One of the perks to pre-ordering the new Banjo game for the Xbox360, was that it included a code to download the original Banjo game from XBLA for free. Well, the codes were just not working, so MS has delayed the release of the title until December 3. Hopefully MS has fixed the issue by then.

Even though MS has apparently pulled the press release that contained this info, we bring it to you nonetheless. On November 26, the original Banjo Kazooie will be available on Xbox Live. The price will be 1200 MS points, and the game will be available free to those who pre-order the new Kazooie game, Nuts & Bolts. The second original Kazooie game, Banjo Tooie, will be available sometime in 2009.

CVG has posted an interview with Rare's Senior Director Mark Betteridge to celebrate Banjo's 10th anniversary in Europe. Rich Cousins, the producer of the latest Banjo game, joins the interview as well. From the beginning, Batteridge makes it clear that he wants to turn Banjo into the Microsoft bear, as it were. He thinks the "time is right for Banjo to be a mascot character for the Xbox360." Without even having one game released? Interesting. What about Master Chief?

The Banjo Threeie parade continues today with the official debut trailer. As you can see the game, called Nuts & Bolts, as we told you earlier, looks really great. Let's hope it is longer than Kameo, eh?

BK3 screens have been leaked, as we showed you, and now some details about the game have been revealed. The game's subtitle will be "Nuts & Bolts," and the game will let you dynamically build vehicles as you collect different parts. The game, as we suspected, is Xbox360 exclusive, and is among the first game to be developed by Rare wholly for the MS console (Kameo?). Rare wanted to bring more to the game because of this, apparently, so they came up with the dynamic vehicle system. Don't worry though, there is still a bunch of platform fun for those who like the old Banjo.

In case you missed this news late yesterday folks, Rare has confirmed that the next Banjo Kazooie game, which is being sought after by many a gamer, will make its debut in 2008, later this year. Rare community manager George Kelion posted in a NeoGAF forum thread where he confirmed the game is still on track for a Holiday 2008 release. Good news for sure.

The latest edition of the Rare Scribes is posted over at the official Rare site. The post is packed full of great info, and when asked about Banjo Kazooie, they actually provide some solid info! Players modes are revealed and more. Check it out.

A source at the UK development office of Rare has revealed to GI that Banjo Kazooie is not cancelled, despite rumors to that effect on the net. The rumors stated that development on a major, first-party, MS title had been stopped, but even if that were true, said the source, it is not Banjo. Good to hear.

In the April issue of Game Informer, there is a blurb that says Banjo Kazooie 3 is now confirmed. We know how much the game industry likes to play April Fool's jokes, so until we get some other source, we will put this one in the rumor bin.

Even we must admit this is a bit of a reach, but we wanted to bring it to you anyway. It seems that J. Allard's Gamertag icon is a picture of Banjo Kazooie. Does this mean anything? Possibly, but it could just mean he is an old school gamer who likes Rare. Just an interesting rumor we thought you would like. Take is as such.