New Banjo-Kazooie pic for Christmas - Killer Instinct 3 hinted at

CVG writes, "After well over a year in the dark, a new Banjo-Kazooie image has emerged in the form of a Rare Christmas Card."

"Alright, it's not exactly a screenshot but if anything the classy card pic gives us a hint at want kind of art direction Rare are taking for the next Banjo, which we can only assume will finally arrive on Xbox 360 next year."

"As is tradition for the chaps at Rare, there's even a few cheeky digs in there like the stocking with "KI3" on the front."

[BubblesDAVERAGE]

If killer Instinct comes out for the 360 people would love it..imo killer instinct $ukcs but allllll my friends love it and think its the best fighting game ever

[MK_Red]

HOW could you say KI sucks? It's not the best fighter ever but it's pretty awesome.

That KI3 stocking is the best stokcing EVER.

[BubblesDAVERAGE]

I always liked fighters of a differnt caliber like teken..mk(2d),street fighter,and soul caliber..killer instinct never caught my attention..my frinteds love it...i ever like fatal fury more then that game...or sssmb which i think was a much better fighting game

[MK_Red]

Well, my own fave fighters are definitly Mortal Kombat (MK in my user name) and Soul Calibur but I've always loved KI.

[sonarus]

SF, tekken and soul caliber the best in my opinion but i have to admit killer instinct was cool as hell. I am like 95% sure i WILL sell my 360 to pay for 2008 ps3 games. i currently have two which i was gonna give away but decided to sell both but games like banjo kazooie are wanting me to hold out for jst a bit longer. I will still prob sell it since my flatmate still has one and i'll jst rent gaiden 2, banjo kazooie and KI3 left 4 dead too if it turns out good and same for alan wake. Was a hard 2007 definetly would have sold my ps3 for a 360 if i didnt already have one 360 really kept me thru it but i am a one console guy buying games for two consoles is far too expensive time to choose and ps3 i choose you. lol

[kewlkat007]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

This is what happens to people like you haha..

Anyhow KI3 would be insane. I've notice "fighters" are trying to make a comeback. SF/New MK/ and maybe this game.

Man, I love my 360.

[MK_Red]

Good point kewlkat007.
All the fighting legends are coming back. SF4 was just shown and next-gen MK is coming.
Games like Soul Calibur 4 and Tekken 6 are also on their way.

But really, the thing I'm most excited for is battle of Mortal Kombat 8 and Street Fighter IV.

[WilliamRLBaker]

I love killer instinct I remmber being able to do a 300 hit combo with sabrewulf and the one ninja guy on KI 64.

[BloodySinner]

Three hundred hits, eh? That's funny, because the max was 80-99.

[GodsHand]

If you had cheap juggling on you could go on forever.

[Marceles]

Killer Instinct sucked??? *shakes head in disbelief* Killer Instinct was already amazing with the intro music...you must've not learned any combos or something because everyone that knows how to play KI loves KI.

[Marceles]

80-99 is the limit...the game stops you from juggling after a few hits. I think the longest juggle in the game is 33 hits with Orchid.

[MK_Red]

First Duke and now Banjo... I'm in heaven. And KI3!!!?????? I'm in Heaven 2.0!

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

same thing i was thinkin. i think i just orgasmed

[Bnet343]

but I'm not telling you :P

[ygxbrayzie]

oh boy oh boy if ki3 does come out i would make love with it LOLL
one of my favorite game of all time including street fighter

[ThaGeNeCySt]

give me killer instinct 3 or give me death

[BloodySinner]

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

[INehalemEXI]

KI3 /Drool

[DarkSniper]

Killer Instinct 1 and 2 provided Dark Sniper with very vivid and and classic memories throughout the 90's. In 1994-1995, the arcade versions of both games easily surpassed anything that can be done on the PS1 and the "Ultra 64". The fighting system has never been duplicated and would have difficult times in emulating this unique style of game play.

Dark Sniper will gladly admit that if Killer Instinct 3 or an online port of KI 1 or 2 is released, he will gladly pick this game up on his XBOX 360.

