Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts pre-order packs free code, early access to Banjo-Kazooie XBLA

by James Ransom-Wiley { Aug 19th 2008 at 11:05AM }

We pretty much crammed the need-to-know right up there in the headline, but here it is again: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts pre-orders (confirmed: the game's only $40) will include free download codes for the original Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox Live Arcade at "participating" retailers (read: not the little game store up the block). The code apparently will be redeemable on Nuts & Bolts' launch day, giving players a "two-week head start" on the XBLA game, which won't be released to the masses until a couple weeks later.

But why would you put down the new thing for the old one? Good question. For the answer we'll point you to "Stop 'N' Swop," a slice of Banjo lore that has intrigued completists of the original N64 games for years, now fully realized for the first time. (Spoiler: Certain accomplishments in Nuts & Bolts unlock <gasp>new content in the decade-old XBLA re-release</gasp>.)

Speaking of bonuses, we've got a little something special for you today. Hit up the gallery below for the first screens of the newly revealed Nuts & Bolts game world: Jiggoseum. It's like the Olympics ... but with cah-razy vehicles!

Gallery: Banjo-Kazooie: Jiggoseum

Tags: banjo-kazooie, banjo-kazooie-nuts-and-bolts, breakingnews, nuts-and-bolts, pre-order, rare, stop-n-swop, xbla

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

um..wow @ Aug 19th 2008 11:14AM

no sauce on this?

Tiptup300 @ Aug 19th 2008 12:22PM

Well, looks like I have to preorder now. Not like I wasn't going to buy it.

dwhite @ Aug 19th 2008 11:15AM

I am sure there will be massive hate over this game, but I want to try it. I like the idea of XBL codes for pre-orders rather than some useless "making of DVD" or other worthless trinket. M$ is doing pretty well with a good holiday line up, arcade releases and dashboard stuff. If the price drop is real, then business should be good for them and the trolls will be out in force.

baby sea tuna @ Aug 19th 2008 11:41AM

I thoroughly agree with everything you said, but still had to vote you down on principle because of the M$.

Sorry.

Erwos @ Aug 19th 2008 12:05PM

I also agree. This year is the first time I've genuinely been tempted to pre-order games because of XBLA tie-ins (Fable 2) or beta access (SOCOM Confrontation).

Saeth @ Aug 19th 2008 3:37PM

They're doing exactly what they want. Pushing Xbox Live Arcade titles and making cheap affordable games to break into a new audience of gamer.

This game went from a day one buy to a preorder. Thanks MS.

Grant @ Aug 19th 2008 11:47PM

i was going to pick this up cause it looks pretty cool, now that i know that it's only $40 and comes with the original with pre-order, I'm totally sold. that's a shitload for only $40, and def worth the pre-order.

samfish @ Aug 19th 2008 11:15AM

Huh? They aren't releasing the original BEFORE the new one? That seems kind of dumb, if you ask me.

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 12:23PM

Nobody did, and it doesn't matter when it comes out as long as it does. It's not going to change anything if it comes out before or after.

samfish @ Aug 19th 2008 1:11PM

Uh...yeah. I'm not slamming the game, if that's what you think.
I'm just saying that it's a franchise that as been gone for nearly TEN years on a DIFFERENT console who's primary DEMOGRAPHICS tend SKEW AWAY from the kind of game BK is.
It sure couldn't hurt to remind all those people who probably haven't played the game in years, if at all, what they liked about it in the first place...

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 1:31PM

10 years on a diff console? NO KIDDING? Why are we yelling again? Don't get your pannies in a bunch. So, have you tried Braid Samfish?

samfish @ Aug 19th 2008 1:54PM

Joystiq needs bold tags :\.

No, I haven't tried it. Really want to. It doesn't look terribly difficult, going by YouTube vids, but I suspect that watching it vs actually playing it makes all the difference.
For better or worse and despite what I had said before, I had like 97% decided to buy a 360 this year, but that most likely isn't happening, since I'm supposed to be going to Japan in October.
Thankfully, my disappointment over not being able to buy one is being drown out by my excitement over finally getting to visit Japan!

...but yeah...it looks like unless my friend buys it (and he won't), I won't get to play Braid until early 2009.

