Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Build a better bear car! It's that Honey Bear and Breegull time again: they haven't been seen in a full-scale console adventure for almost a decade, but now they're back and taking the lead in a real epic to redress the balance. Join them as they take to the sky, sea and land against Grunty in a bid to save Spiral Mountain...
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
It's been a long time coming, but Banjo and Kazooie are back in action – and so, to their exasperation, is dedicated arch-foe Gruntilda. The stakes have been raised, and Grunty's out to redevelop Spiral Mountain into tower blocks and shopping malls. Banjo and Kazooie's future is on the line!
Tired of the feuding between bear, bird and witch, a new player has stepped in: the mysterious Lord of Games (L.O.G.), who whisks away the rivals to his creative HQ in Showdown Town and from there to an elaborate series of challenges within his hand-made worlds. The winner gets the ownership deeds to Spiral Mountain, the loser an eternity of toil in LOG's videogame factory. The game is on!
However, things are a bit different this time around. The core gameplay mechanic – and the method by which worlds are traversed, challenges tackled and progress made – is the creation and customisation of vehicles, using components that can be found, bought or won. Wheels and weapons, springs and wings... all can be combined however you like, so there's a staggering level of experimentation for those willing to dabble. If you can imagine it, you can probably build it. But any adventurer with less confidence or time on their hands can still jump in and take on the game with a pre-built range of vehicles. The Lord of Games might be heavy-handed, but he's big on equal opportunities.
Of course, it's not all change in Banjo-Kazooie country, as Banjo will still hoard musical notes and compete for Jiggies to unlock new destinations. Familiar figures on hand to help include a certain shaman down at Mumbo's Motors and newly appointed tourist information officer Bottles; fresh faces on the block include porcine police chief Pikelet and competitive braggart Trophy Thomas. Outside Showdown Town you might just meet them all again, persuaded by L.O.G. to turn thespian and act out new roles in different worlds. You'll also have to take on Grunty's shiny army of mechanical Gruntbots, riding roughshod over Banjo's efforts to save the day.
For the first time in the Banjo universe there's also the opportunity to go online with players across your own world. Combine this with the riveting new solo adventure, and it looks like this really is the Year of the Bear.
On November 11th 2008, 10 years after Banjo's last major adventure, the garage door rolled up and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts finally purred into view. If you haven't already, you might want to book a seat – it's going to be a hectic ride.
- Platforms: Xbox 360
- Genre: Action Adventure
- Developer: Rare
- Released: 2008-11-11
- Game Rating: US: E10 | EU: 7+
- Players 1-2
- In-game Dolby Digital
- Leaderboards
- Players 2-8
Further game coverage
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Media
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Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts - Developers
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Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Screenshots
Cast List
 | Banjo |
Banjo the heroic Honey Bear is back, raring to go and... a little bit out of shape, to be honest. Hopefully a quick jog around Spiral Mountain will help get that sorted out. However, he's also got a whole new set of skills to learn if he's to take down arch-enemy Grunty this time! | |
 | Kazooie |
Banjo's backpack beckons once more for wisecracking Breegull Kazooie. Luckily, any blustering that she might have done over her confinement is blown away as soon as she gets her feathers on Mumbo's magic wrench, and all the responsibility that comes with it. | |
 | Gruntilda |
She's nothing if not persistent! Refusing to let anyone else take on the role of Banjo's nemesis despite her reduced stature, long-term grudge-holder Grunty has found her way back to endanger Spiral Mountain and cause more havoc. She's even managed to pick up a new sidekick... | |
 | Mumbo Jumbo |
It seems the shaman has taken up a new role since demands for his experimental transformation magic became few and far between. You'll find Mumbo running an independent garage in Showdown Town: visit Mumbo's Motors for all your vehicle construction needs. | |
 | Bottles |
The misadventurous mole has been through a lot during his friendship with Banjo and Kazooie, death and resurrection included. His current duties as Showdown Town tourist information officer provide quite enough thrills and spills for now, thank you very much. | |
 | Lord of Games |
This mysterious widescreen deity not only claims to have had a hand in every videogame ever made, he has taken it upon himself to build entire worlds to host the latest Banjo vs. Grunty showdown. The feud must end once and for all: the deeds to Spiral Mountain go to the victor! | |
 | Klungo |
Proof that even the lowest minion has a breaking point, Klungo has finally deserted Mistress Grunty and become one of the 'good guysss'. In practice this means toiling away on his very own home-made video game for everyone to try. It's... well, it's certainly worth playing once. | |