$niper

[Tone]

Its a bit scary that you are talking about yourself in the 3rd person :P lol

But yeah.. killer instinct was class!

[socomnick]

Maybe when ki3 comes out socomnick will hand darksniper a can of whoopass thru xbox live.

[fe10]

Killer Instinct!!!!

[Nicosia]

I think now there going to hype stuff up for next year. We will see when this beauty arrives.

[Legionaire2005]

Glacius!!! wins!!!!

[ygxbrayzie]

why the hell people disagree with every killer instinct comment
sony fanboy?LOL jealousy?

[BIoodmask]

is in my top fighting games of all time. The original(Arcade version) was excellent. I always considered part 2 only average.

The greatest thing about KI was that it had the Street Fighter engine....2-D fighting plane...Charge moves, fireball, dragonpunch. 2 in ones etc. But added the whole autocombo system which was truly groundbreaking.

I think that KI3 is probably in the works. It is just shrouded in secrecy.

[colonel179]

or any console just for a killer instinct. I used to love that game, and for me is my second best fighting game (out of two)the first one being street fighter

[GameOn]

lol

[Double-Edged]

Killer Instinct is the definition of hardcore in the fighting genre.

c'mon... where can you find a great commentator in a game?

ULTRA ULTRA ULTRA ULTRA!!!!!!!!

this game will pwn..end of story.

[candystop]

I'm so excited about MS next year line up even though it hasn't been announced! There not just giving us a bunch of names like Sony and there not just making hype! What MS is doing is being true to there fan base and giving us what we expect out of this generation! KI3 will be a beast if this comes out to be true and BAnjo is forever one of my all time favorite games! Til this day I remember laying my eyes on the 1st KI at the arcade and feeling amazed! I wouldn't be surprised if we got another Perfect dark sometime soon as well! Keep it up MS and thanks for doing everything to give me the experiences I expect out of my 360!

[InMyOpinion]

Everyone knows that half of Sony's line-up for 2008 will be delayed until 2009 but no one wants to admit. Just wait and see. MGS and GT5 might make it to the holiday season but the rest will be delayed until 2009.

[dylantalon]

it would really suck playing killer instinct 3 on a xbox 360 controller, the d pad is aweful. rare is a sucky company now but would like if another killer instinct game was made. we all know that mortal kombat is the king of fighting games so thats top of my list of fighting games i would love to see.

[Double-Edged]

it's nice to see that you have all the systems...
but you dont know games if you think MK is the king..

your an idiot, when was the last time MK was good?... part 2? maybe 3??

good luck hoping a new MK will be 2D.

fool.
MK is a broken game.

[timmyrulz]

Is the color of that carpet and the state of your hand writing! lol

[Mr Murda]

Where's your dreamcast? What a shame!

[Darkiewonder]

With Online and the works! thanks.

[Double-Edged]

lol...

This is one franchise that will get everyones attention.

and honestly... more than SF4... no sprites, no good.

stupid sony fans.... can't take it so they hate.

[ygxbrayzie]

dylantalon ur comment is plain dumb

[Hugh Hefner]

If Killer Instinct 3 is announced... you can forget about Street Fighter 4, Tekken, or any other fighting game... as KI is totally MASSIVE!

[INehalemEXI]

Well I couldnt forget Tekken 6 or SFIV but KI3 would rank up there.

[Brainiac 8]

Street Fighter has always been my fighter of choice...even though KI combos were cool to watch, when someone knew what they were doing...like those 90-hit combos some people could do.

The character's were very neat and unique though. I always loved the concepts and art of Glaceus (?) and the Skeliton. Those two characters were very cool to watch.

[kingboy]

wow i still play killer instinct on my Super Nes ...it`s a classic

[predator]

oh baby oh baby bring KI3 Rare that would destroy all in its path, oh baby i want that game so bad

[BlackIceJoe]

I was not much of a fan of Banjo back when it was on the N64. But I still had a fun time with the game. So I hope it will come out to be one awesome game and sell lots.

