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.
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.
The sequel to the cult-hit Viva Piñata aims at building upon the piñata managing experience by adding a plethora of new features. In Trouble in Paradise, gamers will encounter over 100 different piñatas, including 32 new ones that you'll be able to teach tricks to and purchase toys for. Not only that, but Trouble in Paradise will add the ability to change the weather, hunt for rare piñatas and will introduce new game modes including free-play as well as local co-op. The Vision camera will also be utilized in the sequel by adding the ability to "scan" barcodes found on cards which will instantly add the animal into your garden. Finally, gamers will be able to take pictures of their piñatas or gardens, upload them onto the internet to share or can be assigned a special barcode to share with friends so they can add the piñata to their garden. Check out the official Xbox.comViva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise webspace, view the screenshots below and get pumped for more piñata fun this September!
Thanks to the newest issue of Game Informer there is now even more news about Rare's newest 360 outings. Regarding Viva Pinata 2, the article says that the game now sports two player local drop-in/drop-out co-op, a massively expanded trading card system, over thirty new pinatas, a photo mode, and more. Now as for Banjo, there's going to be over 1600 parts to find and use, note finding is back and is the game's currency, and Rare says that they really wanted to avoid making a hi-res old Banjo game. Hit the break for more info.
Posted May 12th 2008 11:45AM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
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!
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.
Posted May 12th 2008 2:10AM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
As hard as they tried, Microsoft just couldn't keep the lid on this week's Microsoft Gamers Day 2008 announcements as we just got word that both Viva Piñata and Scene It? are getting sequels. It looks like we now know what Rare's secret project is.
Mention of both sequels was discovered on one of Microsoft's press sites, where someone accidently uploaded all of the categories for this week's MGD08 announcements including categories for Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise and Scene It? 2. And being the good reporters that we are, we went out and confirmed that both of these two unannounced titles are in fact listed on Microsoft's press site, though all game media has since been pulled. But not before the crew over at NeoGAF grabbed screenshot love from the Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise folder. So, not only do we get leaked word that Viva Piñata and Scene It? sequels are headed our way, but we also get a first look at Trouble in Paradise! Enjoy the screens!
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?
More rumors folks! This time it's in regards to that unannounced Rare game that's going to be hitting before year's end. According to a poster on NeoGAF who claims to be under NDA (a claim backed up by other posters' reactions to the info), the title is a sequel to a game of Rare's that has already been released on the 360. Logically, that narrows things down quite a bit. Is it Kameo? With Banjo Kazooie on the way? No. A Perfect Dark game? With Gears 2 on the way? No. Jetpac Re-Refueled? HellNo.
Given that this is a rumor, we could still be way off base, but we're gonna call this one as a Viva Pinata sequel. If it is, hopefully Microsoft will actually market it this time around, so people know about it and it actually sells.
Posted Apr 17th 2008 3:00PM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
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.
MTV News recently posted an interesting piece of gossip concerning Microsoft's possible answer to Wii-mote. According to an anonymous developer, Microsoft has had this project in the wings since summer 2007 and hopes to have it out before the end of the year. Believe it or not it's rumored that of all companies, Rare has been working on it. Rare is a games software company, so why they'd be tasked with making hardware is beyond us, but it would answer some lingering questions ...
Rare's The Fast and The Furriest for XBLA is going to use the Vision Cam, and the "X-mote" is rumored to use the Vision Cam. Rare is also hard at work on another 360 project that is as-of-yet unrevealed, and is supposed to hit before the year is out. Combined with the fact that Microsoft is already rumored to be working a motion-sensing controller, and the fact that they don't seem too concerned with with the second half of 2008 make us think that this could be plausible.
Posted Apr 1st 2008 12:30PM by Dustin Burg Filed under: News
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.
What you're looking at is (minus the compulsory logos and legal mumbo jumbo) the entirety of the Banjo Kazooie website. 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).
During this week's Halo 3Humpday 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.
First off, GoldenEye 007 is not coming to the XBLA. We repeat, it is not releasing to the XBLA now or ever. Gots it? Goods. Let's get to the fun.
Yesterday, British magazine Xbox World 360 released it's "highly anticipated" March issue which was supposed to feature an exclusive look at GoldenEye 007 for the XBLA. Which it technically does, but early reports hinted at GoldenEye still being on track and in development. But that isn't the case. Xbox World 360 does have a four page spread featuring the now-revealed-to-be aborted XBLA GoldenEye port which was being developed by Rare. Their article includes a few exclusive screenshots (like the one above), how the game was improved going from the N64 to the 360 as well as quotes and comments from both Rare AND Microsoft. The same Microsoft who said they never spoke with Xbox World 360. Meh, no matter. If you're interested in torturing yourself and knowing what could have been, pick up a copy of Xbox World 360 and drool over the two new screenshots they posted. So sad ... no prettified GoldenEye for us.
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.
MTV News recently posted an interesting piece of gossip concerning Microsoft's possible answer to Wii-mote. According to an anonymous developer, Microsoft has had this project in the wings since summer 2007 and hopes to have it out before the end of the year. Believe it or not it's rumored that of all companies, Rare has been working on it. Rare is a games software company, so why they'd be tasked with making hardware is beyond us, but it would answer some lingering questions ...
