Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

Giant Bomb ( )

Funny, inventive, gorgeous--and cheap. Microsoft decided to charge a mere $40 for Nuts & Bolts, but I got more laughs and more satisfying gameplay out of this one than most of the $60 games I've played this year. And even after spending nearly 20 hours amassing enough jiggies to take down the final boss, I'm compelled to get back in there and keep playing new missions, unlocking new vehicle parts, and exploring more of the game's beautiful world. I had no affection whatsoever for the Banjo-Kazooie franchise or characters going into Nuts & Bolts, but its list of great qualities quietly won me over to make it one of my favorite Xbox 360 games of the year.

games xtreme (9.4 out of 10)

A triumph of a game that hopefully won’t be overlooked. Forget all the Lego adventure games on the market this is a game that had all the invention of though great little blocks.

JustPressPlay (A-)

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts offers a new twist to the games series. With a reliance less on combat and more on building of vehicles they took a great idea and ran with it. With new looks and moves the game takes it all to a whole new level of fun. They give you the gameplay of Banjo-Kazooie, but add in creating hundreds of different vehicles to use and abuse along with a storyline that is full to the brim with stuff that will keep you going. Between the story mode and online play I gotta say that it will keep me playing for awhile. If your new to this game or think you might want to try it out you can also get Banjo-Kazooie off of XBLA for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15 USD) before you buy this game ($35 USD). I you like building and constructing as well as racing and hitting things this is a game that will keep you interest and give you plunty of gameplay for the cover price. Needless to say, you'll go NUTS and BOLTS for Banjo Kazooie!

1UP (A-)

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.

NZGamer (9 out of 10)

With so many vehicle parts, places to go and people to see, Nuts & Bolts is going to be a game you keep going back to. Just getting to the end will require hours of commitment, but, it’s not like you need an excuse, right? Apart from a confusing premise (the story is a little bit weak) and the small text, this game is a massive success. As a fan of the old 64, I have to humbly admit a full 180 on my view of the 360.

The Review Busters (9 out of 10)

For only $39.99 you are getting a fantastic game. Nuts & Bolts is one of the better priced platformers on the Xbox 360 right now. Rare put in a lot of time into this game, the details and the endless possibilities with the vehicle builder are amazing. At times the game may seem like the same thing but you need to look at the whole picture. Pick up this title if you like platforming games.

videogamer.com (9 out of 10)

For us, though, Nuts & Bolts offers true next-gen gameplay, with user created content being core to the experience. Simply making vehicles is good fun, and with the ability to instantly test them out you can sink hours into one creation alone. 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.

Pokémon World / Pocket World (9 out of 10)

We've been fans of Banjo-Kazooie since the original Nintendo 64 game here at Pokémon World so we were over the moon to hear that a new one was coming out - and we haven't been disappointed. It's obvious that Rare has lovingly created a game that caters for all kinds of gamers, and it's got the polish that we expect from the team.

Gamestyle (9 out of 10)

It's a shame that Nuts & Bolts is so overlooked and undervalued, as it it genuinely brilliant, and shows that Rare does have what it takes to make a classic, even if they misjudge their audiences a little bit. With a little bit of tightening here and pruning there, they could have had a bonafide classic on their hands, Microsoft's answer to Mario Galaxy and LittleBigPlanet combined. It doesn't quite reach those lofty heights, but it stands proudly at their feet, unafraid to do its own thing.

GameLemon (8.8 out of 10)

Granted, the vehicle-based gameplay really isn't for everyone and there's a good chance that if you come in looking for the repeat of an experience you've had before then you'll hate every minute; but for those with an open mind, Nuts & Bolts is sheer bliss. This game is funny, self-effacing, charming and outright fun, and easy to recommend for those looking for something new, yet retaining a touch of nostalgia. Get your toolbox ready, you've got some tinkering to do.

