The Xbox 360 version looks to have taken advantage of Sega's offer to include bonus mascot characters in the form of Rare's famous bird and bear. And Microsoft has apparently given Sega and developers Sumo Digital the green light to include Xbox 360 Avatars.

Hey, it's not Gum from Jet Set Radio in a kart shaped like an in-line skate, but I suppose it'll have to do. I mean, Sega was nice enough to include Shadow the Hedgehog, so how can we possibly complain?

TSSZ News spotted the pre-announcement reveal of the Xbox 360 version of the box art, which seems to confirm the inclusion of Banjo and Kazooie by putting the Rare pair on the cover. The Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie title is another hint that seems to confirm that at least one version will feature a bear and bird battling it out against Sonic the Hedgehog and Ryo Hazuki the forklift driver on race tracks under blue skies.

While it appears that the Xbox 360 version is getting a guest appearance, none of the other platforms show cameos on their respective box arts. Of course, things could change and we could be pitting Sonic against, say, the Echochrome wooden doll next year. But we'll believe it when we see it! On Sega.com!

FIRST @ TSSZ: It's Real…Banjo-Kazooie in ASR [TSSZ]

Fan site Sonic Stadium spotted the box art—with a little help from Spindash.de—at designer Chris Lewis' personal web site, a site which has since been stripped of just about everything. While the box art could be nothing more than a mock up, the inclusion of other mascots fits in with another Sega-based rumor.

You may remember that an internal Sega document outlined the publisher's plans for including mascot characters in Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing. That document specifically mentioned "characters from Rare or Fable universes" even though it was apparently culled from a meeting with Sony.

The inclusion of Banjo and Kazooie—and what appears to be a vehicle from the recent Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts—makes a lot of sense. Whether it makes fact remains to be seen, but we're reaching out to Sega to verify.

Update: TSSZ News has comment from developers Sumo Digital's Steve Lycett who casts doubt upon the inclusion of Banjo and Kazooie in the Sega racer. There's no denial, mind you, but best to treat any guest appearances as rumor for now.

Format Exclusive Characters In ASR And DLC Confirmed [Sonic Stadium]

That last part probably isn't all that exciting, except to sales and marketing types, but Rare's Lord of Games, the fictional creator of Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts's game worlds, has something up his sleeve(s). The only hint LOG gives is that something new will be arriving due to "popular demand."

We don't believe Rare is simply referring to the upcoming release of Banjo-Tooie, slated to hit Xbox Live Arcade next month, but something for Nuts & Bolts.

I just put my next paycheck on Rare finally announcing new game worlds based on Killer Instinct, Jet Force Gemini, Battletoads and Grabbed By The Ghoulies. As promised.

Any better guesses?

Rare News [Rare - thanks, Sheldon!]

Not only with the Xbox Live Arcade version of Banjo-Tooie be a faithful recreation of the original Nintendo 64 title, 4J studios is actually making it even mo9re faithful by implementing the Stop 'n' Swop features that never made it into the sequel.

4J Studios have dredged the Banjo team’s collective memory and implemented the original plan for Stop ‘n’ Swop, for the first time on any platform ever and after many long years of waiting. Without going into too much detail, the Stop ’n’ Swop items collected in Banjo-Kazooie will ‘magically’ appear in Tooie, resulting in... well, you'll just have to find out. What could be cooler than that? Nothing, that’s what – not even Kazooie turning into a dragon.

Cooler than Kazooie's secret dragon transformation? There is no way. It must be lies.

Check out the first official screens of the Xbox Live Arcade version of Banjo-Tooie below.

Banjo-Tooie Release Date & Screens + Top 7 Custom Contraptions Award Info [Banjo Blog]

This had caused problems because there's no voice acting in the game, and certain underpowered rigs made it difficult to read the dialogue which, in addition to being clever, contains clues and instructions and such. Originally Rare wasn't gonna fix it, but then someone cracked the whip and they got it out, albeit a month and a half later. Enjoy.

