There was as soon as a time when Banjo-Kazooie was rightly thought of to be an in depth rival to the Tremendous Mario franchise when Uncommon launched two excellent entries on N64 within the type of the self-titled debut and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie.
That was a very long time in the past, although. Whereas Microsoft flirted with concept of rising the franchise in 2008 with the reasonably divisive Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, the writer hasn’t touched it within the years since. In response to Moon Studios’ (Ori and the Blind Forest, Will of the Wisps) CEO Thomas Mahler on social media, nevertheless, this was maybe the incorrect transfer, and Microsoft might be sitting on one thing that might, with the correct remedy, rival 3D Mario video games on fashionable consoles (thanks, Pure Xbox):
“They’ve been sitting on Banjo Kazooie with nothing taking place there although a very gifted developer may most likely make a Banjo recreation that might rival 3D Mario and doubtless promote comparable numbers.”
He additionally goes on to say that “Xbox doesn’t actually have any household pleasant titles now, not less than nothing of high quality that they’re recognized for”. In the meantime, Sony made waves in 2024 with the launch of Astro Bot, an distinctive 3D platformer that many in contrast favourably to a few of Nintendo’s absolute best. Maybe this success may give Microsoft the nudge it must get cracking on a brand new Banjo recreation.
If Microsoft does revive Banjo-Kazooie within the years to return, one does wonder if it will come to Nintendo’s upcoming Swap 2 along with Xbox. There are rumours that the corporate is trying to carry Halo: The Grasp Chief Assortment, Flight Simulator, and Diablo IV to the console, and with Banjo’s historical past with Nintendo, we actually would not be shocked to see it.
