Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts game is what Rare has described as “an evolution of the platformer”, a blend of classic Banjo gameplay with a heavy emphasis on user-created content and vehicle-based play. Please note the heavy emphasis on the word heavy.

So, let's get the formalities out of the way. The game has a plot, which goes something like this: a rather cocky sort going by the name of Lord Of the Games (LOG) has been mixing it up, trying to bring about the ultimate showdown betw ... more >>

Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts game is what Rare has described as “an evolution of the platformer”, a blend of classic Banjo gameplay with a heavy emphasis on user-created content and vehicle-based play. Please note the heavy emphasis on the word heavy.

So, let's get the formalities out of the way. The game has a plot, which goes something like this: a rather cocky sort going by the name of Lord Of the Games (LOG) has been mixing it up, trying to bring about the ultimate showdown between Banjo and Grunty, his long-time witchy nemesis, to determine the fate of Spiral Mountain. There, done. Now the real meat.

You kick things off in Showdown Town, the central hub of Nuts & Bolts. This is the area of Nuts & Bolts that Banjo fans will feel most at home with. There's running, there's jumping, there's folk to talk to. There's also your first vehicle – a kind of shopping cart.

Once you gain access to the game worlds via the hub you get the real meat to bite into. Upon arrival you'll be set a challenge. You'll then be shown a bit of a cut-scene adding a bit more detail to the task. Take notes, as this will give you clues as to what sort of vehicle you'll need. If you want to, you can use a pre-made vehicle - either from your own inventory, based on blueprints acquired throughout the game or one of LOG's choices. If you do opt to skip the act of creation, however, you'll be missing out on a huge great chunk of the game. Yes, HUGE! The number of possible combinations is, frankly, ridiculous. You'll start with a reasonably limited number of parts to use, but as you progress you'll acquire more and more.

Using a 3D grid system, you'll be able to create vehicles ranging from basic trolleys to giant, rocket-propelled downhill skiers.

Unusually for a game with platforming roots, there's a hefty multi-player aspect. As well as being able to share your home-made in-game creations online, you'll be able to engage in a huge range of vehicle-based challenges, ranging from straightforward races to aerial football.

If you want something different from a platformer, this is your game. << less