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[redbarchetta]

Such a shame that a man with a Crystalis avatar, which would normally suggest a prominent level of taste, tarnishes it with the above.

Eh.

 

[Jive Turkey]

I loved it until I realized it wasn't a vehicle-based platformer and instead was a collection of shitty race missions. The concept was so great but the excecution left much to be desired.

 

[Kujo]

I enjoyed the vehicle building so much that the game itself more than kept me interested for the 20+ hours I put into it.

I spent 30 hours with the game, and I did enjoy building vehicles, but doing the same types of missions over and over again got pretty stale IMO, regardless of whether it was or wasn't a platformer. I guess this can be improved in a sequel but it sold so poorly that I doubt we'll be getting one.

 

[Darth Tigris]

I thought they made the missions too easy.
Except for the ones where you used premade vehicles (which, albeit creative, were a bitch to use) the missions boiled down to around three basic types of vehicles, with land/air variations.
You had your speedy ass vehicle with foldable wings, a heliicopter with the sticky ball, and a bigass battletank with foldable propellers. You could pretty much complete all of your missions right there. Many of the races were too easy as well because you could add wings and BAM, you flew over all obstacles.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game and occasionally pop it back in, but really, the only difficult missions were the ones where you needed to use premade vehicles. Grunty was a joke because you could pretty consistently destroy her ship using Kazooie missiles and the grenade launchers.

Well it depends if you played for the TT trophies or not. Early in the game I was getting TT trophies by just playing and got disappointed when I first DIDN'T get one. Then I kept trying to get them on everything and it added a nice level of challenge to the game (especially on Bear in a Ball in the Jiggoseum; its downright EVIL). Its like playing Halo on Heroic instead of Normal.

 

[ahoyhoy]

I thought it was an interesting game but was plagued by two main problems:

1) Way too repetitive. Once you get to the third world you realize that every world is composed of the same four or five game types recycled in a new environment. Sure, there are some interesting, unique missions here and there, but overall once you hit your stride, you don't end up getting surprised.
2) Not enough of a challenge: It's impossible to die (to my knowledge) unless your drowning, and most of the challenges can be overcome with a simple airplane or car design. The extra features are fun to fuck around with, but like Scribblenauts, there are rarely any objectives that need radically creative solutions.

 

[Hawk SE]

Game is awesome. I got pretty far before my game save got corrupted.

It's been real hard to get back into it. But I keep it to this day.

 

[mujun]

I spent 30 hours with the game, and I did enjoy building vehicles, but doing the same types of missions over and over again got pretty stale IMO, regardless of whether it was or wasn't a platformer. I guess this can be improved in a sequel but it sold so poorly that I doubt we'll be getting one.

I made sure to mix up note hunting, mucking around with vehicles for fun, etc so that I didn't burn out on any one aspect and never really felt like it got repetitive. Seems that quite a few people thought it was repetitive though.

 

[Why For?]

I made sure to mix up note hunting, mucking around with vehicles for fun, etc so that I didn't burn out on any one aspect and never really felt like it got repetitive. Seems that quite a few people thought it was repetitive though.

Repetitive is the dumbest word ever used to negatively describe a videogame.

EVERY videogame in existence is technically repetitive.

 

[redbarchetta]

Repetitive is the dumbest word ever used to negatively describe a videogame.

EVERY videogame in existence is technically repetitive.

I hate Mario because all you do is jump!!!

 

[Tomasooie]

You can get help for that, y'know :lol

Seriously, I hear ya--I don't mind collecting things either, when it's done well (star in Galaxy, jiggies in banjo). I just found that they went a bit overboard with Tooie, what with having something like a dozen things to gather? I'm not a fan of stat-tracking, especially in my platformers! =P

Actually, that's a common misconception. Tooie had less things to collect than Kazooie. Although Rare introduced one new item type, the notes were severely dumbed down - each nest gave you five and a treble clef gave you twenty notes, and the Glowbos were nothing compared to Mumbo tokens. If you want to see a game that really goes overboard with collecting things, go play Donkey Kong 64.

 

[mujun]

Repetitive is the dumbest word ever used to negatively describe a videogame.

EVERY videogame in existence is technically repetitive.

Have you ever played Assassin's Creed?

 

[Kafel]

I've just started the game (found new last week at 10 €) and it's awesome. Totally underrated gem.

 

[Prine]

This thread makes me want to go back and try again. I put in about 3 hours, didnt click. I was in awe of the music and visuals.

 

[[Nintex]]

This game is incredible. For starters its one of the best looking console games by far. Not to mention that the game has alot of content and challenges. To think that they had to cut some stuff to meet the deadline is just crazy. I've played it for about 50/60 hours now and I haven't even finished everything yet. I did find every note in the overworld. The overworld is just a game by itself there's so much to see and to do. Amazing game, I think it's my favorite Xbox 360 game yet.

oh wow, I almost forgot about the amazing music.

