
Conker’s creator, Chris Seaver, recently shared his thoughts about Banjo-Kazooie being announced as a playable DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch.
While he believes it was a “significant” moment, he doesn't think there would be as much interest in the return of other Rare IP:
It is significant, very significant but it was also inevitable. You only have to look at the reaction to Banjo’s appearing in Smash to see that this was purely a fan driven thing, and fans are if nothing else a noisy and belligerent bunch. I mean, it’s an abbreviation of ‘Fanatic’ after all.
Whether they’ll be as loud about the other IP’s including Conker is up for debate… I’d say not likely.
Conker, in particular, hasn't really done much since leaving Nintendo. Rare released a remake of Conker's Bad Fur Day on Xbox and later on, he appeared on Microsoft's HoloLens and was featured in the Xbox One title, Project Spark. Rare also had plans for a sequel to his mature-themed outing on the Nintendo 64, but the game never saw the light of day.
As for Chris, he's now at the UK Studio Gory Detail and is focused on Rusty Pup and a new game project.
What do you think, though? Would you like to see other Rare IP – like Conker – make a return to Nintendo hardware? Leave a comment down below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 103
Chances are decent for us getting Rare Replay.
Is he still at Rare? Because this sounds like a test to see how people would react.
Rare Replay would sell at least the same as it did on Xbox, there's no reason MS wouldn't do such move.
I'd love for them to come out with Rare Replay: Nintendo Switch Edition. Even if you leave out some of the Microsoft-exclusive titles, if you traded in some of the Nintendo-era titles in their place, it'd be a million-seller for sure.
Honestly, I'd love to be able to play Jet Force Gemini again on my Switch. It was one of those games that my brother and I (plus a couple of friends) loved to sit down and play together in, whether it was the simple 2-player co-op function in the story mode campaign or playing against each other in multiplayer mode.
I've been wanting Rare Replay since I heard of it's existence. I'll take most anything from Rare's extensive back catalog. I'd love the chance to prove this guy wrong.
At least give us Rare Replay...that would tell you if Switch owners would want more Rare games or not...
I would like a new Conker game more than anything. I prefer Conker over Banjo and I won’t lie about that.
@shonenjump86
I agree.
I mean. A lot of people have been begging for Replay on Switch, me included. Make it happen and let us show you we want them.
Sure, if they could capture the same feel as Rare had back in the day. Thing is, most of the talents from then have moved on, hence why projects like BK: Nuts & Bolts ended up entirely different.
WE WANT RUSTY PUP! C’mon Chris...show us the goods!
Ohhhh what about Viva Piñata with touch controls?? I loved both.
Bring on Sea of Thieves and the upcoming Battletoads while they at it.
I like to think the old adage "If you build it, they will come" can be applied in these situations. It's a risk, no doubt. But sometimes, fans can be pleasantly surprised by the thing they didn't necessarily ask for if it turns out to be high quality
Yeah cause there are more noise for them on Xbox right? 😂😂😂
@KyleHyde JFG all the way.
@tonyhoro He's at Gory Detail and most recently worked on Rusty Pup.
It's quite simple. Crwod fund pre orders of a new Banjo and Conker game and let us fans who have wanted these games for over ten years now show you how much we want them.
insert mad max meme: thats bait!
I think there is a huge desire for Rare on Nintendo Switch. They’re games were some of the best during the 90s, and I think many (myself included) would love to see that part of Nintendo return.
Still don’t get why we never had a conker sequel.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT.
@SpacedDuck its microsoft ,they dont need crowdfunding they aren't poor
Personally I would like a jet force gemini remake or sequel. I never cared about the bear, bird or squirrel. I remember that jfg was the first shooter that I found fun and likely part of the reason that I prefer 3PS games if i have to play a shooter.
Give us Rare Replay and see how it does ... guarantee it sells a few million at least. Rare & Nintendo were perfect together I don’t see that changing (...then we can start on getting Killer Instinct back lol).
they would have to spend money porting a portion of its library which would cost more then its worth and you wouldnt be gettin this for 30 dollars
He is probably right, as more kids has Banjo than they did Conker. Also Banjo came out during the height of Nintendo culture, and is basically an intrical part of that identity.
I would love for Rare replay to come out on Switch, or even PS4. That being said, Rare belongs to microsoft now, so we are not owed anything.
I will probably buy a XB1 later to just play Perfect Dark with a stable frame rate.
@DarkLloyd
I would gladly pay $60 for the Rare library back on a Nintendo console. As a huge rare fan, (even though it won’t be that high) I’d gladly go as high as triple that if I had to.
The portability of it would be more worth it for me. And with all of the quality games it comes with, even $60 is a steal.
