This game is obviously trying to imitate Banjo-Kazooie.  Your characters are a lizard who doesn’t talk (Mac), and a wisecracking parrot who rides on him (Regina).  You travel across 3D platforming worlds collecting stuff, but instead of notes and jigsaw piece “Jiggies,” you are collecting cubes and golden “Floppies” (disks).  Even the music uses the same kinds of instruments (meaning lots of bari saxophone and xylophone).  Regina & Mac is available on some consoles and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.

Like many 3D platformers, you have a hub world and can unlock new worlds by collecting enough cubes and floppies.  You can run and jump, as well as do a triple jump.  Along the way you’ll learn new moves from a koala like a stomp for hitting switches.  The levels have platforming challenges and puzzles to solve, with usually a floppy to collect as a reward.  One thing I thought was kind of clever is that the cubes you collect are used to solve nanogram “Picross” style puzzles instead of jigsaw pieces to open up worlds.

But that’s about the only good thing I can say about this game.  Play control feels way off and makes platforming overly challenging.  They somehow made the graphics WORSE than the N64 and PlayStation.  Even the music is grating.  Good level design is nowhere to be found and it’s just not very much fun.  If you want to play a game like Banjo-Kazooie, you might as well try Yooka-Laylee instead.  Or better yet, just play Banjo-Kazooie and its sequel.

Kid Factor:

Nothing too violent or objectionable here.  Reading skill is helpful for the text, and younger gamers may get frustrated with the controls and challenges.  Regina and Mac is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews