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Hands on: Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts vehicle creation
During a special reception last night -- held at the same venue as the Gears of War 2 reception -- Microsoft allowed the press to get their grubby mitts on Rare's upcoming Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The game has already been the center of some criticism from gamers, especially fans of the Banjo Kazooie series. Most of the coverage of the game thus far has dealt with the game's unique vehicle creation system, which allows players to build vehicles from dozens of mix and match parts, LEGO style. For those hoping this article contains a revelation regarding the platforming in Nuts & Bolts, we regret to inform you that the game's hub world -- where most of the platforming takes place -- was not available for play at the event. Here's the good news though, the vehicle creation is really, really fun.
Banjo Kazooie coming to XBLA later this year
The original N64 classic, Banjo Kazooie, will be coming to Xbox Live Arcade this Holiday season. Along with Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Rare fans will now have two platforming games to look forward to. Though one will include a little more vehicles than the other.
Rumor busted: No motion control in Banjo 3
The internet is all atwitter thanks to an IGN hosted video of Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts that features Microsoft's Ken Lobb mentioning that players will "twist the controller" to perform actions in the game. The video also featured Kazooie shaking her controller, which some took as a hint. Sorry to disappint, but motion control in Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts just isn't so. We have received word from Gamerscore Blog's Chris Paladino who told us "all of the motion controller hopes and complaints regarding the Banjo video on IGN are false."There you have it folks. Consider this rumor busted.Update: We've received further comment from Microsoft just to make things extra clear. Per Microsoft: "There is no truth to this speculation. Ken's comment is in reference to rotating the left analog stick while hitting the X-button to move different things in the game." Can't get much clearer than that, now can we?
New Banjo Kazooie videos and screens
After the Microsoft Gamers Day a while back, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts was seen by many in the community as too much of a departure from the older formula. The addition of vehicles, parts, and the creation of the former using the latter wasn't exactly traditional to the series' formula. Despite the fact that what we saw and played was fun, we can definitely say that the bits we had time with weren't exactly reminiscent of the N64 days.Rare looks to have anticipated the outcry and saved much of the more traditional stuff for later reveal. IGN recently got some media out of Rare that seems designed just for that reveal, the first video introduces you to Showdown Town, the game hub, and where most of the more traditional platforming happens. The second video showcases Banjo Land and displays some of the vehicle creation and editing, as well as some of the quirky world exploration. Get watching! By the way, listen closely around 4:00 into the first video for what could be a possible mention of a long rumored item. %Gallery-22579%
Banjo and Viva sequels only $39.99 at Gamestop?
This generation of games has seen the average price for a title rise to $59.99, so when a game looks to possibly be released at a price point lower than that, we take notice. Over at Gamestop's website, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts are both currently listed at the price of $39.99. Now while this could just be a simple error (Amazon has them both at $59.99), we'd like to hope that there's more going on ...The rest of this is only speculation, but there are a few connections between the two games. They're both from Rare and so they're both Microsoft first party games. Now it could just be wishful thinking, but we'd like to hope that Microsoft might be willing taking a bit of a profit hit on these two to get them to be must-buys for a larger audience of gamers (read: kids).
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts' official box art
It's time for another exciting edition of the too fun and too exciting Xbox 360 video game box art reveal of awesomeness reloaded! Where today, thanks to Microsoft, we bring you the official box art for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts in all its bear, bird, nuts, bolts and wrench glory. And we'll admit, it's a pretty nicely designed box art. Our favorite Nuts and Bolts box art design decision has to be the centering of Banjo's square nose on the cover, because we have something about adorably square cartoon noses. Too fun!%Gallery-22579%
2008 Yearbook: Microsoft Game Studios
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/2008_Yearbook_Microsoft_Game_Studios'; After a solid year for the Xbox 360 in 2007 many thought the system could never showcase the same amount of quality exclusives in a single year.In the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook, we've compiled a list of this year's graduating class with a detailed account of each title's current status and the stories surrounding them.From heartbreaking cancellations, surprise feature announcements and expected sequels, the 2008 MGS Yearbook is filled with fun facts and information on your soon-to-be favorite titles. Also included in the yearbook are special joke awards given to each title that releases in 2008 that poke fun at the details most commonly argued about in the comments.From Ninja Gaiden II to Alan Wake, the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook will have something for everyone.Ladies and gentlemen allow us to introduce the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios graduating class ...
