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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.
Mario beheaded by Banjo, everybody freaks
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Proof_RARE_Pissed_Off_at_Nintendo_Mario_beheaded_by_Banjo'; Rare unveiled a trailer yesterday for its forthcoming Xbox 360 vehicle-based platformer Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. It looks very lovely, as Rare games often do, but discussion about the video now seems to be less about the game, and more about a brief cameo from Mario.Towards the end of the two-minute trailer, the bear and the bird are seen flying a customized plane towards a huge model of Mario, before blasting the revered plumber's head clean off! The cheek! Later versions of the same footage have had the decapitation edited out (there is an unedited version after the break), which suggests that Rare got a slapped wrist over the (hardly scandalous) "scandal."Anyway, with grim predictability, this scene resulted in the entire internet getting its panties in a bunch. Everywhere one looked, people were speculating boringly over what this could possibly mean. And now, Rare has enlightened us: it means nothing. Zilch. It was all a bit of light-hearted fun. Haha.MTV's Stephen Totilo spoke to lead software engineer Salvatore Fileccia about the cameo, and came away with the impression that some rascal at Rare had constructed the Mario figure using the game's vehicle editor, and that the scene had been added to the trailer at the last minute, with Microsoft none the wiser. But before you all grab your pitchforks, know that Rare still has tons of respect for Mario, with Fileccia himself commenting at the presentation of the trailer: "Action platformers have gotten a bit stale, except for Mario."Crisis over, then. Now back to praying for a Banjo game on the Virtual Console.
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
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]
Banjo Kazooie gets feature-light homepage
Well, we just got tricked into downloading Silverlight. That's about all the information we were able to glean from a recently-launched teaser site for the upcoming Xbox 360 version of Banjo Kazooie. Once you download Silverlight, all you get is a spinning puzzle piece, a picture of a bear and the knowledge that you just helped Microsoft propagate their Flash competitor. Ilovebees, it is not.For your surfing pleasure, we've posted the entirety of the site's content above, though we hope that will soon be replaced by pictures, videos and other information from the game, no matter how we may feel about the concept.
Banjo Kazooie website teases the masses
What you're looking at is (minus the compulsory logos and legal mumbo jumbo) the entirety of the Banjo Kazooiewebsite. Well, that's not exactly fair. If you visit the actual site, you will get to see the puzzle piece spin, occasionally flashing glimpses of Banjo himself as well as the words "Coming Soon." Kind of a let down considering we were required to install Microsoft Silverlight to view it (and then spent a good half hour trying to figure out exactly what Silverlight is). And there you have it, a teaser site, nothing more (yet).
Rare fails ... at Halo 3
During this week's Halo 3 Humpday Challenge, Bungie, formerly of the Microsoft camp, took on Rare, still of the Microsoft camp. Maybe someone should have told Rare that winning could secure them freedom because based on the results Rare didn't bring any passion to the party.Actually they took Bungie out to town like a cheap prom date in the last round, but their performance reminds us of their game portfolio if you turn it upside down. From the awesomeness of their classic library to craptastic games like Grabbed by the Ghoulies. In the description of the epic battle, Bungie's Luke Smith does refer to the Rare team as creators of the upcoming Banjo-Threeie, which could have been slipped by Rare who have yet to confirm the name of the third installment of the popular platform title -- unless you count the end of Banjo-Tooie. The breakdown is an interesting and entertaining read and any Halo 3 or Rare fan should check it out.
Banjo 3 isn't going to be so traditional
Rare's latest community Q&A answer session of Scribes has brought forth a small nugget of Banjo-Kazooie 3 information regarding the game's platformer gameplay. According to a Rare employee, "Banjo won't be a shooter (unless we sell no copies like Ghoulies and out of desperation give him a gun for the next game) but it also won't be a traditional platformer." The Rare team even goes as far to say that they "somewhat grandly like to think that [Banjo-Kazooie 3] will be a different take on the genre". Now that friends, is setting the bar high. They also confirm that Banjo 3 will feature some sort of multiplayer gameplay and promise it'll be teh hawtness. And really, we just want to see the game in action as we're ever so curious to see how this hush-hush title will look, feel and play. Eagerly. Awaiting. More. Details. [Via 1UP]
