Banjo-Kazooie revival hopes killed off by original team
We've lost another a goodun', as 25 years after Banjo-Kazooie became a cult classic for the ages, the original team behind the series have claimed they won't be returning to the bear and bird. Sorry, it looks like our hopes of Banjo-Kazooie 3, a remake, or any form of revival have just been dashed.
Singing its merry melody on the Nintendo 64 back in 1998, Banjo-Kazooie arrived at the console's peak and continued Rare's success from GoldenEye 007 and Diddy Kong Racing. We got a sequel in 2000 and a series of Game Boy games, but the series has lay dormant since the maligned Nuts & Bolts clunked onto Xbox in 2008.
Banjo-Kazooie revival debunked by original devs
There's been a lot of talk about mythical Banjo-Kazooie revivals, and last year, there was a big buzz that Microsoft was working on something with the dormant IP. Unfortunately, a lot has changed at Rare over the years. These days, the developer is putting all its focus on Sea of Thieves.
Sitting down to discuss all things Banjo-Kazooie with VGC, those who worked on the original game have downplayed any idea of more from the franchise. Character Designer Steven Mayles explained, "I can't really speak for Gregg [Mayles, Rare's Creative Director] but he's really the custodian of the franchise.
"He doesn't really like to look back and tread over old ground, so I don't think he's ever been bothered about doing anything else with the franchise. He'd rather move on to new experiences – as far as he's concerned, he's been there, done that."
Composer Grant Kirkhope then discussed a new entry and added, "I feel like you'd have to get a team with the humour that we had back then and that's hard to replicate. I think Rare would be open to somebody if they found the right team, but I don't feel like that team exists. Also, I'm not convinced the audience is there either."
Lead Programmer Chris Sutherland concluded, "I would hope that somebody is going to bring out something… some kind of sequel or 'next in line' game. At least before a point where I can still remember that the first one existed! But hopefully sooner." You and us both, Chris.
Who owns Banjo-Kazooie?
Click to enlargeWith Rare sitting under Microsoft, the green team holds the keys to the Banjoverse. It's not that simple though, and as we've seen with GoldenEye 007 and its long wait to get it on Nintendo Switch, the lines get a little blurred between Nintendo and Xbox.
The three main games appeared as part of Rare Replay on the Xbox 360 in 2015, while there was a spiritual successor in the disappointing Yooka-Laylee. More recently, Banjo and Kazooie made a surprise appearance in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass.
We've shown what a remaster of the first game could look like, and it's something truly beautiful to behold. but for whatever reason, Rare and co. aren't interested. Most likely, the fact there was such a gap between games and not much since, the IP is hardly going to be a bestseller in today's market.
Banjo-Kazooie's 25th anniversary would've been the perfect time to give us a release in the vein of Capcom's Resident Evil remakes, but for now, we're left booting up Rare Replay or dusting off our N64s. Oh well, maybe for the 50th anniversary.
