The 3D Banjo-Kazooia games were two of the best video game platformers to grace the Nintendo 64 and any other console since, competing with Nintendo’s Super Mario 64 at the time. VGC gathered a number of the key developers behind the two hit N64 games and asked them whether or not they think the iconic bear and bird will ever return to consoles. Unfortunately, the general consensus is no. The developers say it would be very difficult for another team to match the quirky humor found in the games, plus with today’s video game budgets and lengthy game development times, it might not be worth it. Also, Gregg Mayles, who is actually the guardian of the franchise, does not really like to go back to the past and prefers to tread a new path. The last Banjo-Kazooie game was the Xbox 360 game, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, which now runs in 4K on Xbox One X and Xbox Series X|S alongside Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie.
“I don’t think it would work on triple-A projects now, if Banjo-Kazooie were to be redone, because things take so much longer to make. But at the time it was certainly a big part of it.”
“I can’t speak for Gregg [Mayles, Rare’s creative director] but he is actually the keeper of the franchise. He doesn’t really like to look back and tread old ground, so I don’t think he ever bothered to do anything else with the franchise. He’d rather move towards new experiences – as far as he’s concerned, he’s been there, done that”.
Character designer Steven Mayles
“I feel like you’d have to get a team with the humor we had back then, and that’s hard to replicate,” he said. “I think Rare would be open to someone if they find the right team, but I don’t feel like that team exists. Also, I’m not convinced that the audience is there either.”
Composer Grant Kirkhope
“I would hope someone would come up with something… some sort of sequel or ‘next in line’ game. At least before the time when I can still remember that the first one existed! But hopefully sooner.”
Lead Developer Chris Sutherland