Middle East Gamers (MEgamers) (8.8 out of 10)

We’ve been waiting a long time for this game. And yes while it’s a departure from its pure platforming roots we’re happy to say we love the direction RARE has taken it. The game is fun and rewards your creativity and imagination. It’s presented beautifully and you genuinely feel happy to be back in the seat taking on Grunty again. While a few minor issues keep this from true greatness, there is no doubt that subsequent (we hope) entries to the series will achieve this now that RARE knows the formula works. Those who are new to the series and faithful fans alike, which may have been apprehensive about the new direction owe it to themselves to give this game a try. It’s an engaging yet relaxing experience that proves RARE still has some magic left in them, and at 40 bucks you really can’t go wrong.

Retro Gamer (87 out of 100)

Nuts & Bolts not only proves that Rare is still on perfect form but also stands as an example of how to take a classic franchise and give it a much-needed freshening up. If only the developers of some of the other games we reviewed on these pages this month had been prepared to do the same thing...

Quebec Gamers (8.6 out of 10)

Je trouve dommage que plusieurs fans de cette série soient déçus parce que ce n'est pas un jeu coulé dans le même moule que les précédents. J'aurais aussi préféré une véritable suite, mais en voyant ce que Nuts & Bolts est, je le voudrais lui aussi! Il y a tout un travail de la part de Rare dans ce jeu qui est d'une qualité digne de faire parti des meilleurs cette année! En fait, ce jeu est du matériel de jeu de l'année mais qui ne le sera pas pour diverses raisons, autant bonnes que mauvaises. Malheureusement, plusieurs joueurs le réaliseront que plus tard, beaucoup plus tard. La seule chose qui l'empêche d'avoir un 9 pour moi, c'est que les missions vers la fin peuvent devenir un peu routinières, et le "dernier" monde (Terrarium of Terror) ne me plaît vraiment pas comparés aux précédents. Autrement, c'est un des jeux les plus originaux et amusants auxquels j'ai joué depuis Super Mario Galaxy!

Extreme Gamer (8.6 out of 10)

Beyond a recycling of game ideas, Banjo also adds an in-depth and unique vehicle creation tablet to Nuts & Bolts which is almost limitless in what you can add to the game space. For any gamer who has loved building something with Lego in the past you will appreciated this brick by brick science applied to staggering real-life physics of vehicle creation. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is worth picking up this holiday season, and would make a great gift for any level of gamer who has a Xbox 360.

GameSpot (8.5 out of 10)

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is a fantastically fun update to an aging formula. The easy vehicle-creation tool makes even the craziest ideas possible, and the missions let you exert your creative muscle in spectacular fashion. Aside from a few control quirks and frame-rate issues, N&B is a joy from beginning to end, providing a constant string of new parts and objectives to keep you entertained for a long time. If this is the direction that the Banjo franchise is going in, let's hope it's not another eight years between games.

Fragland.net (85 out of 100)

So, there you have it. Rare made a stunningly beautiful arcade build, race, collect and explore game that excells in every department. It is addicting as hell and I have troubles putting it away. There are plenty of online features like sharing blueprints, racing each other and making a photo album. But the very core of the game, the concept of mixed genres, poses a threat to the experience itself. You have to get through some plain levels to experience the absolute gems. If you can’t sit through the first part of mediocre races, and no one can blame you for it because they are not challenging at all, you might miss out on a very pleasant game. I blame the core of the game itself because you need to go through every aspect of the racing before you can mix it up all together. Once the multi-terrain vehicles get into play, this game starts a second refreshing part.

Meristation (8.5 out of 10)

Baches y Cachivaches es un juego difícil de afrontar. El nombre de Banjo en el título provoca que muchos usuarios se hagan una imagen del juego que dista mucho de este salto innovador que nos ofrecen los chicos de Rare. Los vehículos, pese a ser un añadido interesante, que potencia mucho la creatividad de los usuarios, requieren bastante tiempo de adecuación, sobre todo porque a nivel jugable no son tan cómodos e intuitivos como la excelente reacción de los personajes a pie. Eso sí, se trata de un mundo lleno de mucho sentido del humor, guiños constantes y grandes dosis de diversión; un universo de color con un gran multijugador que nos está esperando en uno de los títulos más innovadores del catálogo de la máquina de Microsoft.

