10 Video Games That Tried To Exploit Nostalgia (And Failed)

Banjo-Kazooie might be one of the N64’s most fondly remembered adventures but it’s a series left in the cold in recent years. Despite a recent re-appearance in Super Smash Bros, it’s not seen a new game from developers Rare since 2008 via Xbox 360’s Nuts and Bolts but even that proved divisive amongst fans.

Deciding to make a spiritual successor, Playtonic Games was formed by ex-Rare employees in 2014 and come May 2015, a Kickstarter was launched for Yooka-Laylee. Promising a return to traditional 3D platformer “collectathons” of the 1990s, it reached over £2 million in funding and released in 2017.

It launched to mixed reviews and a lot of criticism was specifically targeted at the game’s camera system, later addressed in a patch. It captured the spirit of classic 3D platformers but some critics believed this made gameplay feel outdated.

Ultimately, the game was successful enough for Playtonic Games to develop a spin-off, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. Released last October, it swapped 3D platforming for a 2D side-scroller and released to better critical reception.

Given the success of the new entry, we may see a further 3D adventure yet.