#gruntilda's lair

[gears2gnomes]

SGDQ 2023 - Banjo Kazooie

“Bear and Bird.”

[theknucklehead]

Whenever I see jigsaw puzzle pieces, I'm always reminded of Banjo-Kazooie.

[aparticularbandit]

Also I keep telling myself that the DR2 soundtrack didn't have to go that hard! I didn't need four versions of the same song! But they did that! For us!

....

And then I remember Grant Kirkhope and Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack and the, what, thirty different seamless transition variations of the Click Clock Wood theme and the ten or more different seamless transition variations of the Gruntilda's Lair theme and like.

Man, Grant Kirkhope did not have to go that hard on a 1998 N64 video game, but he did that for us.

Bless that man.

[thedorkyidiot]

I 100%-ed Banjo-Kazooie, again. This took me 6 hours and 40 minutes

Thoughts on each world under the cut because why not!

Spiral Mountain has peak music and it’s a great tutorial level.

Gruntilda’s Lair is amazing with how whimsical it is, Grunty having her face plastered in almost every room, each world’s entrance looking like it’s from an indoor play place, the music! It’s great!

Mumbo’s Mountain is definitely a first world, nothing too crazy going on but nothing is truly bad about, comparing it to first world of Tooie tho there’s far less stuff to do, I mean Tooie does start you with all the moves from the previous game so makes sense. A pretty decent first world.

I died multiple times in Treasure Trove Cove for some reason, but it’s a pretty good world as well! I have no strong opinions on it like Mumbo’s Mountain but it’s definitely a step up compared to it.

Clanker’s Cavern is a good water level idc what anyone says, you hardly spend that much time actually under water, even when you are the longest you’ll be in it is when you’re releasing Clanker of his chains. You spend most of it on, in, or around Clanker, ITS A GOOD WATER LEVEL AND A GOOD WORLD!

Bubble Gloop Swamp is definitely another world lmao, nothing bad about it again I just have no strong opinions on it, it definitely exist, I will give it props to having some memorable set pieces like the giant gator head and the huge turtle.

Freezeezy Peak is one of the best snow worlds, one reason is that ice physics don’t suck mainly due to Kazooie, and also CHRISTMAS ITS ALL CHRISTMAS THEMED, gets you into the festive vibe just by listening to the music and looking at all the set pieces! I did lose to Boggy twice someone, my hatred for Boggy has now been established. It’s also the only time you absolutely need to backtrack and I think it’s fine in this game.

Golbi’s Valley sucks mainly because I usually remember what jiggies are where with the set pieces around them, EVERYTHING IS SAND AND PYRAMIDS HERE IT SUCKS! My personal worst world in Banjo-Kazooie but not because it’s actually bad but because of the fact I can’t remember where anything is.

I can’t remember a single thing I did in Mad Monster Mansion, which is weird because I like it but I guess there aren’t any like really memorable set pieces bedsides the main mansion in the center of the level and the maze I guess. It’s still really good and gives off the Halloween vibe!

I actually don’t dislike Rusty Bucket Bay as much as I would’ve thought, especially compared to a certain other world. You only need 3 things in the oily water and it’s not that hard to not fall off into the water so it’s not really an issue, and the Xbox version fixes the music notes issue so the engine room is fine, I mean I never usually die in there anyways but ya know lmao. Only gripe I have with it is there’s no set pieces other than the Boat itself, and I did have to look up where the last empty honey comb was (didn’t have to look up anything else in any other world) but ya know pretty decent world!

Idk if it was because I was really tired and it was late but Click Clock Wood has gone to one of my favorite worlds to one of my least favorites, it’s mainly due to the fact I kept falling down the damn tree and the fucking birds have horrible hit boxes and would knock me down the tree whenever I would try to kill them. Other than those two things the concept of going to through the same level multiple times but the seasons change showing the passage of time really cool! The winter section is probably my favorite but that’s probably because there’s no birds and hardly any enemies. I did have to look up where the last jiggy was for this world, I forgot that there was one in spring all the way at the top you need to get with the bee lmao. Pretty good stage I just hate the birds.

That has been my Ted talk and you’ve been watching a fish, smoking a cigarette (I’m gonna hate Banjo-Tooie)

[datadegroove]

jacking my cock to the beat of gruntilda's lair

[vgcartography]

Banjo-Kazooie - Gruntilda’s Lair map!

https://www.deviantart.com/vgcartography/gallery/86012601/banjo-kazooie-1998

[game-boy-pocket]

Thoughts on Yooka Laylee? I didn’t think it was amazing but it’s also one of the few games I’ve Platinum’d so I must like it more than I think

It missed the mark in many ways but shined in many others. Unfortunately I think it missed the mark in more important areas than unimportant ones.

