Kart racing with Banjo and friends. Controls feel slightly loose at first but you adjust. Not the best kart game on GBA but solidly in the upper tier.
Your verdict
Category
Racing1 player3+
Description
Aerial racing game developed by Rare on GBA. Published by THQ in the United States in February 2005. Banjo, Kazooie, Mumbo, Jolly and their rivals compete in biplane aircraft across varied aerial circuits. Four championship cups, time trial mode, one-on-one rival mode and link cable multiplayer. Unlockable bonuses and colorful visuals faithful to the Banjo-Kazooie universe.
The US edition of Banjo-Pilot, released in January 2005 ahead of the European version, making it the first NTSC pressing of Rare's GBA swan song. Distributed by THQ, this American variant draws collectors after the original Nintendo of America release, issued just before Rare crossed over to Microsoft. Its desirability rests as much on its earlier launch as on its status as Rare's last kart racer on a Nintendo platform.
Is Banjo-Pilot still worth playing in 2026?
An aerial racing game developed by Rare, Banjo-Pilot gathers the series' heroes in biplane duels inspired by the kart formula. The aerial tracks, the weapons to pick up and the cups to chain offer immediate handling and a real arcade flying pleasure. Without revolutionising the genre, the title takes care over its clarity, its track variety and its Rare flavour. The competition on the machine stays stiff. For a Banjo-Kazooie fan or a lover of portable arcade racing, the title keeps an honest, well paced entertainment.
