'Yooka-Replaylee' Brings Back Playtonic's Love Letter To Banjo In Remastered Form

For years, Banjo-Kazooie fans have been clamoring for a sequel, or at least a remake of the first two games. However, because Microsoft thinks their entire lineup should consist of the same shooters, former Rare employees have created a spiritual successor in the form of Yooka-Laylee. I'm honestly glad this series isn't dead. Unfortunately, Banjo-Kazooie will never get a new game as long as Rare and Microsoft have something to say, so Yookya-Laylee is the next best thing for me. Unfortunately, Playtonic's first attempt wasn't necessarily the best. This game really needs more than just polished graphics. But if they can make the worlds smaller, but with more NPCs and better, more fun missions to collect the collectibles, Yooka-Laylee could really be a good 3D collect-a-thon platformer.

I've long been a fan of collectathons but I felt that Yooka Laylee went too far towards the overwhelming side of the spectrum with Banjo Tooie and Donkey Kong 64. The map feature alone seems like it'll help with that a lot

Normally, I would turn my head away from yet ANOTHER DANG REMAKE but in this case, I'm slightly more intrigued by this one.

It's not the usual case of "let's remake a game that already still holds up" but instead it's one of those rare(pardon the wordplay) moments where someone decides to remake a flawed game, which to me is more interesting, because flawed games have a lot of potential to be improved on.

I like the game well enough but this is actually the game that got me to stop using Kickstarter.

Will this be a Switch or Switch 2 release?
I lean towards Switch 2.

Digital Foundry did call the original "A Superb Switch Port!":
https://www.digitalfoundry.net/yooka-laylee-a-superb-switch-port

I'm not sure Playtonic could pull off the same thing with this remaster - and if not, what would be the point.

Then there is also this:
"Is Yooka-Replaylee coming to Switch? We reached out and Playtonic gave us the following statement:

“We have nothing more to announce at this time, stay tuned for more updates.”"

My only real exposure to the series is I rented Impossible Lair once and kind of found its characters really grating. Granted I'm not that fond of Banjo in its own right.

@N00BiSH Totally agree. Yooka-Laylee has the potential to be an absolutely fantastic game, and another round of polish, tweaks and QoL features could bring out a game that sadly didn't meet it's potential.

Impossible Lair gives me a whole heck of a lot of hope anyways, that was one of the best games of this generation.

Love me some yooka-laylee, this is a really odd game to choose to remaster though lol

Where are the side by side comparison screenshots?

I would not be surprised if the main reason for this remasters existence is the Switch 2.

I guess Playtonic would like a game on Switch 2 early on, and maybe they do not have the time to finish a totally new game for that.

If so - maybe the trailer is representative of what the Switch 2 game will look like. The first Switch 2 game trailer ever?
I did notice the trailer says Steam, but IF the game was made with Switch 2 in mind, the graphics might be the same or rather similar.

Ofcourse - as long as the Switch 2 is not revealed - it cannot be confirmed as a Switch 2 title.

This is amazing!! I loved this game and in my opinion was the closest thing to the real deal.
I’m definitely getting this…

Anyone else get “It’s releasing on the Switch’s successor!” from “We have nothing more to announce at this time, stay tuned for more updates.”

Too early for a remaster in my opinion. Unless It comes to a system that doesn't have the original. So yeah, this seems like a Switch 2 title to me.

I’m so glad they are going to improve the game not just remastering it, don’t get me wrong I liked it but it could definitely be better, so I hope this gives the game the improvements it needs!

This is a surprise but a welcome one. Yooka Laylee is pretty fun.

Hope they make the final boss just a tad easier this time! I just couldn’t overcome that gauntlet

This has me intrigued because I loved Impossible Lair, and I always wanted to play the original, but I never got around to doing it. Now I have a reason to be excited! Even if the game may have its flaws from what’s out there, I love to support 3D Platformers!

