1. Which versions of the game are 60 FPS? In all honesty, for once I'd prefer to get the PS4 version because used versions appear to be quite cheap. HOWEVER, if the PS4 (or Xbox One version for that matter) aren't 60 FPS, then I'll grin and bear the 40 bucks for the PC version (do tell me if there's a cheaper option though, that'd be nice lol)
Only the PC version is 60 fps. The console versions are not optimised for the Pro / X version of their respective consoles.
2. I heard a lot of bad stuff about the minigames and other side content. Is there any super cool unlockable for doing everything, or is it just something silly? I'm normally a completionist, but if the side content is as bad as people were saying, I don't mind leaving them lie if I'm not missing out on a huge chunk of the game. To use a rareware example... I'm hoping it isn't something like "you better play jetpac to face the final boss lol"
First, I don't think the mini games are bad, there is one that is (the first Rextro game is quite bad) and some others are maybe a bit more challenging than some would like, but it's not like Yooka is filled with garbage. On the other hand, if you decide to skip a few challenges because you are not enjoying them, you will not lose anything except an achievement. You get no bonusses for getting 100% and there are no pagies except for the first one that you are absolutely required to get. Choose the pagies you like, get 100 of them (leaving about 40 optional ones) and you can complete the story of the game.
3. What's on the horizon for updates regarding this game? Not too big of a deal, but I'm curious!
Mainly: There is one piece of download content planned that is free for backers and the orchestrated soundtrack and 64 bit style are still coming. Previous updates have improved camera controls and some qol improvements like easier restarts for some challenges.
4. So the hardest question: I like rareware's oldschool stuff quite a bit (yeah even DK 64 despite it going too far with its collectables lol). I'm under the impression that while this game is targeted towards people like me, that this game certainly doesn't hold up to say, the Banjo games. Is this game going to feel like too much of a pale imitation, or if, despite not being as good as them, will this still be a decent facsimile to hold me over till Mario takes over my world?
If you like DK64, you will definitely enjoy Yooka-Laylee. It is basically Banjo-Kazooie on the scale of DK64. It is not as good as Banjo-Kazooie, but it has quite a few nice ideas and I think it is consistently better than DK64. Well, the minecart sections are a bit better in DK64 over the ones in Yooka. It will not feel like a bad imitation, I think, but like what one would expect, had the same team just continued making collectathons on the GameCube. It has a design firmly rooted in the N64 collectathon mindset, so if you do not enjoy this mindset, you will find a lot to hate in Yooka, but if you actually, to this day, like this concept, you will have a blast.
Personally, Yooka-Laylee is my favourite game of the year so far, beating Sonic Mania and Zelda Breath of the Wild. It will not exceed Zelda for many, I think, but I am certain that if you enjoyed DK64 there is no way you will not enjoy YL, if your taste hasn't changed significantly.