Summary
- Banjo-Kazooie, once a rival to Super Mario 64, has been largely absent while Mario continues to release successful new and reimagined titles.
- Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is aware of the desire for a new Banjo-Kazooie game and expressed interest in making one when the right team and opportunity arise.
- While Banjo-Kazooie fans wait for a new title, Xbox has been keeping up with other franchises like Killer Instinct, which recently received a surprise addition on Xbox Game Pass.
In a conversation about Xbox potentially dipping into its back catalog and reviving some older franchises, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer directly addressed Banjo-Kazooie fans. At one time, Banjo-Kazooie rivaled Super Mario 64 as one of the best 3D platformers on the Nintendo 64. However, the years have been kinder to Mario than Banjo, as the beloved bear has largely been missing since the days of the Xbox 360.
While fans have been wondering where Banjo has been all this time, Mario and friends have been featured in new and reimagined titles year after year. Super Mario Bros. Wonder broke major sales records upon release, and the game has been universally praised by fans and critics. The fan-favorite plumber even returned for an encore performance a month later in a remake of Super Mario RPG, which has also been considered a success by most metrics. Meanwhile, the all-but-forgotten bear and bird duo haven't seen a proper new title since 2008. If it's any consolation to fans, however, it doesn't sound like the head of Xbox has forgotten about the platforming franchise.
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In an interview with Windows Central, Spencer discussed the potential return of nostalgic franchises. Specifically, the CEO mentioned Banjo, telling fans, "I hear you." Spencer supported those comments by stating he'd love to make a new game, but the boss implied that he is waiting for the "right team" and "opportunity." Spencer clarified that, in cases like this, he doesn't believe the original team necessarily needs to head the project, but he does want to see "passion" from the devs in order to move forward.
"You've seen from our history that we haven't touched every franchise that people would love us to touch — Banjo fans, I hear you. But it is true that, when we find the right team, and the right opportunity, I love going back to revisit stories and characters that we've seen previously."
Spencer did touch upon some franchises that the publisher has been keeping up with. One, in particular, that the CEO mentioned is Killer Instinct, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Xbox 360 release. Just this week, Xbox Game Pass added Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition as a surprise new title. That franchise had long been dormant, but a brand-new release and a day-one inclusion on Xbox Game Pass offers fans and newcomers a more approachable way to engage with the series.
Keeping up with every franchise Xbox owns following the Activision Blizzard acquisition would be nearly impossible, but Banjo-Kazooie is one of the most high-profile series currently on hiatus. Under the Rare banner, Xbox published a new Battletoads game in the past few years and is touting an ambitious-looking Perfect Dark reboot.
While there's nothing immediately on the horizon, it is encouraging that Spencer is at least talking about Banjo-Kazooie in some capacity. Hopefully, for the sake of Banjo fans, the right opportunity and team come together sooner rather than later.
- Released
- June 28, 1998
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
The bear and bird's first ever outing available in full. Loads of rollicking fun to be had here and with the legendary Stop N Swop feature reinstated. You’ll never look the same again at a jigsaw. There are no refunds for this item
