Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has given us plenty of cool surprises when it comes to DLC characters, but the addition of Banjo and Kazooie has been perhaps the most noteworthy. While the dynamic animal duo is famous for two critically-acclaimed N64 adventures, when Rare was bought by Microsoft the franchise went over to Xbox, with little apparent chance of it ever gracing a Nintendo console again.
That's what made the arrival of the pair in Smash so amazing; it felt entirely unlikely at one point. In a wonderful interview over at Gamesindustry.biz, Rare studio head Craig Duncan has been speaking about how this remarkable collaboration came to be:
Minecraft had paved the way for that relationship between Nintendo and Microsoft. I met with Nintendo at the E3 before we announced it. And then we connected our teams, because we thought it seemed like a great opportunity.
We had an initial kick off call with Sakurai-san and some of his team. There was myself, Gregg Mayles... who is the father of Banjo, even though he hates it when we call him that. Andrew Wensley, who runs our business team. And a chap called Paul Cunningham, who runs our partnerships. Those people had a conversation, [Nintendo] talked through what their approach would be, and then that process started.
And then a year goes by of sharing animatics and ideas and character concepts. It was a back-and-forth. We ended up with something that was really great. But the execution came from the Smash team.
Microsoft's openness to working with companies like Nintendo certainly gives us hope that other cool collaborations could happen in the future (we'd be happy with Rare Replay on Switch, if we're honest).
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 41
Would be really great if you could port perfect dark 64 as well. Thanks.
"(we'd be happy with Rare Replay on Switch, if we're honest)"
That's the only comment the article needs.
Interesting. So talks about Banjo really began around the time Ultimate was officially shown at E3 2018, and he was unveiled a year later. Kind of puts into perspective how long it takes for a character idea to become a reality in Smash.
@rjejr they could sell the games individually making more money and Nintendo fans would pay for them because they are used to overpaying for games.
@thesilverbrick I thought that too. Presumably third party characters take a little longer than first party though, as they won’t have immediate access to the original assets, and part of the year is spent agreeing fees etc with legal terms and such
@rjejr PC would be the first big step as currently the XB1 version of Rare Replay uses 360 backwards compatibility versions of some games like the 3 Banjo games, the 2 Perfect Dark games, etc. so to have a version of Rare Replay that doesn't rely on 360 backwards compatibility would be a strong start.
@sixrings I 100% stand behind this idea.
I bought Banjo Kazooie Fighter yesterday as nothing else in first Fighter pass interrested me. Perhaps i buy the KOF one later as a old Neo Geo fan.
I also bought Cuphead and Piranha Plant.
Anyways. I hope Fighters Pass 2 have more interresting characters than the first one.
Anyways. Microsoft have stopped support for Switch because of the upcoming Xbox One SX, so there is no need to beg for anymore games. Cuphead DLC will be the last in near future.
WHERES STEVE AT?!?!?!
PLEASE GIVE US RARE REPLAY!!!
@KingKRoolMain I am certain Steve will be added in later as a mii costume. In same same vain as Sans and Cuphead where he'll come with his own music.
Shane we won't get the real Banjo Kazooie games on Switch
@sixrings I had that "30 for $30" disc for awhile, pack-in w/ my X1, and I'm not sure they could make more money selling them individually b/c a lot of those early games are just junk.
Now, they could add 1 a month to NO from the first 20 or so, then sell off the rest of the newer games, some of which are very good, bu that seems like a lot of work.
I suppose it would also be a TON of work to get all 30 of those games to run on Switch which is probably why it will never happen.
@Grumblevolcano The more I think about it, the less worthwhile the whole endeavor seems.
Those 3 packs of Crash and Spyro go for $40 each, might be better off doing the same for Banjo, maybe add Conker, leave the others be. But I have no nostalgic attachment to any of them so I probably shouldn't have a say.
@Ventilator yes I was equally disappointed with first one so not buying second one till I know what I’m getting
@rjejr $20 for banjo $20 for banjo 2 $20 for perfect dark 64. Everything else is gravy.
So why no Rare collection on switch!
