http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52632

Hmm. Interesting. Most of the websites just have two screenshots, and the two screenshots that most websites have look really good. When I first saw them, my excitement level for this game went up dramatically, and I thought in my head... "Maybe MS's investment in Rare will pay off after all....

But after clicking on that link, and seeing the other 11 screenshots, I'm not so sure... Some of the screenshots look slightly better than Xbox 1 quality, with Banjo looking mighty squarish, like they aren't using enough polys on his character model.

Right now, I'd have to say I'm cautiously optimistic....

I think it looks fantastic. The colors are so vibrant and the detail is quite impressive. Banjo looks very square, but I think thats the style the artists chose for him, not a limitation of the graphics. Look at the buildings and some of the background and it looks like a lot of effort went into making this look amazing.

As much as I enjoyed the games on the N64, this just seems like a bad idea.

The majority of the series' audience has since moved on, and as for gaining a new audience, most of them have never even heard of Banjo Kazooie. Too much time has passed. It only means something to a small core group of gamers who remember playing those games on the N64.

Rare's trying its best to get a young audience turned on to the 360, but it just ain't happening, and definitely not by reviving an old IP.

Although I'll reserve judgement on the game until after I see and play it, if Rare produces a top notch platformer I'll be extremely happy. This is a genre that has been wholly lacking in the xbox family and a title like this (if done well) can only be positive in my eyes.

I'm not sure why anyone would think this is a bad idea...?

But after clicking on that link, and seeing the other 11 screenshots, I'm not so sure... Some of the screenshots look slightly better than Xbox 1 quality, with Banjo looking mighty squarish, like they aren't using enough polys on his character model.

Right now, I'd have to say I'm cautiously optimistic....

The title is due out "sometime in 2008" so they still have time, and these are leaked screens; I wouldn't read too much into them as surely they aren't polished. Time will tell though; this is definitely going to be one title where early user reviews will be useful to make a decision.

There are more pictures up on Joystiq. Graphically it looks amazing, exactly like a high-def Banjo would look, the Xbox 360 desperately needs games like this, bald space marine simulators and military shooters can only take a system so far. I really do hope it can find an audience... platformers are great and Banjo-Kazooie is a great platformer

Although I'll reserve judgement on the game until after I see and play it, if Rare produces a top notch platformer I'll be extremely happy. This is a genre that has been wholly lacking in the xbox family and a title like this (if done well) can only be positive in my eyes.

I'm not sure why anyone would think this is a bad idea...?

I agree 100%

Although I'll reserve judgement on the game until after I see and play it, if Rare produces a top notch platformer I'll be extremely happy. This is a genre that has been wholly lacking in the xbox family and a title like this (if done well) can only be positive in my eyes.

I'm not sure why anyone would think this is a bad idea...?

I am confused. This isn't a FPS? I can see why people wouldn't want it then.[/sarcasm]

I really hope this is good. I've been dying for a good platformer, a genre like you mention that's been notably lacking on the system. I think the screenshot look pretty good....looks like an upgraded BK game, which is what it should be.

I am looking forward to it. Looks fine to me. I just want great game play.

I really think the screenshots vary dramatically in quality. When I first saw this screenshot, I thought, "Wow, that looks freaking amazing!":

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/05/banjokazooie3imagelk-1.jpg



But then when I saw this screenshot, I thought, "Huh?? That doesn't look very Xbox 360 to me":

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/05/banjokazo3newmed-10.jpg


This pic looks especially Xbox 1 like, in terms of graphics:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/05/banjokazo3newmed-11.jpg



I was a huge fan of the first game. I bought a N64 on launch day, and I remember getting Banjo-Kazooie when it first came out. I'm a huge fan of platformers, and it was the perfect follow up to Mario 64. I never played the sequel, because I had sold my N64 and started playing PC games at the time the sequel had released. I definitely enjoy a quality platformer, along the lines of Ratchet and Clank and Jak & Daxter and stuff like that, so I'm definitely looking forward to this.

I'm much more worried about the Wii-mote controls than the graphics. I think I'd rather just play a normal platformer with normal controls. Especially, considering the 360 Wii-Mote ripoff doesn't have a nunchuk type attatchment with an analog stick. I think Microsoft made a huge mistake by putting the analog stick on the actual Wii-mote device, instead of a seperate device. Sure, a completely one handed device is fine for playing tennis, and bowling and things like that, but what about action/adventure games? The thought of holding it in one hand and using the analog stick to move my character around, while moving the Wii-mote around in 3D space to control the camera makes my head hurt. :mad:

Hopefully it's one of those things where you have no idea how it will work in practice, until you actually get one in your hands and try it, and after about 15 minutes, you realize that it works just perfectly, but sitting here thinking about it, it just doens't make sense to me.

http://360.kombo.com/article.php?artid=12822#

After much anticipation and speculation, the first official details surrounding Banjo-Kazooie 3 have surfaced. Well, maybe we should call it by the official name now. Welcome, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

Banjo-Kazooie 3 will feature several unique features aside from traditional platforming elements. Players will have the ability to create vehicles with parts they discover around the games many levels. Some of the vehicles created within the game will include a helicopter, a 4 wheeled kart, and a hovercraft. Each vehicle is made up of unique combinations that will really show off some of the new gameplay elements Rare has incorporated into this title. There will be a total of 1,600 parts to be found, including weapons that can be attached to vehicles. This may sound a bit heavy on the vehicle side of things, but rest assured that there is a heavy emphasis on platforming.

The hub world is known as Showdown Town and will feature 6 levels. Showdown Town is the largest world that Rare has ever created and will feature side-missions and challenges. Every level will have its own unique introduction and feature a lot of humor. The Nutty Acres level begins with a credits spoof of 1980's soap opera Dallas.