I already bought Rare Replay on Xbox One and played it to 99% completion (the only thing Im missing is Perfect Dark Zero and Viva Pinata stamps), but I would buy it again the INSTANT it comes out for Switch!
That said, in terms of Conker specifically, I played his game for the first time in the collection and his game was really good! It was funny and controlled well, but it definitely has aged poorly in the control department in certain areas. Had a blast of a time, but was honestly one of the weaker N64 era games in the collection in my opinion.
Not the first time Chris has said conker wouldn't work in modern times, also he did try with that project spark thing but that was a flop
There might be a way for conker to make a come back, at the same time it relied a lot on old pop references (like matrix for example) so I can understand his sentiment he has expressed over the years about Conker
He did make a little indie game, kinda like lemmings, called Rusty Pup, it's available for iOS and steam/pc
He should consider releasing Rusty Pup onto Switch, I think it'd have a very good audience here and it's not a very well known game (they didn't have any money for marketing)
Seriously, anyone who hasn't heard of the game yet and likes Conker, look up Rusty Pup.
@AnnoyingFrenzy You liked Zero?
Perfect Dark on 64 was one of my fav games, and tbh Zero still gives me nightmares.. Probably still my biggest disappointment in video games to this day.. The biggest. disappointment.
Agreed... unless we're talking about Jet Force Gemini. I want a remaster on Switch!
@Doktor-Mandrake NOPE! The reason I don't have the stamps for it is that every time I try to play it I get extremely bored. It just isn't a very interesting game.
@popey1980 Dude, the new KI is great! Got it on PC during the last summer sale on a whim and am having a great time! I would love to see it on Switch!
Goldeneye with online multiplayer would light the switch on fire. But I guess it's not really Rare IP even though it's a Rare game
Jet Force Gemini was possibly my favourite game on the N64. My ears still recall fondly the Predator-like tunes on the purply-green cliffside area... what a game.
I didn't care much for Conker... I thought it would be like BK, but there was too much visual clutter and annoying things to do. I always thought its crassness was there to make up for the crappy gameplay (much like Mortal Kombat used gore to try to make up for a fighting system that was vastly inferior to SFII).
Why do they constantly play down how much people are desperate for new games with the rare IP? Rare games were the best along with Nintendo back in the day!
@tonyhoro Why do Nintendo fans think they are entitled to any game they want on Switch? Is just getting it on PC asking to much?
How about we give the XBOX One BOTW & Smash while we're at it? Like, you really think Microsoft is going to just give a whole library of games to a console that they don't even own?
@shonenjump86 I’m with you. When I played Conker on the 64 I remember constantly being blown away at how genial it was. Really hope they build out the sequel they had planned. I’d buy day 1.
@AnnoyingFrenzy Ya I really like the Killer Instinct reboot as well, never played the original K.I however but damn that reboot one is a great modern fighting game, would too love to see it on the switch
As much as I would love to see Rare Replay on Switch, I highly doubt it’s going to ever happen.
I'd be surprised if Conker didn't perform well on Switch. The same goes for Rare Replay. I'd even venture to guess it'd sell more copies on Switch than Xbox One.
I always wanted another Conker and I never cared about Banjo Kazooie
Battletoads, Jet Force Gemini and Conker's Bad Fur Day.
Those three I would throw cash at right away.
You know what Chris Seaver? I prefer them over Banjo.
Turned on my xbox 360 the other day and I have Banjo-Kazooie/Tooie as well as the Perfect Dark remaster.
I have no other means if playing those games.
Rare Replay Switch please!
@backup368 don’t forget that after MS buying Rare, they released 2 Banjo games and Mr Pants on the GBA and Viva Piñata and the DKR remake on the DS - all on the basis that MS weren’t in the handheld market so it wasn’t direct competition. And now we’ve got Xbox exclusives like Cuphead coming to Switch, is Banjo in Smash, it seems clear that MS are again seeing Nintendo as an opportunity to print money in a market they’ve not penetrated themselves.
Maybe Rare Replay as a whole is a pipe dream, but there’s clearly a huge demand for it. I don’t pretend to know how much effort it takes to port over to Switch, but surely it’s got to be more cost effective than developing entirely new games from scratch? Sounds like easy money for MS to me.
As to the demand for other Rare IP on Switch? I’d kill to see Conker, Perfect Dark, Battletoads or Killer Instinct over here.
Release conker bad fur day and I will show you my support
Well, Chris, I just saw you in the singleplayer Smash. Bros. Melee credits yesterday, billed as voice actor. Whether you're DK's voice or the one "rapping", I want more of everything you ever touched on Switch. How do ya like THEM prunes.
I am pretty certain Jet Force Gemini is the only other IP from Rare I ever truly cared about.
Don't get the wrong impression; I enjoyed many of Rare's games, from Battletoads to Blast Corps. But honestly, if we live in a timeline where Rare stayed put, JFG is likely the only game series that would have me giggly.
