In 1998, Rareware released Banjo-Kazooie for the Nintendo 64 and defined a generation of 3D platformers. When that era ended and Rare moved on, fans thought the collect-a-thon genre was gone forever. Then Playtonic Games, a studio formed by ex-Rare veterans, brought it back with Yooka-Laylee. Here’s how both games hold up today.

Contents

The Banjo-Kazooie Legacy

Before we talk about Yooka-Laylee, we need to talk about Banjo-Kazooie. Released in 1998 by Rareware, it was the gold standard for 3D collect-a-thons, colorful worlds, a wisecracking bird-and-bear duo, and more collectibles than you could shake a Jiggy at. The sequel, Banjo-Tooie (2000), expanded the formula even further.

Then Microsoft acquired Rare in 2002, and the beloved duo went dormant. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (2008) disappointed fans with its vehicle-building focus. For over a decade, the classic collect-a-thon seemed dead.

Playtonic Games: The Band Gets Back Together

In 2015, several ex-Rare developers formed Playtonic Games with a mission: make the spiritual successor fans had been waiting for. Key members included designers who worked on Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, and other Rare classics. They launched a Kickstarter for Yooka-Laylee, promising a return to 90s-style 3D platforming.

The campaign raised over $2 million. Expectations were astronomical.

Yooka-Laylee (2017)

Yooka-Laylee gameplay showing the chameleon and bat duo in a colorful 3D world
The original Yooka-Laylee delivered that Banjo-Kazooie nostalgia, warts and all.

Yooka-Laylee delivered exactly what was promised: a 3D collect-a-thon starring a chameleon (Yooka) and a bat (Laylee) with a moveset clearly inspired by Banjo and Kazooie. Colorful worlds, quirky characters, silly humor, and hundreds of collectibles.

What worked:

  • Gorgeous visuals and expressive character animations
  • Grant Kirkhope’s soundtrack, as good as his Rare work
  • Genuine Banjo-Kazooie DNA in movement and level design
  • Expandable worlds that grow as you progress

What didn’t:

  • Camera issues that plagued 90s platformers came back too
  • Some worlds felt too large and empty
  • Pacing dragged in the middle sections
  • Quiz sections overstayed their welcome

Critics were mixed. Fans who wanted pure nostalgia were satisfied; those hoping the genre had evolved were less impressed. It captured the spirit of Banjo-Kazooie, including some of its frustrations.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (2019)

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair 2.5D gameplay
The Impossible Lair swapped 3D exploration for tight 2.5D platforming, and it worked beautifully.

For the sequel, Playtonic made a bold pivot. Instead of another 3D collect-a-thon, The Impossible Lair is a 2.5D platformer, more Donkey Kong Country than Banjo-Kazooie. And honestly? It’s the better game.

The premise is clever: the final level, the Impossible Lair, is accessible from the start. You can attempt it immediately, but you’ll get destroyed. Each regular level you complete rescues a Beetalion guard who gives you one extra hit in the Lair. The more levels you beat, the more chances you have to survive the gauntlet.

What makes it great:

  • Masterful level design, tight, fair, and endlessly replayable
  • Overworld puzzles that transform levels into alternate versions
  • The Impossible Lair itself is a genuine challenge that rewards skill
  • Shorter, more focused experience (~12 hours)
  • Grant Kirkhope and David Wise on soundtrack duty

Critics loved it. IGN called it “a spectacular and well-paced adventure.” It addressed nearly every complaint about the original while carving out its own identity.

The Verdict

Yooka-Laylee (2017) is for Banjo-Kazooie purists who want that exact nostalgia hit, camera issues and all. It’s a love letter written in 90s platformer language, charming, occasionally frustrating, and unapologetically retro.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (2019) is the better game for most players. It proves Playtonic learned from their first outing and can stand alongside modern platforming greats.

Both are worth playing if you love platformers. Start with The Impossible Lair if you only have time for one.

FAQ

Do I need to play the first Yooka-Laylee before The Impossible Lair?

No. They’re standalone experiences with different gameplay styles. The Impossible Lair works perfectly as a first entry point.

What platforms are they on?

Both games are available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Will there be a Yooka-Laylee 3?

Nothing announced yet. Playtonic has been working on other projects, but the duo could return if demand is strong enough.