@rjejr Not really, Microsoft is focusing more on PC than Xbox consoles at this point with stuff like MCC coming to PC, Gears Tactics coming first to PC and Age of Empires still exclusive to PC so it feels like a version of Rare Replay without a reliance on 360 backwards compatibility is kind of inevitable, either that PC somehow manages to run 360 games.
What I want is goldeneye 007 from N64 on the Switch. Old graphic and new updated graphic that players can change as they wish. Online gameplay too. This game was one of the best on N64.
Yeah give us Rare Replay on Switch already. Surely sales of it have slowed down enough on Xbox One that it would give them a big sales boost now?
I think Xbox will bring games to Switch if it might help sales of Xbox. A bit like why they put Ori on Switch, six months before the Ori sequel comes out on Xbox.
So maybe if a new Perfect Dark gets announced, it'll be a reason to port Perfect Dark HD to Switch...
@patbacknitro18
That isn't going to happen. Steve's proportions would not work well on a Mii Fighter, and unlike Sans and Cuphead, he has a lot of other different tools at his disposal that could translate into a moveset almost like that of Villager's. If Smash acknowledges the best-selling game of all time (between versions) and a million seller on Switch in Japan alone, it'll either be as a mere Spirit or a slot in Fighters Pass Volume 2.
Personally, I believe a Castle Crashers knight Mii Swordfighter would be more likely, but I'd like to hear your reasoning.
@sandman89 I doubt i will buy the next pass either way as i most likely want 0-3 at most.
If Dante from DMC and Crash Bandicoot is there, i might get those atleast.
I would buy Waluigi, but he will for sure not be in any season pass anyway.
As for fighter passes. You only get like 15% discount vs standalone characters, so they are pointless unless you want all of them.
@Grumblevolcano I'm watching MS migrate to PC, more and more games on Gamepass every day as I enjoy my 3 months for $1, and I expect XSX will be $799 and they'll sell a dozen, but moving all of he games to Switch seems like work.
Though I suppose since Switch is just an Nvidia Shield w/, well basically nothing else it's just a Shield, moving those games maybe wouldn't be too hard.
@PikaPhantom you can not seriously think Cuphead, a 2D model translated to 3D, would work better than Steve, an already existing 3D model which can be scaled appropriately fit the fighter. Yes it is entirely possible, in fact its even more so after Cuphead and Sans got their costumes considering they have worst proportions for Mii Fighter than Steve, yet they managed to make them work. Steve would fit perfectly, make him a Sword fighter and either give him his Diamond Picaxe or a Diamond Sword, a Picaxe would work perfectly fine giving the much stranger variety of weapons other Mii costumes use, like the Yiga clan outfit. So yea, Steve would fit perfectly as a mii fighter costume.
It's fitting that the best thing Rare has done in nearly twenty years was a project essentially fulfilled by another company. Jibs aside, great on them for allowing their IP to return home from the void.
I really hope we get to see RareReplay on Switch somewhere down the line.
With Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. is a sign of good things to come.
I’m glad. This was the best fighter pass character and so heavily demanded!
@Smashfan502 You may be surprised: https://bit.ly/2UhMnQy
UK lingo for "to tease, insult", a bit old-timey. Apt given Rare are distinctly English, though!
@sixrings
well depends in what perspective, the games also hold their value, unlike any ps4 or xbox title that lose value when you step out of the gamestore, and considered very fast as 2nd hand.
also the games are no direct ports and on cardridge.
and not even considered as 2nd hand, so you always sell them for a good price.
also buying games on the switch, IMO offers a better experience, thats why people love to buy games on the switch.
I’m such a completionist idiot they could release 5 different types of koopa troopa for the next fighter pass and I’d probably still buy it.
@Ventilator Microsoft stopped Switch support? And what's with the recently released Smash Cuphead Mii costume? What's with the recently released game Knights and Bikes on Switch (which, by the way, is Microsoft's 10th Switch game)? What's with the upcoming The Outer Worlds, the upcoming Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Ultimate Edition, and the upcoming Minecraft Dungeons? I still see plenty of Microsoft support on Switch. No sign of them stopping.
@SKTTR Why are you mentioning games Microsoft don't own, publish or funded?
