Video: Yooka-Replaylee Side-By-Side Graphics Comparison (Original & Remaster)

I really enjoyed the original game, so as soon as it performs well on Switch I'll gladly play this new version.

I want to support Playtonic so they can keep bringing us games like these and perfecting the formula so we can get the Bear and the Bird at least in spirit.

Is there PS5 version available for this remake?

Am I the only person that thinks the OG actually looks better than the remake?

Really hope these 2 get another game or another fresh appearance in the future. Nothing wrong with companies having mascot games. Sonic, Mario, crash, Mr Halo it's really the characters who make gaming what it is.

If people haven't played it, there's a smash clone called Brawlout on switch and other platforms which feature this duo as guest fighters as well as some other cool indie game char like guacamelees main char. It's a good smash clone in my humble opinion.

@Diagnosed_H1N1 I think the original version is miles better. Like they forgot a pass of shading over the replayee version.

Well it sure looks...different. Not sure if that's better.

@Anti-Matter Yeah, it's coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5, "Nintendo platforms" (which as discussed, probably means just Switch 2), and PC. Those platforms have all been confirmed in the Console Reveal trailer, it's just because this is a Nintendo focused site the discussion has been centered around the mention of "Nintendo platforms" and not the Switch specifically.

It looks much better. Objects more defined with better contrast and texture detail. Animations have a bit more zip. It looks higher-end than the first did

I hate that we are in this place where we are expected (maybe, "encouraged" is a better word, I know we have a choice) to buy a 7 year old game, again.

It looks better (but I agree, the brightness feels like something you could dislike compared to the more moody original look) but that should not warrant a re-release. I guess Playtonic probably needs some cash to make the real sequel, and that this is what it is all about really. But it´s hard to understand who this is for - if you loved the original, do you really need to buy it again with a little prettier graphics? And if you didn´t, do you really have faith that this suddenly fixes it and makes it a good game now?

@roy130390 It won't be on the Switch- it'll be on the Switch's successor!

@Anti-Matter you do know there are PlayStation sites, where you can find that sort info yourself, rather than asking on a Nintendo site, right? Push Square for example, it’s one of the latest articles featured there.

This looks absolutely terrific. Hope they’re still working on another sequel!

@Chimichanga just ignore him… he always does that sort of thing. Probably an attention seeking sort.

@Bolt_Strike
Oh, great.
Thanks for the feedback.

Can we have the new content in the older versione? Because the graphic looks 100% worse.

This is so unnecessary. Playtonic should focus on a new game instead of nonsense like this.

I think too many are focusing on the graphics. What I see from this video is that they improved the level design adding some sort of collectibles connecting the interesting areas, making some puzzles better and easier to understand, removing the obligation to use the "magic meter" to use the rolling dash...
I mean, they clearly understand the critics and aim to do a better game (I mean, the worlds will still stay too big, but that's a problem they can solve on a sequel)

@Diagnosed_H1N1

Agree completely.

This remaster is looking good! My only complaint are the text boxes, they were a lot better in the original, and felt a lot more like Banjo-Kazooie.

@PikminMarioKirby 100% agree with this

Looks like they simplified the lighting, by making it much brighter overall. Tbh, the darker look of the original has more atmosphere. Might be a budget issue, since lighting can be a ton of work. For comparison, the TTYD remake credits list 30 people working on the lighting alone.

Glittergaze Glacier was the one level in the original that looked near perfect to me and was one of my favourites out of all of Yooka/Banjo/DK64. I'm not too fond of what they've done with the brightness, skybox or igloos.

@The_Trooper49 Switch version was actually known to be and excellent port remade from scratch.

Of course the lighting and some texture were worse, but the final result was really good.

Btw I agree with you on the pause when hitting an enemy, It's so janky looking.

This looks good. It will probably run at 20fps on switch. But I will get it on steam with that discount for owning the og. This looks like Banjo. I hope they improved it enough to make me feel like Banjo. Never got into the og. Never finished the first level lol.

@Diagnosed_H1N1
yeah im hoping this is a case of it being an early build or something since it feels like a lot of lighting and shading is gone which really contributed to the atmosphere.

In the original i loved the "cozy" vibe of that stage and it feels like in the footage that a lot of that vibe is missing in the new version, again though im hoping it could just be a case of this being an in development build or something since a lot of the other stuff ive seen from the new version seems nice.

This seems....fine? But I'm a bit concerned that they're missing the point.
The original game had a mediocre reception not because it looked bad. (In fact, in my opinion, it looked great!). It's that by the end it felt like eighty half-baked ideas in a trenchcoat.
The early levels were good in my opinion, and then the space level at the end was also good.
But the casino was dire---just a sea of bad ideas that were poorly executed---and then the lead-up to the final boss (and the boss itself) were like the worst excesses of the Banjo-Kazooie games turned to 11.
This idea could be good, but only if the developers understand the changes that need to be made to make the game better.

