Donkey Kong 64 Classic
Nintendo 64 · Platformer
Banjo-Kazooie
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo 64 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1998 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Rareware |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Banjo-Kazooie |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 26 |
Developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo, Banjo-Kazooie arrived on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 as a platformer.
It landed about 2 years into the N64's life. Other notable N64 releases from 1998 include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, 1080° Snowboarding and Mario Party. Among the 34 N64 platformers in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.
It is part of the Banjo-Kazooie series; on the N64 you can also try Banjo-Tooie. The series also appears on other systems with Banjo-Pilot (GBA) and Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge (GBA). Rareware also made GoldenEye 007, Donkey Kong 64 and Conker's Bad Fur Day for the N64.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you want to experience one of the N64's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Banjo-Kazooie is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Banjo-Kazooie cheats & codes
82 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:
| Activator 1 P1 | D02804C8 0000 |
|---|---|
| Activator 2 P1 | D02804C9 0000 |
| Dual Activator P1 | D12804C8 0000 |
| Walk Under Water | 8037BF61 0000 |
| Fly From Anywhere | 8037C1D1 0001 |
| Shock Jump From Anywhere | 8037C1D2 0001 |
Banjo-Kazooie walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Banjo-Kazooie.
If you like Banjo-Kazooie, the Matrix also picks…
Conker's Bad Fur Day Classic
Super Mario 64 Classic
Super Smash Bros. Classic
Rayman 2: The Great Escape Classic
Banjo-Tooie Classic
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge Classic
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Classic
Playing N64 games today
The N64 is at its best with friends on the couch: its library is packed with four-player party, racing and shooter games. Selected titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Banjo-Kazooie FAQ
When did Banjo-Kazooie come out on the N64?
Banjo-Kazooie was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998.
Who made Banjo-Kazooie?
It was developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo.
Is Banjo-Kazooie multiplayer?
No. Banjo-Kazooie is a single-player game.
How long does Banjo-Kazooie take to play?
As a platformer, Banjo-Kazooie typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Banjo-Kazooie on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.