How Similar is Spyro the Dragon to Banjo-Kazooie?

Hi everyone I'm Jack Red, this particular topic could've worked as one of my PS1 vs. N64 blog entries. But I strongly felt the similarities were too big to ignore. Keep in mind, both companies likely didn't know the other game was being made for different reasons. Therefore, I won't be calling Spyro a rip off.

The real question is just how similar Spyro gets to being like Banjo-Kazooie in comparison. You might be surprise by the answer in full details. I figured this will be an interesting comparison. I just don't want a law suit to happen over this please. I am a huge fan of both franchises now. I feel the time to do this is now.



Obviously you play as their respective company mascots. Insomniac Games & Rare respectively that does have some similar game play mechanics. Both games gotten a sequel in 2000 again this could be pure coincidence. As of a few years ago, Spyro Reignited Trilogy & Rare Replay are on Xbox One. Thus making it the only game console to officially have both games.

Both of them allows let the player to explore as much as they want within levels. There are a lot of collectibles in both games. What they are collecting is vastly different though. Also, among going the completion route does lead to another ending. Some levels in a few ways are sorta similar. Obviously what you need to do within them is very different.

Banjo-Kazooie does have more boss fights in comparison. Yet both their main antagonists are green magic users. Spyro gives you more freedom to choosing which levels you want to play. In a sense, both games collects eggs but for different reasons. In Banjo-Kazooie, you can use a few types as ammo while using Kazooie as a weapon.

In Spyro the Dragon, you must chase down thieves to save dragon eggs. Some are easier than others to caught though. Both games does give you so much to go within a level. Thankfully over time you will quickly get it. Honestly, you can fly in both games. For Spyro, this is mostly in bonus levels that's all about flying through them.

You also can get glide over a notable distance. But in Banjo-Kazooie, this is more of careful jumps than anything else. Banjo-Kazooie does have pots that allows you to teleport some locations faster. Some locations can be confusing to find at times. Thank god, this is not a problem in Spyro the Dragon.

Spyro is sorta the slightly nicer Kazooie if you really think about it. Banjo-Kazooie took inspiration from Super Mario 64. Although, I personally believed it does that concept way better. Spyro the Dragon did get a little bit of help from the movie company Universal. There is no question, both games has amazing soundtracks.

Obviously, both these games were created in mind of children while challenging them at the same time. These games might look like they're easy but they aren't. I will say Banjo-Kazooie has a more satisfying final boss fight. Thankfully, both games keeps you posted about the game's completion percentage.

Keep in mind, the port featured in Rare Replay was Xbox 360 port. Which allowed Rare to finally finished an ambitious concept that included three Banjo games. I personally highly recommend both these games especially to those who loves platformers with an passion. Hazards are treated mostly the same in both games.

Also enemies won't return unless you return to that level or you die. They made it easier to get extra lives. You got to use more of your brain to getting every gem in Spyro though. Why because some of them are well hidden with a couple locked inside metal chests that requires keys. There is some variety within the game play for both games.

Honestly, considering Nintendo & Rare weren't doing well in their business relationship. The same can be said for Insomniac & Universal. We still ended up with such amazing games with everything considered. Banjo-Kazooie gives you more helpful moves. Which does become a tread within Spyro following the original.

Yes, there are very clear differences between these games. In Banjo-Kazooie, you are actually play as two characters but mostly as Banjo. You only play as Spyro in Spyro the Dragon. There is no bonus levels within Banjo-Kazooie. Jiggies & notes do at times act like keys to unlock locations. Spyro has to do stuff for the balloon guy in order to gain access to later levels.

For example saving fifty dragons or a particular amount of dragon eggs. Honestly, in both their defense this does give you more reason to pay attention to whatever you're doing. Spyro does make it slightly more clear what you need to do in comparison. Obviously, Spyro has actual voice acting while Rare must've been on drugs lol.