Yooka-Laylee, for those who were around for its original Kickstarter run, existed to rekindle the spirit of N64 collectathons, like Banjo-Kazooie. While the final product was largely successful in its ambitions, it lacked the polish of a modern release, and its retro sensibilities often let it down.
That’s where Yooka-Replaylee comes in, then – an enhanced remake designed to fix the wrongs of the original and dazzle with its all-new graphics. It’s coming to the PS5 at an undetermined date; Playtonic says it’ll communicate the release details in the not-too distant future.

It should be stressed, this is more than just a simple up-res. Many of the challenges from the original have been redesigned to make them more fun, and you’ll even find new currencies and characters – some of which can be glimpsed in the trailer embedded above.
The controls and camera – a particular problem in the original – have also been reworked, while legendary composers Grant Kirkhope and David Wise return, this time with an orchestral score.
So, this is shaping up to be what the original should have been – an homage to the N64 platformers of old, albeit with a more refined design. As big fans of 3D platformers, we’re really looking forward to giving this another look when it eventually arrives.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 26
Yooka-Replaylee is the best terrible remake name I've ever seen. I love it.
I strongly disliked the original game, but I'm curious to check this out. I'm willing to give it another chance.
This game was great. Play it again you say? I'm in.
Never played the original..So for me with this being reworked etc..Im in..
More excited for that Croc remaster to be honest.
The original ran like crap, and I’d hope there’d be some kind of upgrade for owners of the original.
Wonder if there will be an upgrade path of sorts 🤔
I enjoyed the original Yooka so I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully the release date isn't too far off.
I was a backer for this game when it was announced on Kickstarter and while playing it made me feel like a kid with an N64 again I've still yet to finish the original.
How many times they going to remake this game lol? Didn't it already have 2 different versions last gen?
The problem with the original wasn't it's looks it was it's over big and under filled levels and awkward controls.
I tried it twice and couldn't get into it and I'm massively into 3D platformers
@JokerBoy322 no. One was a 2d sequel and it was super. The impossible lair
Yooka-Laylee was kind of rough when it came out, but having replayed it fairly recently, Playtonic improved upon it leaps and bounds, although the further improvements mentioned in the article wouldn't go amiss. I'll be playing this.
@rusty82 The Impossible Lair was great, though I barely scraped through the end even with a full Bee-tallion 🤣
It really does look superior to the original, Movement looks good, It was very clunky in the original. I'll wait for reviews to drop to see if I'll check it out
I can't wait to play this on the Switch 2.
I hope there is a Pro upgrade as well.
Have my binoculars at the ready 🤣
@dskatter The latest update on the Kickstarter says that there will be 'discounts for owners of the original' so it sounds to me like there's going to be some sort of paid upgrade path, but not a freebie.
@Bagwag82 according to Steam there is. Previous owners can upgrade at a discount.
Reasonable upgrade path or I’m boycotting it.
@StrickenBiged That’s good. I only have it digitally and I’d pony up a reasonable amount for it.
Or I’ll skip it altogether since my backlog is already stupidly gigantic. Either or!
This looks pretty nice.
As someone who grew up with the Rare games not to mention had an truly amazing brother (Miss you every single day, bruv x) who won the Banjo-Twooie competition to name a character in the game (Chris P Bacon, the aquatic pig!) I found the original really charming despite its flaws and a fun, lighthearted homage to classic N64 platformers. The sequel was, arguably, better and had a stunning soundtrack to boot but now it’s been repolished I may end up replayee-ing (?) it someday if only to snigger/cringe at Trowser’s name once more or just revel in the memories of my irreplaceable brother. So, for anyone reading this who enjoyed Banjo’s journies of yesteryear then raise a glass to remember my brother Simon Turk, forever a crazy bugger who lit up my life until life itself stole him away …
… oh, and I’ve still got the signed artwork, Si x
@Markatron84 I couldn't beat the actual impossible lair but enjoyed everything up to that point.
The original missed the mark on what made Rare original platformers so great.
Really hoping this remaster/remake will fix those design mistakes.
Those feathers with horrible placements, weird level progression and repetitive/redundant habilites, for example.
Everything will now be compared to Astrobot, so I'm not sure about this one
I think I will regive this game a shot. I own it on steam. Hope fully its like a $10 upgrade. I will give it a solid try this time around. I have been craving platformer games.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...