@Pod "I want more of everything you ever touched"
"How do ya like THEM prunes"
I can think of a couple of things hes most certainly touched that I defenately dont want.....his prunes being the answer 😂
As much as I have fond memories of all of Rare's N64 games, I'd actually have to agree with this guy's statement. Banjo-Kazooie is a slice of timeless perfection. Most everything else would be nice to see but a bit of a slog to actually play through again. Lest we forget, everyone already has a monstrous backlog of recent games.
I don't know, Goldeneye / Perfect Dark would also be very welcome. The former being genre defining. I think there would be a huge demand for that on all systems. Really surprised the folk who hold the licence (multiple I understand) don't get a remaster sorted for everyone. It's a big deal. I don't know, they must not appreciate the game was much more seminal than the movie.
Rare developers lost motivation after they got so much cash from Microsoft. So they only released crap games like Perfect Dark on Xbox 360. I'm not sure if acquisition was bad move though, Microsoft at least got some sweet ip's
Think their be plenty of interest in conker or any ip of rare making an return on switch. However the fan reaction would pale in comparison to an return of Banjo
My favourite game!!
@ShadJV That game was still made by the BK team. The same senior creators worked on that project. It was different because that team likes to make different things.
@backup368 They are now more about securing players into Xbox Live/Game Pass than they are about selling hardware. So yes. It’s quite possible
Goldeneye/Perfect Dark
Blast Corps
We already have Mario but I’d be up for some Conker and Banjo on Switch too.
Rare Replay I’ve heard mixed things but I’d give it a go too.
I bought an Xbox one because of rare replay and I'd buy rare replay again if it came to the Switch
I can understand him. Conker is such a special game, that could really only work in the 90s and early 2000s. People nowadays take games and media way to serious, so that a concept like Conker's Bad fur Day wouldn't even get green-lighted.
I love these blanket comments about Switch owners based on seemingly absolutely nothing (taking a page from EAs book). Especially in this case, referencing a character that has barely done anything in 20 years.
Nope, I'd hate to have Battletoads, Killer Instinct, Jet Force Gemini, Wizards & Warriors, Blast Corps, Perfect Dark or any of the other rubbish Rare IPs
I think people are treating Banjo-Kazooie being playable in Smash as a sign that the Rare from 90's and early 00's before Microsoft purchased them, is going to be resurrected to its full glory and bring Banjo-Threeie back to life and such as it was originally planned.
That is just mere fantasy. That version of Rare is dead and gone forever. The brains behind the old Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Perfect Dark and Donkey Kong Country games have left the company a long time ago and don't seem to plan on ever coming back to it.
@MasterGraveheart I they'd release Rare replay on Switch with Goldeneye 007, it would sell 3 million units. But that's a wet dream that will never become a reality.
I tried playing Rare Replay on the Xbox because I didn't play the original games as I've always been an RPG person. None of them have aged that well to me.
But if people want them then bring them.
Conker remastered. Please and thank you!
There were better franchises than Banjo from Rare.
Rare Replay on switch would be amazing!!!
However, bringing Killer Instinct (original, not the new dog dirt one), Conker and Battletoads to Switch. I’ll day one buy them all
Meh... we're good. Conker is an overrated game imo. Played it and besides the swearing its quite medicore at best. Donkey kong 64 is better
@Shinobi1Kenoby exactly mister!
@SolarJetman mortal kombat wasn't inferior. it had its own style. that is why it is still popular today.
Conker would be a great addition to the switch, not the Switch lite. Oh how i long for the drunk lil creatures return to fame.
@ForgottenArctic I loved conkers bad fur day
Well, I think he's wrong! The Switch audience would love more Rareware stuff, the older Nintendo followers at least.
That’s where you’re wrong buddy 😎👉👉
Even if they give us a Conker remake and sequel, kids will probably still play it, they've been infesting adult MP games for a while now.. Thanks to moron parents.
The toxicity and language gets worse day by day in gaming.
I’d buy a revised Rare Replay if it were just the Rare/Nintendo games
Sorry, but Rare games belongs on Nintendo hardware far more then Microsoft who barely uses them. If this man thinks fans don't want it, he's clearly delusional. A Battletoads Collection is sorely needed. I would also take Snake, Rattle n Roll and the gameshow games they did with Coin-It.
@ekwcll I felt the controls and animation were both very stiff in the MK games compared with SF2. To each their own, of course
@backup368 Why do you even think I'd make such a nonsensical statement?
is considering a game on a platform that's primarily bought by people who played games on the same franchise in the past a signal that I'm being, as you said, 'entitled'?
Also, I hope PC doesn't get anything.
I would love to see Conker on the Switch!
@Mgene15 To be honest...
