Retail Radar: $40 Banjo-Kazooie

Xbox 360 debut of Rare's trademark tag-team listed at budget price point by GameStop.

With Xbox 360 games like Fable 2 and Gears of War 2 set for release later this year, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts might have a hard time standing out among the system's heavily hyped exclusives. One thing that could garner a bit of extra attention for the vehicular platformer is a budget price point.

A product listing on GameStop's Web site suggests that Nuts & Bolts will sell for $39.99. However, fellow retailer Amazon.com posts the game with a more standard $59.99, while chain sites like Best Buy and Circuit City don't yet offer the game for sale.

"Retailers typically include non-final placeholder information on their sites for future releases," a Microsoft representative told GameSpot. "Please note that we have yet to confirm any specific pricing details for Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts."

For those considering preordering at GameStop in the hopes of locking in the $39.99 price, note that the company's "Pre-Order Low Price Guarantee" doesn't prevent the price from going up after an order is placed. Instead, it promises that if the price drops below the original order price by the time of release, customers will be charged the lower price.

For more on Nuts & Bolts, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

135 Comments

  • Kiro92

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 5:15 pm PT

    that sucks!!! in the uk we have to pay £40 which is approximately $73

  • Kiro92

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 5:15 pm PT

    that sucks!!! in the uk we have to pay £40 which is approximately $73

  • okassar

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 8:18 pm PT

    The 40 dollar price point is only to make gamers think "Oh,I'm buying like 3 games this holiday season,but I could fit a 40 dollar one in right?",nothing to do with how good the game is. I think this game is looking very creative so far,the vehicle concept is so unique,you do whatever YOU want,you build the vehicle that YOU think is cool and there's so many parts to pick from,then,you use the vehicles you made to GO THROUGH THE PLOT and play on Xbox Live and everything.So it's not all about building the vehicles,but it's also using the vehicles to,well,BE BANJO

  • faceman420

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 6:44 pm PT

    I wouldnt mind seeing at least the return of 49.99 priced games (that aren't trash).. 65 bux can puts a sizeable dent in me wallet..

  • LiontamerV

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 3:05 pm PT

    Lowering the cost of great games? Sweet deal. We need cheaper games. It doesn't reflect on the quality of the title at all.

    At least I hope

  • MetalMan300

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 3:48 pm PT

    This game looks great from whats been in the previews. And now at $40 (maybe)? I must buy it now.

  • MikeBFire

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 2:30 pm PT

    Bah. I want a legitimate sequel, not another Banjo Pilot...

  • darkride66

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 2:30 pm PT

    Budget priced already? That's not a good sign...

  • UltimateXShadow

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 2:19 pm PT

    I hope that it turns out to be an excellent game. However, I will be unable to play it, as I do not own a 360.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:36 am PT

    "Pre-Order Low Price Guarantee" should do exactly what it says, but no, Sometimes I hate gamestop for these kind of tactics

  • blackace

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    Game is going to rock, no matter what price it comes out at. A lot of B&K fanatics want this game, so it should do good at retailers.

  • Danold

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:51 pm PT

    Kinda like what happened with perfect dark zero, eh Merl?

  • Merl57

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:37 pm PT

    dude sweet I'm gonna buy this anyways unless Rare somehow temporarily contracts brain damage and screws it up

  • StillFreeTagger

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:09 pm PT

    I hope that price is true. Will make it easier to get my gaming fix around that point.

  • benjaminjoel

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:09 pm PT

    gamerman1202

    I actually liked Sonic Heroes. Sega REALLY messed up with Sonic 2006.

  • gamerman1202

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:19 am PT

    THEY HAVE RUINED ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES, *sigh* i sense a repeat of what has happened to sonic in recent years (sonic heroes, shadow the hedgehog)

  • thestickman

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:17 am PT

    I dunno... It's probably good that they put it at a lower price point.

    I never really got to play the original Banjo games on the N64 (although I really wanted to, just never had the chance) and it seems well and all that they're moving in a new direction with the vehicle creation and whatnot, but in my opinion its the wrong move :/

    I would have much rather had the true platforming that the old games have (although they do claim there's still *some* while in the central hub or whatever, but thats just not the same)...

    I guess I'm just a little worried because of how much I was psyched about Kameo for the YEARS it was being developed, and it turned out not all that great. We'll see...

  • DecadesOfGaming

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:14 am PT

    Guts5..... As a writer I've learnt not to believe any sales figures. but I respect your views. But there are a lot of individuals like myself who were around in the 70's and 80's who prefer the original platformers. And you are correct, its good to disagree. Life would certainly be dull if everone agreed.

  • AvIdGaMeR444

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:13 am PT

    I didn't say the game would be bad. I just said GameStop is making the price so low from the get go because they automatically think a higher price point won't sell this game. Banjo has some stiff competition when it releases. And most Xbox 360 games NEVER launch at a price point this low (not counting XBLA games). If GameStop really thought this game would sell well, then they would have kept the price at $49.99 or $59.99.

  • Guts5

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:36 am PT

    "DecadesOfGaming Guts5 you need to learn to read mate.. I said "MAJORITY""

    Yeah, I know what you said. I disagree with the majority part going by the sales numbers. I wouldn't presume to speak for the majority of people without basing it on some data. Mario Galaxy is doing very well was my point.

    It's alright if we disagree.

