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Banjo Pilot Review
Written by Modojo Staff on Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Nice representations of the characters and very faithful to the Banjo-Kazooie universe.
Sloppy and unweildy collision and controls.
...Continued From Page 1 The only real challenge comes at the final stage of each Grand Prix circuit, when you're pitted against a boss in a racing dog-fight where your view flip-flops in alternating phases. Initially you're the chaser and at other times the chased. Yes, this can be disorienting, even downright obnoxious, but only further exacerbated by the nebulous nature of some of the attacks each particular rival will spit at you. It's a tedious exercise to be forced to dodge attacks that aren't based on any cultivated skills from the true racing sections.
Banjo Pilot's only effort to offer slight nuance comes in the form of sharp turns (R Button with direction) and rolls (L Button with direction), the latter of which is intended to avoid the opponents' projectile devilry. Occasionally this technique will work, possibly inadvertently when you smash into an opposing character and send them careening into oblivion. Most of the time, however, you'll just barrel roll right out of the track yourself. This is hardly fitting or pleasing.
It should be noted that there are a variety of modes and variations of the racing theme to keep gamers occupied and to brush up on the courses. Much of it is standard fare, like Time Trials, but there are also side-goals to achieve in order to unlock things like secret speed boosts on the tracks during GP races or even secret characters. I won't spoil how to see those through but just realize it provides a little deviation from the norm if you're having a tough time with one of the aforementioned boss tangles.
The world of Banjo-Kazooie may be one that Nintendo has divorced itself from but it's still fondly remembered by certain corners of the game-playing world. The reality of what Banjo Pilot has become is far less ambitious both in design and technology than what it started out as years ago (See: Diddy Kong Pilot) and a much more sanitary piece of software than most would have anticipated. All in all, it's still a decent racing romp for the palms of your hands but if you already own the older, yet far superior Konami Krazy Racers or Mario Kart: Super Circuit then Banjo Pilot is just reliably bland.
