New Banjo-Kazooie Merch Fuels Fresh Speculation Over A Series Revival

Oh it's gone, leave it be.

Also no guarantee anything Banjo related would even come to Switch though it would make perfect sense and would definitely sell more. My personal preference would be for a completely new Banjo game with the HD versions from the Xbox coming to Switch along with a new game

It’s coming it’s coming.... e3???? Remasters and a new game??? Please

PLEASE GIVE US BANJO ON SWITCH!!!!!!

...huh. I thought there was already a figure as I have it.

It's the one Holy Grail of a series I never got into on the N64 for no real reason in particular. Hope for the fans who adore it, something comes of this.

What happened to the Spyro on Switch rumors? Is that completely dead now?

I'd be stoked for: Banjo-Threeie, Banjo in Smash, Rare Replay on Switch... basically give us anything, please.

Even if it does happen, wouldn't it be an Xbox exclusive?

Rarewares practically dead now, almost none of the original employees work there anymore and the company is owned by Microsoft.. Not like the glory days when Rareware worked for Nintendo

A new Banjo would be great!!!
Really need Rare Replay on the Switch!!!!

@NinChocolate Hopefully we'll see something at E3 regarding Spyro, the rumors did have a date set for august so hopefully we'll hear something soon!

@NinChocolate I had just been thinking about that the other week. A Switch reveal at E3 is required. I can't help thinking that it will be on a 8gb cart with only the first game on the cart with the second and third being mandatory downloads..... I would like to be proved wrong!!

This is the kind of news I like to read in the morning.

Update: I'll die a happy man if Banjo is added to Smash!

@Moon a Banjo-Threeie would make my year!!!

Sorry I can't get excited about a remaster of an overrated game, or a new game made my completely different people.

would love me some remakes!

I will believe it when I see it. I could certainly use more Banjo Kazooie merch though!

Tickets to the hype train are now on sale. Prepare to board this weekend!

Y'know, Playtonic's been kinda quiet since Yooka-Laylee...perhaps they were approached by Rare/Microsoft to help with a new Banjo game? Even if it was indie-level, that would still be huge.

I love Banjo Kazooie.

Would buy it for the switch again, even if it was original N64 game or HD version.

Eekum-Bokum, indeed!

Well the merchandise will just be another of those characters that hold controllers, Banjo's in the same stance as they are.
As for a tie-in, we can only hope.

Alright, we got all of the classics. Except Goemon! Come on, let's bring him back! Or at least a rerelease of his localized games. Possibly, even localizing the remaining SNES games and DS one.

@dew12333 definitely not overrated

Is this Xbox Life? Why is everyone getting so excited about this?!

@Doktor-Mandrake Microsoft doesn’t believe in exclusives anymore. If a new Banjo game was to come it would likely be released on the next gen Xbox, Switch, PC (including Steam) and maybe XB1.

Banjo had this same backpack in the Totaku action figure (I have one!), posted to Nintendo Life in October last year. Probably nothing new here, sadly.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/10/random_banjo-kazooie_and_conker_are_being_added_to_the_totaku_collection

@Notshane I'd steal someone's puppy for Mystical Ninja: Starring Goemon from N64 to get some type of release. That was the first one I played, and had a freakin blast.

@CapitalQ Then why the company teases it like it's a new game? Don't kid yourself Jigglypuff. We know it's coming fam. Same with Medevil and that took people off guard. No matter if it's a remake of the first two games in the series or just a remake of one? I'll be happy to play one on next-gen hardware any day of the week.

Probably just Nuts & Bolts 2

@nitwit They didn't tease it like it's a new game. It's a merch brand promoting their own merch and saying they can't comment on it further. That's marketing.

@HobbitGamer Mystical Ninja is a classic. The game had some great music....

@CapitalQ Same with Spyro, Crash and any other game that gets merch before a said game gets announced. Don't lie to yourself and come back a week or two later replying to my comment. You will be shocked at how many Merch companies know of new games in any series before the public. Us! lol

@nitwit I work in the entertainment industry. Yes, obviously merch companies are told about new games before they're announced because it takes months to create products. But you're missing my point about how there was new Banjo (and Conker) merch over 6 months ago with plenty of speculation and no corresponding games. There's no reason to believe this is different.

