20 years before Crash and Spyro joined the great Xbox family, Microsoft unexpectedly signed Banjo y Kazooie, a pair of platformer heroes who made a name for themselves at N64. Today, Rare’s hilarious couple announce his imminent return to Nintendo consoles.
The Big N has just announced that the classic Banjo-Kazooie of 1998 will be incorporated from January 20, 2022 to the catalog of N64 classics from the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack along with the rest of the classics from Nintendo’s 64-bit console. A reunion as special as it is exceptional.
Because, although Banjo-Kazooie is one of the most beloved and celebrated titles of the sensational joint legacy between Rare and Nintendo, as well as one of the most emblematic platform games of N64, the truth is that both the game and the characters belong to a Microsoft that continues to pamper Switch gamers.
In fact, and as a curiosity, Banjo and Kazooie already debuted on Nintendo Switch as guest characters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. An event that was greatly celebrated by veteran Nintendo fans and those nostalgic for the revolutionary cartridge desktop.
A hoot for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
One of the peculiarities of Banjo – Kazooie is that -technically- cannot be purchased from the eShop, but is offered as an additional incentive within the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. That is to say, the batch of additional content of the Nintendo online service that gives access to the classics of N64, Mega Drive and the paid Expansion of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise.
For reference, the 12-month Nintendo Switch Online subscription along with the Expansion Pack is valued at 39,99 dollars. And if we prefer an annual family plan to share with up to 8 accounts, the price is 69,99 dollars.
In any case, to the selection of N64 and Mega Drive games we must add access to the catalogs of classic NES and SNES titles, the possibility of online multiplayer and, no less interesting, the cloud save. Plus access to a catalog of exclusive items in the Nintendo Store for subscribers like a fully functional wireless N64 controller replica for Switch. Perfect for playing Banjo-Kazooie.
Will we see more Microsoft titles and sagas on Nintendo Switch? For now, 2022 has started especially well for Xbox and Nintendo fans. Above all, for the most nostalgic.