Some of these is from a different publisher, and Microsoft have no saying in it. Microsoft already said last year that all releases ahead would be Xbox and PC only, and is why Battletoads, Ori 2 etc. isn't coming to Switch.
Already anounced games is irrelevant.
Minecraft were almost always multiplatform and doesen't count as MS will never have that exclusive.
Next: Banjo and Kazooie in Smash Ultimate should pave the way for a new Banjo game, faithful to the N64 classics.
So, MS Rare had had a long-running talking relationship with Nintendo, but it wasn't until Minecraft Nintendo Edition that they ever cooperated, and that's how we got Banjo-Kazooie in Smash?
Great. GREAT. The Minecraft base will never let Smash fans live that down.
@0muros Activision owns the 007 license AFAIK
@Ventilator I don't. These are all Microsoft Switch games in my book.
Knights and Bikes (by Double Fine)
Double Fine was acquired by Microsoft in June 2019. Knights and Bikes is the first Double Fine game for Switch that was released after Microsoft's acquisition.
The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Ultimate Edition (both by Obsidian Entertainment)
Obsidian Entertainment was acquired by Microsoft in November 2018. These are the second and third Obsidian games for Nintendo Switch that will be released after Microsoft's acquisition. The first one was Pillars of Eternity - Complete Edition.
Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft was bought by Microsoft in September 2014. Minecraft Dungeons is going to be the fifth Minecraft game for Switch (after Minecraft - Nintendo Switch Edition, Minecraft ''Bedrock Edition'', Minecraft: Story Mode - The Complete Adventure, and Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two. It's also the 8th Minecraft game for a Nintendo console if you count the two Wii U games and the New Nintendo 3DS game.
@SKTTR In your book yes, but in reality not.
Did Sony release Crash Bandicoot release on Switch. Sure Sony had to, because they own the developer of Crash.
Do you have proof to where the Sony logo is on Switch in the game, and that Sony released it on Switch?
Private Division is publishing/funding "The Outer Worlds" on Switch. The game does not have Microsoft or Xbox logo anywhere.
Microsoft have nothing to do with this game at all, and they said that last year.
Pillars of Eternity 2 were anounced for all consoles before they bought them, and is published by THQ Nordic.
Microsoft gets 0% money on all games you mentioned except for Minecraft.
Same story for Knights and Bikes. It's the last games for Switch, and again. Not a Microsoft game.
Minecraft is the only Microsoft owned IP of all these.
Is it that hard to understand that Microsoft is NOT involved with any of these games as either publisher or for funding?
These deals done were before Microsoft came in, and Microsoft can't stop any of these releases.
As a nice gesture from Microsoft, Knights and Bikes, Outer Worlds and Pillars 2 were/will be free for Xbox One/PC owners on release. They only do it because they now own the studios.
It's the last multiplatform games from them.
Minecraft IS a Microsoft game will keep being multiplatform. Not hard to understand either.
The 100% facts is everywhere on web, and they will all prove you wrong.
@Ventilator: Yeah, Microsoft probably does not change the original plans or stop the halfway-in Switch developments of these studios. Microsoft let them finish their Switch games, even after the acquisition. However, these games are now released under Microsofts ownership, they are not being canceled even though Microsoft could. So they technically count as Microsoft games. And that's what counts for me. It's not a matter of being right or wrong. Microsoft could cancel those Switch games if they wanted to, just like they canceled Kameo for Gamecube which was also halfway through development.
@SKTTR They are not released under Microsoft flag, but the original publisher flags which is multiplatform.
If Microsoft cancelled these games, they would need to pay tons of money to the other publishers for it, and Microsoft would be sued on top of that.
Phil Spencer were never an as*hole, and is why all of them release as planned outside Microsoft flag.
Phil focuses only on Xbox exclusives from these devs, and several is anounced already and none of those is coming to Switch if it doesen't have Minecraft name in it.
The next games from same studios is funded and published by Microsoft, and none of those is for Switch.
Upcoming "Ori and the Will of Whisps", Battletoads Remake and other Microsoft won't get Switch versions either.
Microsoft future on Switch is basically random Minecraft games.
They are done with Switch outside that, except for one Cuphead DLC.
Nintendo releases nothing on Xbox anyway.
Minecraft walked so Banjo could run
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