 | Trophy Thomas |
Born with a competitive streak several miles wide, new boy T.T. pops up in a wide array of challenges as our heroes travel from Showdown Town through L.O.G.'s worlds of imagination. Hallowed T.T. Trophies go to those who perform especially well in any Jiggy Game! | |
 | Piddles |
Kazooie is granted a new Wrench, so what does Grunty get? A sidekick to keep her company, in the form of this calculating kitty. After a rocky introduction, the two call a truce and Grunty goes on to secure a place for Piddles in many of her hare-brained anti-Banjo schemes. | |
 | Humba Wumba |
Mumbo Jumbo's more glamorous female counterpart (and former rival in the shaman business) has also made the move to Showdown Town. From her cosy emporium a stone's throw from the indignant Mumbo, she collects blueprints and vehicle parts to pass on to discerning buyers. | |
 | Mr. Fit |
It seems the sporty aardvark has met his match in Trophy Thomas, but he won't let that stop him from trying to beat one Game World record after another! He's also on a heavy training regime in and around Showdown Town. Catch him when he pauses to 'admire the scenery'... | |
 | Boggy |
Like many old friends resurfacing in Showdown Town, Boggy has had a change of heart and a change of lifestyle (or so it seems). Previously known as a bit of a layabout, the porky polar bear has acquired his own gym where Banjo can fight the flab and upgrade his abilities. | |
 | Captain Blubber |
Arrr! The Cap'n might be going through a rough patch, but he's thrown in his lot with L.O.G. all the same. You'll see him pop up in various Game Worlds (alongside other familiar faces) where he spends far too much time reminiscing about his battered old tub, the Salty Hippo. | |
 | Jolly Dodger |
Jolly Roger the pub landlord in a previous life, this flamboyant frog now finds himself in a new role selling Jiggies on the black market. He's perhaps not as suited to keeping a low profile as he might think. For one thing, inconspicuous clothing doesn't come naturally to him. | |
 | Pikelet |
Showdown Town's weighty police chief deploys his weaselly officers to catch speeders, round up Jinjos and Minjos, confiscate Jiggies and enforce various other shaky town laws while he sits back and enjoys the perks of his hard-earned position. Did somebody say 'bribery'? |
Wallpaper
 | Nuts & Bolts Design 1 |
Available in the following resolutions: 1280 x 1024 (328k) | 1024 x 768 (246k) | 800 x 600 (182k) | |
 | Nuts & Bolts Design 2 |
Available in the following resolutions: 1680 x 1050 (644k) | 1280 x 1024 (581k) | 1024 x 768 (411k) | 800 x 600 (300k) | |
 | Nuts & Bolts Design 3 |
Available in the following resolutions: 1680 x 1050 (755k) | 1280 x 1024 (693k) | 1024 x 768 (473k) | 800 x 600 (338k) | |
 | Nuts & Bolts Design 4 |
Available in the following resolutions: 1680 x 1050 (701k) | 1280 x 1024 (598k) | 1024 x 768 (416k) | 800 x 600 (283k) | |
 | Nuts & Bolts Design 5 |
Available in the following resolutions: 1680 x 1050 (841k) | 1280 x 1024 (671k) | 1024 x 768 (459k) | 800 x 600 (329k) |
Achievements
The full list of Xbox 360 Achievements available in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.
Pointless Collector (10G)
Take part in the L.O.G. badge collecting challenge at the start of the game in Spiral Mountain
Open Nuts (10G)
Place the Nutty Acres Game Globe on its plinth in Showdown Town
Next-Next-Gen (10G)
Place the LOGBOX 720 Game Globe on its plinth in Showdown Town
History Lesson (15G)
Place the Banjoland Game Globe on its plinth in Showdown Town
Let the Games Begin (15G)
Place the Jiggosseum Game Globe on its plinth in Showdown Town
Super Banjo Universe (20G)
Place the Terrarium of Terror Game Globe on its plinth in Showdown Town
My First Bank (10G)
Bank your first Jiggy in Showdown Town
Little Banker (20G)
Bank 10 Jiggies in Showdown Town
Big Banker (30G)
Bank 30 Jiggies in Showdown Town
Shower of Gold (40G)
Bank 60 Jiggies in Showdown Town
Jiggillionaire! (50G)
Bank 131 Jiggies in Showdown Town
Pimped Up (20G)
Complete the Showdown Town Trolley with Parts won from Grunty battles
Witch Hunt (50G)
Defeat Grunty at the end of the game
My First Trophy (10G)
Earn a T.T. Trophy from any challenge
Few Trophy Pts (20G)
Earn 10 T.T. Trophies from any challenges
More Trophy Pts (30G)
Earn 30 T.T. Trophies from any challenges
A Lot of Trophy Pts (40G)
Earn 60 T.T. Trophies from any challenges
Be Crateful (15G)
Find and return two crates to Mumbo's Motors
Blueprint Buyout (15G)
Buy a blueprint from Humba in Showdown Town
Roid Rage (15G)
Train Banjo once in the Showdown Town gym
Start to Free the Showdown Six (15G)
Free and re-house a Jinjo in Showdown Town
Vigilante (15G)
Lock up a Minjo in Showdown Town
Bingo! (20G)
Complete a line on the Bingo card at King Jingaling's Palace
Stop 'n' Swop (0G)
Return a Stop 'n' Swop crate to Mumbo's Motors
BBQ Beef (20G)
In Nutty Acres, they like their steak well done
Massive Damage (20G)
Aim at the 10 legs for massive damage
Test Your Strength (20G)
Roll up, show the whole of Banjoland how strong you are
Great Balls of Fire (20G)
Take a heavy ball around the Jiggosseum and get a burning sensation
Ultimate Combo (20G)
More like a three-hit combo in the Terrarium of Terror
Floater in the Pipe (20G)
Eeurgh! That's not going to help the Test-O-Track plumbing
Burn the Witch! (20G)
Showdown Town witch hunt
Head for Heights (20G)
Find the best view in Showdown Town
Fuzz Off! (20G)
POP goes the Weasel!