X3F Impressions - Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Hands_on_with_Banjo_Kazooie_Nuts_Bolts'; Alright fanboys, time to get the difficult news out of the way first. Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is not much like its predecessors at all. The main gameplay focus is still on platforming, only it's now platforming with vehicles too. Like most platformers, the specific objectives you have to complete are slightly varied, but are mostly different takes on collecting items.To do so, you'll have a massive tool kit at your fingertips. The vehicles seen in the gallery can all be broken down into various pieces, and a large portion of the gameplay stems from mixing and matching vehicle parts to suit the task at hand. Or y'know, to just suit messing around with infinitely customizable vehicles in a physics playground. That playground can be taken online as well, and the game's multiplayer is very physics-focused and custom-content heavy.Hit the break for more on Banjo.
Mario spotted in new Banjo-Kazooie trailer
In case you missed it, check out the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts trailer one more time. Watch closely, especially at the 1:45 mark. Yep, that's an 8-bit Mario in all his planar glory, as both a testament to the user-generated nature of the game as well as we suspect a not-so-subtle nod to their former publishing partner. [Thanks, Michael]
New Banjo 3 details: co-op and online play
More Spring Showcase goodness as we continue to dig through the assets provided by Microsoft. Perusing the Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts fact sheet, we've uncovered a few tasty bits of info. First and foremost, the game will feature multiplayer modes. Said modes will be available online, though the fact sheet is unclear if they will be offline capable as well. Given that Rare's other big game for 2008, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, features offline multiplayer, we'd say it will probably be available in Nuts and Bolts as well. Cooperative multiplayer is listed as well, though the label "cooperative challenges" makes us think that co-op through the single-player campaign is probably out. Oh, and in case you'd rather not futz with the do-it-yourself vehicle creation (you old fuddy-duddy, you), the fact sheet assures gamers that many pre-built vehicles are available. The fact sheet also refers to the vehicle creation as user created content. Could this mean that players will be able to trade their vehicle designs? Guess we'll have to wait and see. %Gallery-22579%
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts trailer headshots Mario
With so many leaks already reported, the first official Microsoft Gamers Day news is starting to drop. One of the first, and perhaps most anticipated, bit is the debut trailer for Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. The video focuses primarily on the game's vehicle creation tool. Several vehicles are shown, from massive land vehicles to missile-firing air vehicles, all of which appear to be made of mix-and-match parts. Some platforming is also shown, but vehicles definitely seem to be the star of the show. Oh, and the end of the video is more or less an outright declaration of superiority over Nintendo's Mario. Watch it. Now.Update: GameVideos edited the Mario headshot. We've replaced the video with the unedited version from YouTube.[Thanks, Tony]%Gallery-22579%
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts due in November [update]
You've seen the leaked Xbox 360 screenshots of his next awesomely alliterative adventure, but perhaps you weren't quite sure what the bear with a bird in his backpack was doing in any of them. According to numerous online reports (here's one and here's another), Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts sees the eponymous creature exploring "Showdown Town" and collecting parts to assemble all manner of physics-based, LEGO-like vehicles. The game's vehicle editor is said to be accessible at any point, meaning that the last thingamabob you picked up (one of 1,600) might just have a use in, say, a helicopter. Or a hovercraft. The unconfirmed word (we're just waiting for Microsoft to officially blast out all this info at its Gamer's Day today) confirmed word is that we'll get to be the bear with a bird in a backpack building a bulldozer this November. Be sure to spy the game's debut trailer after the break. %Gallery-22741% Read -- Official announcement Read -- Kombo.com Read -- NeoGAF, who else? Read -- More on vehicle construction
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and Viva Pinata 2: Trouble in Paradise details
Thanks to the newest issue of Game Informer there is now even more news about Rare's newest 360 outings. Regarding Viva Pinata 2, the article says that the game now sports two player local drop-in/drop-out co-op, a massively expanded trading card system, over thirty new pinatas, a photo mode, and more. Now as for Banjo, there's going to be over 1600 parts to find and use, note finding is back and is the game's currency, and Rare says that they really wanted to avoid making a hi-res old Banjo game. Hit the break for more info.
Rare: Banjo-Kazooie is not a racing game
In response to the leaked Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots that showcase an abundance of vehicle information, Rare confirmed with the peeps over at Eurogamer that the new Banjo is "not a racing game". So, thankfully, we can put those rumors to rest. Rare also added that "the honest truth is that people don't know the half of it yet" saying that "the game is not just a graphical showcase" and that they still haven't "revealed the gameplay mechanic yet." Interesting stuff ... Maybe that means we'll hear about the 360's rumored Wiimote controller tomorrow when we get our Banjo news. Speculation FTW!
