Yooka-Replaylee Review: Playtonic Revitalizes a Modern Classic on Nintendo Switch 2

Yooka-Replaylee Review: Playtonic Revitalizes a Modern Classic on Nintendo Switch 2 When Playtonic Games first released Yooka-Laylee in 2017, it signaled the triumphant return of the 3D collectathon platformer.

Drawing inspiration from Rare's celebrated Nintendo 64-era titles, Playtonic—founded by industry veterans from Rare—recaptured the whimsical spirit of classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

Now, Playtonic delivers a comprehensive makeover with Yooka-Replaylee, launching on October 9, 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 and marking a new milestone for the series on modern hardware. A Fresh Perspective and Expanded Storytelling Yooka-Replaylee doesn’t simply rehash the original narrative.

This remake introduces an inventive retelling of the duo’s adventure, unfolding events from Yooka and Laylee’s own embellishing point of view.

The story brims with playful reinterpretations—reminiscent of The Lion King 1 1/2’s comedic re-examination of its predecessor—which adds an extra layer of charm.

Much of Yooka-Laylee’s tongue-in-cheek humor and witty dialogue returns, with a newly penned ending ensuring that both newcomers and returning fans find surprises along the way. Significant Visual and Gameplay Enhancements Playtonic Games has invested in a thorough visual overhaul.

Character models and animations are crisper and more expressive, with lush environments that benefit from expanded stage designs.

Worlds retain their thematic identities, yet players will notice new areas, adjusted challenges, and a wider variety of collectibles.

The Pagie system, central to progression, remains robust—requiring players to collect Pagies to unlock worlds and boss encounters—while the total collectible count has increased, pushing completion times up to 30 hours for those aiming for 100%. New coins called Q.U.I.D.S.

enable players to purchase over 30 Tonics, adding layers of customization, while the returning Quills and Ghost Writers offer fresh incentives for exploration.

Transformations also make a comeback, including inventive new forms such as Yooka and Laylee turning into a water-spraying flower.

Arcade Tokens, hidden in each world, unlock 3D platforming challenges with the ever-cheerful Rextro, replacing the original mini-games with engaging puzzles and bite-sized stage play. Refined Navigation and Orchestrated Soundtrack Addressing navigation complaints from the first release, Playtonic has debuted a vastly improved map and fast travel system.

Players can awaken Mark the Bookmark at various locations, instantly warping across the expanded worlds and tracking collectibles and NPCs more efficiently than ever before. One of Yooka-Replaylee’s standout features is its reimagined score.

The soundtrack, already a highlight thanks to composers Grant Kirkhope, David Wise, and Steve Burke, has been fully orchestrated by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

The new music lends cinematic depth and majesty to each world, with tracks like the Galleon Galaxy theme receiving rave praise for their stellar arrangements. Technical Performance on Nintendo Switch 2 While Yooka-Replaylee runs smoothly at 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch 2, some early technical hiccups—such as rare freezing when using the home button or extended loading screens—were observed during review.

Playtonic has acknowledged these issues and assured players that a day-one patch is in development to address them, underscoring the team’s commitment to a polished experience. A Lasting Recipe for Platformer Success Yooka-Replaylee showcases Playtonic Games’ expertise in breathing new life into the 3D collectathon formula.

Through meticulous visual and gameplay enhancements, an inventive narrative twist, and a grand new soundtrack, the Switch 2 remake not only honors the original but surpasses it in several key aspects.

For fans of the genre, Yooka-Replaylee is an essential addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 library and a testament to the enduring appeal of whimsical, personality-driven platformers. Review copy provided by Playtonic Games.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Playtonic soundtrack Yooka-Replaylee Playtonic Games Yooka-Laylee platformer eShop Grant Kirkhope David Wise Steve Burke Prague Philharmonic Orchestra