Game Informer Magazine (8.5 out of 10)

Nuts and Bolts shows that Rare is still a respectable think tank capable of delivering experiences unlike anything else, but this game also clings onto a few annoying elements from the company’s past. The biggest one, which the game openly ridicules, is the concept of scouring environments to collect items. Sadly, the items you must collect are new part types for your vehicles. If you want to have a deep LEGO box, you have to dedicate time to hunting for them. Annoying collect-a-thon aside, Nuts and Bolts is a rare delight that offers up big laughs and inventive gameplay. It also ends up being the closest thing there is to a virtual LEGO set.

3D Juegos (8.5 out of 10)

Banjo Kazooie, pese a su calidad, es un videojuego al que resulta muy complicado ubicar, especialmente por renunciar a buena parte del legado de las anteriores entregas. Su estética infantil enmascara una jugabilidad profunda y, en ocasiones, compleja, sobre todo en lo que hace referencia a montar nuestros propios vehículos. No obstante Baches y Cachivaches es un formidable videojuego que cumple sobradamente su intención de aportar un soplo de aire fresco al catálogo de Xbox 360.

Gameplanet (8.5 out of 10)

The spectacular graphics and the hilarious characters and environments are totally commendable, and Rare have really done a top job. The only real criticism we can come up with is that the title lacks diversity, being so focused on one element, but the more parts you unlock the more interesting and exciting the game becomes.

GamesCollection (8.5 out of 10)

Pur non essendo ancora ai livelli della storica Rare, Noci e Bulloni è un ritorno in grande stile. Graficamente e tecnicamente ineccepibile, la nuova avventura di Banjo & Kazooie non è il solito plattform e non si incorre nel ritrovarsi a giocare l'ennesimo Crash, tanto per fare un esempio. Il vero e forse unico punto debole è una certa monotonia nelle missioni, sebbene è evidente che di sforzi per evitare questo frangente ne sono stati fatti. Chi ha amato la buffa coppia di eroi in passato si sentirà subito a casa, chi non ha mai provato prima un gioco della serie rimarrà inevitabilmente coinvolto dal carisma dell'orso con i bermuda gialli ed il saccente pennuto dal tagliente sarcasmo.

Armchair Empire, The (8.5 out of 10)

For whatever reason, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts sells for less than $40US. So, if you’re looking for “bang for your buck” this is it – near limitless vehicle creation, interesting levels, mini-games and multiplayer outside the main story, a light-hearted sensibility and mostly optional items to collect make this a good game and worthy of attention.

Jeuxvideo.com (17 out of 20)

En faisant preuve d'une telle originalité, Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts est fatalement déconcertant, ce qui risque de ne pas plaire à tout le monde. Surprenant mélange entre la structure d'un jeu de plates-formes et de véhicules, le titre de Rare se présente comme un jeu hors normes dans lequel il faudra fréquemment faire preuve d'une imagination complètement débridée afin de mettre au point l'appareil qui nous semble le plus approprié à l'accomplissement d'une mission. Et même s'il vous arrive de peiner sur quelques épreuves, l'univers barjot du jeu se chargera de vous garder face à l'écran.

Planet Xbox 360 (8.4 out of 10)

The game set out to bring to the “highway” a new manner of platforming. Utilizing cars instead of our arms and legs makes the game addictive to those who will take the time to build, fine tune, and build again. Challenges keep you coming back for more, but the game loses a lot of incentive in being repetitive and overly cheeky. Play it for the first five hours of silliness and simplicity to get to the meat of the sandwich. Once you’ve accepted the imaginative environment and characters for what they are, then you’ll be able to cruise easier, with the wind blowing in your fur, and a vast, exciting world to leave in the dust.

IGN (8.3 out of 10)

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is a game that never stopped being fun for me. It's an odd duck that doesn't fit into any conventional game genres and probably isn't right for everybody. Despite its friendly appearance, Nuts & Bolts isn't exactly easy to pick up and play and might be over the head of some small children. 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.