 

[Pizza Luigi]

It is truly an amazing and truly beautiful game. I finished it, but I didn't get all the Jiggies because the game got a bit tiring because of the repetition in missions.

But I did not really care. The moment I saw Spiral Mountain in glourious next-generation graphics, I knew that this WAS actually the game I had been waiting for as a huge Banjo-Kazooie fan.

I made some great vehicles with it, if I may say so myself. I've made Batman's Tumbler, a giant Mario and a giant Link and some experimental vehicles that can drive on walls and ceilings and also a large vehicle that can drop another, smaller vehicle, which can then, drop another, smaller vehicle.

 

[Why For?]

This thread just got a shout out on Twitter!

RareLtd

The Nuts & Bolts love continues in the form of 'RTTP' thread on GAF; severely lacking in contraption screens... http://is.gd/6zTkO [MW]

Awesome.

Sorry about the screens guys, I havent upladed my screens yet.

 

[Shiggy]

 

[elektrixx]

I don't have any of my vehicles, but I've got some random stuff (from late 2008).

 

[LCfiner]

I loved a lot about this game but got frustrated by some timed events. Put it down and never picked it back up.

still, loved the concept. just wished the mission structure had fewer races.

adding 8 engines to a plane and messing around in the test track was totally nuts and lots of fun.

 

[OMG Aero]

As per Rare's request, here's my Clanker Tanker:

Spoiler

Clanker deserved a better role in this game than just being a platform damn it.

 

[watkinzez]

:lol

...

 

[ConcealedBlaze]

You guys have inspired me to buy this game... I always thought it looked absolutely incredible, but the backlash when it first came out sort of pushed me away. Now I realize that was a mistake!

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I adore Nuts & Bolts. The more creative you are, the more fun you'll have with it. You're given tasks, and then basically given free reign as to how you want to complete it.

It's the closest there is to a "Lego" game.

That said though, I hated it when you had to use a preset vehicle. It kind of undermined the whole poiint of the game, and struggling with a piece of shit vehicle that didn't control properly was infuriating when you know you could build something ten times better. Luckily, that didn't happen too often.

The graphics in N&B may actually be some of my favourite in a videogame to date. They're absolutely beautiful. The soundtrack is also superb.


I still wish that N&B wasn't a Banjo game though. Not just because we might have seen a Banjo platformer by now if it wasn't, but also because we're less likely to see a sequel to it. N&B came under enough fire as it is for not being a platformer; I highly doubt Rare will go that route again.


Anyway, I got 100% (and all the achievements) in N&B, including the DLC content. It certainly doesn't hold back inregards to difficulty later on.


Besides the disc in LogBox 720 shown above, did anybody else see the other Grabbed By the Ghoulies references? Ghoulhaven Hall (the mansion the game takes place in) can be seen in the distance if you climb to the top of Showdown Town, and a few of the shops are names after some of the characters.

 

[Prisen]

I've revisited both games many, many times and it becomes more and more clear each time that BT is just a much better game.

It has an incredible level of depth, exploration and detail that BK couldn't even come close to touching. The connections between worlds and the puzzles that interlap between them reach a level of genius that BK never did.

That shit sucked monkey balls. Running around world x searching for that last item you supposedly have left, when you need to enter world y to find it, is not my idea of fun.

 

[Tomasooie]

Anyone know if the online leaderboards/videos are accessible to Silver users or is that a Gold only feature?

They're probably accessible to all users. Best leaderboards ever.

That said though, I hated it when you had to use a preset vehicle. It kind of undermined the whole poiint of the game, and struggling with a piece of shit vehicle that didn't control properly was infuriating when you know you could build something ten times better. Luckily, that didn't happen too often.

Did you know you could edit those vehicles during the challenge and the time wouldn't count down?

Anyway, this was the last game I got addicted to. I made a ton of replicas from the old Banjo games. Here are a few of my favorites:

Spoiler

By the way, Rare - I still wish you'd have done a proper sequel

 

[ExtraKr1spy]

Loved the vehicle building. Need to retake/upload some of my pictures.

my A10 lighting up Nutty Acres. Love how open Nutty acres is. Awesome place to test planes and boats

 

[Unregistered007]

So how difficult is it in the end and can you download replays of other players to make it easy ? I have to finish this game soon.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Man, this thread is the raddest. Needs more love for L.O.G., though, the best designed video game character EVAH.

Anyone else want to gather everyone in the thread together and swap gamertags and go for the multiplayer achievements this Saturday?

 

[Prine]

Oh lord just look at how beautiful the game looks. I just lent this game to my cousin! Im gonna have to re-buy it today.

