Very similar to super Mario 64, Spyro The Dragon, and other 3D Platformers, Banjo Kazooie doesn't add anything spectacular to the genre. The graphics are very good and the sound is excellent with strange voice-like sounds coming from the speakers when characters talk.
The object is a straight-forward quest to find something, in this case you must find a kidnapped princess. In doing so, you'll have to learn to use your partner, a bird in a backpack, to fly and jump. The controls aren't perfect, but you'll get the hang of it. What may interfere is the terrible camera angles and control. Sometimes it's hard to move about because of this.
All in all, this is one game you have to play to compare with other platformers. It's better than the ones I've mentioned above, in my opinion.