GameSpot (Belgium/Netherlands) (83 out of 100)

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is een ontzettend leuke vernieuwing van een verouderde formule. De eenvoudige voertuigenbouwer maakt zelfs de meest bizarre ideeën uitvoerbaar en de missies geven je creatieve denkvermogen maximale ruimte. Afgezien van een paar besturingsproblemen en haperende framerates, is Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts een plezier van begin tot einde, en geeft je een constante stroom van nieuwe onderdelen en doelen die je lang bezig zal houden. Als dit de richting is waar de Banjo-franchise naartoe wil, hopen we dat het niet weer acht jaar duurt vooraleer het volgende spel arriveert.

Game Informer Magazine (8.25 out of 10)

Banjo and Kazooie weren’t even considered relevant icons 10 years ago, so I don’t know how much enthusiasm there is for resurrecting this series. But that doesn’t matter, because the real star of this game is the vehicle creation system. Nuts & Bolts taps directly into your natural human compulsion to create; I just couldn’t stop tinkering with my cars. I spent hours on my vehicles trying to squeeze out that last bit of speed, or make one of my bikes just a little bit more maneuverable, or inventing new uses for the unique parts. The game’s writing is also hilarious, and its willingness to lampoon video game stereotypes and Rare itself is utterly charming. The in-vehicle missions are a mixed bag, but for every derivative, repeated race challenge there is a mission that requires genuinely creative problem solving. 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 Over Online (82 out of 100)

Overall, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is an excellent game that gives the series a long-overdue overhaul. Rare has packed it to the brim with gameplay options, giving it a lot of replay value, and allowing it to be enjoyed in either short spurts or longer, more in-depth play sessions. The amount of freedom given to the player is surprising for an all-ages game, and while the more intricate parts of the game’s design may baffle younger players, it still provides an experience that can be enjoyed at a basic level by anyone. At just $40, Nuts and Bolts is an incredible value.

Worth Playing (8.2 out of 10)

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts may be different than prior Banjo games, but that doesn't make it bad. Rare has done a great job of revamping the gameplay in order to provide a fresh experience while still preserving the core elements that made Banjo and Kazooie a hit in the first place. The rough spots in the game are disappointing, but they don't destroy an otherwise fun adventure game, and with a retail price of only $40, there's plenty of value here.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (8 out of 10)

While falling short of hand-break turning, spring-bouncing and rocketing the series into a whole better direction, Nuts & Bolts will be remembered as a unique and enjoyable - if sometimes repetitive - spin-off to Banjo's platforming routes. It'll be interesting to see where Rare takes him next.

UltraNinjas (8 out of 10)

That feeling is one that you get often whilst playing Nuts and Bolts, which is pleasing to report after I played and disliked the sample demo a few weeks ago. It isn’t perfect and it most certainly is not a platform game, but you have to admire that Rare have not only made the stand and gone off in a different direction, but that the direction they chose is vast in scope. That they have managed to make it all work reasonably well should give the chaps all the encouragement they need to take the idea a little further and to file away the rough edges, but for now I am more than happy to welcome ol’ yellow shorts and his annoying beaked chum back into my life once more.

DarkZero (8 out of 10)

Like Jurassic Park, Rare have revived a long extinct franchise, taking the DNA of the originals but mixing in new elements. Unlike Jurassic Park, however, N&B doesn’t end with everyone getting eaten by the revived bear and his bird sidekick. It instead ends with a good example of how games should be made - to entertain the audience.

Hooked Gamers (8 out of 10)

It has been hard to review Nuts & Bolts, and even harder to attach a score; this is a game that will do different things for different people. If you spent your youth in front of an open box of LEGO, Nuts & Bolts is probably a game for you. However, the instant-gratification types should likely look elsewhere. This is a game that requires a large investment of your time. In the end, you are going to get out of it what you put into it. If you are willing to put in a lot, you will find Nuts & Bolts is one of the most ambitious and consistently fun games released this holiday season. It may not be the Banjo-Threeie fans have been clamoring for but if you ask me, it is better than that ever could have been.

Official XBox Magazine (8 out of 10)

Unfortunately, the same build-your-own wrinkles that breathe new life into old platforming gimmicks also limit the appeal for the less mechanically inclined. If you couldn’t care less about crafting your own vehicles, you’ll grow tired of hunting down new parts simply to activate preset blueprints. On the other hand, if you see a universe of possibility in every pile of Legos, you’ll get a creative kick out of Nuts & Bolts.