I'm skeptical this can even run on Switch, I think this is a Switch 2 release.

I like DK64 and after playing it on Switch also BK, but I never finished YL. And still
I’m tempted to buy it again 😅

I bought both during lockdown and thought they were atrocious.... :/

This feels very much like it could be ready in time for switch 2 and I don't see it ever coming to switch. I would have personally preferred another sequel but the original was good and this can fix some of it's flaws.

@Dinglehopper
"So, it's literally the exact same mediocre game...but with a new coat of paint?"

It's not?

"Key Features:

• MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER – With an art and animations overhaul and enhanced performance and resolution, the favourite buddy duo has never looked or moved better.
• NEW AND IMPROVED CHALLENGES – Improvements to existing in-game challenges and many entirely new challenges to discover and undertake!
• NEW COLLECTIBLE CURRENCY – Capital B's inept minions have dropped their hard-earned coins all over the place. Collect the official currency of the Hivory Towers to spend on video games' most beloved sentient vending machine.
• NAVIGATING THE WORLD – Now you can get lost in the game, not in the world! A brand-new world map and challenges tracker helps you know where you are and what needs to be done. Hooray!
• VENDI HAS PLENTY TO OFFER – Tonics are back with all new flavours! With the option to equip multiple game-changing enhancements, you can truly customise your playstyle. And as if that wasn't enough, Vendi has new lines of merchandise for the modern fashionable adventurer.
• REVISED CONTROLS & CAMERA – A new tweaked move set allows you to combine moves more fluidly while the new camera controls makes framing the action a breeze.
• A DREAMY ORCHESTRAL SOUNDTRACK – The original score from famed video game composers Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie) and David Wise (Donkey Kong Country) returns but as a beautifully arranged orchestral score. Now seriously, clean out those ears."

I admittedly fell off the original YL because of some of its flaws (especially in control and world navigation).

If this remake delivers, I'd be more than happy to give it another shot!

I hope this is a warmup for Yooka 3.

Sounds like they're sprucing up the original quite a bit, the devil will be in the details but there's great game to be uncovered if they just iron out the problems. I'd probably buy it just to support the studio even if it was just a visual upgrade, but I'm glad to read that it's going to be deeper than that.

I enjoyed playing this game the first time. I’ve wanted to give it another shot so a Replaylee remake sounds great!

@Lofoten My mistake, I commented that only after watching the trailer. I didn't see the PR blurb about the changes at first

i never played the original due to all the mediocre review scores, though ive always wondered if it really was as meh as everyone said. If this can fix the problems people had with the original though, im more than happy to give it a go! Love me some 3d platformers

Yooka laylee had some promise, but seriously needed more polish, love and time.

They say they are taking on some of the challenges and worlds, so maybe that'll work. But the whole thing felt a bit empty and soul less...which can't be true because this was a passion project.

I just really wish they did a sequel!!!!

If it comes to Switch 1, then it'll run at 15frs

Never played Yooka Laylee, but I did rewatch a scathing review from its launch just yesterday. I’m very interested to see how this turns out, would love to get into an old school 3D Platformer.

Y'know, if this comes to the next Switch, I'll grab it. I loved the end dialogue in the trailer!)

Loved the original and it was 100% what I wanted from a spiritual sequel of BK.

Still I wanted a new game, but nice that they're trying to bring out a more polished version.

One to purchase on Nintendo next gen

Eh, level design in yooka laylee is pretty pants. We just need Banjo kazooie remake, it's lightening in a bottle and easily in the top 10 greatest games of all time. Yooka laylee would be lucky to make top 1,000.

“Honestly, we can't imagine it won't be on Switch, given the genre and the team's historical ties to Nintendo consoles.”