  • EXxile

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:29 am PT

    I actually think this game is gonna be really good. And if they retail it for $39.99 then all the more reason to get it. I used to love Banjo, and with all the new tweaks they've added, it looks like everything I would have wanted from the next generation Banjo-Kazooie title. And believe it or not, its one of my most anticipated titles of '08.

  • IzekielFel

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:27 am PT

    So long as they make the game true to the originals then it doesn't require a "budget" price tag to sell

    Oh and to DecadesOfGaming's comment about developers creating £D platformers, Banjo Kazooie is and has always been a 3D platform game since its inception on the N64 so there not really ruining the franchise.

  • DecadesOfGaming

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:10 am PT

    Guts5 you need to learn to read mate.. I said "MAJORITY"

  • mr111111

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:55 am PT

    i'd rather it be expensive and good than cheap and bad

  • Guts5

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:29 am PT

    "DecadesOfGaming I WISH GAME DEVELOPERS WOULD REALISE THAT THE MAJORITY OF GAMERS INTO PLATFORMERS JUST WANT TO PLAY THE OLD SCHOOL PLATFORMERS WITH NEXT GEN GRAPHICS. "STOP MAKING THESE HUGE THREE DIMENSIONAL WORLDS" HOW MANY OTHER FRANCHISES ARE THESE STUPID DEVELOPERS GOING TO RUIN ?! "

    I dunno about that. I know a lot of people that love Mario Galaxy and it's 3D. So, I don't think it's fair to say that no one likes the 3D ones. Galaxy is alright, but I sorta stopped really liking Platformers back with SMB 3. After that, my tastes have changed I guess.

    I'll take a wait and see approach with Banjo.

  • Guts5

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:26 am PT

    I'm taking a wait and see approach. Platformers aren't generally my thing, but if it's done right it can be fun. Being cheaper certainly makes it an easier purchase if I decide I like it.

  • Virtual_Erkan

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:23 am PT

    Go on Banjo! Show them that low price will make games more famous!

  • DecadesOfGaming posted Jul 3, 2008 9:10 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    DecadesOfGaming

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:10 am PT (hide)

    I WISH GAME DEVELOPERS WOULD REALISE THAT THE MAJORITY OF GAMERS INTO PLATFORMERS JUST WANT TO PLAY THE OLD SCHOOL PLATFORMERS WITH NEXT GEN GRAPHICS. "STOP MAKING THESE HUGE THREE DIMENSIONAL WORLDS" HOW MANY OTHER FRANCHISES ARE THESE STUPID DEVELOPERS GOING TO RUIN ?!

  • westsiderz28

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:04 am PT

    its gonna be crap isnt it.
    my 1st impressions of it were a bit edgy and now a bargin bin price
    its got stinker written all over it.
    rare take another 1 of ther classics and waste it! have they got trainees working for them or something?

  • Kord911

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:53 am PT

    This game has been changed and altered way too much from the previous Banjo games, it's really been building doubt that it'll be as good as them... oh well here's to hoping, right?

  • ChickenHounk911

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:32 am PT

    I really do hope they don't drop the ball on this one, like they did with Perfect Dark. I hope that the $40 price tag doen not mean the developers will leave everything half ass. Here's to hoping that his game is worth it...

  • Willy105

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:11 am PT

    About time! A decently priced game!

  • vadicta

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:11 am PT

    Always loved Banjo Kazooie, so i can't wait to play it, and at 40 dollars i won't even try to get it for cheap off of ebay

  • Shinoadr

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:05 am PT

    Very interesting, I might look into buying it....

  • lhughey

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:01 am PT

    Parents are going to love buying this game for less.

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:51 am PT

    An interesting move. Most games get thrown out at normal price and see who bites.

  • mayforcebeyou

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:47 am PT

    Great if it's not an error by Amazon. I love Banjo and it's one of my most wanted games this year.

  • Rummy500

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:36 am PT

    No noo NOOOO!!! Why rare? Why? Maybe it's not the kiss of death... Maybe it will still be a great game? Yes?... Yes!?...

  • musicaz70

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:34 am PT

    Yeah, Banjo-Kazooie has too big of a cult fanbase to do well at $60. I just hope it's as good as the first on the N64. (the only one I ever played but man was that good)

  • jmartin1016

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:24 am PT

    Sold! Bring it out already. I've been waiting for a platformer forever.

  • 360player_eq12

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:08 am PT

    From the looks of this game you are better off just getting a N64 and the Banjo games on that system over this.

  • Thing2

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:51 am PT

    Yeah I'm not completely sold on it either, I did enjoy the first two but the vehicles do look kinda crazy. I'll get it because I have a 6 year old that'll love it

  • grahamx

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:32 am PT

    God Hand was released with a budget price, the game was amazing.

  • Jtweedd

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:28 am PT

    GerrywithaG15 "its $40 because its gonna suck "

    Itsthat type of mentality that prevents publishers from being price competitive. you been so conditioned to just shelling out 60 dollars that you dont even consider content. Why is a game like oblivion where it obviously took years to provide such a deep expirience set at $60 and a game like NBA live or madden where they may have spent 1 year is also set at $60. Its consumer ignorance that keeps this industry from really moving forward.

  • toadster101

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:09 am PT

    Meh, I'll pass. I was a huge Banjo fan, and still am... but this whole vehicle thing looks ridiculous.

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