Review by David Jenkins - We knew our review of the original Banjo-Kazooie wouldn't prove popular, but we still feel that in the cold light of day it hasn't stood the test of time.

We haven't got anything against Rare - if this was GoldenEye 007 or Blast Corps being re-released we'd be showering it with praise.

But it's not, it's a tired sequel to an already unimaginative 3D platformer.

The problem with Banjo-Kazooie is that the main appeal of the original on the Nintendo 64 was always the graphics.

This is a straight port of the original, with only an increase in resolution, and they still look great.

The gameplay beneath was never poor, but it was hugely derivative of Super Mario 64 - with the first game even copying many of the levels. This is less slavish, but it doesn't help.

There are no big new ideas for this sequel, but there are a number of welcome attempts to increase variety.

Mumbo Jumbo the medicine man is now a playable character, while Banjo and Kazooie can be transformed into things like a submarine, Tyrannosaurus Rex and washing machine. Although it's never quite as exciting as that sounds.

All the levels are physically connected too, although this too seems underused.

The usual complaint about Rare collectathons is still valid, with a bewildering array of jigsaw pieces, musical notes, Jinjos, Glowbos, Cheato pages, honeycombs and more to collect.

The flabby design is true of the whole game, with everything seeming to require an awful lot of trudging around and very little actual fun.

The offline multiplayer modes will also fail to keep your attention for long.

As a conversion this works very well, with the old school camera being the only technical bugbear.

Developer 4J Studios has even added in the mythical Stop 'n' Swap feature. Although we're surprised it didn't try and include Bottles' Revenge too.

If you liked the game the first time round then don't let us stop you, but don't blame us either if your memories don't quite match the game's reality.

IN SHORT: Another classy retro conversion but Rare's platforming sequel feels older than it looks.

PROS: Excellent graphics still hold up today. Huge amount to see and do. Adding Stop 'n' Swop is a neat extra.

CONS: Bland level designs and gameplay aren't improved by layers of gimmicks. Awkward camera and often slow pace.

RETRO SCORE: 2/5 Out: Now (Online)