Banjo-Kazooie fans had desired for the first Xbox Banjo-Kazooie game to build on its predecessors' gameplay, and Nuts & Bolts departure from the series' style left many angry; Hardcore Gamer said the new direction was seen as "a giant middle finger to fans". GameRevolution said the release "was undeniably defined by the cries of longtime fans feeling as if they had been wronged... it was impossible to read about Nuts & Bolts without hearing how upset Xbox 360 owners were that the game wasn't a traditional platformer".
Banjo-Kazooie fans wanted the new Xbox 360 game to be similar to its predecessors, but Nuts & Bolts' departure from the series' style caused frustration among players. Hardcore Gamer called it "a giant middle finger to fans," and GameRevolution noted that the release was defined by fan disappointment over the lack of a traditional platformer experience.