Official Xbox Magazine (UK) (8 out of 10)

Is it the Banjo sequel many of us were hoping for? Probably not. The focus on the vehicles is too dramatic a side-step and the difficulty level is just much lower than we'd like. But then, this isn't something built for veteran players. Rare's best game in years is quite obviously intended for a younger audience, one that will almost certainly love every minute of it.

IGN Australia (8 out of 10)

Everything works, as mentioned, and that really counts. The game is thoughtful in design, mostly clever in its handling of pacing, upgrading parts and keeping you on track as you work your way towards the final encounter. But it's just not as fun or interesting as it should be. Rare carefully assembled a whole lot of disparate parts and pulled it together under an immaculate bonnet and a glossy paintjob, but a few loose screws just keep on rattling away, always threatening to shake it to pieces.

Video Games Daily (8 out of 10)

Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts isn't quite a classic, and N64 patrons may be irked by what they consider Rare's wilful misuse of its back catalogue. For everybody else, it's an unusually well-developed attempt to jump-start a geriatric IP which stumbles only slightly in the process, that knowing charm and bottomless tool box offset by technical hiccups and repetitive design. Given a fair bit of imaginative effort on the player's part, it's a feast. Whatever Rare does next with the bear and the bird, we hope it won't renege on its little genre experiment.

Thunderbolt Games (8 out of 10)

But it still has a certain charm and feeling of nostalgia that you can’t help but love. It’s a unique take on the platforming genre that’s completely refreshing and exciting. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I feel like it could be forgotten in the winter rush, but Nuts & Bolts is an excellent game - and original as well, even for a sequel. Who’d have thought it?

Games TM (8 out of 10)

The British master is well and truly back, and though its latest isn't quite perfect, it's a shot in the arm for the crusty old platform genre and another must-have exclusive for what is surely Xbox 360's best Christmas yet.

G4 TV: X-Play ( )

I suppose it’s possible for old-school BK fans to be upset by the loss of talon trot, but it’s hard to complain when you’re having dogfights in custom-built fighter plane. Of course, the promise of actual unlockables via the long lost Stop N’ Swop feature (unrealized in the N64 sequel game Banjo-Tooie) should be enough to lure some of them to take up the wrench—especially when select retailers are offered free codes to download the XBLA version of Banjo-Kazooie with a preorder. Nuts & Bolts has solid single player, but multiplayer has even more potential, making this Banjo-Kazooie game worth a buy.

Cheat Code Central (4 out of 5)

All in all, Rare deserves an A for effort. However, this is one game that unfortunately won't reach the hearts of all gamers. It's difficult to determine who the intended audience of the title is, as it may be too difficult for kids and too colorful and bubbly for adults, as well as too far from the original Banjo Kazooie series to appeal to old fans. If you can get past the cutesy visuals and enjoy creative and time-consuming games with lots of challenges, you should probably give it a try. On the other hand, if you're looking for a fast-paced, adventure-filled experience, this may not quite meet your expectations.

TotalVideoGames (TVG) (8 out of 10)

Perhaps the only viable way to bring Banjo and Kazooie onto the Xbox 360, Nuts & Bolts is nevertheless a thoroughly entertaining and rewarding video game, deserving of its place in the popular series despite its apparent changes. Packed full of the traditional qualities associated with the developer, in answer to Rare's question - yes we still want games like Nuts & Bolts, and hopefully the 360 audience still needs Rare.

4Players.de (79 out of 100)

Der erste Auftritt von Banjo und Kazooie auf der Xbox 360 ist definitiv nicht das erwartete Jump&Run-Vergnügen – auch wenn man hier und da hüpfen und laufen darf. Deswegen sollte man die zwei Kultstars aus dem Hause Rare allerdings nicht abschreiben. Denn auch der Vehikel-basierte Ansatz mit gut 100 Aufgaben in sechs Welten sowie einer Unmenge an sammelbaren Gegenständen weiß in vielerlei Hinsicht gut zu unterhalten. Es macht einen Heidenspaß, am perfekten Fahrzeug-Design zu feilen, das nicht nur den kreativ-logischen, sondern dank der überzeugenden und glaubwürdigen Physik innerhalb der Welt auch den fahrerischen Fähigkeiten gerecht wird. Insofern ist es sehr bedauerlich, dass sich Rare hier selbst einen Knüppel zwischen die Beine wirft und sich größtenteils auf Rennen sowie Hol- und Bringdienste verlässt. Doch es sind gerade die Aufgaben, die von dieser Norm abweichen, die besonders faszinieren und zum Basteln anregen.

