A Banjo-Kazooie revival could eventually happen, or at least that is what original creator Steve Mayles is wishing for. He recently expressed his thoughts on wanting to see the series return after the duo’s release in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
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Speaking to VideoGamesChronicle, Mayles talked about a revival for the series. He said he isn’t hoping for a AAA sequel right from the offset, considering that it’s best to gauge player demand first by releasing remasters of the original two games. Only then, Microsoft and the Banjo-Kazooie creator could properly assess if a “new no-expense-spared game” that “Banjo and Kazooie deserve,” in Mayles’ words, would be viable.
Mayles said that he “was impressed by the animation” during the announcement for the Banjo-Kazooie DLC, adding that he “couldn’t wait to see how they moved in game, stringing moves together.”
Surprised by the reception of the bear and bird duo after so many years, Mayles revealed that he found this “very surreal,” especially the part where they are back on a Nintendo console, where the characters made their debut. He also said he considered them to be “decent characters” and that their new rendition for Nintendo’s platform fighter looks very similar to his “old hi-res renders from 20 years ago.” The duo’s presence in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is described by Mayles as “the characters coming home, even if it is just for a glorious one-off.” He said he is hoping that the fan reaction to the duo in Smash ends persuading the company to once again bet on the series.
Other ’90s-era platformers have started making a comeback too. Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot have found recent success and show that a Banjo-Kazooie revival could possibly have potential.
The duo was birthed in 1998 from Rare and saw its share of success, culminating with a presence in Nintendo’s fighting game Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The gaming world hasn’t seen a major release in the series since Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts for the Xbox 360, but the love for the duo didn’t fade over time, judging by the warm player reception of their inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
