Banjo-Kazooie was one of the few franchises that carried the N64 during its many weak software periods, and with the emergence of a GBA version, there's still a lot to like about one of Rare's most beloved franchises, though the isometric perspective is a bit offputting.
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge picks up right after the N64 games, and once again, the only way to save the world is by picking up puzzle pieces and Jingos over the course of more than 60 goals.
While the perspective can be frustrating when it comes time to make that crucial long jump, the game's believable 3D emulation is further proof that the GBA is more than capable of rendering faux-3D environments. Like the console games, Grunty's Revenge has a colorful and bright palette of vivid colors working in the art design, keeping the level layouts fresh even if the gameplay is not always exciting.
Indeed, if there is a weakness to Grunty's Revenge, it can be said to lie in the fact that this is essentially a handheld dose of the same doodad-snatching gameplay for which Rare has become famous - or infamous, depending on your perspective.
All in all, Banjo and Kazooie adapt better to the GBA format than you may think. However, they're still up to the same old tricks; which means that if you can't bring yourself to collect one more random trinket before your head explodes, this one's not for you.
-George
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