The next however, was something I have never heard of. A game known as "Banjo Kazooie". Being ignorant and selfish, I aired my mother of what happened to the other game I had asked for in Super Mario 64. Turns out that game was out of stock at a local GameStop. My heart crushed and tears rolling down my cheeks, I begrudgingly accepted the present and thanked my mother for it. However, little did I know that said game would a major contribution towards my favorite hobby in the future.
My mother gave me a chance to play the game after my brother decided to watch Pokémon. Firing up the game, I was pleasantly surprised at how detailed and complex the opening was. Banjo and Kazooie rocking with their.... well banjo and kazooie, Mumbo showing off his musical talents, and Tooties impressive flute skills. After a charming opening, I was greeted by three different files I could choose from; all with different interactive themes. I was taken back by KT due to the fact I had never seen such dedication towards something so simplistic as a file selection screen. After choosing the one where Banjo is playing video games, it was time to find out, learn, and most importantly, understand that what I was playing was important.
Gruntilda. gruntilda. You may never compete with the likes of the "Glorious Strategist" from Jade Empire, Cynthia from Pokemon Diamond, or even Gleeman Vox from Ratchet Deadlocked in terms of character for me, but for the challenge you gave me, K. Krush Kool would seem like a cakewalk, as would Chairman Drek, Giga Bowser, Ganon, and even Sephiroth. When I first spectated the opening cutscene, Snow White vibes for me were off the charts; rolling off of a lesson on the Disney legend a couple days ago prior to winter break. Even more so funny I found was simply watching Banjo and Kazooie displaying what seems to be their routine commute; only to find out that Banjo's sister, Tootie, had a birthday. However, my cheery feelings would be short lived, as the "Wicked Witch Of The West" (credit goes to my mother for that one), swooped in and kidnapped Tootie. My cheers turned tears soon after, as I was devastated at what took place; a feeling I wouldn't reciprocate until Ocarina of Time; Borderlands 2 soon after. After watching Tootie and Grundy fly away, with my anger higher than hearing weekend homework, I grabbed my Nintendo 64 controller; off to save Banjo's little sister.
After learning some basics thanks in part to Bottles the Mole, save collecting some musical note which provided a delightful sound effect, my adventure started off in Mumbo's Mountain. Woefully pleased with the presentation, I wasted no time in finding my first Jiggy, which wouldn't happen until Mumbo helped me out by giving Kazooie a power-up; spitting eggs out and.... dispensing them from his jackseat; the latter of which initially caused me to give out a good bit of laughter. After obtaining this, a giant monkey awaited, and a easy challenge it turned out to be. Afterwards, the charming music of collecting a Jiggy would remain synonymous for the rest of my life. After obtaining that and some more music notes, I hurried towards the exit, but not after seeing what appeared to be a blue bird creature. Continually asking for help, I had decided to do so, which in turn stated "Jinjo!!... Wee!!!" Looking at the bottom of the screen, there were more to collect, so I had decided to obtain some others, 3 in fact, before returning. From that point onward, Banjo Kazooie continued to amaze me in level design, presentation, gameplay, difficulty, and even the msucial score.
Be it the comcial Treasure Trove Cove, the upbeat Click Clock Wood, the ominous Mad Monster Mansion, or the infuriating but rewarding challenges of Rusty Bucket Bay, Banjo Kazooie taught me three things. They are as follows:
Keep Searching!
Exploration was a major component in Banjo Kazooie, and, while I didn't understand said term back then, I knew that finding every Jiggy, every Jinjo, and collecting every note would be beneficial.
Determination Is The Biggest Pay-Off
Even after my initial struggles in Clankers Cavern, I refused to let Tootie become something unspeakable; the first time happening facing Snipper in Treasure Trove Cove. After finally figuring out how to free Flanker and getting past those pesky blades, obtaining that next Jiggy would be difficult, but something I was ready for.
Feeling Accomplished
Obtaining the very first Jinzo in Mumbo's Mountain taught me that even something as small as a Jinzo would be invaluable come my time to face Grunty; the honeycomb pieces in addition. However, after oobtaining 100% of both, the red honeycomb upgrade would ensue; giving me more confidence to face Grunty.
Before getting those red honeycomb pieces though, I had checked every world to see of I was making anything. After this thorough check, the final boss in grunty would be next. After spectating the final celebration dance Banjo had for the unlocked area. I had ventured forth into the lair. Upon making my way upstairs and into what I thought to be the final chambers, I noticed that the semi final act was set up like a game show. A game show? Well, after hearing Grundy ramble on about the rules, I had decided to enter the fray and complete the set of grueling challenges. After said challenges were complete, the real fight would begin, but not before unlocked the honeycomb upgrade. My first ever boss battle was about to begin.
