With the bear and bird now perfectly playable in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the love for Banjo-Kazooie has felt particularly strong as of late. You'll no doubt be aware of the original N64 game, its sequel Banjo-Tooie and more, but did you know that the series almost received a 2D platformer on the Game Boy Color?
The cancelled game has been covered on the DidYouKnowGaming YouTube channel by video game researcher and archiver, Liam Robertson. In the video, he explains that the game - which would have been known as Banjo Kazooie: Grunty’s Curse - was actually a title that would go on to become Banjo Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge, a spin-off of sorts which released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003.
The scrapped Game Boy Color title has some similarities with the game which eventually released on the newer hardware, but there are noticeable differences to be found within its storyline and levels, with some ideas sadly never making it across. We won't spoil too much here as the video's well worth watching, but feel free to dive in to learn more and see original design documents which go over some of the ideas had by the talented folks at Rare.
Do you wish you could have had the chance to experience this game? Give us your mightiest "Guh-huh!" in the comments below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 14
Well now that certainly would have been interesting
The Donkey Kong Land games were pretty decent so it might have been a great game had it planned out.
Banjo-Kazooie and the Impossible Lair
Didn’t watch the video but per the write up this game went on to become Grunty’s Revenge on GBA. So I’m assuming the GBA game was a better version since it actually released. As someone who owns the GBA game, I’d say we didn’t miss much with the cancellation of Grunty’s Curse because imo Grunty’s Revenge isn’t that good to begin with.
@JasonLee99 I mean, that's reductive at best. Long story short the GBC version never launched due to a lack of manpower, and then the game was forced by execs to go from 2D sidescrolling platformer to pseudo-3D, which forced a lot of content to be cut.
The way he says Banjo is... a choice.
This Grunty's Curse looked like it was going to be somewhat good...better than Grunty's Revenge, at least.
It nice to see what Banjo-Kazooie Grunty's Curse could have been.
Wow!!! Why we never got this interesting game??
Well, Banjo-Kazooie DID have a 2D (top down) game on GBA. Doesn't anyone remember that one? It was actually the first Banjo game I played.
I feel like in some small way I helped make this DidYouknowGaming? episode happen.
@JasonLee99 With you on that one, Grunty's Revenge wasn't a good game. Forced myself to complete it simply because it was a Banjo Kazooie game.
Considering nobody likes Conker in 2D for Game Boy Color, I doubt they'll like Banjo-Kazooie in 2D for Game Boy Color as well. These games are made with 3D in mind so they'll feel awkward in 2D.
Interesting video.
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