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 2:23PM

Wow, if theres one thing you DON'T want to do, its see the Youtube videos on it. Quickly, wipe your memory :P Now I know why Jblow (thats what I call him now) said not to give up and search FAQs. Its mindblowing and it truly is a gem. I sincerely hope it does go to PS3 and Wiiware so everyone can enjoy it. Oh and sorry about the Braid love, I know Joystiq was all over it for like 2 weeks but I was out of gaming with RRoD at the time so I just got the game last Friday. :D

Arttemis @ Aug 19th 2008 11:15AM

Wow! If the rumor for a $40 pricetag (like Viva Pinata 2) is true, then this is just a third layer of icing on the beautiful cake.

Does that access let me download it for free like Fable 2 Pub Games?

Rare is definitely doing their customers right lately... now they just need to pull GoldenEye XBLA out of 'no man's land'!

Christopher Grant @ Aug 19th 2008 11:25AM

It's true: read the presser
http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/08/19/bjkazprodrgmerly.aspx

Arttemis @ Aug 19th 2008 11:31AM

a;sldkfjaskdfkajf! Very nice news indeed! News regarding this title just gets better and better!

Thanks for the link, CGrant!

Marty @ Aug 19th 2008 11:19AM

I hope this game turns out to be good, because it looks like it could be lots of fun, what with the customizable vehicles and all.

ChooChooCharlie @ Aug 19th 2008 11:24AM

*hugs Rare*

Dustin @ Aug 19th 2008 11:26AM

Does anyone know if you could simply preorder the game at Gamestop for $5, get the code, and then never pick up the game, therefor getting your $5 back in credit? I was wondering whether or not this would work for Fable 2 and Pub Games, also, since I haven't preordered it yet.

ChooChooCharlie @ Aug 19th 2008 12:28PM

It does work for Pub Games, so I'm assuming that it will also work for this. Just download the game and then if you decide later that you don't want the retail game, you can cancel and get your money back and get to keep the XBLA game.

The only difference between these pre-orders and any other is that they'll charge you $10, instead of 5 in order to "scare away anyone who isn't serious about the pre-order" as the guy at my GameSpot said.

Dustin @ Aug 19th 2008 1:30PM

Ah, I figured they would charge $10 but wasn't sure. It would be too easy to exploit the system if it was only $5, I suppose. O well! At only $40, this is probably going to be a must-buy anyways.

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:30AM

Wow, $40 and a free code to get the first game early AND unlock new stuff in it? Looks like I'm preordering this.

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:49AM

I just thought of this. When it says gives us early access to the original does that mean it will be free if we preorder it, or will we still have to buy the XBLA version on top of the 360 game?

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:50AM

nvm i got confused there for a second. It says free download codes.

baby sea tuna @ Aug 19th 2008 11:42AM

Awesome!

Looks like Rare's contract with microsoft is finally starting to pay off for the fans!

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 12:27PM

Can I get a w00t w00t?

AwesomeTown @ Aug 19th 2008 1:06PM

w00t, w00t, w00-d00dly-00t

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 2:40PM

gratsi

russtophiles @ Aug 19th 2008 11:58AM

Wow, that's pretty cool. I'm actually a bit worried about the $40 price tag though, there has to be a REASON it's $20 less than your average 360 game. That's considered 'budget' pricing for current gen games.

I'm pretty interested in the game, even moreso with this announcement, and I like low pricetags as much as the next guy, but I want to know WHY it's $40.

Snowblind @ Aug 19th 2008 12:07PM

Same reason Viva Pinata is, they don't expect it to sell particularly well. The cheaper price tag will help a great deal.

Arttemis @ Aug 19th 2008 1:24PM

Didn't you catch the shitstorm reaction when the announced the game's concept?

Apparently, some people can't understand that video game characters are merely vehicles for the player to use throughout the game. As soon as that character is literally represented by a vehicle, though, it upsets people with closed minds and selective memories of the original titles.

I hope this starts a trend in gaming. Just because games have higher budgets doesn't mean the prices *have* to increase. The customer base is constantly growing, and lowering prices will encourage a LARGE amount of those prospective customers to go ahead and buy.
I guarantee the increase in sales will more than compensate for the price difference.

russtophiles @ Aug 19th 2008 2:00PM

Hmmm, yeah that makes sense I guess. I'm so used to games, no matter how dicey looking, going for full on retail price from the get go.