The team’s ties to Nintendo consoles is that they started a kickstarter for a Wii U game, farmed out ports to other consoles to Team 17 so they could give all their focus, love and attention to the Wii U version, then they announced the release date on other consoles w/o even bothering to announce the Wii U version had been canceled beforehand.🤬

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/playtonic_handling_wii_u_version_of_yooka-laylee_team17_porting_to_ps4_and_xbox_one

With ties like that who needs enemies? 😝

And yes I did play it, borrowed it from my local library so no $ for them, and it was not good. Ok the first world was good, 2nd was ok, can barely recall the 3rd, 4th world was so broken I spent more time flying underneath it and thru non detectable walls than doing the level, and the 5th and final world wasn’t even a world, it was just a series of sections. They saved the worst for last. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I liked the first game but it was obvious that they just didn’t have the time or budget to really do it justice- a fact that only became more evident after playing Impossible Lair which I think is a masterpiece of a platformer. I’m all for them going back to the first game and hopefully making it into the game they wanted it to be all along.

Still I hope they have a sequel in the works or something else altogether. They have expanded a lot in the last few years IIRC; maybe this was made in part to train new staff in building a 3D platformer while improving the original game at the same time

@rjejr Ignoring the obvious Rare/DK/Banjo connections they also developed Impossible Lair with the Switch as the lead platform, demoed it at Treehouse Live etc…very Nintendo focused company, at least as far as YL is concerned

Still looks too much like you’re moving a 3D cursor around which is one of the biggest sins a 3D platformer can commit in my opinion, character movement needs to feel dynamic and fast or give options to move fast.

I'm not against this but I don't think its really necessary either. Like...they're making a sequel AFAIK so we're already gonna get "what if Yooka Laylee lived up to its potential", ideally. That's what sequels are for. And honestly, much of the game's issues feel too ingrained into the game, like are they gonna replace the half of world 2 that's mediocre at best caves and isometric sections? I feel like the sequel should take priority over trying to make a 6/10 game a 7.

Like Capcom didn't need to remake Street Fighter 1 in order to release 2.

@RupeeClock why do you think they'd take out shovel knight? Like the deal ran out like Mike Tyson and Punch out? Or is there something I don't know.

@Lxlxrxzx you know the first one I could only get a few hours in but I'd recommend trying out impossible lair again. Tight platforming and an awesome soundtrack, with plenty of goofy characters.

Loving it. This one always felt like it just missed out on greatness, especially as the sequel was far superior, but slightly different in genre. Hopefully a third game is still in the works.

But… why exactly would this remastered / enhanced version come out on Switch? Switch 2? Sure. But this game is ON Switch already and pushing the limits.

Saying that… this didn’t stop Sony having 3 versions of The Last of Us available to play on PS5… 🤣

Huh? I can easily imagine this no being on the Switch. The Switch version of the original was cut down as it is. I see this as being a launch window title for Switch 2

Does this game really needed a remaster? .-. All the new features sounds like things that could have been easily added to the original one. It doesn't even looks that much better, it looks a little too UnrealEngine-like to my taste.

@Dinglehopper

It's an easy mistake to make though.

I also had the impression it was mostly a graphical upgrade after watching the trailer.

1. The Nintendolife headline just says "remaster", which is often used about a graphical upgrade:
«'Yooka-Replaylee' Brings Back Playtonic's Love Letter To Banjo In Remastered Form»

"A remaster is a change in the sound or image quality of previously created forms of media, whether audiophonic, cinematic, or videographic."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remaster

"A video game remaster is a cosmetic update to an existing game that gives it a more modern look. Of all the types of game modification, the remaster is the most delicate. Nobody changes the game. We are talking about only minimal updates, for example, new textures for models."
https://kevurugames.com/blog/remasters-remakes-reboots-and-ports-in-video-games/

2. The trailer focuses on the graphical upgrade, transitioning from the old look to the new look twice and saying: "Looking better than ever".

It does hint at other changes, but rather vaguely: "Playing better than ever" "and more to come!"

They also do show the new coins - but says nothing about them, so I'm not sure that many noticed.

