banjo-kazooie
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This Wednesday: Virtual On, Banjo Tooie & Sorry! [update]
It's really just a reminder at this point, but we thought you might like to know that Microsoft has confirmed that both Banjo Tooie and Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram are headed to XBLA this Wednesday. If you're up for some giant robot blasting action, we suggest Virtual On. If you're more of an anthropomorphic-bear-jumping-on-things kind of guy, then you'd probably prefer Banjo Tooie. If, however, you like cheap Arcade games, you're out of luck. Both games cost 1200 ($15). Update: As a commenter points out, Sorry! is coming to Hasbro Family Game Night as well for 800 ($10) %Gallery-46149% %Gallery-43257%
Banjo-Tooie's Stop 'n' Swop feature grants fabulous prizes
The original N64 version of Banjo-Tooie was met with near-universal critical acclaim, though some were disappointed by the cancellation of one of the title's most lauded additions -- a feature known as "Stop 'n' Swop," where special eggs located in Banjo-Kazooie could be imported into Tooie to exchange for various prizes. Now, nearly a decade later, the feature has found its way into the XBLA re-release of Banjo-Tooie -- but this time around, the rewards are a tad more tangible. As seen in the video after the jump, an achievement, gamer pic and a Banjo-Kazooie NXE theme (as well as a few in-game cheats and items) are all up for grabs if you've got the mettle to go egg hunting in Banjo the First. And by "the mettle," we of course mean "the GameFAQs guide."
Rare releases new Banjo-Tooie trailer on Xbox Live
The release of Banjo-Tooie is quickly drawing near, and to keep the hype up, Rare has presented a new trailer for the game. Featuring FPB gameplay (first-person birding), you'll be able to scope out some boss fights and oh man that's a freaking playable washing machine and it shoots underwear. Now that's charm you can't put a price on. Well, actually, you can. Banjo-Tooie is scheduled for release on April 29 for 1200 ($15). Who's ready to Stop 'N Swop? %Gallery-43257%
Banjo-Tooie explores XBLA on April 29
Fans eager to play the sequel to Banjo-Kazooie will get their chance to Stop 'N Swop on April 29 when Banjo-Tooie releases on Xbox Live Arcade. As with the first game, Banjo-Tooie will be priced at 1200 ($15) and will sport "a super-charged frame rate," which is crazy developer speak for "gewd grafix." Rare also promises more on the Stop 'N Swop feature leading up to Banjo-Tooie's release, and we'll be sure to update you all on that when it's available. %Gallery-43257% [Via Eurogamer]
Video: Rare celebrates the holidays with Stop 'N Swop
As an early Easter present, Rare has compiled the video you see above and released it onto Xbox Live. Like the good bloggers we are, we traversed the virtual landscape of Xbox Live to retrieve it for you. In fact, many Bothans ... ah, nevermind. The video shows off the Stop 'N Swop feature in Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, which unlocks content for one of the games granted you achieved a certain goal in the other title, and was promised in the original N64 games, yet never fully implemented. Now, with Banjo-Tooie on its way to Xbox Live Arcade, Rare has had ample time to get the feature into the games, and offers the above video as a teaser on what to expect.
