Rare’s Banjo-Kazooie Is Rumoured To Be Making A Comeback
Rare’s Banjo-Kazooie – starring the bear and bird who made a name for themselves during the Nintendo 64 generation – is rumoured to be making a return.
In the latest episode of the Nate the Hate Nate the Hate podcast, game developer Modern Vintage Gamer suggested a revival could be on the way, based on some things he had been hearing around the industry.
Here’s exactly what he had to say (via VGC):
“I have spoken to a lot of people, and I’m not an insider, I’m a developer, but sometimes I hear things and I was at GDC earlier this year and there were some people talking about Banjo.
“I’ve heard that Banjo’s coming up for months now, from different people. Something’s happening with Banjo, what I can’t tell you is what that is.”
MVG doubled down in a follow-up comment, stating how he “feels pretty strongly” that something related to Banjo could be announced during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase later today (UK time).
The last entry in the series Banjo-Kazooie: Nutz & Boltz was released exclusively on the Xbox 360 in 2008, it was arguably a game that failed to live up to the legacy of the Nintendo 64 originals from 1998 and 2000.
Although the IP is now the property of Microsoft, as Nintendo Switch fans will know – the famous duo have returned on a number of occasions to Nintendo platforms. Most recently, Banjo-Kazooie appeared as a DLC fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and earlier this year, the original Nintendo 64 classic got released on Nintendo’s Switch Online service.
Banjo-Kazooie isn’t the only old-school Rare game rumoured to be returning. There’s strong evidence that the classic first-person shooter GoldenEye 007 (originally released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997) is also getting revived. Some speculation has even led to theories about a possible Switch Online release of the original title.
Would you be interested in seeing the N64 icon Banjo-Kazooie return, even if a new game wasn’t announced for a Nintendo platform? Tell us down below.