Not focusing on the specific changes and talking about them in the trailer is a strange marketing choice I think - as a graphical upgrade is probably not enough for most to double dip.

I think the trailer would be much more effective if it really focused on all the improvements and additions, because I assume many of the people watching the trailer are people that have already played the original or are already familiar with the original and it's mixed reviews:
https://www.metacritic.com/game/yooka-laylee/
PC: 73 "Mixed"
PS4: 68 "Mixed"
XBOX ONE: 73 "Mixed"
Switch: 75 "Generally Favorable"

Me and my brother played the original, but stopped somewhere along the way.
I am willing to give the new version a go if it gets good reviews. It looks and sounds promising so far.

@larryisaman "it was obvious that they just didn’t have the time or budget to really do it justice"

More like just they were just rusty and didn't have experience making indie games, because no way one of the most funded kickstarter projects didn't have enough budget.

@somnambulance Exactly, I've been waiting for years to get Tooka Laylee, not the first game again. After all the problems the original had and the fact that Nintendo players are in the same console gen, this should definitely be free.

Oh and I remember when they opened the Yooka Laylee kickstarter for a Wii U version which they then cancelled and blocked anyone in the Playtonic forums who inquired about it!!

PS5 version, please.
I already have PS5 machine.

@Sonicka "Saying that… this didn’t stop Sony having 3 versions of The Last of Us available to play on PS5… 🤣"

Same thing with Shadow of the Colossus: PS2 version, PS3 tune-up of the PS2 version, and PS4 remake!

This is great! I actually really liked Yooka-Laylee aside for some issues with the late game (various things in that casino level, and the final boss). So if they fixed those, I'd definitely replay it.

Oh, and they have to let us know what the little robot was loading! It's been 84 years, etc.

I was a kickstarter for this one. I only played it for maybe 1 hour before feeling I got rubbish for my money. I hope this can clean the game up. I would love to give it another go.

I'm... confused. Do people not know what an orchestra is? Like, for example, that it's not a setting on your keyboard?

I seem to recall Playtonic pulling this mischief when they first promised an orchestral score as a stretch goal in the Kickstarter. Whatever, I'm happy to see this, but unless there's music coming that we've yet to hear, please just call a synthesizer a synthesizer.

Nintendo should commission these guys to make the next Donkey Kong Country game

looks at original game ...Well then.

Y’know I had the original on my wishlist since I got my Switch but never ended up buying it. So I might as well just wait for the improved version.

The reception for this has honestly been better than I thought. I imagine most people would be of the opinion of, "They already made me pay once for a mediocre platformer, and now they expect me to do it AGAIN in more-or-less the same console generation??"

To be honest, I'm very split on this and understand both sides. On one hand, I enjoyed my time with Yooka-Laylee for what it was but haven't felt compelled to revisit it because there are so many other--better--3D platdormers out there. A lot of people were disappointed with the game and felt that it didn't live up to its full potential. This gives the game the opportunity to finally deliver on all its promises. So on one hand, that's pretty cool.

But on the other hand, I do feel like it sets a bad precedent for the games industry. People already hate when games are unfinished at launch and get day-one patches, and those are free. But having to buy the game a second time at full price to get what you expected you were getting years ago? I can definitely see that leaving a bad taste in people's mouths.

So yeah, I don't know what to make of this. I hope they still have a sequel in the world and that this isn't all they've been doing this whole time. I think it's cool that the developers feel so passionately about their project that they don't want to give up on it, but from the consumer's perspective, I can see why it might feel a little dubious.

The graphics comparison in the trailer feels deceptive, like "Look how crusty and dull it was before!" when I'm pretty sure that footage was either captured on a Switch in handheld mode or with some kind of blur filter; either way, not representative of how most people experienced the game. It's a nice glowup, but they don't need to artificially exaggerate that.