Level design was just way too big making them more difficult to navigate. Collectibles were kind of thoughtlessly placed instead of being used to lead the player to areas of interest. I think a good portion of the NPCs weren't very good, there was some jank in the mini games and several of the mechanics and hit detection, and the enemy variety was very bad, it was mostly just reskinned corplets, those annoying eyeball things, and those annoying flying bee thigs and maybe one exclusive enemy. Also idk what they were thinking with the Dr. Quack quizzes. They put no effort into the presentation of the quiz sections when Gruntilda put on this whole trivia show with an audience and the like, and even Dr. Quacks questions were pretty shitty.

But I don't think it's all bad... Yooka and Laylee feel great to control and unlike BK where it feels like Kazooie is 10x more important than Banjo, it kind of feels like Yooka and Laylee are equally important, the writing is very much on point, and while not all the NPCs are good, there's still a lot of good ones, I love the more important characters and some of the other minor NPCs. I think the energy bar is a lot more elegant than ammunition, I just wish it filled up faster. Music was great as expected with Grank Kirkhope and David Wise on board, and the writing was perfectly in line with what I want out of a Rare platformer. Very cynical but playfully tongue in cheek without a ton of self deprecation.

In the long run, I liked Yooka Laylee a lot, I don't know if it's a game I would play almost every year like I would Banjo. But it's a game I would play more than once. I really hope they weren't too discouraged by their first failings and make another 3D platformer. Impossible Lair is fine but we don't need a Donkey Kong Successor. We still have Donkey Kong. We don't have Banjo.... it kinda sucks to see Playtonic twiddling their thumbs and turning into publishers who just kind of post memes on twitter. Really hope there's more coming from them besides cameos. I need that Diddy Kong Racing successor.

[wiperfluid]

Hello! Saw you are doing hearthome/landscape playlist requests. I am not sure if this would be easy to make, but perhaps may I please get one around Monster High (the fictional high school?) I am a fictionkin of three of the characters. If you do this, thank you!

- @batsbolts-andfangs

I uh… tried my hardest to get the vibe correct. I added extra songs in case you want to hide some to make it more to your taste at will. Hope you still enjoy it!

Even if this genre isnt my speciality, I gotta say I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge! /gen

@batsbolts-andfangs

Length: 51 minutes

Songs:

CUFF IT - INSTRUMENTAL VERSION * Beyoncé

Waltz of the Boos (From “Super Mario Galaxy”) * Game & Sound

Gruntilda’s Lair (From “Banjo-Kazooie”) * Game & Sound

Crocotiger * Messer Chups

Bonneton Cap Kingdom * Makir

Born This Way (Lady Gaga) - Instrumental * Real Instrumentals

Try - Instrumental * P!nk

Nyakuza Manholes * Pascal Michael Stiefel, nelward

California Girls (Karoke Version) - Originally Performed By Katy Perry * Real Instrumentals

Scootin’ through Subcon Forest * Pascal Michael Stiefel

Festival - Autumn * Tormod Garvin

Moonrace * Messer Chups

Ghost Mansion * Lucie Cravero, HoKø

Firework (Karoke Version) - Originally Preformed By Katy Perry * Real Instrumentals

[sponges-place]

World 5: Spectacular Stadium-This is it: Baron Von Snort's lair that we've been trying to reach this whole time. The racetracks here will be the most difficult yet. Prepare to find that rhino and give him what for!

Click Clock Wood-What starts as a normal drive through a springtime forest turns into a race a through the seasons. There'd be 4 laps (one for every season), each one changing up how the track plays.

BanjoLand-A run-down museum filled with relics from the bear and bird's past adventures. It's recently been refitted as a race track, so long-time fans will feel like literally driving down memory lane.

Atlantis-Driving a car through the ocean doesn't seem like the best idea, but rest assured, the racers will be fine (if a bit soggy). Try not to cause too much destruction down there, these ruins are legendary!

Gruntilda's Castle-It seems that Gruntilda had some time to work on a new base of operations. Being, the final track in the game, it's the most dangerous and intense race out of them all. Would you expect anything less from a castle built by Gruntilda.

Final Boss: Baron Von Snort-After everything you've gone through to get here, the big bad boss has finally decided to race. Stay on your toes, because he may employ any underhanded trick to win. It's time for a showdown!

(Spectacular Stadium without tracks)

(Bit of shading)

And with that, that's all of the art I created for this project. I suppose I'll be closing the book on Banjo-KaZoomie. Thanks to anyone who stayed updated on this whole thing.

[ajayhealthtip]

Exquisite Gaming: Rare: Banjo-Kazooie - Original Mobile Phone & Gaming Controller Holder, Device Stand, Cable Guys, Licensed Figure Small

RARE: BANJO – KAZOOIE – Cable Guys Phone Stand & Controller Holder – Joined by his inseparable companion stashed in his backpack, the red-crested Bgreegull Kazooie and Banjo – the banjo-playing honey-bear – are fresh from an adventure in Gruntilda’s Lair. As part of our much-loved Cable Guys range, from the world of gaming and entertainment, the fun-loving Banjo will kindly hold your controller,…

[foggypainterstudentfpgame]

Music Themed Game #8 (Banjo Kazooie)

Banjo Kazooie has many different soundtracks to fit the in game biomes so the soundtrack links to your locations. The best example is the bridge off spiral mountain to Gruntilda's lair which both soundtracks are linked above for.

