Xbox's Phil Spencer Is Still Open To Banjo And Kazooie Appearing In Super Smash Bros.

BANJO COLLECTION FOR SWITCH!!! PLEASE!!!!

Who knows, Microsoft keeps being weird with Xbox, especially now that every XBO "exclusive" is automatically available for PC as well... Which begs the question why would anyone buy an Xbox at all (unless they absolutely cannot afford a good PC or laptop).

I know Banjo and Kazooie were bit back on the N64 (and I loved it), but it wouldn't make much sense to have characters for a license that isn't on Nintendo platforms anymore.

@NewAdvent Maybe because crash has an atrocious design and terrible games. 😁

@NewAdvent
Same here. Flash was always Mario's distant ugly cousin on Sony's platform and has no business in a Nintendo game

Wow, I would really like to have them on Smash! I don't mind Crash but it wouldn't be meaningful or make much sense either, Banjo & Kazooie would be much better imho.

This would be cool as long as banzo doesn't replace the duck hunt dog.

As far as Rare IPs go what about Sea of Thieves? A man can dream, right?

That'd be pretty cool.

Hopefully this opens up to Rareware games on N64 Classic or Switch VC.

Banjo vs Crash Bandicoot vs Mario in Smash? Yes, please!

Banjo and Kazooie in Smash would be fantastic! While they're at it, can they release Rare Replay on Switch too? (A man can dream)

Don't really know what it says about where MS is with Xbox. Getting mixed signals it seems like lately, but it'd be cool if Banjo and Kazooie showed up in Smash Bros.

To be honest at this point I'm just really surprised that nobody (not even only Nintendo but also other companies such as SEGA or Capcom) haven't tried to buy out Rare's IPs. They have a lot of rich ideas you can make many masterpieces out of only if you have the right skill. It's almost dumb that nobody tried to invest into something that would inevitably make a good profit.

I doubt these IPs cost a lot nowadays and judging by how successful projects inspired by these IPs are in terms of sales (look at Yooka-Laylee for reference), it's clear that there is still a giant fanbase. Not to mention that Yooka-Laylee is a successful KICKSTARTER project, and not a project made by a large company such as Nintendo - clearly there is a lot of opportunity.

It honestly doesn't sound that unlikely given Microsoft current stance with cross-platform play and Minecraft. Even Sony recently opened up a company with plans to release on other platforms.

Hopefully this means they're interested in porting a lot of those games. Banjo Kazooie, Battle Toads, and Perfect Dark on Switch would be...perfect

Very much possible. I mean, at least Xbox isn't acting like some other company who's nastily not allowing any cross platform play (cough Sony)

Nonetheless I'd be really happy if we got a Banjo game for Switch. I don't just want a Smash add-on...

Rare and playtonic making a Banjo game for switch and Xbox would be amazing...

Would only let banjo join the cast if we get games in return.

@Grawlog Well, when I hear "Xbox" I am mostly reminded of my previous job as a game tester and why I hated it

@Yasaal
Yeah I'll give props to Microsoft, I don't own an Xbox but I can play sea of thieves on pc against my friends on Xbox thanks to them. Even Nintendo is happy to support cross play and I didn't think that would ever happen lol. It would be nice if Sony got on the bandwagon so we can all enjoy playing with our friends no matter what console we own.

So far only the only non Japanese designed Smash character is Diddy Kong, who is still a Nintendo owned IP. I very much doubt this will change for this iteration.

As for Xbox, I am a little amazed how quickly their 'only on XBox' business model has eroded. Microsoft seem to want to do business anywhere with anyone just to get exposure and more importantly content on their platform. Personally I feel it eliminates any desire to buy an XB1 when they're not able to use thei own IP and are loaning them out instead.

This isn't much of a surprise if you follow Microsoft as a whole. I was a Windows Phone user for a number of years and followed a MS website. When it became clear they were getting out of the phone hardware game (for now) and that services would be made to all platforms, I knew it was a matter of time before that philosophy crept into Xbox

Those Banjo Kazooie games weren't that big in Japan in the first place. So screw that and give me Bomberman

@starman292 To be fair to Sony, they have successfully gained the highest install base of consoles this generation, so you can see why they are reluctant to do it (especially on a global level where they hugely dominate). As the generation comes to a close, they'll be more likely to do it though.

In terms of the story, I agree there's some reason for optimism on RARE IP getting Switch releases, guest characters appearing in other games, and the N64 Classic getting the games pre-installed that it really deserves.

That said, it still requires Nintendo and Microsoft to reach a deal... and that could be decidedly more difficult. More so on the N64 Classic as I suspect Nintendo will already be struggling to keep that under the $99/£99 threshold (unless they only include one controller?)

I'd like to see Banjo/Kazooie in Smash. I think it'd be awesome. The more, the merrier in my opinion.

@AlexOlney I always read your comments in your voice.

