Banjo-Kazooie

Following the official reveal of Banjo-Kazooie as a DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer caught up with Kotaku to discuss how exactly the Microsoft and Rare-owned character was able to make an appearance in the popular Nintendo fighter.

According to Spencer, the story isn't as interesting as some people might think. Microsoft already maintained positive relationships with Nintendo's third-party team, as it is one of the biggest third-party publishers on the Switch.

“Obviously we’re one of the biggest third-party publishers on Switch, so we have great relationships with their third-party team. And you’ve seen the ambition they’ve had with every character that’s ever been in Smash and even more. So it was just kind of part of the partnership relationship we have with them.”

It was so easy, in fact, Spencer explains how a lot of conversations you might expect to hear associated with a deal like this weren't required.

“There wasn’t anything kind of CEO-to-CEO that had to happen"

He said he had personally always been open to the idea of Banjo one day appearing in Nintendo's all-star fighting game:

“People have asked me on social [media]—I’m sure you’ve seen that—over many years: ‘Would I welcome having Banjo in Smash?’ and I’ve always been open to that.”

Spencer further explained how many fans seemed to forget Microsoft had been working with Nintendo for a long time now – helping to bring Rare's Donkey Kong Country series to the company's past digital services and devices as well as releasing certain games on its portable line of hardware.

That's why, from his perspective at least, there's not really an interesting story behind Banjo's appearance in Smash:

“The reason it’s not some interesting, deep conversation is because with us owning Rare and the history between those two things, there are a lot of conversations over the years about, ‘Hey, we want to do “X” is that ok?’”

What do you think about Phil's comments? Does this give you hope for the future? Tell us down in the comments.

[source kotaku.com.au]