PGR4, Banjo-Kazooie, and Marvel Universe coming to Xbox 360
by Ross Miller 
{ Sep 27th 2006 at 2:00PM }
Project Gotham Racing 4 and a new Banjo-Kazooie title are coming to the Xbox 360. In addition, Microsoft Games Studio is releasing Marvel Universe Online for both the 360 and Windows.This is the first official announcement for PGR4, although discussions of the title date back to March, and carmaker Peugeot hinted at a late 2007 / early 2008 release in one of its contests. Scott Henson, Director of the Game Development Group at Microsoft, would not confirm the release date for any of the titles. Asked whether or not Marvel Universe Online would work together across both mediums, à la Live Anywhere, Henson replied, "we haven't confirmed that yet, but that is certainly an option."
The last PGR title was released in late 2005; Rare's Banjo was last seen in January 2005 on the Game Boy Advanced title Banjo Pilot. While PGR4 is a sure-fire hit, will Banjo-Kazooie finally get Rare out of its decade-long rut?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RiskyChris @ Sep 27th 2006 2:06PM
This is the closest I can see MS getting me to buy a 360. If this BK is a quality title, it's the killer app I need to make the plunge.
Rare, I beg you -- don't screw up.
negativezero @ Sep 27th 2006 2:37PM
WTH?! BK? WE NEED KILLER INSTINCT!
GET IT RIGHT RARE!
banjo?! Give me FULGORE!
bye buy @ Sep 27th 2006 2:39PM
Well RiskyChris it's not the same Rare that made the original BK. The good developers left and are now making great games like Time Splitters.
Ever wonder why PDZ and Kameo suck? Now you know.
On a side note...it's funny how the same people who call Nintendo "kiddy" go nuts when they get Viva Pinata and Banjo for their system.
Cage @ Sep 27th 2006 2:45PM
"it's funny how the same people who call Nintendo "kiddy" go nuts when they get Viva Pinata and Banjo for their system"
Uh...dont see too many people going nuts. Only 4 people (including myself) have written a comment. The one person who did respond and say they wanted either of those games doesnt have a 360. If you have nothing constructive to say...well...shut up.
Marvel Universe = BIG UP!!
Russell @ Sep 27th 2006 2:46PM
Fucking sweet!!! Banjo-Kazooie! Ahhhhhh!
I was hoping that Microsoft's partnership with Rare would produce something better than Kameo and PDZ.
G-Pink @ Sep 27th 2006 2:53PM
@1
Right. Rare had better not slip and fall on this title. It's one of the best series they've offered, imho.
I, for one, can't wait to see Banjo and friends in a new adventure, and with new graphics to boot. :)
AzaMcWazza @ Sep 27th 2006 2:59PM
Screw Rare, they sold out to MS after Nintendo made them.
SaxyGator @ Sep 27th 2006 3:13PM
Time to start saving money for a 360...
I've said since Microsoft bought Rare (well, since my "anger" subsided), I wouldn't get an Xbox until B-K came out for it.
bye buy @ Sep 27th 2006 3:19PM
Hey Cage, go screw yourself!
There's a lot of buzz on many other websites about this, not just here.
You think you're the only one allowed to an opinion?!
Grow up.
mcloki @ Sep 27th 2006 3:46PM
BK is a great pickup for Microsoft. It was a great game, but it was a different Rare that made it. Now if they made a Blast Corps for the next generation consoles that might be a difference maker. Too bad no one will play it on the Xbox 360.
Dracula Jones @ Sep 27th 2006 3:45PM
Decade-long rut is subjective. I absolutely loved Kameo and felt it was their freshest work since Goldeneye. It's also notable that it was in develop for about as long as said rut.
sgt manji @ Sep 27th 2006 3:53PM
AzaMcWazza, Nintendo were the ones who sold Rare.
CJC @ Sep 27th 2006 4:11PM
BK is a very good idea, in a sort of "why-haven't-we been-making-more-games-like-this?" kind of way. This is what I expected from them when Rare was sold. Of course, a well-liked series won't mean every game is gold (Perfect Dark Zero).