...I never played it. BUT I RESPECT IT AND I WILL SOMEDAY!!
I couldn't care less about Smash.
But let's face it, those who have multiple consoles, would surely like to play anything that looks the same, on the Switch, because only that has portability.
So if Microsoft lets Rare publish anything on the Switch, they would be their own enemy if they didn't.
Guys, we're talking about the hottest console of the world! Don't be dumb to ignore it! ;D
@SetupDisk @aSmilingMan well, Battletoads is getting a new game although I’m not too high on at the moment. If Battletoads can get a new game then maybe there’s hope for Conker.
Are they crazy? i'd LOVE to see Rare back on the Switch. Banjo Kazooie remaster! Battletoads! Killer Instinct! other stuff i cant think of at the moment but still awesome!!!
Clearly he doesn't know d*** about Conker if he thinks it would sell poorly. How can companies forget how popular their own IPs are? If knew people took control, you think the older ones would compile a list stating: Yo, these games are the s***. Make more.
I though Conker LIve and Reloaded was awesome
I want Rare Replay on Switch please
I can't imagine Microsoft allowing this. But I'd love to be proven wrong!
@backup368
But it's not on pc, it's an Xbox exclusive
Perfect Dark please. I would buy that in a NY minute.
People did cry out for Diddy- , and would have for Donkey Kong. I'd say the Rare love spreads beyond the burd~
A new Grabbed by the Ghoulies would be fantastic. Just keep the Arkham combat system FAR away from it.
I absolutely loved Conker's Bad Fur Day and would defo buy a HD remake of it on Switch if given the chance.
Also loved Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and Killer Instinct.
I loved playing Conker and then Conker Live and Reloaded was a nice rendition but wasn't quite as good imo as the original. However, whenever Nintendo would put out a vote on a new Smash character, I would ALWAYS put in Conker
Id like a remaster of the banjo games on switch. not necessarily a remake, just a new version that renders everything more clearly and adjusts the aspect ratio to support modern displays. if they WANT to put in things like higher resolution textures and models, more power to em, but id settle for the former.
@gaga64 And you assume Microsoft kept letting them? No. They likely were still honoring a past contract.
@backup368 given that Viva Piñata DS was released 6 years after the buyout, published with THQ without any involvement of Nintendo, and based on an IP jointly owned by Microsoft and Rare, I think it’s quite unlikely that it was a contractual obligation.
On the other hand, Rare haven’t been anywhere near Nintendo systems since then, so who knows for sure?
@gaga64 Yeah, so why did they stop there?
@backup368 maybe sales weren’t up to expectations and they wanted to redistribute staff with a more cost effective focus. Or yeah, maybe senior execs at Microsoft decided they didn’t want their staff working on games for a rival company’s hardware any more. Corporate stances can change / evolve both ways. Hence , Microsoft have since given Nintendo access to Minecraft, Cuphead, Ori and Banjo in Smash. Hoping for Rare games on Switch isn’t as unrealistic as it was on previous Nintendo consoles.
I read the part about where he works as "UK Studio Gory Dental" at first.
Conker's Bad Fur Day should have been ported to the Switch before Banjo, imo. Conker's BFD is such an awesome game. Banjo? Never played it. Conker should be in Smash, not Banjo.
@keihtg he's a lost cause now. He had a shot of success by putting rusty on switch, and cancelled it. The only shot he has now is Kickstarter, but he cancelled the Conker revival too.
I love how they talk about not much being done, that is because Rareware fell apart long before they left Nintendo. Look at Donkey Kong 64 which was a mess of a game, then you have Dinosaur Planet which Shiggy forced a rework with Starfox characters in an attempt to save that pile and it was still so bad.
Can we stop pretending that RareWare was this AAA company when Nintendo sold them off. There is a reason why Nintendo allowed Rare to find a buyer instead of making them a First Party. That pattern only continued to get spiral out of control. They were losing a lot of talent around the late 90s and it happened time and again with many headlines. I blame the CEO brothers and this was long before the sale to Microsoft. They couldn't even hit a homerun with a simple remake of Conkers. Most people still prefer the original because it had more charm and better censorship timing along with the amazing multiplayer that was oddly cut. Conkers Bad Fur Day was the last team that has a cohesive vision that worked at the company and they never released another title even close to a AAA title by any measure.
What I mean by all of this, just because some of the members that made up the team that delivered Conker's Bad Fur Day still worked their does not mean anything. You need great leadership to bring people together and everyone has to work well together. People often forget that multiple teams exist at even small companies working on multiple games at once. This is why you saw the gems of Conker's Bar Fur Day and Perfect Dark releasing just after the trash of Donkey Kong 64 and just before Star Fox Adventures which wasn't even mediocre.
Either way, Switch could benefit from new players checking out hidden gems like Jet Force Gemini.
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