 

[Alcoori]

I'm a huge Banjo fan. Loved BK and it's on of the rare XBLA game I bought. You know it's awesome when you play it again and still enjoy it immensely, even though you know it and the graphics are basic compared to what they can do nowadays.

I couldn't wait for B&T that I never played and really liked it too. I do agree however with the critics about the transformations and the parts you get to play with Mambo. That kinda broke the whole dynamic and rhythm of the game at some points.

Anyway, I then proceeded to play N&B and... well, I liked it but I can't say I loved it. I think it has more to do with the kind of gameplay that doesn't sit so well with me as with the game in itself.
The game is amazingly beautiful, the characters have all kept their charm and I hugely enjoyed playing with my favorite bear and bird (which I thought was male until recently). The degree of liberty is pretty incredible and the initial idea behind the game is really original and I have to applaud Rare for that.
But in the end, I'm not sure I liked the building part that much. Once I had made my fast all-in-one vehicle and worked out how to make it easy to handle, I despised going back to designing another one to complete some of the tasks. I made the most ugly yet functional vehicle ever because I couldn't be bothered to spend too much time building the vehicles instead of driving them.
I did complete the game to 100% and I didn't have that much trouble except on a couple of missions. I agree with people saying they were repetitive, I would have liked a bit more diversity but it didn't put me off that much.

Overall I liked it, but not as much at B&K or B&T. I doubt we'll see a new true plateformer anytime soon from them but we can keep hoping.

On a side note, if DK64 were to get out on XBLA, I'd definitely buy it. I remember it as being awesome for the fan of collecting stuff that I am.

 

[Neuromancer]

That said though, I hated it when you had to use a preset vehicle. It kind of undermined the whole poiint of the game, and struggling with a piece of shit vehicle that didn't control properly was infuriating when you know you could build something ten times better. Luckily, that didn't happen too often.

Yeah but it was still kind of a bummer every time it did happen. I didn't know you could edit those on the fly but still these missions seem very restrictive and counter to the spirit of the game.

Being locked down to the tray car in Showdown town was also kind of a bummer.

 

[Peff]

Being locked down to the tray car in Showdown town was also kind of a bummer.

It may seem like it, but the controlled upgrades is really what makes Showdown Town so, so good. Exploring every inch of the town every time you got one wondering what you would see in that hidden place or in that new part of the town was a blast.

P.S: Awesome thread and game

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Man, this thread is the raddest. Needs more love for L.O.G., though, the best designed video game character EVAH.

Anyone else want to gather everyone in the thread together and swap gamertags and go for the multiplayer achievements this Saturday?

I have all the achievements, but I'd definitely be up for playing, as ordinarily, finding people online in N&B is impossible. Shame, as I had so much fun with the online in this, most of which wasn't even playing games, but just dicking around in the Test-O-Track and showing off designs with other people.


By the way, how are you guys getting those screenshots? Is the site Rare set up still active?

On a side note, if DK64 were to get out on XBLA, I'd definitely buy it. I remember it as being awesome for the fan of collecting stuff that I am.

Not a chance. Donkey Kong is owned by Nintendo, so if it ever does see a re-release, it will be on Virtual Console.

 

[pr0cs]

I enjoyed it a lot but like most of Rare's games on the 360 it suffers from an identity crisis. It's too colorful, fun, bright for your typical online gamer denizen. It can be too complicated for your casual gamer (plus like was mentioned the game starts off pretty slow).
For people like me who didn't have all the emotional baggage of the previous games I thought it was a really great game. I liked it a LOT more than Viva Pinata.

 

[epthegeek]

My problem with a first run at this game -- and maybe this is true for others -- is that when I first fired it up, I was excited for "A new Banjo and Kazooie game", and it's not that. Not at all. Once you accept that this isn't a BK sequel, it's an entirely new experience that just happens to use the BK universe as a setting/character base; then it is a lot easier to accept it for the awesome that it is. I mean, imagine if you came into this game cold and it used some unknown set of characters/mythology. It would be a lot easier to enjoy it from the start because you're not wrestling with "But this isn't what a BK game is supposed to be!"

I did the same 1) start it, 2) be bummed, 3) put it aside, 4) pick it up later and 5) realize the awesome progression that a lot of people seem to have done.

I love that basically, by design, they WANT you to break the rules. In a race where everyone else is using cars that hop to get over barriers, what's to stop you from building a plane and just flying low through the checkpoints? Nothing!

 

[APZonerunner]

Being British, the first thing I created was...

 

[epthegeek]

It may seem like it, but the controlled upgrades is really what makes Showdown Town so, so good. Exploring every inch of the town every time you got one wondering what you would see in that hidden place or in that new part of the town was a blast.

Finding ways to sneak into parts you shouldn't be able to get to yet was also fun.