V2.fi (77 out of 100)

Jälleen siis palaamme tähän vanhaan ongelmaan: jos aiot ylipainoisena ja pillerikännissä pukeutua tiukkaan valkoiseen housuasuun ja nousta lavalle Vegasissa, varmista ensin, että olet Elvis. Näytät nimittäin katsojasta riippuen säälittävältä tai naurettavalta, mutta saat sen anteeksi, jos olet rockin kuningas. Rare taas ei ole koskaan ollut pelien kuningas kuin korkeintaan innokkaimpien Nintendo-fanien mielestä - 90-luvulla - eikä tämä peli varsinkaan sisällä mitään sellaista, mikä oikeuttaisi kaikki snobistiset kommentit pelibisneksestä.

JeuxActu (15 out of 20)

Attendu comme une suite directe à Banjo-Kazooie et Banjo-Tooie, du moins d'un point de vue ludique, Banjo-Kazooie : Nuts & Bolts surprend dans le bon et le mauvais sens du terme. Plus profond que ses aînés, tout aussi barré et humoristique, il troque la classique plate-forme pour un concept de jeu hybride basé sur la création de véhicules. Réalisé avec le bon goût et la maestria habituelle de Rare, ce Banjo-Kazooie nouvelle formule donne l'impression d'être un jeu de transition, un titre d'essai ou l'on se prend soi-même à jouer au créateur, un bac-à-sable un peu sec dans lequel il est toujours possible de faire des jolis châteaux. Tout comme Viva Piñata, Banjo-Kazooie : Nuts & Bolts est un soft à part, son seul risque étant de faire partie d'une licence cotée et attendue au tournant. Un virage un peu glissant qui ne plaira pas à tout le monde.

Kombo.com (7.5 out of 10)

Some diehard Banjo-Kazooie fans, a sect I didn't even know existed until recently, decided to hate Nuts & Bolts months before it was released simply because it eschewed the buddy-mechanics of the first games for the new vehicle-oriented focus. I don't know if these people noticed, but Banjo-Kazooie has about as much brand equity these days as Bubsy, and the franchise needed to establish a new, interesting identity for itself. The vehicle creation in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts is one of the most genuinely entertaining gameplay devices I've encountered this generation. It's a shame that the game falls into some decidedly old-school design traps, but there's still plenty of fun to be had here.

Game Revolution (B)

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. It's not a game that you can just pick up and play, but for those willing to make the time investment, Nuts and Bolts provides a very rewarding single-player experience. Not to mention, it's also a good value for the money. At $40 for a new copy of the game, playing through Nuts and Bolts is likely to cost most players about a dollar an hour. Now, if only Rare would get around to updating Goldeneye, I'd be in heaven.

Good Game (7.5 out of 10)

There is some multiplayer mini games and the ability to swap vehicle blueprints online so those who fall in love with the new Banjo are gonna be playing for a long time. A game that pokes fun at itself and gaming in general is always a plus but fans of the old games need to know that they’re not going to get the same experience. I’m giving it 7.5 rubber chickens.

TeamXbox (7.4 out of 10)

Nuts and Bolts isn’t a bad title, but to my thinking it’s a game that will most appeal to a niche audience. Sure, there’s large quantity of gameplay as you seek out the more than 130 Jiggies there are to collect and try to fully unlock the entire world; and a log of that gameplay is a fun romp in a wild universe. The main issue is that there are a ton of games out this holiday season that are fun from start to finish, while Nuts and Bolts will probably take most of you up to a point before you lose interest in the Lego-like construction projects and the pursuit to beat all of the challenges. I predict that many Xbox 360 owners will put Nuts and Bolts on their list of games they’d like to try out, rather than considering it a “must-have title.”