Plus if there is any chance of a new Killer Instincts game I would be all over that. I had a great time with the one on the SNES and N64. So I hope to see a come back of that game soon.

[ForROME]

Well I can say this I am anti 360 because of my 3 dead systems, however if KI3 comes out, My PS3 will be sitting next to a new 360

[FadeToBlack]

I suck at fighting games so i hate em all lol.

[NanoGeekTech]

Great fighting game....Can be even better game if it comes out for any Next gen console.................

>>>not really a big fan of Banjo series.....played the N64 very entertaining but would not go out of my way to get my hands on it.

[zonetrooper5]

Yeh I suck at fighting games too, so MS's next year lineup could be:

KI3
BK3
Gears of War 2 (Maybe)
Halo Wars
Alan Wake
NG2

So if that is true then thats a few solid titles for the 360.

[Horny]

I got a question, can Rare even release this on 360 without paying Nintendo, doesnt Nintendo own the franchise. Kind of like Halo with Bungie and Microsoft, Microsoft owns the name halo so bungie cant make it for another system, i dunno someone clarify me on this situation.
Would be awesome if it came out though,m cant wait for banjo, finally 360 gets a good platformer

[DJ]

But I doubt the Rare can pull it off well, just based off their current track record; maybe if they hired the original Rareware team over at Free Radical. Microsoft should've kept RAD and canned Rare instead.

[Legionaire2005]

so whats the differences? Look at their track record: Timesplitters series and that other game Physic path or whatever you call it both look cartoonish. Now Free Radical is coming out with a serious game called Haze, which has yet to be successful or not. Rare will make a comeback with Banjo 3, Killer Instincts 3, and Perfect Dark 2(this time it's real without the cartoonish look just read the books). Timesplitters was a lot more cartoonish than Perfect Dark Zero and that's a fact.

[power of Green]

MS's next year lineup could be:

KI3
BK3
Gears of War 2 (Maybe)
Halo Wars
Alan Wake
NG2
Splinter Cell
Fable 2
Huxley
Thesis
Elveon
Project Offset
WarHound
Might & Magic
Warhammer
Halo new

These are the games that could end up doing pretty well.

[darthv72]

doesn't nintendo own the rights to the game and charecters? Rare developed it for Nintendo and the Ultra64 (N64) so...who does the IP belong to?

[Ri0tSquad]

I can only hope RARE doesn't follow there footsteps and screw this game up.

[TwissT]

Killer Instict was one of the best fighting games I have ever played, and Spinal was soooo BAD@SS.

[cmrbe]

Will be one must have game for me when i get my x360. KI1 is my second favourite fighting game. What i loved about it were the very different but very cool fighters. Also the graphics were in my opinion was ahead of it time back then.

[gnothe1]

Rare retained the rights to killer instinct an a few other IP's. but nintendo kept the rights to all things donkey kong!!

[bootsielon]

I'll stop being as Anti-Microsoft as Xbots turned me. This is a game, I hope, that every gamer should enjoy. I think both PS3 and 360 fans loved this franchise during the SNES and N64 eras, respectively (I say respectively for several reasons, like PS1 being the "true" successor to the SNES, while the Xbox 1 being the "true" successor to the N64). Even some Nintyboys should feel excitement about this "hint" (kind of confirmation, actually).

[bootsielon]

I bet Xbox 360 would melt just by having the disc inserted on it. ;) lol j/k

[KingKirchner]

Rare hasn't been as good ever since they left Nintendo. I'm still pi$$ed at Nintendo for letting them go in the first place. They made some of my favorite N64 games. And Donkey Kong has sucked ever since Rare left Nintendo.

[jinn]

this possibly cannot come to the next gen

[JokerSGS]

These won't be the same without Nintendo. Killer Instinct was cool when I was little. Now that I think about it, there is nothing good about it. I grew up playing Street Fighter and Samurai Showdown back than and KI appealed to me because it just had that edge about it. And knocking people off the roof was fun. But now that I'm a more in-depth fighting gamer, this could no longer hold any interest to me like Tekken does. Especially with that 360 controller.

[Prototype]

Did you guys even read the entire article that was dated from June?

