After Nearly 20 Years, New Banjo-Kazooie Might Finally Be Happening

Summary

Rumors suggest a new
Banjo-Kazooie
game may be in the works, potentially announced soon at an Xbox showcase.
Leaks from reputable sources hint at a possible return for the iconic duo, sparking excitement among fans.
With Microsoft’s recent partnership with Toys for Bob, a
Banjo-Kazooie
reboot or remake could be on the horizon.

Banjo-Kazooie, an iconic video game of yesteryear, may finally be primed to make a grand return as rumors allege a new game in the long-dormant franchise may be in development. The previous installment in the franchise, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, is 16 years old in 2024 and while Rare’s beloved collectathon series has inspired numerous spiritual successors since then, there’s been no effort to continue the adventures of Banjo and his sidekick. Fortunately, with Microsoft looking to draw players back to Xbox after a tumultuous few months, now might be the perfect time to resurrect the duo.

Over on X (formerly Twitter), a group of reputable leakers including JezCorden and Parris Lilly, have been dropping several hints that a some kind of announcement pertaining to Banjo-Kazooie could present itself in the near future.

While Xbox and Microsoft have yet to address the rumors, the upcoming showcase scheduled for June 9 could be the day the pair return from the dead for a new game or, potentially, a remake of the original titles. Fans have long-since called for a new Banjo game but creator Rare has been too busy working on Sea of Thieves and its long-in-development project Everwild.

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While nothing is yet confirmed, it’s worth noting that Microsoft recently signed a contract with the studio Toys for Bob, a currently independent developer known for their remakes of the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy and Spyro the Dragon. It could be possible that Xbox is looking to rekindle interest in Banjo-Kazooie with Toys for Bob’s assistance given the company’s experience reworking older titles. This remains pure speculation at this time, but it’s not difficult to see that being the case.

Most fans may fondly remember the original Banjo-Kazooie games from the Nintendo 64 era but the series most recent, and underrated, entry actually released on the Xbox 360 in 2008. Nuts & Bolts may have failed to impress veterans with its shift away from exploration but others found its vehicle construction mechanic to be a highlight. One has to imagine that reboot would return to the series’ roots rather than further venturing down the path established in the most recent game.

If Banjo-Kazooie does make a grand return there’s a distinct possibility that Microsoft opts to use a multi-platform approach when it comes to the launch. With Xbox releasing some of its most impactful exclusives on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, it could be the case that such a revered classic similarly drop on multiple devices. There’s already somewhat of a precedent for this as the original Banjo-Kazooie games are already playable on Nintendo Switch through the console’s online subscription package.

Source: JezCordon/X, Parris Lilly/X