@Grumblevolcano
Well that'd be neat, if they do a new banjo kazooie game I just hope they do the series justice! (and not another nuts n bolts heh)

Not sure how that'd work since...MS owns the rights to BK?
Not to say that Nintendo and Microsoft couldn't have collaborated just to get the series on its feet (and out from behind the wheel!).

@CapitalQ I’m all for keeping expectations in check here. But with the 14 New games Microsoft is revealing at E3 and the sudden influx of Banjo Merch from the 20th Anniversary, The Totaku figure, the first 4 figures statue, and now this, it’s kinda hard for people to not read too much into this.

I’m excited and would love a New Banjo or Conker game but I’m gonna temper my expectations so I don’t leave their E3 disappointed again. Besides New Battletoads is where it’s at!

Nintendo... i'm sure you can create a new game just like Banjo. Just come up with new characters and make a platform adventure game. Don't stick to only Mario characters. We want more from you

So long its in the old style a peopper reboot im ok with it.
Dont do crap this time pleaseeeeeeeee

Even with what Microsoft has been doing lasting banjo is not coming back to Nintendo systems. If ever. I still can’t get over that kart making thing I played on 360. I rather just keep the n64 memories than play another awful game from Xbox Rare. They are just not good at making games. The only time they are good is when they are farmed out to another developer.

Banjo Kablooie!
That is my mind BLOWN.

@HobbitGamer @BANJO
Impakuto!!

@CapitalQ Okay father. lol

I am surprised people are still caught up on this series. It was fine for it's time but I hardly consider it the best and Rare messed it up when they moved to Microsoft. I think most of us have moved on by now.

@dew12333 it's overrated because it's actually a really good game. Unless you played it yourself, you would know it.

Oh no, please do not play with my heart like that, please ...

I don't know. Microsoft and Nintendo have been buddy-buddy the past few years, but I don't see Microsoft letting Banjo on the Switch. Cuphead and Minecraft are one thing, but Banjo could be a big release so it probably would not happen (if the game even happens at all).

Doesn't it seem suspicious that this appears around the same time the "Google Theory" for Smash Bros Ultimate popped up?

This has happened several times before, nothing ever happens. Remember what microsoft likes to do

They remade the first two games and will be dropping them at E3 as well as a teaser for Banjo 3. This is my guess.

Would a straight re-release of banjo 1 and 2 make sense after Rare Replay? Seems a remaster would make more sense.

@strongest_link The versions in Rare Replay were remasters; dual-analog controls were introduced, textures were upgraded, framerate was doubled to 60fps, resolution was full HD and the aspect ratio was 16:9.

@NinChocolate

Not really to be honest. Especially with that mystery list of games on gamestop last week

I really want a new Banjo-Kazooie game which is a platformer but I wouldn't say no to remakes. If all this is about Super Smash Bros. I would be disappointed.

@CapitalQ Fair point, but still, what is the value proposition of releasing just those games by themselves after the release of Rare Replay?

@strongest_link Given I think it’s very likely the next gen Xbox will have backwards compatibility with everything playable on XB1, I’d guess the most likely outcome regarding re-releases vs. remasters would be Rare Replay ported to other systems (I.e. PC and/or Switch) while the XB1 version of Rare Replay remains the version for next gen Xbox. Maybe an update being released to improve the transition from Rare Replay to 360 games.

@CapitalQ I'm still waiting for Game in the UK to stock up on some more, they've been out of stock for sometime now

Ended up getting a crash bandicoot totaku instead

LICENSING

that is all.

I remember being a kid and Banjo was out on the N64 and was much more expensive than the games on Playstation and i wish games on N64 would be as cheap as PS

Is it weird that I don't want a new Banjo-Kazooie game? A remake of the first game would be nice, if handled by the right people, but I doubt a sequel developed by Microsoft could ever work nearly as well.
EDIT: After seeing the teaser for Battle of Bikini Bottom Rehydrated (love that title, lmao), I am becoming more eager for Banjo-Kazooie to get a remake! If Banjo-Tooie got a remake, too, that would be the cherry on top; I wouldn't think it necessary, but I'd appreciate it nonetheless.

I don’t think this is alluding to a new game: just a controller stand.

@Wexter idk, they published two banjo games on the gba, so I don't know how this would be any different.

@sandman89
Sorry but I found the character movement very sloppy and gave up on it quite early if I'd given it a bit more time I may have felt different.
@KazooieTooie Played it when it released and I didn't like it, same reason as above.