Rumor: Rare 'accidentally' reveals Perfect Dark XBLA
Click to perfect-size The above image (used to promote the Banjo-Tooie premium theme for Xbox 360) was revealed via the Banjo-Kazooie forums. Notice anything? No, not the huge, red arrow. Look at what it's pointing at. What could that be?Forum users are saying it's an icon for Perfect Dark on XBLA, though it could be anything, really. We should also mention that Rare does like messing with fans. Remember that Christmas card debacle? This could be another tease that goes ... nowhere. Also, how do we know that Rare isn't developing a game called "Person Stuck in White Room"? Hey, it could happen!Regardless, we contacted Microsoft about the possibility of Perfect Dark on XBLA. The company's response: "We have nothing to announce at this time."[Via Xbox360Achievements]
Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts DLC trailer is bumming us out
We really hope the new Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts DLC, "L.O.G.s Lost Challenges," sells a lot of units. No, we don't have any financial stake in Rare or Microsoft, we just hope they can afford a better trailer than the one we've embedded just above. Honestly, with that font and those production values, it looks more like an Olive Garden training video on making the perfect pasta than an advertisement for a game published by the world's largest company. So, on April 7th, won't you please spend 400 MS points for 250 achievement points, 12 new challenges, 7 new multiplayer games and the satisfaction of knowing an up-and-coming studio won't have to post such a depressing trailer ever again? We think it's well worth it. %Gallery-48930%
Banjo-Kazooie DLC on the way, Achievements on Xbox website
At the beginning of this month, a posting on the forums of Banjo-Kazooie developer Rare lead us to believe that we'd be seeing more content for the game a lot sooner than today. Whether we were mislead or simply employing the jumping to conclusions mat too liberally remains to be seen, but today the list of achievements for Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts on Xbox.com has been amended with 250 extra points, hinting pretty heavily at directly confirming the upcoming DLC and laying out details for some of it.One such achievement, titled "L.O.G. Master" tasks the player with winning "all of the new multiplayer games" (emphasis on "new") while another, titled "Halfway Home," confirms the inclusion of "L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges" in the as-yet-unannounced content. While this achievement list certainly solidifies the future release of more Banjo-Kazooie content, we would certainly appreciate some more detail. So we reached out to Microsoft for comment and got this in return:"Yes, these Achievements are connected to my upcoming add-on pack for Nuts & Bolts, but don't go thinking that this is all I have in store for you. Oh no, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve ... but looks like you eager gamers will just have to wait until the Day of Fools to learn more."Looks like we're waiting 'til April 1st for all the hard facts. While this is a better response than "No Comment," is a straight answer too much to ask?[Via CVG]
Rare hints at Nuts & Bolts 'LOG's Lost Challenges' DLC
In its own coy way, Rare is teasing that Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts DLC is in the works and that we'll actually receive details next week. According to a post by the Lord of Games (L.O.G.) on Rare's official website, we're told that Nuts & Bolts "news on potential lifespan-lengthening activities will be incoming very soon" and are given a "LOG's Lost Challenges" image. We ain't no smarty-pants geniuses, but if we had to take a guess at what L.O.G. is talking about, we'd go with DLC that boasts new vehicle building and task-based challenges. Now that we think about it, the Banjo-Kazooie Contraption Contest Rare held back in December may have something to do with this content. We wouldn't be too surprised to see the winner's creation as a part of next week's announcement.
Amazon assembles $20 Banjo: Nuts & Bolts deal
Today's Amazon.com video game Deal of the Day is none other than Rare's Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, which has been reduced to $19.98. While some may see the reduction in price as a sign that Amazon.com wants to unload its unwanted Nuts and Bolts inventory, we're optimists in this situation. We predict the game has been such a success that most every 360 owner already has the title, so (to secure a few more game purchases) Rare partnered with Amazon to sell Banjo's latest adventure at a 50% discount. Hey, we never said we were logical optimists. [Via Aeropause]
Banjo-Tooie to beat up on XBLA this April
When Microsoft said Banjo-Tooie was coming to Xbox Live Arcade in early 2009, we were hoping for something in the first quarter or so. Rare's announcement this week puts the game just beyond that window and into April. Rare is calling it a "note-perfect migration" with upped graphics and framerate. BT will also feature the ill-fated Stop 'n' Swop, a relic from the Nintendo 64 days allowing items collected in Banjo-Kazooie to materialize in the sequel. No indication on what such items will be or how they'll affect gameplay. As for the cost, mum's the word for now, but our guess is it'll be at or near BK's 1200 ($15) price tag. %Gallery-43257%
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts SDTV fix released
Still playing your Xbox 360 on a non-HDTV or, like some of us at EHD, sticking out the holidays at a relative's where standard definition is the only option? Good news, the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts title update went live earlier this week, rendering things readable, even under the most trying of circumstances. Now, getting your console online at your dial-up only, WiFi-less, out of 3G range cousin's house is the only problem left, until that's solved hit up Xbox 360 Fanboy for comparison shots of the original and newer, bigger text.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts gets text-enlarging patch
A recent patch lets you make the text bigger in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.
