Banjo-Kazooie Is ‘Coming Home’ To A Nintendo Console Via Switch Online

You could be forgiven for missing the biggest news buried in the latest Nintendo Direct — the real megaton that turned it into the finest 40-minute presentation Nintendo has ever assembled.

No, we’re not talking about a gameplay reveal for the elusive Bayonetta 3 or the long-awaited return of Brewster to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nope, hidden in the part where upcoming N64 games planned for the expanded Nintendo Switch Online membership were briefly mentioned was a little 3D platformer by Rare: Banjo-Kazooie.

That’s right — the Microsoft-owned original Banjo game will soon be playable on a Nintendo console for the first time since its release on Nintendo 64 back in 1998. You’ll even be able to play it with a new wireless N64 controller for authenticity. Bliss!

Banjo and Kazooie have already appeared on Switch, of course, when the pair were invited to Smash Bros. Ultimate as DLC fighters, but being able to play the original game on Nintendo hardware is something many assumed would never again be possible once Rare was purchased by Microsoft back in 2002.

Obviously, the relationship between Nintendo and Microsoft is grown ever more cordial over the years — as evidenced by appearance of previously Xbox exclusive games such as Cuphead and the Ori games, not to mention the fact that they’ve got their own amiibo! — and we’re at the point where both companies are willing to reach an agreement to have Banjo return to a Nintendo platform.

So, yeah! Banjo on Switch. Those glorious Kirkhope tunes will soon be flowing from the speakers of a Nintendo Switch into your lucky earholes. Are we joking about this being the biggest announcement in today’s packed Direct?…

Of course we’re not. Best Direct ever. Feel free to agree in the comments below.