Rare Releases Text Enlarging Buts & Bolts Update [Xbox 360 Fanboy, thanks Krumm]

You know the story: save Tooty from Gruntilda while traversing green grass levels, red magma levels and white ice levels, collecting all sorts of gold things along the way. Cost to you is just 1200 Microsoft Points — or $15 if you're in the US of A — if you didn't have the foresight to pre-order Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts and get it for free. But you really can't put a price on Jiggy collecting now, can you?

Anyway, the early copy of Banjo, is now 99999 Microsoft points. Ditto anything else we mentioned here. I think we can consider the great Banjo Lootathon over. Everyone take a bow, we helped Microsoft work out some kinks in a new feature. Although, don't expect any thank-you notes, I'm sure. You try to do something nice ....

Rest of my original post is on the jump. Anything in strikethru is reprinted only for purposes of the record. Don't consider it operative.

===

Alert reader Chris J. just sent this in. Banjo-Kazooie (the original) officially hits Xbox Live Arcade on Wednesday, but it's been available for early download for those who preordered Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Actually, it's available for everyone. Even though this is only up on the U.S. marketplace, right now "I've successfully downloaded it using a European account and it plays fine," writes Chris.

If you want it, just go to this URL, plunk down your 1200 Microsoft points, and hit "download to my Xbox." I assume. I've never bought XBL games off the web before. B-K clocks in at 48 MB. It's 99999 Microsoft points, if you really want it five days early.

Chris also points out you can get the Call of Duty: World at War add-on that was free if you pre-ordered it too. That's over here. So if raiding XBLA via the web is a pro tip that n00bs like me and others don't know, don't shoot the messenger, I'm just telling you what's available. And if you want either, run go get it before this all gets "fixed." Looks like it was. The COD piece is also up to 99999 Microsoft points. Anyone want it that bad?

===

Update #1: Reader invisiblewok went through his download history to see if he could run some URLs and figure out how to get to the freebies via XBLA over the web. He did find the URL for the Gears of War 2 flashback maps pack — but at a cost of 99999 Microsoft Points.

HOWEVAH — some of you have pointed out the Left 4 Dead demo has disappeared from XBLA. Oh, really?
What I am now hearing is that the PC Demo of Left 4 Dead expired after a week. And while demos can't expire once you get them from Xbox Live, they did take it off of that service. Sorry.

Update #2 This is big enough to warrant an update I think. Reader Shawn B. found, in the great Xbox Live Loot Bonanza, that you can in fact get your gold plated Gears of War 2 Lancer, for free, off XBL via the web. In fact. I just did it. Here's the URL.

The Gamestop Premium Gears 2 theme also is up and downloadable. Remember, the account holder needs to be 18 years old.
None of this works any longer.

With a driving, flying and boating replacing hopping and bouncing, with almost everything else that made the series seemingly in tact, does Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts sink or swim?

Loved
Deep But Simple Vehicle Customization: Given that Nuts & Bolts' relies so heavily on a wide range of customized vehicles, the construction in Mumbo's workshop had better damn well work. It does, thankfully, with bespoke vehicles Duplo block-simple to throw together in 3D. Vehicles provided stock by the Lord of Games or via blueprint generally work well enough to get by, but you can always do a little bit better. Whether it's as simple as trimming some excess weight and slapping on a beefier engine, or something more creative, like tossing on some balloons and springy wheels for better hang-time, there's plenty to fiddle with here.

Superior Visuals: Rare knows how to deliver fuzzy caricature, but it's also expert at making the inhabitants of its games feel alive. Showdown Town is visually awesome to behold, rife with careful detail and dripping with cool visual tricks. The visual integrity of the various game worlds may be inconsistent, as can the frame rate — it can seriously chug — but it's a pretty little package.

Value: Like Rare's other 2008 release, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, Nuts & Bolts comes budget priced. (Banjo Kazooie is definitely the better value of the two.) The game is packed with things to do and collect, worlds, challenges and vehicle parts to unlock, ensuring that even after you've burned through the 12- to 15-hour single-player portion, you'll have plenty left to do. Multiplayer is a nice addition, but generally feels like a series recycled single-player experiences, not something that will likely replace your current online gaming obsession.

