Microsoft wants gamers to buy all of its products, but it seems to be especially keen on getting people to pick up Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The publisher today announced a November 14 release for the game, as well as a plan to make it stand out from the holiday rush of AAA titles.

First off, Microsoft confirmed the $39.99 price point for the game that retailers had been listing since early July. On top of that, customers who preorder the game will receive a download code for a free copy of the original Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox Live Arcade two weeks before its official launch.

Nuts & Bolts brings Rare’s platforming duo into the current console generation with a twist, as the pair will have to design and build their own vehicular contraptions in order to navigate a world full of obstacles. Its XBLA counterpart will be a revamped version of the original Nintendo 64 3D platformer that gave birth to the franchise.

The preorder promotion isn’t the only connection between the two games. Rare is incorporating a feature that will reward accomplishments in Nuts & Bolts with unlockable content in the downloadable title.

By Brendan Sinclair