After blasting to the top, Grunty was there, awaiting me, mocking me, and berating me. Cracking my knuckles and gripping my Nintendo 64 Jungle Green Controller as hard as I could, I was ready. Starting off the fight, using my skills that helped me defeat that monkey, Gruntila, I thought, was to be a cakewalk. Sadly, I was in for a ride awakening. It hslad come to my realization that Grundy was quite skilled in her usage of ranged attacks; particuallry with her "Banjo Seeking" attack. Using the invincible power, I had easily blocked the attack, and my assault continued. After confirming more hits, Grundy took to the skies. Thanks to Bottles has his final offer of help in the game, I took pursuit, using my ram attack against the wicked witch. However, her counter atrack began after the first, and I consistently dodged and turned my Nintendo 64 controller as hard as I could (writing said part made me think of Iron Maidens 'Aces High'), after a couple more hits, Gruntilda was getting weaker I felt, but was just warming up. Masking her cowardly self behind a shield, I was nervous, but then, the Jinjo arrived just in time, assisting me with using themselves as missiles to bust through her shield and strike Gruntilda. After figuring out now these statues operated, the race was on. Dodging her attacks, I had made my way towards each of the statues, freed the Jinjo, and continued onwards towards the next one. After all statues were gone, her broom broke and perched on a platform, Gruntilda vowed to finish this once and for all. However, once again, the Jinjo had once again provided the key in an entity by the Jinjo known as the "Jinjonator". However, I noticed the egg dispersion process would take four repititions. Even with my full honeycomb upgrade, I myself, was only at 5 honeycomb pieces left. With no time to contemplate, I knew this was my only chance of beating Gruntilda without starting over. My friends beside me, I passed the game, recollected my thoughts, believed in myself, and faced the final obstacle in what was to be my biggest challenge yet.
Starting off this final bout, Gruntilda fired off the same attacks; although now at a much faster pace. Rolling. Turning. Ducking. Those were the tactics I used to frantically get towards the first one. After activating the first one however, I was caught off guard and hit with her "Banjo Seeking" attack. Now with only two honeycombs remaining, my heart racing, and Gruntilda continually firing, it was onwards towards the second switch. I wasn't fooled this time by that pesky auto lock attack, and my invincible power took the hit for me. Rolling out of that pesky fireballs blast radius, the their switch was easy, but the third one would be the most difficult. I had noticed two honeycomb pieces. Grabbing those, I headed towards the third switch and evading the fireballs, I was caught off guard again by the attack. Now, only one honeycomb, one switch, and one golden feather with Grunty continuing, time wasn't on my side. I rolled towards the final switch as fast as I could, but than, her auto hit attack came once more. Nervous, I had to time this right. As it came within striking distance, I activated the powerful and that was my final use. Not wanting to pause, I had fired off the final eggs to awaken the Jinjo deity, and skillfully evaded a dodge of her fireball attack. Elated. I sat back and watched the semifinal cutscence of the game.
As the Jinjonator revved up for a barrage of hits, I couldn't help but sympathize with Gruntilda. Granted, she had this coming, but the amount of hits she took impressed me and saddened me as well. After taking one final super charged attack, Gruntilda fell towards the Earth, screaming with boulders behind her. My suspicion was that the boulders would trap her, and I was right. As Gruntilda wanted her accomplice to help, Tootie was saved, the Jinjo freed, and Banjo & Kazooie succeeded. Feeling accomplished and happy, I had decided to fix myself a bowl of ice cream for me and my friends to celebrate the event. However, before turning the game off on a job well dohe, Bubbles told me that Banjo Tooie was on its way. Sadly, I wouldn't enjoy that game, as I yet to play it, minus a demo. In addition, after hearing so many great forms of praise from Ocarina of Time, my next journey awaits. However, what Banjo Kazooie did for me can never be replicated, which leads us toward the conclusion of this story.
Banjo Kazooie may not be as high on my list of all time greats as it once was, replaced by the likes of Super Mario Galaxy, Killzone 2 and others, but what cannot be replaced is its significance for my gaming journey. It introduced me to many unique concepts, memorable characters, fantastic design choices within a game, but also introduced to me how great games could be. Prior to that, Donkey Kong 64 was just to past the time, but after playing Banjo & Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64 and other games soon after would become more enjoyable, immersive, and most importantly, memorable. In fact, Banjo & Kazooie was one of the main reasons I would end up aspiring to become a writer, which ultimately lead me to this site, so you could say Banjo & Kazooie was the progenitor for not only joining the site, but would subsequently meeting you all soon after. All in all, Banjo & Kazooie not only remains a technical achievement of the 5th generation of video games, but a pioneer of many in their continuation of their gaming careers, mine included.
With all that said, what are my final thoughts? Had it not been for the combined efforts of my mother, Nintendo, and Banjo & Kazooie, my perception of gaming would have been extremely negative, bisaed, ignorant, and worst of all, warped. Thankfully, it didn't come to that, and as a result, Banjo & Kazooie not only made me a better gamer, but a better person. That being said, thanks Rare, for starting me out on the right foot. You may have changed through time, but the memories I made with you won't.
That being said, what game do you have to thank for as towards changing your perception of games? What did that game do for your life? Most importantly, how did that help thrust you into gaming as a whole? I would lohe to hear your thoughts! With that, this concludes part one of three parr special. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! Don't worry, fellow Sony and Microsoft friends; said consoles in the PS2 and the 360 are next. Until then, take care everyone, and remember! This topic is for everyone to enjoy as it is;
OnlyForDisplay
" It has never been about acknowledgement when you achieve something. When you are acknowledged, then and only then can you achieve something. Always have your friends first to achieve your goals later." - OnlyForDisplay
