Fair bit more interesting and inspired than the predecessor, opting for a 2D platforming style this time. Revisting the stages is a very novel idea, but the overworld is largely unnecessary. It's very cool at first but as they add puzzles and more intricate design to it it becomes annoying when you just want to get to the core platforming.

Also fuck the gimmick of the last level, I heard it's been changed now to be a bit more forgiving but it's needlessly frustrating, even if the idea was good on paper the kind of challenge presented would work far better as an optional post-game challenge or something of the sort.

Surprisingly deep for a game about monkeys popping balloons.

Very good summer game. Very okay video game.

2020

Really charming game. Movement mechanics are great and the worlds all feel fleshed out. A fair number of the time pieces feel a bit like a chore to get however. Bosses never felt all too interesting aside from the last one, and half of the worlds in the game (dlc included) are incredibly lackluster and just not that fun to traverse through.

Some great levels and a great core movement set to explore these levels in. Sadly the bosses are all rather lackluster, the core game is a bit longwinded with mandatory revisits to stages (even if they are changed up it still feels a tad cheap) and a few of the abilities just did not mesh well with me. On a whole though one of the most promising platformers in recent memory.

I can't tell if this game is carried off pure nostalgia for me but it's still fun to go back and revisit every now and then, and I don't typically like this genre so.

2008

This review contains spoilers

tfw no alcoholic bartender gf

Neat mechanics bogged down by literally everything else.

A lot more atmospheric, and the focus on the story does wonders for the game. Every location is magical in it's own right and it really feels like a cohesive world that you get to learn through each three day cycle you do. The loop can understandably be a deterrent for some but for me I found it just helped me get immersed into the world, and put the pressure on for completing each storyline.

Trite, uninspired levels. The writing more often than not feels ham-fisted, with actually witty or funny jokes few and far between. The overworld is overbearing especially given how drab it feels, and separating areas with a quiz show is a laughably bad attempt at capturing the magic of the Banjo's end-game quizzes.

One of the most unique kart racers of it's generation. Lots of different game modes and different tracks to keep you busy, and an even ambitious adventure mode that while not nearly as cohesive or interesting as a game like Diddy Kong Racing is still very welcome. Well worth your time if you're ever in the mood for a new soulful kart game.

An ambitious title that sadly is littered with bugs making the experience near unplayable. When it does work however, it shows a fair bit of promise, but it feels to be a bit too bloated in what you can customize.