Banjo-Kazooie 3 screens flood the net
When we said that Microsoft was springing some serious pre-Gamer's Day leaks, we meant it. While NeoGAF members were getting the skinny on Viva Piñata and Scene It? sequels, they also tracked down a backpack-ful of new screens for Banjo-Kazooie 3, Rare's adorable action platformer. We've put the whole mess of them below for your enjoyment. The Joystiq hive mind is split on BK as a series, but even the doubters among us have to admit that these screenshots look ... well, they look magical, OK? There, we said it. They look like magical fun. Are you happy now? Gallery: Banjo-Kazooie 3
Even more Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots surface
The Microsoft Gamers Day 2008 leak (which all but confirmed Viva Pinata and Scene It? sequels) continues to give us leaky goods, this time in the form of more Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots.Yesterday, we posted a rumor about two Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots making the internet rounds and how we couldn't be 100% sure they were real. We still can't be 100% certain they're legit (we'll say 99.9% certain), but now thirteen more Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots have leaked their way online which has to say something. These newer screenshots come courtesy of a NeoGAF member who discovered them on a Microsoft owned press site that accidentally posted all of the MGD08 assets a few days early. We uploaded all fifteen leaked and still "alleged" Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots to the gallery below so you can look at the interesting characters, the abundance of vehicles and the game's gorgeous lighting. It's all yummy delicious! Expect to hear official news and an official asset release sometime mid-week.%Gallery-22579%[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
First Banjo-Kazooie 3 screens surface [update]
Update: Thirteen more Banjo-Kazooie 3 screenshots just leaked onto the net which all but confirms these screens to be legit. Hitting the internets today are two alleged leaked screenshots from Rare's upcoming Banjo-Kazooie 3 and, if legit, they'd be our first look at what we can expect from Rare's cartoon duo. Personally, the screenshots (viewable in the gallery below) look to be rather official and could be associated with some sort of press kit that's set to release as part of Microsoft's press event they're holding next week. For analysis' sake, let's say these are real Banjo-Kazooie 3 screens, what is your knee-jerk impression of Rare's handiwork? %Gallery-22579%
Select media members preview Rare's latest
The shroud of mystery continues to be ... uhh, shrouded as Rare keeps the announcement lid firmly sealed on two of their 2008 projects, one of which is guaranteed to be Banjo-Kazooie 3. And now comes word that the secrecy may be coming to an end with MundoRare claiming that both Rare projects were shown to select members of the media last week (presumably) under heavy NDA. Very interesting stuff. We also hear that Rare fansite The Rare Witch Project received an exclusive piece of Banjo-Kazooie 3 concept art that can only be shown when the time is right. Probably because it's spoiler'ish.Adding up the Banjo teaser glimpse we saw at last year's E3, all kinds of random rumors, plot talk, a cryptic website and now word that the media finally are getting to see these projects, we're certain this mystery shroud will be coming off very soon. And what about that second unannounced Rare project? Expect answers at E3 in July. [Via NeoGAF]
Rare offers (mostly fake) Banjo Kazooie plots
Rare says many of its fans suspected a recent teaser site for the 360 version of Banjo Kazooie was actually just an elaborate April Fools' Day prank (it wasn't). But, to placate the legion, the company offered up some 4-1 plots for their game, all but one of which may be a complete fabrication.The red herrings include B & K hunting the "witch's giant T.I.T", Banjo and Grunty falling in love (our personal favorite) but we'd be more likely to believe Kazooie being abducted by aliens. Which on the list are you leaning towards?
Rare serves up five possible Banjo-Kazooie 3 plots
In news we totally expect to be an April Fools' joke and one that is played off rather coyly at that, Rare thought they'd offer loyal Banjo-Kazooie fanboys five possible Banjo-Kazooie 3 storylines as part of their latest feature "Disinformation Central". You see, they claim that one of the five possible storylines they offer up is the game's real one with the other four being made up nothingness. Take a look at all five different plot outlines after the break, decide which one is real, then slap your face because we all know none of them are legit. Or so we don't think. Maybe Rare's April Fools' joke is the fact that they're being serious? Or maybe that's what they want us to think? Meh, too confusing, just enjoy the read. [Via Eurogamer]