Banjo for smash doesnt seem out of the question at the moment

@dew12333 big mistake

Let's look at Nintendo's E3 2017: Metroid Prime 4 announcement and Metroid Samus Returns announced in the Nintendo Treehouse. We never see it coming. Do we?

I'm up for new banjo kazooie game, as long as its not more nuts and bolts that was garbage.

Nuts and Bolts was great. It just wasn't what people were asking for. And Rare rarely do what people ask for. They make what they want.

It's worth noting that Rare is launching its own merchandise store. So there will be a lot of random merch coming with no games attached.

@feder That was because Microsoft did not have a portable system at the time they published Rare games on the GBA/DS. In this case, it would be for a system that is in direct competition as Microsoft, so it does create issues. Especially if let's say this potential Banjo game would also be on the Xbone.

@Wexter Actually, it's not competition anymore. Xbox is all about getting gamers on its digital network. It's why Xbox games are on PC. It's why Minecraft and Cuphead are on Switch.

More Microsoft games will be coming to Switch.

@Dringo, I still hold my doubts. Minecraft was an established IP before Microsoft purchased it (like Banjo), but was already multi-platform on 360, PS3, iOS, Android and PC. It would make sense for Microsoft to not rock the boat by also having it on PS4, Wii U and in turn Switch to keep Minecraft on as many platforms as possible and to avoid controversy with its established player-base.

Cuphead is an interesting beast as we are not totally in the know in regards to the deal that went down. But, it was a rather small production and would not hurt it as an IP to also allow it on Switch. Maybe, Microsoft wanted to test to see if their IPs would sell on a Nintendo platform and gauge sales to see if it matched or surpassed the Xbone sales. We don't know.

As for Microsoft putting their games on PC? That was established back in the OG Xbox days, and they shifted away from that with the 360. Integrating Xbox with their Windows OS seems to be a core part of their business moving forward, and it makes sense. I'm still not sure if we will see Banjo on Switch for the same reason that we have yet to see Killer Instinct, Gears of War and Halo as they are core Microsoft IPs (excluding Minecraft for the already established reasons why it is on multiple platforms). If they also see Banjo as a core IP moving forward, they may not want to allow it on the Switch a platform that they do not have control over and may instead put smaller IPs on it to allow Nintendo players to get a taste of what they offer on Windows and Xbox platforms. I would like to be wrong as I would love to play a proper Banjo game on my Switch.

@Wexter Xbox explicitly told me they want to reach gamers across all platforms, PC, Console and mobile. And when I specified if that included PS4 and Switch, they repeated the answer.

@Dringo So Phil Spencer head of Microsoft, explicitly stated that and revealed their business plans to you? That they plan to put key, important IPs on a competitors platform and devalue their own? Sorry if I have doubts that I will see Gears of War or Halo on Switch as while that would be really great, it makes close to zero sense. On Windows 10? Sure makes perfect sense. Steam? A little less sense, but that's where the PC player base is so it makes sense to do that. Switch? Halo, and Gears on Switch? No sense what so ever. Not unless it is Game Pass, I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Maybe I'm wrong to have doubts, and Spencer will pop into Nintendo's E3 and announce Halo on Switch and Master Chief in Smash... but if I was a better man, I would not put a bet on that.

@Wexter Yes. To me. To everyone that has asked them that question in the last 18 months. My piece with Phil in December was more vague, but my piece with the head of xCloud was more explicit.

This is the thing a lot of consumers are struggling to grasp. To Microsoft the ‘platform’ isn’t the box under the screen. It is Xbox Live. It is Game Pass. It will be xCloud. Those are its platforms. That’s why every single first party Xbox game is coming to PC now (including Steam). It’s why their Game Stack services are open platform. To them, it’s about reaching all gamers with its services. The box under the TV is just one method. It’s not about unit sales, it’s about a global player base. Remember - Microsoft isn’t built as a hardware business.

Now, Switch doesn’t have the capabilities to run Gears 5 and so on - except via xCloud - so we won’t be seeing all Xbox games on Switch. But there will be more like Cuphead. Xbox Live is already coming to Switch. I suspect xCloud will be. We may even hear a bit about it next week.

