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Banjo-Kazooie hops onto XBLA Nov. 26

Rare's acclaimed N64 platformer heads to Microsoft's online storefront in time for Thanksgiving for $15; Banjo-Tooie due in early 2009.

This past August offered a bumper crop of Xbox Live Arcade offerings. In quick succession, Microsoft fired off a number of AAA downloadable games, including Geometry Wars 2, Braid, Bionic Commando Rearmed, Galaga Legions, and Castle Crashers.

The remainder of the year will see XBLA receive several more top titles. During its E3 2008 press event, Microsoft revealed that Banjo-Kazooie would join a handful of other previously proven winners on XBLA this holiday. Today, Microsoft announced that Rare's critically acclaimed 1998 N64 platformer will arrive on Xbox Live Arcade on November 26 for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

As previously announced, gamers can pick the downloadable game up for free and gain access two weeks early by preordering Rare's upcoming Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts at participating retailers. The XBLA game will factor into Rare's latest Xbox 360 exclusive, giving gamers the ability to unlock additional content in Nuts & Bolts when it rides into retail November 11. Banjo-Kazooie also features a graphical update, as well as achievement points.

In addition to dating and pricing Banjo-Kazooie, Microsoft's announcement also revealed that its follow-up, Banjo-Tooie, is slated for an XBLA revival in early 2009. The publisher did not reveal any other details on how the well-reviewed 2000 N64 sequel will be revamped for the current console generation.

121 Comments

  • sonyisevil

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:33 pm GMT

    I want banjo tooie to come out already! It's even better than the original, and banjo kazooie was great. I downloaded banjo kazooie and beat it already, now i'm just waiting for banjo tooie...

  • s_triforce

    Posted Mar 19, 2009 12:25 pm GMT

    Why on earth is Microsoft re-releasing Banjo-Kazooie, when it should have been Wii?! Microsoft does not deserve to have the posibility to release such a fine game. What a shame...

  • rafa888

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 3:28 pm GMT

    $15!! WTF also b waiting, till dec 3 sks, but its worth it

  • iownhalo

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 11:10 am GMT

    fuk people that change release dates at the last minute when you are prepared to download it and you've been waiting for it for months!

  • MuscleCarMan

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 10:15 am GMT

    Wow $15, thats pretty expensive for a game this old, i'll probably end up getting it anyway though. I loved the original and loved Tooie as well.

  • Ed_The_Great

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 3:50 am GMT

    $15?!...Rare's a little too greedy here.After looking at the video,there's not much of a graphical improvement to warrant a $15 purchase.I guess since every xbla game these days are going at $15 they might as well join the trend.I think $10 would be more reasonable and I'll buy it with no hesitation.

  • orravann

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 12:05 am GMT

    so i guess it wont be here in time for thanksgiving, thats just great!! i have to wait another week

  • Hikaru_Isamu

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 7:12 am GMT

    These delays are getting a bit tedious, to be honest.

  • ltjFrancois

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 6:33 pm GMT

    I cant wait to play it again!!!

  • nick_spot

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 4:41 pm GMT

    dec 3?

  • T070Y

    Posted Nov 24, 2008 7:53 pm GMT

    Almost Here!!!

  • Scure_NS

    Posted Nov 6, 2008 2:53 pm GMT

    Wii really deserve to by console of the year...but maybe in 2004!
    haha..ha..hmmm
    I play the demo of the new Banjo...vehicle, lego , mini games,hmm..and I give joypad to my 4year old sister and it was complex for her, like it is easy and stuped for me and my free time..

    My Score: 2- (2-, just because design)
    Take this score serious, I am the banjo fan,and I played x360 version!

  • Scure_NS posted Nov 6, 2008 2:37 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Scure_NS

    Posted Nov 6, 2008 2:37 pm GMT (hide)

    no UNREAL_IRLman22, you dont understand...Wii has most powerfull graphic and Banjo deserve to be only for wii...trust me I own x360,
    ...one day I rent wii, and when I turn him on my LCD....then I understand, wii have most powerfull bluring effects on next gen platforms.And we must respect that!

  • UNREAL_IRLman22

    Posted Oct 24, 2008 11:27 am GMT

    blufalcon, you obviously didnt pass grammer class....so i recommend getting on that asap. as for 360 having "no good rare games" buy a 360 and pick up viva pinita and perfect dark......and besides the fact that grabbed by the ghoulies was NOT a 360 game, would you really rather your "beloved" DK be ported to the wii and have u adjust to using motion controllers for a PLATFORMER? and i recommend not being so freakin arrogant and afraid of change just because business is business and u dont wanna play on the console with the best games for the current generation. here's my last suggestion....why dont you BUY A 360! so then you could play all your "ONLY GOOD ON NINTENDO" Rare games so you can stop crying and just play and enjoy the games...... nothings gonna change just because one "Rare:Nintendo ONLY" fanboy is whining on the forums.

