Banjo-Kazooie developers fear their franchise may soon be officially dead and gone forever.
Nostalgia can be great fun and occasionally it can even bring back wonderful memories when exploring how something was better in our past. We all enjoy taking nostalgic trips down memory lane for games we once loved so much and finding out which version has the better gameplay or graphics.
Modern gaming’s nostalgia-fueled market offers immense financial gains for nostalgic games being recreated or given new life via reboots or remakes.
God of War (2018) offered players an all-new game based on Norse mythology while still following Kratos’ days as an epic god killer in Greek mythology. Additionally, Dead Space 4 and Resident Evil 4 both delivered excellent remakes this year that exceeded even expectations.
As remakes, remasters and reboots continue to proliferate across media formats, the remake/reboot formula may feel somewhat saturated. Some fans would love for Banjo-Kazooi developers Rare’s N64 version from 1998 to be brought back as they want an improved experience when returning as an N64 game in a remake or reboot form.
Banjo-Kazooie was an icon of its time on Nintendo 64, alongside classic titles like Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64 and Conker’s Bad Fur Day. This 3D platformer featured Banjo as well as his Breegull friend Kazooie who were joined together on adventures across three dimensions.
Banjo-Kazooi would later expand with numerous sequels that span multiple platforms and generations; its final edition being Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for Xbox 360 in 2008.
Many years after its initial debut, this series continues to enjoy great fan support; many wondered whether Rare would consider bringing Banjo and Kazooie back for one final round. Unfortunately, that seems unlikely at this time.
As reported by My Nintendo News (via VGC), several developers from Banjo-Kazooie games on N64 came together for an open dialogue about what the series means to them and where its future may lie.
“Remaking Banjo-Kazooie wouldn’t work now on triple A projects because development times take so much longer, but back in its day that was an integral component,” according to character designer Steven Mayles.
Gregg [Mayles, Rare’s creative director] has always been the primary voice behind Rare games,” continued Drabek. “He doesn’t like looking backward or treading over old ground; therefore he never seemed interested in adding anything else with Rare; preferring instead new experiences – at this point in time he feels as if he has already experienced that franchise!”
“To recreate what happened back then would require finding a team with similar humour, which I don’t feel exists today,” explained composer Grant Kirkhope. He believes Rare would welcome someone joining their ranks but doesn’t feel they have found that team yet nor does there appear to be the audience available for new talent to join up.
Chris Sutherland was more optimistic, however. “I hope somebody brings out some type of sequel or next in line game at least before my memories fade of what the first one was! If not sooner then!” he exclaimed.
So there it is; even with hopes of a reboot materialising back in 2021, those hoping for the Banjo-Kazooie series revival shouldn’t expect one anytime soon.