Sense of Humor: Rare offers a massive dose of self-referential humor, poking fun at its commercial failures, its reputation for widget and doodad collecting marathons, and past Banjo Kazooie games. Stabs at the Xbox 360 console, the Frag Dolls and even Mario are peppered throughout, offering some genuine laugh out loud moments.

Hated
Horrible Vehicle Handling: While the challenges offered to Banjo and Kazooie in exchange for collectible Jiggies are typically straightforward and simplistic, actually completing those challenges can be maddeningly difficult due to the game's awkward vehicle physics. You'll spin out while racing, get hitched up on corners while cruising around Showdown Town and slip off platform edges more often than might keep you sane. Nothing's hard, necessarily, just too much repeated effort to get the job done.

Escort Services: Nowhere is the game's unforgiving physics model more frustrating than in protection and escorting missions. Trying to protect multiple battlefronts while manipulating tanks or choppers seems wildly out of whack difficulty-wise with the rest of the game's challenges. Since on-foot travel is so slow, you'll have to stay in your vehicle for almost all missions. When those missions involve firing upon or ramming into multiple foes with a slippery ride, you may dread completing your Jiggie count. Also, having to deposit Jiggies in the bank after winning them, as well as carting vehicle parts back to the center of town to unlock them adds an extra layer of escorting anti-fun.

It's A Collect-a-thon Too: Inasmuch as Rare comically turns the lens upon itself over its obsessive item collecting gameplay mechanics, it doesn't appear that criticism has been taken to heart in Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. You're still hoarding a ton of stuff: parts, notes, Jiggies, trophies, Jinjo challenges. Perfect for the maniacal completist, but tired for those of us who had enough "thing" warehousing last decade.

Highly Polished Dullness: Many of the game's challenges simply aren't any fun — driving around in a circle for two minutes, for example. For as much stuff as there is packed into Nuts & Bolts, there isn't a ton of substance. The core gameplay feels distinctly hollow, with the real appeal seemingly for those who prefer to beat the clock, optimize their creations and see 100% of each widget and doodad in their inventories.

Banjo Kazooie enthusiasts may bemoan the lack of platforming, whatever that really means anymore, in Nuts & Bolts, but the game is actually quite enjoyable as a unique take on the action-adventure genre. It almost feels like Rare — and the Banjo Kazooie fan, for that matter — would have been better served offering a compromise of gameplay styles — things that can be completed with and without the use of the game's near infinite customized vehicle choices. In the end, Nuts & Bolts feels more like a googly-eyed version of a Grand Theft Auto game, one filled with simplistic driving missions piecing together a micron thin storyline.

Even if you despise the new direction that Rare has taken with the series, given the financial investment required, we'd advise cautious fans giving Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts a spin. The urge to see and do everything may peter out, once you've had your fill of scratching your collection itch or suffered through some of the game's deplorable vehicle handling, but there are still moments of fun buried within.

Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts was developed by Rare, published by Microsoft Game Studios and released in North America on Nov. 11 for Xbox 360. Retails for $39.99 USD. Completed single-player campaign, tested online multiplayer.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

If anything, we're now guilty of giving too much direction on justifying one's game. Rare's Neill Harrison took advantage of our goodwill, which is letting developers and producers prep ahead of time for Justify Your Game, resulting in carefully planned elevator pitches. For Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Harrison pretty much nails it following a minutes long mental practice. If it weren't for the last second awkwardness, this one would've been left on the cutting room floor. Thank the video gods for performance anxiety!

• United States: Amazon, EBGames, GameStop and GameCrazy
• UK: Amazon, Play.com, Game and Gamestation
• France: Micromania and Game
• Spain: Game
• Italy: GameStop
• Scandinavia: Game and GameStop

Canada, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand are participating, but retailers there have yet to be confirmed, says Rare.

Nuts & Bolts Retailer Pre-Order Info for Free Banjo [Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Rare's follow up to Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, is also slated to make an XBLA appearance in early 2009. Soon the Xbox 360 will encompass the entire bear / bird trilogy! How can it possibly contain so much awesome?

