Yooka-Replayee Is Out Today On Xbox, And Here’s A Look At The Reviews For It
Today’s the day for Yooka-Replayee! This is the “definitive remastered and enhanced version” of 2017’s Yooka-Laylee that we mentioned a little while ago, and it’s now available to buy on the Xbox Store for £24.99 / $29.99.
This version includes a graphics overhaul, new presentation elements, new story sequences, new moves and combos, a new collectible currency, a refreshed soundtrack and so much more, making it a significant upgrade on the original.
Well, that’s the idea at least! Here’s what some of the reviews are saying so far:
“Yooka-Replaylee feels like one of the best Nintendo 64-era collect-a-thons ever, but with every bit of shine, polish, and refinement that a 2025 release allows. Each level and character design is gorgeous, the orchestral soundtrack is incredible, and there’s a ridiculous amount of activities and challenges jam-packed into every single nook and cranny of the game. The whole thing handles as smooth as butter and is a top-tier platformer experience that’s oozing with heart, charm, joy, fun, and humor.”
“Yooka-Replaylee is a confident reimagining of Playtonic’s original 3D platformer, transforming a once-mixed debut into a polished and rewarding experience. With smoother controls, compact world design, and vibrant presentation, it confidently steps out from the shadow of its inspirations. Though not without flaws, this remake captures the joy of the genre with thoughtful updates and satisfying progression. Not every choice lands, but Yooka-Replaylee is a commendable labor of love that stands apart from its inspirations, and it deserves a spot among the greats of modern 3D platforming.”
“In short, Yooka-Replaylee is a brilliant remake of the original game. It expands and improves upon so many areas that it leaves the original release in the dust. It took a long wait, but Yooka and Laylee finally have a 3D platformer worthy of the Banjo-Kazooie comparisons.”
“As the “definitive” version of its 2017 platformer, Yooka-Replaylee balances smooth controls and stunning visuals with annoying humor, haphazard levels, and underwhelming challenge.”
IGN (5/10)
“Yooka-Replaylee aims to overhaul a platformer that was rife with frustrating issues, and while it does feel better for it, none of its changes do enough to bring it close to the 3D platforming standards of today.”
As things stand, Yooka-Replayee has a Metacritic average of 76 for PS5 (the most dominant platform for reviews), which places it higher than the original version that only scored a 68 back in the day.
If you’re interested in trying it, we’ve got two bits of good news for you – the first is that owners of Yooka-Laylee get an automatic 30% discount on the Xbox Store and the other is that a free demo is available to try as well!
We’ll leave you with a link to the full game and the free demo down below:
