Don't let the vehicle based gameplay fool you, Nuts and Bolts is still a Banjo Kazooie game down to its core.
-pspitus, Gruntilda's lovely assistant
Ten long years have passed since Banjo and Kazooie's last heroic and mind boggling adventure. What have they been doing since then? Has Banjo been constructing a larger backpack? Has Kazooie been attending anger management classes? Have the dynamic duo mastered the art of egg disposal from the behind? Of course……not. Like every other hero who's been on vacation *cough* for a while they've been stuffing their faces with food, drinking endless supplies of soda, and wasting their lives sitting on their butts watching T.V. Their vacation, however, quickly comes to an end when Gruntilda, the rhyming witch, rises from the dead once again. Just as Banjo and Kazooie are about to confront the witch for the third consecutive time a mysterious computer being called the Lord of Games( or L.O.G for short) appears out of nowhere and puts a stop to the quarrelling rivals. L.O.G decides to make a proposition- whoever can gather the most jigsaw pieces and complete the most challenges he or she will be given the rights to Spiral Mountain. Yeah, I know, the story makes absolutely no sense, but then again when has a Banjo Kazooie game ever made sense?
Now I'm about to say something that may shock you so if there are any kids in the room you should make them leave now- this may get ugly. Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts isn't a platforming game- it's a vehicle based game.*GASP* Wait, before you jump off that roof let me finish. Although this Banjo Kazooie game has been stripped of all of its platforming elements it is still, dare I say it, fun.
Throughout the game you will have to complete a series of challenges that range from transporting mammoth size walnuts to protecting an anteater from being crushed by deranged circular robots. Yeah, the game is weird. After beating a challenge you are awarded with a jigsaw piece. Once you earn enough jiggies you are granted entrance to other worlds. Pretty simple huh?
Nuts and Bolts allows the player absolute freedom regarding how to approach different situations. Collecting floating soft balls can be a walk in the park or the most difficult task depending on how the player crafts his or her vehicle. While some missions can be easily completed with the same vehicle there are some challenges that require you to think outside the box or should I say outside the contraption. (lame pun, I'm sorry)That's where the beauty of this game shines. Nuts and Bolts allows you create any vehicle you could possibly imagine. The user interface is highly simplified so that even a baby could make his or her own vehicle, add a couple of in-game tutorials and you'll be making your dream vehicle in no time. Your imagination is the limit, for the game offers a plethora of vehicle parts from a retractable punching glove to a fuel consuming jet engine. If you want to make a gigantic shoe vehicle just go for it, if you want to create an enlarged flying happy face than by all means go ahead.
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is a gorgeous game from top to bottom. It has this strange unique art style that will draw you in like a beautiful siren's song. (A little greek mythology for you brainiacs out there) The bright colorful textures, the lush environments, everything is absolutely astonishing. The character models have also received an updated look giving them a more, how should I say, revamped appearance. Add in a painfully catchy soundtrack and you have a game that will put your five senses to the test. Well, all the senses except taste, that wouldn't really make sense.
Overall: Don't let the vehicle based gameplay push you away from Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Even though it has been stripped of all its platforming components, Nuts and Bolts is still an incredibly fun and addictive gaming experience. You know what they say "How do you know if you like it, if you don't try it?" Or something like that. Bottom line, give Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts a try before claiming that the series has officially died.