Paint Your Wagon (10G)
Paint any part of your vehicle in Mumbo's Motors
Speedy of the Colossus (25G)
Build a vehicle with 200 blocks or more and go over a set speed
Minimalist (25G)
Build a vehicle with five blocks or less and go over a set speed
Whoa Nelly! (25G)
Travel in a vehicle over a set speed
Loose Change (20G)
Collect ALL the Showdown Town Loose Change
Arcade Pwner (20G)
Finish all levels of Klungo's Arcade game
Sunday League (20G)
Play in and complete a multiplayer game League
Premier League! (40G)
Play in and complete a marathon multiplayer game League (Every Race, Every Sport or Every Race and Sport)
What's That Smell? (10G)
Play an Xbox LIVE multiplayer game against a Banjo team member, or somebody who has already done so
Bit of Blue (10G)
Share a blueprint with another player or Friend over Xbox LIVE, or save 20 blueprints
Paparazzi (10G)
Take a photo and upload it to Xbox LIVE, or take five photos
Caught on Camera (10G)
Send a video replay to a Friend over Xbox LIVE, or save five replays
High Fives All Round (10G)
Be on the winning team in a ranked team game
All My Own Work (20G)
Win a ranked solo game with a custom vehicle
Too Easy! (10G)
Win a ranked solo race by reversing over the finish line
Too Easy Too! (20G)
Win a ranked solo race by running or swimming over the finish line
Are You Trophy Thomas? (40G)
Win 20 Xbox LIVE ranked multiplayer games in any mode
DLC: L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges
L.O.G. Master (30G)
Win all of the new DLC multiplayer games
L.O.G. Ranked Apprentice (20G)
Win one of the new DLC multiplayer games in a ranked match
Old Ssskool Ssseekrit Area (20G)
Klungo not ssstupid, ussse old fake wall trick to hide Klungo goodnesss
Pointless Achievement (5G)
Find the door to L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges
Sssave The Universsse! (30G)
Complete all Lost Challenges in L.O.G.'s Choice and Player's Choice vehicles
Paint the Town Gold (40G)
Complete all of L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges to T.T. standard
Ultimate – Played The Game (50G)
Show Sssuper Klungo the real meaning of sssuper
Halfway Home (15G)
Complete all of L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges once
Wheels on Fire (20G)
Burn an opponent's vehicle until it falls apart at the seams
Crowd Pleaser (20G)
Knock down all of the supporting cast in Ben Hurdle
Critics' Quotes
"The Nuts & Bolts experience, meaning what you'll really get from it, hinges upon how much you're willing to experiment. The litmus test is a simple one: Did you spend a great deal of your childhood enjoying Legos? That's a huge step in the right direction." – GameSpy
"There's a lot of depth here and the vehicle creation tools allow you to flex your mind and your fingers at the same time. This is a great change of pace from the usual Xbox 360 fare and a game that will offer a lot of fun to those willing to invest some time in it." – IGN
"Nuts & Bolts taps directly into your natural human compulsion to create... I know it's not quite the same thing, but 360 owners longing for the PS3's LittleBigPlanet should give Nuts & Bolts a spin." – Game Informer
"Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is genuinely enjoyable and has a terrific sense of humour. The cheeky innuendo and constant in-jokes are particularly fun." – Official Xbox Magazine (UK)
"Despite a few rough spots, Nuts and Bolts is a great adventure game that manages to mix the best elements of the Banjo and Kazooie mythos with a fresh take on the series." – Game Revolution
"The combination of a surprisingly lengthy single-player game and a robust multiplayer mode make this one game that just about anyone can enjoy. While the challenges get a little repetitive, the ability to create and operate custom vehicles -- both online and off -- make Nuts & Bolts a unique, entertaining spin on the everyday platformer." – 1UP
"It certainly won't be for everyone, but with spectacular presentation, highly entertaining Robot Wars style multiplayer and a lot of good hearted humour, the bear and bird are back. Comeback accomplished." – Videogamer.com
Top Quote
"Enough with the papery menagerie, let's get back to N64 basics: the wordplay, the self-deprecating humor (pops are taken at their own distastr-o-game Grabbed by the Ghoulies), the design philosophy that states 'object + googly eyes = endearing thing'." – Games Radar