  • RaZorNOR

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 11:25 am GMT

    this game is not going to be an epic fail! BLuFAlc0n YOU are an epic fail!!!

  • BLuFAlc0n posted Oct 21, 2008 11:19 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Oct 21, 2008 11:19 am GMT (hide)

    @ ctburesch
    Ur MEGA WRONG!! THHIS DLC IS GOING TO BE AN EPIC FAIL!
    N64 version is always the ORIGINAL and the BEST!
    Rare doesn't suit Microsoft, because they have no strong bonding, and the Xbox is simply WRONG for RARE!
    Rare works best with Nintendo!
    Don't you people noticed that THERE IS NO GOOD GAMES FOR THE 360 that IS MADE BY RARE!!!
    Come on, Grabbed by the Ghoulies???? Like who'll want that!
    Real games Like Donkey Kong Country!
    Starfox Adventures!
    DK64 - My fav. Rare Game!!
    All good Rare games are in Nintendo and the bad Rare games are in the Microsoft!
    Now Microsoft bought out Rare, Rare became a bad developer since, some good way of blackmailing by Microsoft huh?
    NO RARE = NO DK!!!!!!!!!!
    urghhhh!!!!!!
    Microsoft DOESN'T EVEN NEED RARE ANYWAY!!!!!
    WHY DID THEY BOUGHT RARE???????

    Well I did noticed about 2 Nintendo games FOR a Nintendo console, THAT HAS THE LOGO OF RARE!
    Here's the thing, If Rare became a double agent for Nintendo and Microsoft, RELEASE THE NEW BANJO for the Wii(which will suit best), and DLC of all Banjo-Kazooie/Tooie, this means MORE DK!!!!! If Microsoft is too kind of doing this, I'll regret everything about me saying Microsoft is the most evil company EVER! Or if Microsoft gave back Rare to the Original owner, I'll get a 360!

  • Supreme4dmira1

    Posted Oct 20, 2008 9:46 pm GMT

    They can't release it, because Nintendo shares the rights to Goldeneye, not sure about perfect dark. If Nintendo allowed Rare to re-develop Goldeneye they would be able to re-release it on Nintendo's VC and XBLA, however they want to keep Goldeneye, DK64, etc. "Nintendo titles". So it is better that no one gets the rights then everyone, in Nintendos opinion. I don't see the point in it, but some Nintendo fans agree, so maybe they are right.

  • nick15uk

    Posted Oct 17, 2008 1:17 pm GMT

    I don't get it! If they can re-release this then why not Goldeneye/Perfect Dark. It's not fair! Rare should rebel against Microsoft and become indie again.

  • ctburesch

    Posted Oct 15, 2008 10:48 am GMT

    Why exactly doesn't Rare suit Microsoft. I think they are a great match. They are better on the Xbox than on the Wii. What a joke..the Wii.

  • Supabul

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 2:31 am GMT

    Banjo-Tooie cool I never played that one.

  • oneofthefall

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 8:11 am GMT

    10 years ago this was a good laugh and pretty good fun and now its probably a Classic! now lets just hope whoever's porting it gives it what it richly and respectively deserves a nice makeover!

  • BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 9:18 am GMT

    Rare doesn't really suit Microsoft, this is one of the reasons why I don't like Microsoft.

  • rockwii13

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 4:54 am GMT

    Already got it preordered.

  • REBEL6

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 9:47 am GMT

    Banko Kazzoie probably wont be available for Wii, Shortly after banjo tooie's release Microsoft bought Rare, and now Rare exclusively develops for Microsoft, I was a die hard Nintendo fan because of rare, rare are the reason i bought a X360

  • sparks12935

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 8:50 am GMT

    The game does look amazing though! I love the new look and the different direction they're heading. I can't wait to play it! Either on the Xbox 360 or on the Wii, if they make one for the Wii.

  • sparks12935

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 8:42 am GMT

    What about the Nintendo Wii? Didn't Banjo-Kazooie originate with Nintendo? I think this game should go to the Wii as well. Plus, Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie should be added to the Wii Virtual Console. It just makes sense, is all, and it would save me a lot of money... I don't have an Xbox 360! Ugh. Maybe I could ask my dad to buy me one. Hahaha.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:11 pm GMT

    loved it on the N64, need it on the VC

  • cooldude03

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 7:45 am GMT

    Banjo-Kazooie rocks but I still debating on Nuts and Bolts but if by buying Nuts and Bolts I can get the original Banjoo-Kazooie free I can't pass that up. Rare make me love you again.

  • firehawk110

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 10:21 pm GMT

    I cant wait for this, banjo kazooie nuts and bolts AND the original with stop and swop, life is good

  • Brad4815

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 1:50 pm GMT

    I hope Rare makes more XBLA games, Goldeneye anyone??? And it would be friggin sweet if they made Goldeneye online too!!!!

  • HardcoreBunni

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 11:25 am GMT

    The achievement points are a nice touch. I'm liking XBLA more and more. Good move, Microsoft.