Specifically from Rare themselves theres no plans for a new Killer Instinct or Jet Force Gemini.

Yes a new Killer Instinct would be nice however straight from Rare themselves they say no.

[AAACE5]

But I think once Rare gets their titles going again, they may prove to be the best purchase Microsoft has made!

I can forget about Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo, cause I feel they weren't fully realized before they launched(a.k.a. they were rushed). Viva Pinata was considered by a lot of people to be a great game, but it didn't appeal to the majority(including myself).

But Rare has alot of great titles in their stable. Keep in mind that Perfect Dark is the heir to the Goldeneye classic! Perfect dark for n64 was in some ways better than goldeneye, and if Rare has more time in creation, I think the next PD game will be great! Kameo should have been designed a little more like zelda, and should have had Kameo using a staff for most of her combat, and change into a creature during boss fights!

Then you have Banjo and Conker, who may be MS answer to Mario, Jak, and Rachet. As they could easily become the mascot for MS. If conker would quit gettin drunk so much he would be a role model for the kids...lol! Also you got Blast corps, Killer Instinct and I think a couple more franchises from Rare that I can't remember.

I'm not trying to be MS or Rare's no.1 fanboy or anything, but i'm just tryin to point out some good points to the Rare deal. Rare did work with Nintendo(more importantly Shigeru Miyamoto) for many years, so they know how to make quality games. The only thing is, they need time to do so.

[n00dl3s]

so do people actually CARE about banjo kazooie?...

[goldenxbox]

it looks to me like the sony is afraid now of MS japan, as Microsoft Washington has already stated they have no intention of slowing down and will be focusing most of their efforts on europe with the rest going to Japan !!!!!!

sony never expected this, they should be quaking in their boots because of the moves being made now !!!!!

360 has done better globally, especially in europe than they ever even expected !!!! its taken more marketshare away from sony than any has ever seen, and they are just getting started !!!!

with huge exclusive games like SPLINTER CELL CONVICTION, WARHOUND, SACRED 2 and the likes of KOTOR 3 or GEARS OF WAR 2 lined up and most likely ready for battle in 2008, SONY europe has alot to fear to be sure !!!!!

NARUTO: rise of the ninja 2 may be coming in 2008 also !!!!

NARUTO: rise of the ninja was one of the 360's best games in fact, a whole lot of people purchased this incredibly fun exclusive game !!!

its got japanese voices too, and the sequel will be designed to be totally AAA !!!!

NARUTO number one was already better than heavenly sword & ratchet, and that is no kidding, the fun factor is sky high !!!!!

plus MS Japan in a strong yet steady secondary fight, will be throwing the gauntlet down in JAPAN at the same time the big boys tackle europe !!!!

games like BLUE DRAGON 2 and other surprises like INFINITE UNDISCOVERY, are sure to come out in 2008 along with more & more games !!!!

and even if they barely break even, ACHIEVING one million units would be phenomenonal !!!!! it would be just the beginning for the 360, and sony's death-grip over JAPAN would already be showing signs of weakness !!!!!

who cares if Nintendo wins overall, this is the real war !!!! MS vs SONY !!!!!!!!!!!

and NEXT YEAR, especially with sakaguchi winning awards, is going to be training day !!!!!
http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

[SUPER360RPGWONDER]

I mean this in all seriousness!!!!

2008 is going to be the year of all years, its going to be a great year for Xbox360.

I actually played Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, and oh my god....this is one amazing game!!!!!

I hear trolls out there all the time say the 360 sucks or has no games, but these idiots have never played an Xbox360. I am telling you right now, we agree Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is one of the best games we've played, its that fun!

Its that cool doing the fighting moves and living through this game!!! If the fighting is even more polished in the sequel suspected of being next year, hooo boy look out!!!!!

The game is amazing and a sequel to this awesome game done with flawless craft would sell systems like it was going out of style in Europe!!!!!

I am being honest and serious with you today. Naruto, Halo 3, and Mass Effect are some of the most awesome games that has ever graced my system and that is the Xbox360. These games are better than Dreamcast games, better than Playstation games, some of them even feel better than- a Nintendo game!!!!

