The Banjo-Kazooie series features diverse and captivating locations for players to explore. Each installment in the franchise presents a unique set of themed worlds throughout the game’s overworld, which players can access after meeting specific requirements. In Banjo-Kazooie, players must collect sufficient Jiggies to complete puzzle borders inside Gruntilda’s Lair, unlocking new worlds as they progress. Banjo-Tooie follows a similar concept but introduces a variation where players must bring their Jiggies to Jiggywiggy Temple and complete moving picture challenges to access new playable worlds within the Isle O’ Hags. Banjo-Kazooie Grunty’s Revenge maintains the Jiggy collection requirement but simplifies the process. Rather than completing picture challenges, players simply consult Master Jiggywiggy, who grants access to the Crystal Jiggy, enabling them to unlock the next world in Spiral Mountain. In Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts, collecting enough Jiggies rewards players with a globe in Showdown Town from L.O.G., which can be placed on a podium to unlock a new world. This installment changes the formula by removing Jiggies from world exploration. Instead, players earn them by completing challenges within specific time limits, collecting four T.T. Trophies, or using a Jig-O-Vend hidden in Showdown Town.
» Yooka-Laylee Series
The Yooka-Laylee series was developed by several former key personnel from Rare, resulting in gameplay mechanics that share similarities with Banjo-Kazooie. While Banjo-Kazooie housed its worlds inside Gruntilda’s Lair, Yooka-Laylee locates its playable worlds within Hivory Towers, the headquarters of Capital B. The world unlocking process in Yooka-Laylee differs from its spiritual predecessor. Instead of completing puzzle borders or picture challenges, players stand on a podium in front of a world and use a certain number of Pagies to gain access. These Grand Tomes, essentially big books, transport players to themed worlds where they can explore, collect various items, and advance through the game. After unlocking a world, players can activate the expansion feature using additional Pagies to enhance and expand the current Grand Tome. These expansions add new sections and elements to the world, creating a more immersive gameplay experience. Players can find Pagies in various areas including Hivory Towers, throughout worlds, or as rewards from interactions with non-playable characters. In Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Pagies serve a different purpose. Rather than unlocking new worlds, they appear throughout the game’s main hub, Royal Stingdom, functioning as environmental modifiers. Players can use Pagies to raise platforms or overcome obstacles, accessing previously unreachable areas containing additional collectibles and entrances to new Grand Tomes. Before Pagies will perform their power, players must complete specific challenges such as reaching goals within time limits, defeating all enemies, or collecting all collectibles without getting hit by obstacles.