@Anti-Matter https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/10/throwback-n64-platformer-yooka-replaylee-looks-dazzling-in-upgraded-ps5-remake

Hold up. Did they replace Trowzer with a bookmark?

I think I'm in agreement with the 'They should be working on a Yooka-Laylee 2' rather getting bogged down (again) in the original. I have the original and I don't need or want a remaster.

Some parts look better (the zippier animations), others worse (the contrast and atmosphere), and some are kind of a wash, like fuzzy Laylee.

I dunno. I kind of wish they just put this manpower into a sequel. This game feels too young for a remake honestly and I thought it was pretty good already, warts and all.

Remastering a mediocre game for the same system? Not a free update? Trash .Putting playtonic on the no buy list with Qubic. And judging by their catalog it doesn’t look like I’m missing much.

@roy130390 agreed, I’m not even planning to purchase for Nintendo at this time.

After playing it only on the Switch, I was floored when I got an Xbox and YL was on game pass and I didn’t have time to make a drink, walk the dog and pay my bills during the load screens.

@theberrage Yea, I feel inclined to agree. This feels very desperate on their part.

Look, the only thing I want from a remake, is for the final boss to be less utterly frustrating. Add a way to get more health, or add some checkpoints, or make those missiles take looser turns. Anything to make than last bit actually work…

looks good but the brightness is WAY too high lmao

The brightness is too high and this game needs a good SOUNDTRACK. This and the sequel after this, have so mediocre soundtrack. Banjo's OST was so GOOD!!

And nintendolife stop putting code for embedded youtube videos no cookie and such nonsense please!

@Kruegerino I mean, the reason to buy would be if you want to play with all the QoL, not the graphics IMO. Maps, better controls, reworked bosses and puzzles, etc.

Anyways, it's still nowhere near as egregious as TLOU Remastered or any of the other games that were literally just a graphics update, they're at least attempting to address all the games issues. Whether they succeed or not we'll have to see.

Wow i love these graphical upgrade.
Day one on the switch 2.

Hope I can soon play it on my "Nintendo" 👀 wink wink

Also: give us a 4K patch to The Impossible Lair.

It’s way too soon for a remake. The original isn’t that old yet, plus it actually doesn’t look much worse graphically. I might even prefer the older aesthetic…

What's with the quick pause when baddies are hit? It's jarring to me.

Donkey Kong Country on SNES versus GBA: just make everything more saturated.

Maybe I'll finally play more than the first level this time...

@PikminMarioKirby

This is what I noticed too. Glad I'm not the only one who misses that! I do love the updated graphics. To me, they feel brighter and more whimsical. But the moving character faces while they talk need to come back!

@8bit-Man Dude, the original game is almost 8 years old already. Plus it was known to have lots of issues. That’s plenty old enough for a remake of a game that could really use it.

I hate to be such a grouch, but the actual issues with this game were never really the graphics. :-/

I do not remember this game being that dark at all. Was it made brighter for switch?

@Pod I never played it when first released (I know they patched a lot). The “final” version I played was great. I didn’t get all the disappointment.

@VHSGREMLIN @Chimichanga and there is google/chatgpt if any of us has any doubts about anything, but this is a section for people to discuss about games in a healthy way, regardless of what you think is worth asking or not.
There are multiple news regarding the gaming market, not only Nintendo related.
So chill, if you don't wanna answer, just scroll past it instead of being rude to someone you know nothing about.

On another topic, I'm glad they seem to be adding a lot and improving controls too, it should help with the overall experience.

@Kruegerino I mean…nobody’s forcing anybody to buy this 🤷‍♂️

This is just a chance for them to make the original as good as they’d intended now that they have the budget/time and are no longer grappling with working independently for the first time. I’m certain they also said in a video Q&A that this is mostly being made by junior staff to give them experience before being put onto Playtonic’s next main game (presumably a sequel).

Win win for everybody really. If anything it’ll be dirt cheap within a few years anyway judging by how low the other two Yooka Laylee games often go on sale for so if you don’t want to pay full price then just wait it out

@eaglesfly76 I’m personally not a fan of how quickly games get recycled these days. The original is still fresh in my memory, and not enough time has passed to allow for major technical upgrades.

But I’m happy for you if you missed the initial game or if you’re up for a second run already.

Okay, after watching the video I can 100% say the original graphics are better than the remaster, it's like the game graphics are evolving but backward

Not played the game (and never been especially curious about it) but I think the original looks way better.

Hmm the "improved" look really messes with the game's vibe...why is the remaster so bright and even with its lighting?

@8bit-Man the sequel was great. I think if they tried to make another 3D version, it would have to be amazing. So I don’t blame them for going with a remake for now.

What the hell are these stutters after hitting an enemy which are absent in the OG version?

@JRiegler
I don't hate the game, but it does have som design issues making it less fun than it could be, I'd say.

Check out Georgie-Yolkie instead!
https://spacefarergames.com/title/georgieyolkie/