360 LIVE (7.3 out of 10)

Rare scheint also mit seinen innovativen Plänen übers Ziel hinausgeschossen zu sein. Zwischen den bunten Farben und der Fahrzeug- Idee bleibt der Spielspaß zu oft auf der Strecke. Herausgekommen ist nichts Halbes und nicht Ganzes — keine Hüpfspiel und kein Funracer.

XboxAchievements (72 out of 100)

A fun game that is let down by dubious vehicle controls and a design system that soon becomes tiresome. There is plenty to see and do though and the variety of challenges, for those that stick around, will keep you happily entertained.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts" é, sem dúvida alguma, um jogo corajoso por desafiar a tradição do gênero de plataforma e injetar novas mecânicas. Traz um esquema muito interessante de coletar peças para montar barcos e tanques, mas não é dos mais amigáveis para jogadores inexperientes ou mesmo impacientes - justamente aqueles que deveriam ser atraídos pela direção de arte e a simplicidade dos jogos do estilo. Sem saber que público deseja alcançar, o game patina em todas as direções e, no fim, deve encontrar um grupo bem restrito de admiradores.

Gamereactor (Sweden) (7 out of 10)

Det är alltså med viss besvikelse man dyker ned i Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts värld. Omgivningarna är så lockande, charmen är så påtaglig, men detta är till syvende och sist inget plattformsspel och det känns som att Rare har offrat något vackert på förnyelsens altare. Jag har jättemysigt när jag bara kör eller flyger omkring och utforskar Showdown-staden och alla dess undervärldar, men utmaningarna för att komma vidare känns alltför ofta som ett nödvändigt ont. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts hade blivit suveränt om man putsat på fordonsutmaningarna. Och mycket möjligt magiskt om man gjort ett traditionellt plattformsspel.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (7 out of 10)

But whereas a traditional platform game could survive a sequence of poor levels, or even succeed in spite of a majority with a world as lovely as this, with characters so delightful and secrets so pleasing to uncover, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is not a platform game. The game it has become instead demands thoughtful, exciting challenges that inspire the player to pitch in and help get the most out of each level, but it fails to provide them, and even though it's worth persevering with for the occasional hurdles race, egg-and-spoon and a game-world in aptly Rare form, ultimately it's a brilliant shell with a mostly hollow centre.

Gamer.nl (7 out of 10)

Het voertuigen bouwen biedt een basis voor een geweldig spel waarin je creatief moet knutselen om uiteenlopende missies te volbrengen. Helaas is Rare niet in geslaagd dat geweldige spel te leveren. De missies zijn te eentonig, kort en simpel en zijn vaak te voltooien met de standaard voertuigen. Gelukkig wordt dit manco gecompenseerd met alles wat er buiten de hoofdmissies om te doen is, maar het is erg jammer dat het spel juist in de kern de plank mis slaat.

Gameplayer (Australia) (7 out of 10)

Looking beyond the nostalgia anticlimax and the murderous rage inside us that burns like a thousand suns, you’ve really got to wonder who Rare had in mind when they designed this puppy. Parents who made little Timmy feel stupid and inept by buying him the surprisingly technical Viva Pinata, will want to give this game a wide berth – or buy it , then pay for counselling later. Similarly the convoluted plot, the less than amazing handling physics of the vehicles, and the trial and fail gameplay has the potential to annoy the bejesus out of the older players. It breaks our Rare-loving hearts to type it; but Banjo Kazooie is a game that is best rented and demoed extensively first, rather than bought on an impulse. Furthermore, it… *sniff*… damn it… you’ll have to excuse me, I’ve got something in my eye again.

GameDaily (7 out of 10)

The gameplay is quite entertaining, even though the steering controls aren't as tight as we expectedare loose. The graphics and music are delightful, and there are lots of jokes, giving a respectful nod to Rare's video games. There's Xbox Live support as well, as you can share blueprints and race up to eight friends online. It may not be the Banjo sequel everyone fans expected, but at least Nuts and Bolts doesn't run out of gas.

