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.
Viva Pinata 2: Trouble in Paradise
- Improved interactivity between the pinata's and the environments.
- Pinata's will mimic each others action and follow the leader around the garden.
- They'll be adding toys for the pinatas to play with like musical instruments, spaced themed toys, and trains that the pinata's will ride around the garden.
-VP2 uses the Vision Cam in conjunction with game-generated codes to share all manner of objects, including custom designed pinatas, buildings or abilities, the weather and more.
-"We were told how Rare had designed a moose that got a big, red nose only around christmas time... and this could be passed around with these cards"
Banjo Kazooie 3
- GI says their first vehicles was a 4 wheeled kart with a spring attached to the bottom that allowed them to jump things. They later found a helicopter blade that allowed their kart to fly. Later they added balloons to the vehicle and put the blade on the back and created a hovercraft.
- Rare showed them a vehicle that was a monster truck that was able to detach its chasis to become a mini bike. When the bike ramped off a cliff it revealed collapsible glider wings and started flying.
- The town is called Showdown Town.
- GI says that despite the large focus on vehicles it still features platform elements from the previous games like traditional platforming, tight rope walking and jiggy piece collecting.
- Showdown Town is 16 times larger than anything Rare has created before.
- Every level has a different intro. Nutty Acres begins with a credits spoof of 80's soap opera's like Dallas.
- Rare says there are 15 different challenges spread across 6 different levels. There will also be side missions.
- You can always jump in and out of the vehicle editor and come right back to the game with the new design.
- Parts are easily placed and moved around. You don't have to worry about connecting the motor with the wheels for example.
- "Vehicle designs can play a large role in missions. We saw one where you had to collect coconuts from a field and got a small truck that could suck them up. Unfortunately you couldn't fit all the coconuts in the truck and had to back and deliver them in a large barrel. We were then shown how you could create a helicopter with a hook, that could pick up this large barrel, fly to the coconut field and fly low to scoop the coconuts in the barrel."
Reader Comments (21)
Posted: May 12th 2008 9:43PM (Unverified) said
Whew... this gives me a lot of relief to the new B-K 3 game... it actually sounds quite interesting. I just hope that whole... Remote thing isn't real. And if it is, it doesn't have to be used or has a lot of effect.
Posted: May 12th 2008 9:44PM GanonSmash said
Meh. I was hoping Banjo Threeie would be mostly platforming, with vehicles in some missions. Oh well, the vehicles seem cool, I guess, but they would have with in better with a new series, and keep Banjo a traditional platformer.
Posted: May 12th 2008 9:59PM flameofdoom666 said
Only 6 levels in Banjo 3... boo!
I love Rare, but why couldnt they make an old school Banjo game in Hi-Res! I am not skeptical, but I loved the old games.
I love Rare, but why couldnt they make an old school Banjo game in Hi-Res! I am not skeptical, but I loved the old games.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:01PM (Unverified) said
At least they said the levels would be massive.
Also... how useful would Kazooie be if you can just build a freaking plane. Lolz...
Also... how useful would Kazooie be if you can just build a freaking plane. Lolz...
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:09PM spacemonkey said
How about taking your vehicles online for Mario Kart type races.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:13PM (Unverified) said
It'll probably have online races... vehicle fights... and maybe regular collecting stuff.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:28PM (Unverified) said
I'm glad they're not just making a standard platformer. If you love the old games, go back and play 'em! Evolution of genres, please.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:32PM (Unverified) said
I agree... this could either go good (A whole new look for platformers) or bad (Should've stayed with the old)
But either way, if you like B-K and the characters within it, you'll probably love this game to it's fullest extent.
But either way, if you like B-K and the characters within it, you'll probably love this game to it's fullest extent.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:33PM (Unverified) said
I love how no one even gives a crap about Viva Pinata 2 XD... B-K has been looked up for so long no one can stop.
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:53PM GanonSmash said
I definately want Viva Pinata (damn you, little squiggly n!), but B-K has been a complete mystery up until now, while it's preen pretty obvious what a new VP would be like it it were made.
That said, I'm off to preorder both!
Reply
That said, I'm off to preorder both!
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:42PM (Unverified) said
These games should be on the Wii come on MS what are you thinking stepping on Wii's turf?
Posted: May 13th 2008 7:28AM (Unverified) said
ruing a potentially awesome game by crippling it on a system thats basically over 5 years old? now that i have a wii i can honestly say why is everyone buying them? please dont ruin the controls with an MSmote
Reply
Posted: May 12th 2008 10:46PM (Unverified) said
Idk... I kinda wanted to see B-K in HD lolz.
Posted: May 12th 2008 11:03PM agemyth said
I'm still unsure about the focus on vehicles in Banjo, but visually I am more than satisfied so far. I liked Viva Pinata's visual style even more than I liked the game, and it looks like Banjo has a lot of the same style.
Posted: May 13th 2008 1:11AM Anticrawl said
What is the point of Kazooie if we have vehicles? Anticrawl is no amused. I wish they'd focus less on vehicles and more on hardcore platforming, the 360 needs a real platformer other than Naruto: Rise of the Ninja. Atleast Viva Pinata 2 will surely be good.
Posted: May 13th 2008 1:12AM ptc said
I am completely stoked for VP2. VP1 is surprisingly addictive. If you haven't tried it, do so immediately...
Posted: May 13th 2008 1:49AM (Unverified) said
I think what's going to happen is they'll still have the key core platforming with vehicle support... Like the vehicles may only be used for certain things instead of using them throughout the whole game. While B-K does the original platforming game that we all know and love.
Posted: May 13th 2008 1:58AM (Unverified) said
I think just hearing Banjo's optimistic laugh and Kazooie's blunt humor will make me feel right at home with this game.
Reply
Posted: May 13th 2008 5:06AM (Unverified) said
I scored all 1000 points of cheevos in the first one for a reason. Now with drop in/out cooperative, 30 more chimpokemon, and more inbreeding/cannibalism than you can shake a stick at?! Count me sold.
As for Banjo, it's the 360's Mario. Let's all hope for the best.
As for Banjo, it's the 360's Mario. Let's all hope for the best.
Posted: May 13th 2008 10:16AM (Unverified) said
For VP2, I can only hope they speed up and optimize/fix the interface which was painfully slow. Buying stuff just took too many damn button presses and the icons were not as helpful as they could have been.
Otherwise a great game.
Otherwise a great game.
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