Rare releases text enlarging Nuts & Bolts update
Without much of an announcement, Rare just released a Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts title update that fixes the game's smallest biggest problem, the small text. Yes sir, the Nuts & Bolts small dialog text issue has been resolved! After the title update is installed, a new "Large Dialogue Text Option" is available under the game display options on the main screen. Once this box is checked, the game's dialog text is embiggened. Or, if you're a purist, you can keep the small text by keeping the option unchecked. You can see the difference in text sizes in our nifty screen comparison gallery below. Thanks Rare! %Gallery-39816%
Contraption contest, earn eternal Nuts & Bolts fame
Rare just sent word that they're holding a Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts contest where they're looking for the coolest, most innovative and funkiest vehicular contraption. And they'll be rewarding those contraption creators who can impress. The Nuts & Bolts Contraption Contest is relatively simple. From now through January 4th, create the most impressive Nuts & Bolts vehicle possible. Then, once complete, upload a picture of the vehicle to the Showroom. When all entries are in, Rare will look through all submissions and pick the top seven. These seven l33t contraptors will be awarded a mystery prize that'll be something along the lines of "in-game immortalization" that "could earn you a genuine place in Banjo history." Sounds bragalicious.
Rare's Christmas card lacking Killer Instinct ... or is it?
click to embiggen the holiday cheer Rare sent over this Christmas card wishing the staff a happy holidays. Unlike last time, there's no Killer Instinct hint to be found. What gives, Rare? No Glacius The Snowkiller? Oh, wait, what's this ...%Gallery-39099%
Deal time: Snag Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for $26
Considering Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts debuted at $39.99, it was already quite a bargain as far as Xbox 360 games go. Gamers are frugal people, though. They have to be, as gaming is an expensive hobby, after all. With this in mind, we present you with one heckuva deal on Banjo's latest adventure. Amazon currently has the game on sale for a paltry $25.99. Even better, it qualifies for free shipping. If you've been waiting to get your hands on the generally well received build-em-up / platformer, now's your chance.[Via Evil Avatar]
Season's Greetings from Rare!
Earlier this morning, after waking up to the sound of "Jingle Bells" blaring from our alarm clock (custom ringers FTW!), we slipped on our camel slippers, wiped the sleep from our eyes and peered out the main window. A fresh blanket of snow has covered Fanboy Towers and we noticed the mailman was stuffing goodies into the official X3F mailbox. So, we took a sip of last night's leftover and not so hot chocolate that was still sitting on the kitchen table, grabbed our flannel jacket off the coat rack and proceeded to receive the mailbox goodies that were just deliver. And after nearly slipping on a patch of ice which would have surely resulted in our blogger death, we opened the mail receptacle to find our first holiday card. It's a holiday card from developer Rare. One that's so festive, we figured we'd share. And sharing we are.%Gallery-39084%
Video: Banjo visit the Eiffel Tower
After the break, we bring you your random video of the day. The setup: Banjo the bear (from Banjo-Kazooie, of course) has back rent piling up, so he decides to go visit Jinjo in Paris, France. While in Paris, Banjo decides to take in the sights, visit the Eiffel Towel and wander about. Then, suddenly, he spots a Jiggy and must find a way grab the golden puzzle piece while breaking free of traditional platformer restraints. Did we mention the video is live action and features a dude in a bear costume?
X3F TV - XBLA in Brief: Banjo Kazooie
We know what you're thinking. A bear? Teamed up with a bird? It sounds insane, we know. Somehow, though, somehow it works. Joining a bear with a bird seemingly creates the perfect platforming duo. Honestly though, is any stranger than an Italian plumber taking out his wrath on sadistic, sentient mushrooms? Now a bear riding a plumber, that would be weird. Find out why the bear / bird combo works very well in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief, in which we take a look at Banjo Kazooie. [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
