Banjo-Kazooie-Nuts-and-Bolts
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Rare promises Banjo-Kazooie demo before its November release
Talking with Eurogamer, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts lead designer Salvatore Fileccia confirmed their plans to release a Banjo demo to the Xbox Live Marketplace prior to the game's release. "We've got various different ideas" Fileccia explained, saying that the demo will most likely include the four challenges as seen in the E3 demo as well as an editor "because that's a whole different part of the game - building things and seeing how they perform, and taking part in challenges."So, there you have it. You can expect colorful Banjo-Kazooie demo goodness prior to the game's release this November. Huzzah!%Gallery-22579%
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts pre-order packs free code, early access to Banjo-Kazooie XBLA
We pretty much crammed the need-to-know right up there in the headline, but here it is again: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts pre-orders (confirmed: the game's only $40) will include free download codes for the original Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox Live Arcade at "participating" retailers (read: not the little game store up the block). The code apparently will be redeemable on Nuts & Bolts' launch day, giving players a "two-week head start" on the XBLA game, which won't be released to the masses until a couple weeks later.But why would you put down the new thing for the old one? Good question. For the answer we'll point you to "Stop 'N' Swop," a slice of Banjo lore that has intrigued completists of the original N64 games for years, now fully realized for the first time. (Spoiler: Certain accomplishments in Nuts & Bolts unlock <gasp>new content in the decade-old XBLA re-release</gasp>.)Speaking of bonuses, we've got a little something special for you today. Hit up the gallery below for the first screens of the newly revealed Nuts & Bolts game world: Jiggoseum. It's like the Olympics ... but with cah-razy vehicles!%Gallery-29956%
Rare: Kameo & PDZ sold tons, stop crying
This might be an unpopular opinion among some but, Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power were boring games. Although each showcased a small portion of the Xbox 360's new power at launch, the games were (mostly) critically chokeslammed. Blame it on the short development cycle of launch games or the decline of Rare's developmental quality (until Viva Piñata that is) but both games could have been much better. So, what does Rare think of the majority opinion on those launch releases? Well, they're a business, they care about sales, and according to Rare's Nick Burton, they sold a metric ton of copies of each (you jerk): "One of the things that I always find funny is when people always quote Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero as being flops at the launch of the 360. In the industry if you break even you're lucky, you're in the minority," Burton told VideoGamer. "If you make a decent amount of money you're really in the minority. You're in the top percentile. Those two games made a lot of money. For the install base they sold phenomenally well." Honestly, we didn't need Burton to tell us PDZ and Kameo made money because we can already tell Rare has been infused with cash. Look at Viva Piñata and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts -- clearly the people of Rare purchased some creativity and talent with that stack of monies. We joke because we love.
Joystiq E3 hands-on: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
I'm no great fan of Banjo-Kazooie. In fact, if memory serves, I once stated on the Joystiq Podcast that a bear who had a bird in his backpack is the single dumbest idea for a game in history. So it was no small amount of dread that I sidled up to Banjoe-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts last night at a Microsoft party.As a game, I still don't feel like I get BK:NaB. In the sliver I was playing I got a sense that I needed to win some races to collect some puzzle pieces, and that frankly wasn't enough to inspire me to keep playing.Sure, it looked really gorgeous, with zero pop-in and tons of color, a welcome respite from a lot of the grays and browns I'd been seeing during the week. Controls were pretty solid too. Some of the vehicles were disorienting at first, but they didn't take too long to get a hold of.Regardless, it could have been the result of the selection I was playing or how much time I could spend with it, but I was bored and almost ready to pack it in, secure in the knowledge that my preconceptions were once again on the money.But then I tried the vehicle editor. Gallery: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
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.
E308: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts media attack!
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts marks the return of the beloved N64 platform duo, exclusively on the Xbox 360. Today during the Microsoft press conference, Rare unveiled a new trailer (embedded above) for the title and Microsoft released a stockpile of screenshots and rendered artwork. Could Banjo Kazooie answer Microsoft's platformer mascot questions? Wait, did Microsoft have platformer mascot questions? Anyway, the game looks great so far but we must repeat something we mentioned earlier that's twice as awesome -- the original Banjo Kazooie is coming to Xbox Live Arcade! Sweet.%Gallery-27635%%Gallery-27634%
Microsoft: 'no truth' to Banjo-Kazooie motion control speculation [update]
Back to button mashing for Kazooie. Microsoft has sent along a brief statement allegedly clarifying what Microsoft Game Studios creative director Ken Lobb meant when he said, "you twist the controller around and it'll move different things in [Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]." The explanation goes a lil' something like this: "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."While the statement seems to confirm that Banjo-Kazooie will stick to conventional controls, it by no means denies that Microsoft is preparing a magic show for E3. Will the wand be waved? Stay tuned.Update: Rare has this to say: "There's no truth to the Banjo motion control rumor. Banjo has been designed to be played using a gamepad from the outset. People shouldn't take rumors that gestate in comments sections so seriously. They can often turn out to be red herrings, as is the case with Banjo and motion controls."
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 vid fuels Xbox 360 motion controller speculation [update]
About 4 minutes into a new Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts developer commentary video, Microsoft Game Studios creative director Ken Lobb drops the line, "So you basically grab with the wrench and then you twist the controller around and it'll move different things in the game." Twist, you say? Earlier, we catch Kazooie doing just that: twisting an Xbox 360 controller (recreated above; full video embedded after the break). So what do we make of all this?Well, there's that nagging rumor of some Abracadabra action going on behind closed doors at Microsoft, with Rare allegedly being one of the first studios to waggle the magic wand before passing it up for Vision cam support in the upcoming XBLA title, The Fast & The Furriest. It's not much of a stretch to assume that if Microsoft is to unveil a motion controller (say, next week!), Banjo-Kazooie could be one of the first titles to support the new feature. Waggletech® isn't exactly cutting edge or expensive, so a hardware manufacturer can essentially tack on motion sensitivity at any point (to varying degrees of success).One theory suggests that Microsoft could install motion control into preexisting gamepads with an add-on device; perhaps a modified battery pack that also plugs into the headset port. Bundle the gizmo with Banjo-Kazooie, and you've got yourself a tried and true practice. Case closed? Certainly not.Update: Microsoft has this to say.
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%
Microsoft Game Studios' 2008 in Gaming: A Yearbook
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/2008_Yearbook_Microsoft_Game_Studios'; Interested in seeing what you'll be playing on your Xbox 360 in the coming months? X3F has compiled the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook for you, a list of this year's exclusive graduating class with a detailed account of each title's current status and the stories surrounding them.The 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook chronicles the graduates, like the soon-to-be released Ninja Gaiden II, and the titles that didn't make it to grad, like Alan Wake. Yep, he had to be held back for a semester or two. Or maybe three, we just don't know yet.Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios graduating class ...
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 ...
Xbox 360 Spring Showcase impressions roundup
Our friends at Xbox 360 Fanboy are having a ball at the Xbox 360 Spring Showcase, sending word of their hands-on experiences with the console's upcoming lineup. (Update: Now with more Human.) Check out their impressions below: Impressions: Ninja Gaiden IIIt's unapologetically hardcore, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Impressions: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & BoltsThere is good reason that Rare did not decide to title the game Banjo Threeie. It's something new. Impressions: Penny Arcade AdventuresOn the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Turns out the game is a meld of Japanese RPG and old-school adventure.
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