@Bunkerneath Who about porting the Rare Replay for the Switch.

While Banjo-Kazooie would no doubt get a lot of gamers excited if they made their debut on the Switch Smash Bros., just imagine if Nintendo closed out the game's official trailer at E3 with "A New Challenger Appears: MASTER CHIEF!!!!" While it probably will never happen, A) it would bring the house down and B) sharing licensing rights has become a thing in Hollywood (see Spider-Man) so why not the videogame industry? Of course, if their flagship IP made an appearance on a rival console you can bet Microsoft would expect something in return from Nintendo, but you never know what might happen behind closed doors.

I've always liked Phil Spencer. He just seems like a decent human being.

I’m not.

@subpopz Mark of the Ninja wasn't much of an exclusive considering the Steam version was released a little over a month later. Unless they advertised it as such.

@Bunkerneath
That would be awesome, but let's not get carried away. It's still Microsoft's IP. I would scream like a little girl if we could just have the first Banjo & Kazooie game on the Switch Virtual Console (or whatever that service will be called).

@jswhitfield8 I think they'll do both but they see Xbox as a gaming service first such as Steam but available across multiple devices, then they'll also still make their own hardware to play them on

I would say that Rare's purchase is one of the worst in Microsoft history but its nothing compared to Nokia acquisition. Still Rare have yet to release a good game on Microsoft platform. Guess they got big money and lost the drive to create good games.

@subpopz
Xbox is turning a profit but is hardly thriving. Microsoft's gaming division has lost a huge market share to Sony over the last few years, and to Nintendo since the Switch. It's just that Microsoft have ENORMOUS cash reserves. The only good thing that Phil Spencer has so far done is to successfully revamp Microsoft's image as being the "good guys".

Considering Xbox would receive some compensation for Banjo being in Smash, I can see why Phil would be open to it. That said, I do like him as the head guy over there. I am a Game Pass member and love it. It is also refreshing to see someone from the other side who seems to appreciate games regardless of who makes them

I want Banjo to return to Nintendo more than anything, but sadly I doubt Nintendo really cares to even attempt that. Smash would at least be great but he’s not a Japanese made character so that’s probably not too likely.

Best thing Microsoft could do with their IP I let them be outsourced and released at multiformat. A % if profits treading RareWare IP on switch would earn more money than the pointless rubbish their doing with it on their own format.

I don't know about Banjo and Kazooie. I've never played the games, but I would love to see the rest of their classic IPs - GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Jet Force Gemini, etc - return to Nintendo consoles.

No, please don't give Playtonic anything, they'll just screw it up.

MS has been open for Nintendo collaborations for a long time now.

I'd live to see a new Perfect Dark with gyro aiming in Switch, developed by Rare.

I'd love to see Banjo in Smash, as long as a new Banjo game appears on Switch! My dream would be for Playtonic to receive the development rights to Rare's pre-buyout IP and become an exclusive Nintendo dev.

Smash Brawl we got Solid Snake and Sonic.

Smash 4 we got Mega Man, Sonic, Pac-Man, Ryu, Cloud, and Bayonetta.

For Smash 5 I hope we got these: Mega Man X, Sonic, Pac-Man, Ryu, Bayonetta, Crash, Simon Belmont, Bomberman, Banjo-Kazooie, Shovel Knight, and Shantae.

I got a idea give us back our Nintendo games

Open up smash bros to paid DLC. Sell Banjo and Kazooie for $2. Allow Crash in the game if you own the trilogy. Do the same for some Kirby side characters. Make the roster dependent on Amiibo, DLC, User library. Do timed events for stages, Themed stages appear during certain months for limited time only. Follow in the footsteps of Splatoon and keep updating and changing things up. Give out medels for people who participate in timed events. Voice chat during matches so we can hear people get KO'ed

@starman292 Exactly. The only thing holding me back from buying a PS4 Pro is all this cross play bull****

All I want is Rare Replay, and the original N64 Diddy Kong Racing on the Switch. Take my money, Microsoft!

Just sell Rare back to Nintendo so they can use their various IP. It's not like Microsoft are making much use of them.

There's so many good things I can say about this so I'll go an alternate direction and say something completely different. It sure feels like Smash Bros is becoming free third-party advertisement for third party companies.

Looks like the tables have turned on all those xbox fans who said that Nintendo should go 3rd party

We need these two and Conker

Banjo-Kazooie appearing in Smash 5 should be the side effect of some kind of Banjo-Kazooie game on Switch. I would buy Rare Replay or a Banjo Trilogy.

To be honest, they're pretty low on my list of desired 3rd party Smash characters, as I feel their gameplay style would be too redundant compared to Duck Hunt. Sure, there are plenty of other semi-clones in Smash, but we should still be shooting for more original play styles first when considering new Smash challengers.

WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! THE DREAM IS REAL