It's nice they're adding new content and hopefully fleshing out the world a lot of players found to be empty. But I really think this would have benefitted from having, like, one extra world for the returning players. Like how Nintendo adds new modes like Bowser's Fury to their re-releases. I think Yooka-Laylee only had like 5 worlds if I'm not mistaken. So, even just adding, like, a desert world or something would make me more eager to double-dip.

I'll probably pick this game up eventually, but I don't feel compelled to pick it up at launch before it goes on sale.

I have to say I was in high school when BK came out and honestly I like YL better, as characters and because the impossible lair. I wish we had a new adventure as opposed to a buffed up old one but as long and YL games are coming I’m happy. It’s one of the things about new IP these days you have to live on edge about whether it’s going to stay or not.

@fenlix

From Andy Robertson who worked on the original…

“We made Yooka-Laylee in about 18 months with an average of 15 people (way less at the start). No producer, lavish budget or development time. That's reflected in some of its rougher areas, which we basically had to throw together as deadline approached. I think we did an amazing job, considering, but there's definitely room for improvement that I hope is realised here.

The excellent (and sadly mostly overlooked) sequel shows what that team - comprised of some genuine legends who I admire greatly - was capable of with the luxury of time and planning. Here's hoping they're given the same for this second attempt.“

Sure the Kickstarter made £2.1 million but then there’s taxes, reward fulfillment, operating costs etc. to account for before development even starts. Plus as you said, the challenges of learning how to run an indie studio after being under Microsoft/Rare would have been a huge hurdle while trying to make a game.

I think it’s clear the talent was there but the conditions just weren’t ideal for making YK as good as they’d hoped.

Feels weird having a remake on the same gen of consoles as the original? And I’d certainly like to have those camera and control fixes as a patch. But it’s nice that they’re doing it either way. I’m giving the benefit of the doubt that the fixes were only really doable as a result of a remake and not something that could be patched. I still need to play the Impossible Lair!

Looking forward to this, but cautiously. I enjoyed the original game, but it does have deep design issues. Certain bosses lasted too long, the minecraft and swimming controls were unintuitive, and the tongue zipline sections didn't work properly.

However, I'm glad that they're addressing the lack of map and orchestral soundtrack. Oh yeah, and I bet the current Switch can't run this. I wouldn't be surprised.

If they can fix the tediousness of the final boss, I'm on board.

Though isn't it a bit early for a remaster? Not even 10 years have passed since the original came out.

@Lofoten thanks for the detailed and informative response! ☺️ And yea, it's also been so long since I've seen Yooka Kaylee gameplay that I didn't even notice the new coins or gameplay changes that might have been in the trailer. Bizarre decision for them to not make it more clear when most people will see the trailer and come to the same conclusion I did.

I actually backed the game on the original Kickstarter and was super disappointed with the final product. I'll keep an eye on this as well in case they actually fix the core issues the original game had. Here's hoping that's the case!

I hope that if this does come to switch, it’s a really good, not crummy port. Let’s be honest, Switch is the worst console for the game if you have another console.

And I really hope it’s worth getting, it’ll be the perfect swan song for my switch, which I actually feel I won’t be getting rid of in the next gen. (Yes I’m a monster who trades out from gen to gen, I know)

Well, this is awkward for me considering I own the original but have never gotten around to playing it. Might as well finally play the original sometime, and if it's too rough around the edges for my liking, maybe I could just wait for the remaster.

I'm leaning toward this coming to Switch 2 instead of Nintendo's current system.

I’m having mixed feelings here. I actually enjoyed the first game (and really really enjoyed Impossible Lair) and was looking forward to a 3D sequel.

However, if this is a warm up for the sequel in a year or so after, then brilliant news.

Also, I’m not one that likes to double dip - I hope they add incentive to purchase, for those that own the original.

@Bonggon5 More than enough. I did not get drawn in like I would have Banjo.

@larryisaman It's hard not to think there was a serious mismanagement when Team Cherry made Hollow Knight with only a 2% of the budget of Yooka Layle.