Eurogamer.de (7 out of 10)

Rare tobt sich in ihrer eigenen Kreativität aus und setzt Euch auf einen Spielplatz aus, ohne jedoch übertrieben viel Rahmen zu bieten. Es als Rohbau zu bezeichnen, dem der Inhalt fehlt, ginge sicher zu weit. Einige Schritte in die Richtung wagt Schraube Locker aber schon. Gut, dass Euch die all die Herausforderungen und Basteleien sehr lange beschäftigen und mit dieser Rare-eigenen Magie erfreuen, bevor Ihr das feststellt.

GameSpy ( )

Ultimately, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts manages to pull off some great ideas but that misses important elements at the same time. It's a brave gamble on Rare's part to take the series in a completely different direction than its platformer roots. Nuts & Bolts is a gorgeous-looking game with plenty of polish, great presentation (even if the framerate takes some major hits), and lots of room for creativity and customization. In fact, most of the fun comes from building, reiterating, and perfecting your best ideas, and if you're inclined, sharing them with the world. It's a shame, then, that vehicle handling feels so clunky and awkward, since it's such an integral part of the experience. It's also quite possible that the tutorial and construction will be too complicated and frustrating for younger gamers. Those are two major issues, but if you can look beyond them, there's fun to be found in Nuts & Bolts.

Gamekult (7 out of 10)

Dans la continuité des premiers épisodes, Rare a doté Nuts & Bolts de graphismes très colorés, d'une bande son de qualité et surtout d'un humour décapant. Bref, avec Nuts & Bolts, Rare ose un concept audacieux qui, s'il n'est pas le Banjo-Threeie tant attendu, devrait tout de même satisfaire les joueurs prêts à envisager la plate-forme d'un autre oeil.

Gamer 2.0 (6.8 out of 10)

Like their previous resurrected titles, Nuts & Bolts serves as nothing more than a failed attempt by Rare to blend something "fresh" into an already winning formula. With missions that are far too repetitive, a lack of available settings for multiplayer, and other nefarious nuisances that hinder the game, it is hard to recommend Nuts & Bolts to any fan who loved the original title. Sure, a $40 price tag is reasonable considering the game you will receive (it's almost as if Rare knew what they did and wanted to lessen the burden) but there are far too many things that don't sit right with this latest Rare incarnation. If you are in the mood for some classic Banjo- Kazooie, knock down a few points on the XBLA version instead, it's still better then Nuts & Bolts will ever be.

GameTrailers (6.7 out of 10)

It's hard to recommend Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. It's too complicated for kids, and too convoluted for adults, If you're the creative type, you'll enjoy fiddling around with all the parts, but if you're looking for an accessible game that you can play in short bursts and make headway, then steer clear. Either way, the repetitive missions eventually grate and the prospect of yet another jiggy is no longer enough to carry on. Banjo's latest is all fan and very little service.

IGN UK (6.5 out of 10)

Ultimately, there’s a great idea at the core of Nuts & Bolts and, from superb construction tools right through to lavish presentation, there are plenty of individual elements worthy of praise. When it fails though, Banjo fails badly and the lack of any fundamentally engaging framework to support the game’s creative elements renders the game pretty much obsolete for anyone looking for something to appreciate beyond the incredibly flexible building component in isolation. There’s one moment of delicious irony in Banjo as you hop from one bland task to the next though. Don’t like the vehicle-based gameplay on offer?, the loading screen enquires. Don’t worry, it says, before suggesting you might want to try downloading the original Banjo-Kazooie from Xbox Live.

Totally Gaming Network (6 out of 10)

All in all, if you had no love for Banjo Kazooie before, this won’t be the game to change your mind – and if you’re new to the characters and are looking for something creative to exercise your imagination on, this doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Seems a pity that Peter Moore might actually be spot on with his rather harsh criticism after all.

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (C)

That about sums about Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Rare took a bold step in changing from an action-platformer to a user-created racing feast, and it almost worked. All of the elements that fans have come to love the developer for are firmly in place, but the gameplay at the core of the experience just isn’t as polished as it could be. There are good times to be had in Nuts & Bolts, no question. It’s just too bad that the gameplay doesn’t factor in among them.