 

[TheLOLMan]

Got it from bargain bin and love every moment of it!!!

Vehicle creation is fun and i don' know, i can see myself collecting notes in Banjo but not feathers in Assasin creed 2...:lol

 

[Mr. B Natural]

Great idea. God awful execution. God awful gameplay.
Creative idea. Extremely uncreative execution. Surprisingly uncreative gameplay.
Seemed kid friendly...ended up being frustrating even for a veteran gamer like myself.
The worlds seemed creative, but useless and exploring is extremely pointless. Then they get annoying to even get around in later in the game.

Turned making the vehicles an absolute chore. Made driving the vehicles an act of frustration. Thankfully it was only 25 bucks.

The game stunk but it deserves a second try considering how much potential the idea has.

 

[ExtraKr1spy]

can't seem to access my uploaded pictures. heres some of my old ones

tank/apc I made that got chosen as one of the DLC vehicles with the opening hatch

 

[redbarchetta]

Actually, that's a common misconception. Tooie had less things to collect than Kazooie. Although Rare introduced one new item type, the notes were severely dumbed down - each nest gave you five and a treble clef gave you twenty notes, and the Glowbos were nothing compared to Mumbo tokens. If you want to see a game that really goes overboard with collecting things, go play Donkey Kong 64.

No, it's not a mis-conception, it just depends on what you define as a collectible. Let's not forget the numerous secondary collectibles the game added, such as egg types. And while it's true the notes were "dumbed down," that doesn't really change much considering they were often found in batches of 5 or 10 in the original as well (I never did mind collecting the notes in either game, at any rate).

I do agree that Donkey Kong 64 was the worst of the lot, but I still felt Tooie went overboard with all of the different moves that can be learned/collected, item types, required items, and mission-specific items that needed to be collected and/or delivered to another level.

 

[Dark Knight]

Thank you for this thread. I played this game over the summer and totally forgot how much I loved it. I'm going to play it tonight, but I wanted to share this moment with you all:

When I was in my childhood, I played with Legos. A lot. Every weekend I would take my box full of Legos, empty it on the ground and take pieces and build some sort of vehicle and play with it for the week, then do it all over again.

When I fired up Nuts and Bolts, it started out a bit slow for me, but soon enough I got the wings part, and headed into the garage to make my first real vehicle in the game. Soon enough, I had created this sleek flying machine, and then proceeded to test it out. As I drove around in the car, I tilted the control stick up and had the wonderful and joyous pleasure of seeing my car/plane take off and fly, and do all these other functions I had included in the vehicle like shoot guns, land in the water, and then take off again. I INSTANTLY was taken back to those childhood moments I had playing with Legos. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced in a video game before. For that small moment I was a kid again, and I'll never forget how I felt at that exact moment.

In short, this is an amazing game and I'm incredibly upset I haven't finished it yet, but please, make sure you check out Nuts and Bolts. You may be surprised by how much you love it.

 

[Cindres]

I just couldn't get into it. BK is one of my top 5 ever, and this game looked fecking beautiful, had a good concept but for me didn't pull it off. I guess i'm just not very imaginative and all i wanted to do was collect shit and use the moves like i did back in BK and BT.

 

[Kujo]

Repetitive is fine, if something is fun to begin with of course.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

N&B is what Scribblenauts would be if it didn't suck.

Awesome, awesome game.

 

[Why For?]

Man, this thread is the raddest. Needs more love for L.O.G., though, the best designed video game character EVAH.

Anyone else want to gather everyone in the thread together and swap gamertags and go for the multiplayer achievements this Saturday?

I'm down in general but when it's Satuday for you, it's Sunday for me, and it's my brothers wedding on Sunday so I can't jump on.

But I'll add you anyway.

Check PM.

 

[KevinCow]

Seriously, it IS a platformer. Great game.

It's a fantastic game, and one of my favorites this gen, but it's definitely not a platformer. I'd say it's more of a puzzle game, more akin to games like The Incredible Machine than the original Banjo games.

I'd kill for a Nuts & Bolts 2 next gen with an upgraded physics engine and the addition of moving parts.

 

[Skellig Gra]

I like the game, but I would say it looks pretty poor. You playing on a HDTV? Pretty much every other game I own looks better.

Don't own many games I see??

 

[AltogetherAndrews]

This game has a curiously unique quality in that you can just sort of play around without giving a damned about objectives. My kid loves that about the game. She can just get in a helicopter and fly around a map. I think the lack of direction or furious action may be less appealing to others (like myself), but it's the best family friendly do-something-or-nothing game out there. Good kid's game.

 

[Drinking Hatorade]

I like the game, but I would say it looks pretty poor. You playing on a HDTV? Pretty much every other game I own looks better.

What a ridiculous statement