40°

IGN: Pre-E3 2008: Banjo-Kazooie: Platforming 101

When Microsoft and Rare finally lifted the veil on Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and gave the world a look at its imaginative update to the classic platforming franchise, the reactions were mixed. Some were excited for the possibilities and creativity the player-designed vehicles could bring to the gameplay. Some cried for the Banjo of yesteryear. And some were confused and thought they were looking at a racing game (read the words next to the pretty pictures). Rare and Microsoft took this mixed reception to heart and shaped the E3 demo to showcase how this latest Banjo adventure has stayed true to its roots while pushing the boundaries of what a platformer can be. Ken Lobb, Creative Director of Microsoft Game Studios, sat down with IGN to show why Rare believes this new-look Banjo is a natural evolution.

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xbox360.ign.com
Superfragilistic5790d ago (Edited 5790d ago )

Looks fantastic and I can't wait to see more. :)

Check out the IGN conclusion:

"Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is a game that you'd do well to keep your eye on. The visual style is great and the possibilities in the gameplay seem almost unlimited. Rare is pushing the boundaries of what a platformer is and, in doing so, is bringing fresh ideas to a genre that has fallen out of favor with gamers. Even with all of the new ideas, it's clear that the team has ensured that it doesn't venture too far from the roots that have made the franchise a hit. The platforming, exploration and open game progression are all there; the game has just put the creativity in the hands of the player. And that's never a bad thing."

Xi5790d ago (Edited 5790d ago )

I just hope that the vehicle building is really as simple as it seems, but will allow for a lot of innovation.

If it ends up like lego then I will fall in love with the game, and with any online modes that require me to pwn with my home-made xwing.

whats nice is that the game still looks like a collectathon and the charm of previous BK games is still there. Plus the visuals are outstanding.

mepsipax5790d ago

I'm really looking forward to this because I haven't played a good platformer since SMG and haven't played a good rare platformer since Star Fox, I was a bit skeptical at first when I heard a lot of it had to do with vehicles, but when I see all this platforming and collecting it brought me back to the old 64 rare days, Jet Force (the best IMO) Donkey Kong, Banjo all with tons of collectibles and lots of secrets, which is why I love banjo just a little more than Mario, Mario games are perfection but I'm an explorer, there is lots of exploration in Mario games but not as much as Rare games, I can't even remember how long it took for me to find every last thing in Jet Force, that game is in such good need of a sequel it's not funny. But hey, I was about to give up on Rare with their recent xbox games, but after Viva Pinata and this, Rare is no longer just a good memory. hope they pull it off.

MK_Red5790d ago

To me, this game is on par with LittleBigPlanet meaning, both look AWESOME!

Superfragilistic5790d ago (Edited 5790d ago )

Although I think it's more apparent than ever that they are very different beasts. Rare has focused the player creation on gameplay mechanics to progress through a story as opposed to LBP's focusing the player creation on level design as standalone creations.

They both look fantastic, and as good as Mario Galaxy was, these two appear to push the genre in much more exciting, and very different, ways.

Can't wait! :)

MK_Red5790d ago

Absolutly agreed. They are indeed different beasts but both seem to be pushing the genre way more than SMG.

70°

5 Neglected Rare Franchises That Also Deserve a Comeback

Jared writes: "With the Battletoads having made a triumphant return, let's look at the rest of Rare's back catalog for which series deserves a return to form next."

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twinfinite.net
GaboonViper1359d ago

I want a new Perfect Dark, Banjo and Jet Force Gemini.

Bathyj1358d ago

I actually don't want them. I'm not a big fan of Microsoft rehashing IPs they had nothing to do with creating just because they happen to own them.

Before you call me fanboy tell me a game they did that to that actually lives up the the original?

Just leave our beloved memories alone. You want to bring something back, redo crimson Skies or Brute Force. At least they were your games and they need updates.

gamer78041358d ago

I'm all for The Initiative rebooting perfect dark as a third person though, sounds like its trying something new and not just rehashing with a new coat of paint with this idea. Hope we see a tease of it in the next showcase.

gamer78041358d ago

Rumor is The Initiative is working on rebooting Perfect Dark in third person, normally I wasn't a fan of taking existing IPs but if its something new like this I'm up for it.

jznrpg1358d ago (Edited 1358d ago )

Don’t give them the Battletoads treatment .

TravsVoid1358d ago (Edited 1358d ago )

Donkey Kong Country is probably my favorite game of all time but I've not connected with much else Rareware has made since other than maybe Killer Instinct. Sea of Thieves has got to be close to my worst $60 purchase I've ever made.

sagapo1358d ago

Viva pinata was kinda fun imo.

130°

Top 10 Game Sequels (That Ruined Everything)

Wonder why some series just seem to feel lackluster as time goes on? Well, it's because some later installments really mess up the formula. Check out ten times sequels really screwed everything up.

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lists.cheatcc.com
rhdugjcjrnddu1756d ago

Don't bother. 10 pages to click through and all of them written very poorly

Relientk771756d ago

Ugh Musashi: Samurai Legend is so meh. Don't understand how you can go from Brave Fencer Musashi to that. I really want a Brave Fencer Musashi HD Remake or a true sequel. It's one of the best games I've ever played.

130°

Banjo-Kazooie Composer Grant Kirkhope Says Nuts & Bolts Should Have Been a Different IP

Grant Kirkhope, the composer of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, explains what he thinks the issue was with the often-criticized Xbox 360 title.

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dualshockers.com
gangsta_red1773d ago

I actually liked it for what it was. But then again I'm not a Banjo fan. I actually hated a lot of the N64 style games that all followed the same Mario 64 style. Except for Conker.

IRetrouk1773d ago

I really enjoyed this game, the building was fun, I thought it was a well made platformer.

Vits1773d ago (Edited 1773d ago )

I kind of agree. The game had many new ideas that would have worked better in a new IP as people wouldn't be so upset that Nuts & Bolts played so differently from the older titles.

PhoenixUp1773d ago

I seriously hate how angular the redesigns are for so many of the characters in the game

The X06 trailer built people’s hopes only for the final release to ruin those dreams

-Foxtrot1772d ago

Damn right it should have

Can we just get Banjo Threeie and write this game off as Kazooies bad dream or something. An in game joke.

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