banjo-kazooie posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Rare happy to have Molyneux raising its profile
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jun 30th 2009 at 7:30PM }
Won't take a moment.
Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Viva Piñata and GoldenEye, it says here. Anyway, according to an interview with OXM, Rare's counting on some revitalized recognition, courtesy of new(ish) Microsoft Games Studios Europe director, Peter Molyneux. "And the idea of Pete coming in and being this new face of Rare it's a great thing for us. It's really just to get us out there a bit more," McFarlane said. Pete's a real pal, having similarly expressed a desire to foster an improved identity for Rare just a few weeks ago.
With a hit game and solid promotion, there's no reason the spotlight can't fall back on Rare, even inside Microsoft. We're fairly confident you've all heard of standouts like Lionhead and walkouts like Bungie.
Yahuh! Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack out tomorrow
by Richard Mitchell { Jun 29th 2009 at 1:00PM }
The soundtrack will also be available from Amazon, and can currently be pre-ordered for $13.99, nearly two bucks off the $15.98 list price. As Rare states on its website, "Nobody has an overabundance of vehicular bear music in their library right now, so this deserves a shot."
Source - Sumthing Digital
Source - Amazon
Banjo-Tooie's Stop 'n' Swop feature grants fabulous prizes
by Griffin McElroy { Apr 27th 2009 at 12:30PM }
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
by David Hinkle { Apr 21st 2009 at 2:00PM }
Well, actually, you can. Banjo-Tooie is scheduled for release on April 29 for 1200
($15). Who's ready to Stop 'N Swop?Gallery: Banjo-Tooie (XBLA)
Video: Rare celebrates the holidays with Stop 'N Swop
by David Hinkle { Apr 10th 2009 at 11:40AM }
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
by David Hinkle { Apr 9th 2009 at 9:00PM }
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
by Justin McElroy { Mar 31st 2009 at 11:29AM }
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.
Banjo-Kazooie DLC on the way, Achievements on Xbox website
by Ben Gilbert { Mar 24th 2009 at 11:20PM }
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
by Dustin Burg { Mar 6th 2009 at 5:00PM }
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
by Dustin Burg { Mar 4th 2009 at 2:50PM }
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]
Rare restructures, 'small number' of job losses possible
by Jason Dobson { Feb 17th 2009 at 9:50AM }
According to studio manager Mark Betteridge, this retooling is needed in order to "speed development and better manage the scale required to create high quality games." Betteridge further notes that Rare has four separate unspecified titles "recently underway," though we wonder how many of these projects will be able to make it through the studio's newly-constricted pipeline.
Rare releases text enlarging Nuts & Bolts update
by Dustin Burg { Dec 20th 2008 at 1:30PM }
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!
Contraption contest, earn eternal Nuts & Bolts fame
by Dustin Burg { Dec 18th 2008 at 1:15PM }
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?
by Ross Miller { Dec 11th 2008 at 7:30PM }
click to embiggen the holiday cheer