Banjo-Kazooie remake appearing on XBLA November 26th [Strategy Informer]

[Nuts & Bolts] is like an introduction to what we could do. If we went on and did some more then we could push it. If it was accepted and people enjoyed it then we could definitely push it in a much bigger direction. This is like an opening to a new type of gaming I guess.

Sounds good to me. Hell, even if Nuts & Bolt doesn't work, no harm in pushing the originality envelope a little further.

Next Banjo will "expand" N&B concept [CVG]

"We don't have any plans for DLC. As far as the team is concerned we are taking a break from VP for a while to make something new. But things change quickly in the software industry so next week it may be a completely different story"

But what could this new game be? I spoke to Rare's Community Manager George Kelion, who said that the team were keen on a fresh challenge after spending so long cooped up with just sentient Piñatas for company.

"With VP2 out the door and Banjo in its vinegar strokes, we're focusing on getting the Avatars all finished and done for the New Xbox Experience," said Kelion, "After that, it'll most likely be a mix of new projects and hopefully a Banjo sequel.. maybe? Fingers crossed, anyway!"

Chatting in Paradise [Mondo Rare]

Better still, that code gives you access to the Live Arcade game two weeks before it hits the Arcade for everyone else. The XBLA title will include something called Stop N' Swop, which rewards players' accomplishments in the new game with extra content and features in the Live arcade game.

Microsoft also sent over some pics from Nuts & Bolts' game world, named Jiggoseum.

The newly revealed game world Jiggoseum (formerly dubbed World of Sports) will have you taking on a series of Olympic-inspired events for the jiggy gold!

This giant stadium evokes themes of ancient Rome and Greece with modern day sports activities. The Jiggoseum, common stomping ground for Mr. Fit and Trophy Thomas, will include 17 challenges to test Banjo’s (and his contraptions’) athletic abilities. In order to successfully complete his adventure in this world, Banjo must transport the Olympic Torch across a large body of water to help Captain Blubber light the Olympic Cauldron. A boat may seem like the vehicle of choice for the job… but with tons of options, it’s up to the player to decide.

Looks like some serious Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang action in the first shot. Another after the jump. Click on them for full size.

First Banjo 3 Screenshots [British Gaming Blog]

According to sources that will go unnamed, Microsoft may be showing its Xbox 360 motion controller as early as next week to press, a controller geared specifically for Banjo Kazooie 3 gameplay. In fact, we've heard that select members of the press have already seen the controller—in use on the next Banjo Kazooie title—in action.

Microsoft plans to show off some of its 2008 and 2009 wares at an event next week, one that hits during the Game Critics Awards at which some of the "Best of E3" awards are judged. Occasionally, NDAs and embargoes ensure that what is shown at the Game Critics Awards doesn't go public until E3 proper, which may keep details on a the rumored new Xbox 360 controller under wraps.

However, Microsoft's event next Tuesday, at which the new Banjo Kazooie is confirmed to be shown to North American press, comes with an embargo that lifts before the event kicks off proper. That means that whatever is on display for press will be revealed next Tuesday morning to everyone.

Keep in mind that an Xbox 360 controller with motion control capabilities is still a rumor for now. We've heard some conflicting information about the controller's visibility to the media and that Microsoft may hold onto any new hardware reveals until E3. We'll know for sure Tuesday morning what's in store.

If I remember correctly, the literary masterpiece that was Banjo Tooie involved someone stealing some candy or jewels or shards of some cosmic thing that required our heroes to walk near some grass. It's been a while, though and my recollection of the complex narrative may be shoddy. Walk on for the list.

• 1. Banjo and Grunty team up against a new threat, falling in love in the process.
• 2. Kazooie is abducted by aliens and Banjo heads out to search the cosmos.
• 3. Banjo and Kazooie travel back through time in pursuit of the witch's giant T.I.T. (err... Time Interfering Truck!)
• 4. Banjo comes out of retirement to stop his home being redeveloped into tower blocks and malls.
• 5. War comes to Spiral Mountain, and Banjo becomes a reluctant leader.

Best guesses? Rare says it won't get around to revealing the genuine article for "ages" so there's no rush.

Disinformation Central '08 [Rare]

Official Banjo-Kazooie Website [Microsoft via High Score TV]