For fans of the series, Note collecting will return and will act as currency throughout the game. The notes will allow you to buy blueprints for new vehicles. We'll have more on Banjo-Kazooie tomorrow. Stay tuned.

why do I feel like I'll be disappointed with this?

I'm much more worried about the Wii-mote controls than the graphics. I think I'd rather just play a normal platformer with normal controls. Especially, considering the 360 Wii-Mote ripoff doesn't have a nunchuk type attatchment with an analog stick. I think Microsoft made a huge mistake by putting the analog stick on the actual Wii-mote device, instead of a seperate device. Sure, a completely one handed device is fine for playing tennis, and bowling and things like that, but what about action/adventure games? The thought of holding it in one hand and using the analog stick to move my character around, while moving the Wii-mote around in 3D space to control the camera makes my head hurt. :mad:.

Any pictures you may have seen on Joystiq or Kotaku of a 360 style Wii-mote were pure speculation. If this does indeed exist (which is also speculation), nobody in the press has seen it.

It looks like Viva Pinata 2: Trouble In Paradise is also being announced tomorrow as well. Hopefully we will get more info on Viva Pinata DS at the same time! :)

why do I feel like I'll be disappointed with this?

Perfect Dark 0 left a bad taste in your mouth?

This game is shaping up to be the surprise hit of 2008 IMO.

First ever gameplay released today!
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/18831

From today's "Gamer Day":


Banjo Kazooie 3: Nuts & Bolts
- RARE says they didn't want to make a hi res version of the old Banjo platformer.

- You create vehicles with parts you find around the levels.

- GI says their first vehicles was a 4 wheeled kart with a spring attached to the bottom that allowed them to jump things. They later found a helicopter blade that allowed their kart to fly. Later they added balloons to the vehicle and put the blade on the back and created a hovercraft.

- RARE showed them a vehicle that was a monster truck that was able to detach its chasis to become a mini bike. When the bike ramped off a cliff it revealed collapsible glider wings and started flying.

- There will be 1,600 parts including weapons that you'll be able to attach to the vehicles.

- The town is called Showdown Town.

- GI says that despite the large focus on vehicles it still features platform elements from the previous games like traditional platforming, tight rope walking and jiggy piece collecting.

- Showdown Town is 16 times larger than anything RARE has created before.

- Every level has a different intro. Nutty Acres begins with a credits spoof of 80's soap opera's like Dallas.

- Note collecting is back and will act has currency that'll allow you to bu vehicle blueprints.

- RARE says there are 15 different challenges spread across 6 different levels. There will also be side missions.

As much as I enjoyed the games on the N64, this just seems like a bad idea.

The majority of the series' audience has since moved on, and as for gaining a new audience, most of them have never even heard of Banjo Kazooie. Too much time has passed. It only means something to a small core group of gamers who remember playing those games on the N64.

Rare's trying its best to get a young audience turned on to the 360, but it just ain't happening, and definitely not by reviving an old IP.

most of the young kids are playing the wii.
AGREED, at that rate, bring back Earthworm Jim, Battle Toads, ToeJam and Earl. etc.

-J

The game, based on the trailer, looks terrible.

Here's my logic. Banjo is a great platformer. Now there's Banjo 3, and they don't have enough platforming in it. It might be a good idea if this was N64 again, but on 360 there aren't any decent platforming games, so WHY NOT MAKE IT A PROPER PLATFORM GAME?! Why all this vehicle and mini-game crap? Man! I'm glad I wasn't looking forward to this one, or my dreams would be crushed right now!

Man are they ever screwing up franchises left, right and center these days! Up next is Prince of Persia (looks awful...why can't it just look like Assassin's Creed?! Isn't that what we WANT?!) and I'm sure Killer Instinct 3 will end up being a Smash Bros/PowerStone mini-game fighter, too.

If you want to do something different, make a new IP! Stop messing with proper formulas! This is the one time I agree with's Nintendo's rehashing policy. At least it's dependable!

I have to admit that I'm dissapointed as well. I'm not necessarily dissapointed in what this new game is going to turn out to be, but I'm dissapointed that we aren't going to get a normal platformer, with sensational graphics and sounds. That's really all I wanted. I wanted the visuals of Viva Pinata combined with some outstanding platforming.

Unfortunately, Rare decided they didn't want to go with a standard platformer.

Oh well... Hopefully Naughty Dog is doing a Jak & Daxter game for PS3.

"Viva Pinata combined with some outstanding platforming."

Man, Pinatas jumping around collecting stuff would be awesome! :)

I had an N64 but for some reason never played either of the previous Banjo-Kazooie games, but honestly I thought from reading the information released today that the new one sounds pretty interesting.

I don't quite know what to expect from this game. I was thinking they would do a platformer, but I guess not. If they did that people would probably be like, "lol no innovation FAIL". This isn't quite a platformer but it does seem pretty original. I don't know of any 360 games like this so my original comments about being something fresh for the 360 still hold. I do hope this game is a hit and they are able to make a traditional platformer without fear.

If you want to do something different, make a new IP! Stop messing with proper formulas! This is the one time I agree with's Nintendo's rehashing policy. At least it's dependable!

It's a lot harder to get a new IP approved, though. And IMO there is no such thing as a "proper" formula. The Prince of Persia 3D games were different from the 2D games. As long as they are good its okay.

Can I get KILLER INSTINCT.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/05/14/x3f-impressions-banjo-kazooie-nuts-and-bolts/

Apparently those of you wanting something a lot like the original games were right to be disappointed.