July 3rd, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

Gameplayer.com is in the ‘e3′ spirit this week and have created a list of fifty games they believe deserve a sequel and should be announced at this years E3. Among the fifty listed are Blast Corps and Jet Force Gemini. Now I can’t speak for BC as I’ve never played the game (don’t shoot!!), but JFG on the otherhand is quite a remarkable title that deserves to be brought back into the limelight. In fact, I’m surprised Rare hasn’t already! I guess I shouldn’t be though since it has taken them eight years to bring their greatest franchise to date–hi Banjo–back to consoles.

Here’s my question for all of you. IF only one of the two could have a sequel, which would you choose? Jet Force Gemini 2 or Blast Corps 2…? Share your thoughts in the comments.

July 3rd, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

With Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise currently in its final stages of development, it comes as no surprise to see the release date for the sequel to 2006’s award-winning masterpiece finally set in stone. So when can you expect to have this jewel spinning unceasingly in your Xbox 360 console? For America, Canada and Latin America, September 2nd is d-day, followed by a release in Europe on September 5th–if BIGsheep can manage to get rid of those pesky bugs in time that is. :P

July 3rd, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

July 1st, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

Nintendo Power has seen fit to rank what is, in their humble opinions, the top 20 games for every Nintendo console and portable. Very disappointing! In fact, it’s so ’Rareless’ that I’m only going to include the Nintendo 64 top 20 because that’s the only system some of Rare’s games are given credence! Rare titles in bold italics.

N64

1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

2. Super Mario 64

3. Mario Kart 64

4. Goldeneye 007*

5. Star Fox 64

6. Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

7. WWF No Mercy

8. Jet Force Gemini

9. Wave Race 64

 10. Conker’s Bad Fur Day

11. F-Zero X

 12. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

13. Paper Mario

14. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber

15. Super Smash Bros.

16. Rayman 2: The Great Escape

17. Mario Golf

18. Rocket: Robot on Wheels

19. Pokemon Snap

20. Blast Corps

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Where the hell is Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark, and why wasn’t Donkey Kong Country, the very salvation of the SNES, mentioned on that particular list**? Nintendo Power’s hatred for Rare must go deep. They’re rotten to the core!

*Don’t forget to sign and spread the word of the Goldeneye Petition

**NES, SNES, GCN, Wii, GB, GBA, and DS lists not included due to lack of Rare

July 1st, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

It’s small…I know. But deal with it. Kthxbai

July 1st, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

So yesterday I drop by the local Gamestop to scope the place out. I had heard the games were starting to come to life in an ‘indian-in-the-cupboard’ fashion, so my curiosity bested me. Unfortunately, nothing strange occurred during my "visit", unless you count the awkward stares of two gothic men and a woman that–I swear it!–looked like she wanted to eat me. That was rather odd considering I’m naught but skin and bones–finely toned though, I might add not really .

Despite the utter disappointment of the lifeless game cases and the eerie atmosphere, I managed to somehow gain enough courage to approach the front counter and ask a relatively simple question: "Is Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, and Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise up for reservation yet?" Now these are gothic people, mind you. Asking someone of their dark nature to reserve the likes of Viva Pinata was a dangerous task at the least. Who knows what weapons of mass destruction lie in wait beyond the boundaries of that counter!

With fists clenched and my pair of ‘Turbo Talon Trotting’ sneakers tight and secure upon my feet, I was prepared for anything. Fortunately though, my plans of cowardly heroic actions were deemed unnecessary. With a grin upon his face, he answered the question in a kindly fashion "Yes we do". Thus, my guard was dropped, my wallet whipped out, and the minimum reservation transaction was paid.

Now whether they were simply in a kind mood that day or were, perhaps, afraid of me at that particular moment due to my forced ‘Banjo snarl face’ (don’t try this at home) I’ll never know. But in short, I saw no game cases come to life (sad face), didn’t get eaten, escaped a probable beating from ‘the goths’, and walked away a happy man with Banjo and both Viva Pinatas reserved and secured. If you want to reserve them yourselves, head to your local Gamestop. Minimum reservation is $5.00 per game.

*Note: The above story is false and not true in anyway…except for the hungry, maneating carnivore

*Note 2: Banjo and both Vivas really are up for reserve.

June 28th, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

Today, for our celebration of the ten year anniversary of the Banjo-Kazooie franchise, Rare-Elite introduces to you an exclusive and original video from the creative mind of Mario ‘Lupaie’ Paiano (the designer of Rare-Elite), Banjo-Kazooie: Mumbo’s Wand!!

Earlier this year after our relaunch, Tyrant and myself were discussing a variety of options as to what we could do in celebration of this special event. We wanted something big…something special…and something unlike anything else that is out there. It was at this time that Lupaie offered to create a special video of the Banjo games told from the perspective of a special character: Mumbo’s Wand.

The video began development in late March and took over 120 hours to complete. Lupaie designed the video completely from the ground up while his friend Smouvy handled most of the audio. A few others contributed some recorded footage and text (acknowledged in the video’s credits) of the Banjo games and even Rare’s George Kelion provided the sound samples of the exact dialogue of Mumbo that can be heard in the games.

So ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the world wide reveal and Rare-Elite exclusive video, Banjo-Kazooie: Mumbo’s Wand!!

June 28th, 2008 by Daniel Duncan

As promised (albeit late), here is some well done fanart that reader Crystal Bear submitted for Banjo’s 10th birthday. It’s Banjo and Kazooie set in the world of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and actually serves as a bit of a teaser as well for her Banjo: Ace Attorney project. It’s an interesting concept and we’re sure many of you will like it. Enjoy!

If there is anything you’d like to submit yourself for Banjo’s birthday, then e-mail it to me or send me a PM in the forums.