Nintendo is no longer a direct rival to Microsoft. But an avenue for them to reach more gamers. The question is whether Nintendo will allow them to use Switch in such a way. I suspect they will

@Dringo See that is why I have no doubt about stuff like Cuphead. They are small indi-games that give people a taste of Microsoft's IPs. But, I'm just not sure yet because I always have doubts. Cloud streaming makes sense to me because you're paying a subscription to Microsoft and it circumvents the conventional limitations to console games. But, until I see more larger Microsoft games appears on a Nintendo platform I will remain skeptical and not get my hopes up for anything that will more than likely not happen... I give them a week before they blow my skepticism out of the water with something crazy like Chief in Smash or something like that.

@Wexter A Halo/Banjo Smash level is doing just what you said... giving Nintendo fans a taste of Microsoft IP. But... it’s really Nintendo’s call that. Not Xbox. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Minecraft.

I have heard there’s definitely something Microsoft coming to Smash.

I have a feeling a new Banjo Kazooie is in the works, probably a reboot. But I guess Rareware won't work on it themselves (for example, Killer instinct 3 was made by a different company. And so will be the new Battletoads). Wich is sad. Hopefully it will still be great, if it happens of course. But I don't think we will ever see it on Switch.

I've been saying for a while that Banjo and Erdrick will be announced based on quite a few things including rumors, reveal trends, release dates, fan wishes, Microsoft's current state with Nintendo, legacy, and some other stuff. We'll see in a week.

@ryancraddock
Please can you not put details of the leak on the homepage.

If it’s just smash dlc it’ll be a bit flat.. I’ll love it but yeah.... I want more

BANJO AMIIBO!!

Hope it’s a new game, remake is fine too but I’ve played originals to death. Played a level in dreams today that has me also wanting a Mario 64 remake in hd, if we aren’t getting an Odyssey sequel then I would love that!

I’m sorry, but calling that man’s comment a “tease” about Banjo being in Smash is a massive stretch.

Please, PLEASE be true! He would be the only fighter I would use!!!

JUST
PLEASE
NO

A speculation/rumour article, a speculation/rumour update. Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar indeed.

I don't know. Maybe Microsoft is going to announce a new game at E3. Still not going to buy an Xbox 1 for it.

I'll probably get a used xb1 next gen if I can get one for under $80 just for Rare Replay though.

Perfect Dark without frame rate issues.

Also I think people like this game due to nostalgia, so no new game will be adored by fans if it's faithful to the first two because those games don't really hold up without nostalgia.

Since Rare is pretty much a shell of it's former self and very few people if any are still left from back in the N64 days many left by the time the next gen cam around to form Free Radical and Nintendo could obviously tell that so they obviously weren't to bothered about a bidding war for their services and their output of game hasn't been the same since. Showing how bad they have become Microsoft isn't even letting them develop their old games series and Killer Instinct and now the upcoming Battletoads. If there is a new Banjo game it will more than likely be a Xbox1 exclusive or a Microsoft one and come to Windows too but I doubt a Switch game right now.

@Bunkerneath Would 100% offset having to buy a potential Steve amiibo.

I'm still holding onto my theory that the "game series thought to have been dead" that Nintendo confirmed it was reviving has to be Banjo and Kazooie. Perhaps they made a deal with Microsoft/Rareware and bought the rights to the game series?

Really can’t get over the fact Banjo Kazooie doesn’t belong to Nintendo anymore, can ya?

Banjo Kazooie was awesome. So much better than Mario 64. I've finished it more than 50 times haha. But Banjo - Tooie ... I haven't finished it a single time. Don't know why, but the Second Game wasn't really good at all. Especially if you compare it to the first game.

and since microsoft bought rare - every banjo game was basically golden crap ;P

But i don't think i would rebuy them on switch ... have the "16:9 remasters" already on xbox 360/one. Good game, but not worth to spend money on it again .... And a new game? Rare isn't rare anymore - see Sea of Thieves. SoT is a nice game, but has nothing to do with the masterpieces from rare, we saw 20 years ago (DKC1,2,3, Goldeneye, Banjo...)

Why is there an article about Banjo-Kazooie posted on this website like every other week?

@eRaz0r Banjo-Tooie is a great game, the problem is that it's too complicated and you have to do a lot of backtracking and separate and unite the characters many times to get 100%. In that sense Banjo-Kazooie is better because you can go wherever you want and still get 100%.

@Gravitron For once I was right. Banjo made it.