The music is unique as in this game as it changes to the different biomes and areas for example when ontop of spiral mountain and on the half of the bridge that is cast as spiral mountains side it plays country themed music as it suits the field filled country landscape to show this they use banjos as they are mainly used in country music. The music changes when you get half way across the bridge as the game registers you are closing on Gruntildas lair so it starts playing a more ominous, villainous type of tune instead of the up beat country theme. They use a nursery rhyme which has been adapted to be out of tune and with a few extra notes in it. They do this to create a spooky and ominous atmosphere as you get closer to the villains lair.

[dandelionsprout42]

Decided to buy the Expansion Pack™©®™ for Nintendo Switch Online yesterday.

The first thing I realised, is that the camera in Banjo-Kazooie is horrifyingly bad. Gruntilda's Lair is also one of the biggest navigation messes I've ever seen. Seemingly having to find the mole at a specific spot to become able to groundpound is also beyond comprehension.

Furthermore, it baffles me beyond any fathom that the Expansion Pack's Mega Drive app in Europe carries South Korean game versions, but not Japanese ones…?!?!?!?

[lauradewitt92]

*Gruntilda's Lair Theme plays on repeat while I slowly go insane*

[wolfgabe]

And my 30-day video game music challenge is now officially completed and done.

A full list of the songs I shared for each day

Day 1 Title Screen: Discovery - Sonic Mania

Day 2 Opening Level: Fossil Falls - Super Mario Odyssey

Day 3 8-Bit Music: Butter Building - Kirby's Adventure

Day 4 Console Exclusive Series: Seep and Destroy - Splatoon 3

Day 5 Hub World/Overworld: Gruntilda's Lair - Banjo Kazooie

Day 6 Relaxing Music: 2AM - Animal Crossing New Horizons

Day 7 Indie Game Music: Murine Corps - Cuphead

Day 8 First/Third Person Shooter Music: The Only Thing They Fear is You - DOOM Eternal

Day 9 Licensed Game: Homer's Day - The Simpsons Hit & Run

Day 10 RPG Battle music: Okie Dokie! - Mario & Luigi Bowsers Inside Story

Day 11 Puzzle Game: Yours Forever - Tetris Effect

Day 12 Sad Music: Face Shrine - The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening (Switch version)

Day 13 Music from game you don't like: White Acropolis (The Base) Sonic the Hedgehog 2006

Day 14 Music with vocals: E.G.G.M.A.N - Sonic Adventure 2

Day 15 Boss Music: Pumpin Hot Stuff (Vs The Noise) - Pizza Tower

Day 16 16-Bit Music: Shooting Ristar - Ristar

Day 17 Music you never get tired of: Jolly Roger Bay/Dire Dire Docks - Super Mario 64

Day 18 Music from a game released the year you were born: Athletic Theme - Super Mario World 2 Yoshi's Island

Day 19 Cover from different artist: Meta Knight's Revenge - Kirby Super Star 8 Bit Big Band cover

Day 20 Racing Game music: Coconut Mall - Mario Kart Wii

Day 21 Music you associate with frustration: Angry Aztec Race - Donkey Kong 64

Day 22 Town/Village music: Tarrey Town - The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Day 23 Underrated Music: Let's Go Easy - Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg

Day 24 Music you have constantly stuck in your head: Mind's Eye - Tempest 2000

Day 25 Music that gets you pumped: Pac Rainbow - Pac Man Championship Edition DX

Day 26 Music from a game you haven't played: Rude Buster - Delarune

Day 27 Handheld game music: Paris - Big Bang Mini (Nintendo DS)

Day 28 Music that makes you nostalgic: Menu 1 - Super Smash Bros Melee

Day 29 Final Boss Music: C-R-O-W-N-E-D - Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe

Day 30 Credits music: Staff Roll - Super Mario Galaxy

[shoppncart]

11. 12. 13. 14. 31.?

(no idea how this works)

yea thats how you do it

11. I prefer player characters to have character and interact with others and the story, if the game has some narrative to follow. like minecraft i don't mind having a 'blank slate' mc (if you want to even call them that) but with stories i want an actual character yknow. If you want to have a sort of blank slate I think doing something like Kris Deltarune and Link BoTW are the best ways to do it. the player still has agency over their actions and decisions for the most part and can project onto them, but they still can act independently with other characters

12. I was playing Portal 2 for the first time recently and Wheatley is as entertaining as people in 2012 acted like he was

13. Calzonification from Pizza Tower. been listening to that a lot recently

14. The Click Clock Wood version of Gruntilda's Lair from Banjo-Kazooie. The rising and falling string notes that's unique to that version of the song really gets to me (in a good way) in addition to how mysterious that room always felt to me.

31. Honestly one of the Kirby games, probably Return to Dreamland. Pretty simplistic and easy to get the hang of while still having a variety of mechanics to practice and experiment with, as well as the Energy Spheres to collect and challenge rooms for optional content if they want to go the extra mile.