I've always seen The Impossible Lair more as the studio finally being able to adjust the scope of their project to something more appropiate for an indie game. The Impossible Lair was a smaller yet very polished title.

Jeez "remastering" games earlier and earlier lol. Thanks AI upscaling.

If they put JonTron back into the game I'll consider this a day one purchase.

@AshFoxX Why was he taken out of the game? I never heard about this. Did he do a Twitter hate crime?

I mean, I'm into it. I never really thought Yooka Laylee was all that great. Impossible Lair was a much better game imo.

So, is this a free update? A paid DLC? Or are they going to ask me to buy the game again?

@GammaPhonic

Good question. Hopefully better than what's happening with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.

But why? Why couldnt they just do a sequel?
The only images there was the base world.
Played the original and collected everything, then they bring out a 2D version, played that and finished it (didnt do everything as some parts were impossible, to me)
But maybe this will sort out the flak they got for the original, I thought it was a lot of fun

The map is the killer new feature for me. I couldn't find my way back to various places in order to complete quests and the map in Mario Odyssey definitely spoiled me. I'm definitely going to get this. I'd guess they used updating the original game as a means to update their engine and tech and will work on a sequel after this.

I loved the first. Depending on how much has improved and how much it costs I will probably get this. However, I also hope during all this time they’ve also been working on a surprise sequel that will come out soon thereafter too with all these gameplay improvements implemented . 🤞

@Lofoten Exactly, I can't see it releasing on Switch at this point. Better to release it early in the Switch 2's life with less competition and all of the benefit of the new systems buzz...

The game is good, but this is basically a QoL update. Improved graphics, a new collectible, a few new potions, and a map. Nice but not worth a rebuy and replay. If someone coming in fresh, it might be worth it, though.

Shameless cash-grab. This should have either been 1.) A free update to the base game, or 2.) Bundled with both Yooka-Laylee games.

As-is though, this just comes off as a greedy and needless upgrade. I'm sure it will be worth it if it's your first time playing the game, but I really don't see many players returning to this if they've already played the original and it costs any more than $30. And even that price point is a hard sell.

The original game was sorta flawed, for sure. But it is still a wonderful and entirely playable game.

@fenlix 3 people team for a 2D game versus 15 for a 3D platformer isn’t a fair comparison. Can call it mismanagement but I think it was ultimately just them overestimating what they could achieve with the time and budget they had.

@BoilerBroJoe Grant Kirkhope has confirmed it will be a live orchestral score, it’s just not finished yet

@larryisaman Good to hear! Thank you!

3D platformers is among my favorite genres, but Yooka-Laylee just didn't click for me. I played it for several hours and left it. Not sure why, perhaps it just lacks the magic of Mario, Banjo or Spyro for me.

@Lxlxrxzx sorry to hear that, but to each their own.
Me, I thought they was pretty good. The second one in particular, very much up my alley

@larryisaman @larryisaman It's a fair comparison when you consider Yooka Laylee had 60 times the budget of Hollow Knight.

Really hoped for a sequel to this game as the impossible lair was very dull by comparison

Can't say I am very excited for a remake, where's my proper sequel? Overall Playtonic is very dissapointing. Over all those years they just made Yooka Laylee (a fun hommage to Banjo, but not great) and a decent Yooka Laylee sidescroller. But where is the proper sequel, where are the titles based on the other Yooka Laylee characters (they wanted to create a universe)? All they do is their indie-label, Playtonic Friends. Its quite dissapointing in my opinion.

@LikelySatan It is worth looking up, but the short of it is that Jon was publicly shamed awhile back when Yooka Laylee was being released after he engaged in a livestream debate with a Twitch streamer and YouTuber known as Destiny, in which Jontron stated arguably "racist statements". As a result his cameo was replaced.

@AshFoxX thanks. I don't usually know the drama.