And I will tell you why right now: These games are just SICKENINGLY fun!!!!!

The Xbox360 is a god-send machine that plays lots and lots of games and they are really really fun. In fact, the Xbox360 eats the software charts alive because it has so many great games that are WORTH playing!

I guarantee if you say the 360 sucks, or bricks & dies instantly, you have not played an Xbox360 - this is the most incredible experience I have ever had.

The Xbox360 is over 5 times as quiet and innovative, as the original Xbox. In fact my Xbox360 FALCON unit runs smoother than a baby and quieter than a still meadow in the woods. Its that amazing!

Its also one of the most innovative consoles I've ever played! You can put on your friends list, you can play Xbox Live and single player games while you chat to everybody else, you can hook up a keyboard & chat and while you are doing all of that. You can download new movies, content, and games right from the marketplace!!!

And the Xbox360 does all of this, right at home....right out of the box!!!!

To date, the Xbox360 Pro which is the Falcon model has never RROD'ed for anybody in this area even once. Even one single time. There has not been any problems with this amazing machine, and the games are even more awesome!!

For 2008, Microsoft needs to offer the Xbox360 everywhere in the world using the brand new re-designed Falcon. I believe firmly they should offer it in Japan even, this is the console to buy. Xbox360 is amazing.

The games are amazing, the service is amazing, and its so simple to avoid any really poor games that are out there by just checking the box!

This is nothing compared to the PS2: The Xbox360 did it ALL right, it went all the way beyond the PS2 by launching a year early!!!

It has EVERYTHING you need to enjoy gaming. As much as I would love to play MGS4 on my awesome Xbox360, I believe that next year we will all be having a blast with Splinter Cell until MGS4 is ported to this incredible console.

So I'll be having too much fun, and no offense to the Playstation 3....But you suck!!! Even with FF13, in my honest opinion you are a bad console that deserves to be purchased in the bargain bin. Because all you have is a few games like FF13 and I must be honest....I just don't like them as I thought I would, and they aren't that fun.

We need to have all the super fun games on Xbox360!!!! And in 2008, my friends I believe that will come true and be reality.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...
The new re-designed 360 comes out, and like Famitsu said our incredible favorite Hironobu Sakaguchi wins an official award and designs more awesome games for the Xbox360 and Nintendo DS.

And next year will be the tell-tale year. To me, the Sony should be grateful that Microsoft does not have big street credibility in Japan yet.....because oh boy, if they did it would all be over.

By making Ace Combat 7-10 exclusive to 360 as well as a Dragon Warrior: Ages game by enix, Sony would be dead in the water in Japan.

I bet it will take some bit longer, but they are making great strides. And my friends, when Blue Dragon 2 comes out with more RPGs next year......its a whole new game in Japan!!!!

We must enjoy everything that gaming has to offer, that is why I tell people enjoy and buy Xbox360 games!!! Its not to support anyone but you, the gamer!! Awesome games for great prices, and a fantastic experience and online gaming like you've never seen before.

Xbox360 feels like a flawless gift in some ways, smaller and more sleek, as if it was designed in part by the magical hands of Squaresoft themselves. I am being serious!!! This is just incredible.

That is Xbox360 with Banjo Kazooie & Splinter Cell in a Santa Hat. Xbox360: TIME TO JUMP IN! :-D

[likeaboss302]

Heck I'd take the original KI redone as a Live Acrade game in realtime. The 360 has the power to do everything from the game in 3D on a 2D plain. KI in 1080P just like SF2!

[BigPenguin]

Wow,I think I may finally have to get an Xbox when this comes out. Bout effing time rare. Banjo-kazooie and sequel were my favorite games on N64, bout time they stopped making stupid pinata games and got back to what put them on the map

[wageslave]

I loves me some Banjo Kazooie -- please Rare, give us Banjo in 08.

[headblackman]

im kind of curious to see what the stocking behind the horse said :) and for some odd reason some idiots think that 2008-2009 will belong to the gaystation 3. i highly doubt it :)