(Psst...Rare. Remake the first Perfect dark with next-gen graphics. Guarenteed million seller and system seller, right there.)
LunarDuality @ Sep 27th 2006 4:12PM
Decade rut: debatable.
I also liked Kameo and feel like there is still so many challenges left in the game. And PDZ wasn't THAT bad people...
BK excites me and Viva Pinata as well. And I'm 26. If the gameplay is good, and they mantain a quirky sense of style and humor in both of these games I will enjoy them both. I don't give a crap if someone thinks these games are "kiddie". I can only shoot people in the face for so long in so many ways before I crave a different experience. Hopefully these two Rare titles will give me that change of pace I'm looking for right now.
dvddesign @ Sep 27th 2006 4:31PM
Man, this just sucks. What N64 Wii titles am I supposed to get excited over? Pilotwings maybe? All the good N64 games were Rare's and those aren't coming.
No Blast Corps, No Banjo Kazooie, Although Killer Instinct was a co-op, I think Nintendo may hold the distribution rights...
Ugh. I "can't" wait to buy SM64 again. bleh.
holyice7 @ Sep 27th 2006 4:43PM
I knew this day would come...now I'll have to find a used 360 that isn't already broken...
Damn my lousy Nintendo fanboyism...
Ryan LN @ Sep 27th 2006 5:35PM
Kameo? Great? Really?
The descriptor "great" I would reserve for games like the Legend of Zelda (pick one), Halo, Grand Theft Auto, and Banjo-Kazooie. Kameo sure was pretty, and it was kinda fun but when you boil it down to low gravy it was an average to above average title. Excluding the Gameboy and Conker's XBox remake, I have purchased every major Rare console title since 1996, and what I have found is that since Star Fox Adventures Rare has either disappointed (see Star Fox Adventures) undwerwhelmed (see Grabbed By the Ghoulies) or just plan infuriated (see PD0).
As for Banjo-Kazooie for the 360, I predict that it *may* provide Rare with a much needed boost, if they bring the same fun, wit and inventiveness to the genre as they did with the originals. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that a betting man would wager that we'll probably end up playing the next BK on the Xbox 720 in 2011.
AzaMcWazza @ Sep 27th 2006 6:25PM
sgtmanji - well screw Nintendo then! :)
Actually Nintendo only owned 49% of Rare(ware), the Stampers owned 51 % and they sold out first with Nintendo following suit later. One interesting thing I've wanted to know for a while, was was who owned the IP to Banjo and Kazooie, but it seems that MS must with this new game. That said, I wonder if Nintendo own the rights to the old BK titles and if they can be released on the Virtual Console.
32_Footsteps @ Sep 27th 2006 6:04PM
I personally agree with Ross - Rare has been in a huge rut, and I haven't been thrilled with any of their games since... hmm... which was later, Killer Instinct or Donkey Kong Country 2? Donkey Kong 64 was passable, but even that annoyed me in several spots.
Seriously, notify me if Rare gets the idea to revive KI. Other than that, I couldn't care less about them.
Zelda Master @ Sep 27th 2006 7:58PM
Microsft and Rare. I love you.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO, ZM. My prayers have been answered.
B33 @ Sep 27th 2006 7:13PM
Rare has lost it... Thanks Microsoft, for killing a great developer that was meant for Nintendo...
foobob @ Sep 27th 2006 8:50PM
"will Banjo-Kazooie finally get Rare out of its decade-long rut?"
M$ only bought Rare to fuck Nintendo big time. They then put the developers in the fridge, without knowing what to do with their great expertise and franchises, knowing Rare games mostly cater for a different audience they were after of.
talk about bad monopolies fucking up the industry...
Doomstalk @ Sep 27th 2006 9:55PM
I've long said Microsoft wasted their money. They bought rare thinking they were making off with Nintendo's crowned jewels. In reality, they got the paste replica that was put in its place once all of Rare's key staff left. I have a feeling that Nintendo was none too thrilled about Star Fox Adventures (although it was partially their own fault for forcing Rare to make it a Star Fox game), and decided to ditch Rare while someone was still interested.