I think that's usually Japanese games that I see though, stuff like No More Heroes should have sold for $30 or so at launch I think but I guess they price them higher hoping that they can make back the costs of localization.

Consider my preorder locked.

Mr.ESC @ Aug 19th 2008 12:07PM

Awesome.

First day buy for me.

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 12:24PM

Same here! :D

Microswirl (MKWii:1676- 4270-3674) @ Aug 19th 2008 3:57PM

Me too! First day purchase, first hour purchase, first friggin' person-in-line-waiting-for-store-to-open purchase.

BTW, does this game have online multiplayer? I wanna shoot eggs at ya'll

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 4:18PM

"BTW, does this game have online multiplayer?"

Affirmative.

Mrblonde @ Aug 19th 2008 12:10PM

That's awesome they are implementing the stop n swop element from the first game in the new game. Im excited for both these games. It upset me they didn't ever take advantage of it

Mrblonde @ Aug 19th 2008 12:11PM

That's awesome they are implementing the stop n swop element from the first game in the new game. Im excited for both these games. It upset me they didn't ever take advantage of it

Fenix @ Aug 19th 2008 12:38PM

I'm really excited about this game. Braid is such a breath of fresh air from all the shooting and hack n slash I've been playing lately and I'm sure this will be too. The new screens look beautiful btw, jiggy collecting here I come!

*Kool-Aid smile, initiated

:D

ice~ @ Aug 19th 2008 1:12PM

I'm glad to see people are actually interested in this game :). Rare is doing such an awesome job lately, can't wait till this and viva pinata TIP

I was gonna buy the arcade game neway but now I'll get banjo 2ewie instead :) :) :) :) :)
words can't express my joy!!!!

Hibiki Rush @ Aug 19th 2008 1:13PM

Is the XBLA title enhanced at all? I'd love to have a platformer for 360, but I'm not sure about the custom vehicle creation in N&B...

And why is it $40? = DLC +$$$

Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 19th 2008 1:17PM

Well, the article says that the new game will have achievements that open up features in the XBLA game, so they've obviously enhanced the original to some degree. If you're talking about graphics and such, I have no idea. Probably just the typical video scaling and some achievements.

flameofdoom666 @ Aug 19th 2008 10:13PM

I also would expect wide screen, up scaling and 5.1 surround sound if anything./

I hope they filter the game into a texture program and make things look much smoother- but that may be asking too much.

Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 19th 2008 1:13PM

So when will these pre-orders actually be available?

007craft @ Aug 19th 2008 1:17PM

im gonna pre-order for $5, get me code and then cancle the pre-order. if they dont let me cancle, at least i still got the XBLA original for only $5 , whn you know they will surly charge 800ms points for it.

juju187 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:32PM

your so cool, can I be your friend...

Snowblind @ Aug 19th 2008 1:49PM

Banjo XBLA isn't coming out until 2 weeks after Nuts & Bolts, the codes will be sent out WITH the actual game, and will let you download the game before it officially goes up. But that stops people from cancelling their orders and getting the Arcade game for free.

Ryan LN @ Aug 19th 2008 3:00PM

Let me start out by saying that I'm typically morally opposed to preordering. The idea of giving a huge corporation my money months in advance so they can make gobs of interest off of it and the other hundreds of thousands of idiots who likewise give them their money has always seemed asinine, especially when you can typically walk into Target, Wal-Mart or Sam's the day of a games release and walk out with a copy- but in this case I'll be ponying up my money, oh- right now? They didn't have me sold at "Free Banjo-Kazooie", they got me with finally being able to explore one of the great cruel gaming teases of my lifetime. I'd be willing to bet a substantial percentage of BK's early adopters will be former N64 vets. Any takers?

flameofdoom666 @ Aug 19th 2008 10:16PM

I am so excited for that too.

I forgot where I read it (EGM maybe?) but Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie will have unlockables with the Stop n Swop BASED ON the achievements you have in Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.

I am such a Nintendo fanboy- and lately I broadened myself to Microsoft. Damn I love Rare.