  • TheDanwich

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 10:43 am GMT

    Actually ignore my previous comment beacause it doesn't make any sense

  • MonkeyWrench127

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:35 am GMT

    XBLA just keeps getting better and better...

  • necronaux

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:30 am GMT

    So we should be seeing other Rare titles, right?

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    IMHO I agree with you on some points Vivendidoom. I think that this is a great move by micosoft to get Banjo-Kazooie on the Xbox360. (Will help them expand their fanbase and with the NXE update soon before even more so) But I also agree that Microsoft needs to keep the hardcore games comeing. We have so many right now it's not even funny. I just hope that we can get Kingdom Hearts on the Xbox360, as well as keep Viva Pinatia on the Xbox360 as well. We have the fallowing exclusives now for the casual game market and kids:

    Ages 5-10:

    Viva Pinatia: Truble in Paradise
    Viva Pinatia
    Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
    Sceene it! Buzz Master Quiz
    Sceene it! Buzz Master Quiz 2
    At the Movies
    Lips

    Ages 10-16:

    Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
    Naruto: The Broken Bond
    Tales of Vasperia
    Infinite Undiscovery
    StarOcean: The Last Hope
    Slipheed

    Xbox360 also has a number of hardcore games that are exclusives:

    Ages 18 and up:

    Gears of War
    Gears of War 2
    Halo3
    (Not yet confirmed Halo ODST game)
    Fable2
    Mass Effect
    Too Human

    Also if you add in the Xbox Live Arcade games to the list it grows big time:

    Kids/Famly:

    Hexic HD
    Hexic HD2
    Banjo-Kazooie
    Banjo-Tooie
    UNO
    Age of Booty
    Domino Master
    Mini Golf Adventures
    Geomatry Wars: Retro Evolved
    Geomatry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
    BattleZone
    Astroids Astroids: Deluxe
    Galiga Leagions
    Aces of the Galaxy
    Band of Bugs
    Astro Pop

    Ages 14-16:

    Assault Heros
    Assault Heros 2
    World Class Poker
    Texas Hold em

    Castle Crushers

    Ages 18-40:

    DukeNukem 3d (with updated effects)
    DOOM

    so you see we have a crap load to offer now and later for kids, and famliy fun games. We just need to get them into XBL.

  • Leo_Colt

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 8:15 am GMT

    It was confirmed elsewhere that Nintendo agreed to let Rare put BK on 360. They're likely getting royalties and free advertising.

  • vivendidoom

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 7:13 am GMT

    They should stop worrying about banjo, and move on to a grandour game that would generate sales instantly among the early gamer history. Im talking to you Raraware...BRING BACK KILLER INSTINCT!!! or so help me, when i get out of college, I'll obtain the right adn head the team into glory from the old days!! All I gotta do is pitch the idea and why it would make them money and everyone happy!!! its a great business move for rare also...it would efinatly get their name ahead of the pack to where they were about 8 years ago!

  • zullos5

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 6:02 am GMT

    What a lot of people tend to forget is, Rare and Nintendo still have a good relationship. That's why Banjo-Kazooie and -Tooie are coming to 360 even though the games have tons of references to older Nintendo games. In fact, I bet 30$ that Nintendo is glad to see BK back in action as well as the originals coming to Xbox.

    People should stop worrying and just wait for the game to come out and make an informed judgment. So to all the pre-haters out there, go away and give us your reviews AFTER the game come out.

  • westsiderz28

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 5:02 am GMT

    the original game was 1 of the best platformers ever and it will make nuts and bolts look crap iv played through banjo-kazooie on n64 3 times and finished it 100% i even got those unlockables that they show you at the end of the game and im still gonna get this dwnload
    the new game looks like it could be crap with so much focus on vheicles i hope thers loads of platforming!!

  • Pete5506

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 1:49 am GMT

    I cant wait, I loved that game

  • godzillab10

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 12:13 am GMT

    wrong there earlmccormick88. Nintendo owns the rights. Donkey Kong and any character in the series is owned by Nintendo. Rare gave up the rights to those characters when they ended their contract with Nintendo.

  • majindustin

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 10:29 pm GMT

    I swear to god I would pay $100 for GoldenEye if they just added online multiplayer to it.

  • ShipwreckX

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:48 pm GMT

    The need Jet Force Gemini as well.

  • earlmccormick88

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:13 pm GMT

    That just let u know right there that 360 should be able to get Donkey Kong 64.
    Owned by Rare

  • Mobius88

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:33 pm GMT

    sweet, i cant wait

  • brok

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:07 pm GMT

    that's all well and good, but we need goldeneye, perfect dark, and conker

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 7:43 pm GMT

    I think $15 is a bit high but then again, I think $10 is high for a arcade game.

  • Thewbacca

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 7:36 pm GMT

    So it would appear they are trying to highlight just how crap Nuts and Bolts is by bringing out the originals, and comparing them side by side.

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