Banjo-Kazooie is Still Amazing, Why Hasn’t Xbox Done More With It?

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Fervent gamers had been anticipating that Astro Bot’s release would spark a resurgence of notable 3D platformers. So far, this hasn’t materialized, but considering the imminent launch of Switch 2, it wouldn’t be unexpected if we see another highly-praised 3D Mario game following its debut.

As we eagerly anticipate Mario’s return to shake up the 3D platformer genre post Astro Bot’s resurgence, it’s worth mentioning that Xbox might have seized an earlier opportunity. Prior to Astro Bot garnering such gaming acclaim, fans were urging Microsoft to develop a fresh Banjo-Kazooie game since their appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2019.

Instead, it appears that Microsoft chose not to take into account those eager for a new installment in the series, and as such, has not yet taken any action regarding the franchise.

It’s quite fascinating when a company absorbs other developers and tasks them with creating games outside their usual repertoire. For instance, Xbox 360 received Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts from Rare, but this wasn’t the sequel fans anticipated, and it soon became less popular. After that, Rare was mostly tasked with Kinect games until they scored a significant victory with Sea of Thieves.

It’s clear that Sea of Thieves has been a major triumph for Xbox and even spawned a PS5 version, but it wasn’t necessarily what fans hoped for from Rare at the outset. Instead, many felt that Rare should have developed another Banjo-Kazooie platformer game, rather than focusing on those Kinect games that have since been largely forgotten.

Why are fans so nostalgic for this bear and bird? Because their N64 games were good.

To this very day, the classic Banjo-Kazooie game for N64 remains enjoyable to play. The character Banjo handles beautifully, with a robust set of moves that focus on platforming and exploration. Add Kazooie’s abilities into the mix, and you have even more options to navigate these levels, making the hunt for collectibles a delightful experience.

While Banjo-Tooie might not be as nostalgically cherished, it maintains a dedicated fanbase. The game expanded the duo’s adventures into larger realms, yet it encountered some frame rate problems. Despite these hiccups, the game remained enjoyable to play, and it wasn’t the first N64 game to grapple with such issues. However, fans generally favor the original game more.

Fortunately, both games have been re-introduced through Xbox Live, significantly improving their performance. For Xbox enthusiasts, the opportunity to revisit Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is available if desired. While it’s not a poorly made game in itself, the emphasis on custom vehicles instead of platforming caused many fans to steer clear of the title. Some might argue that it’s an underappreciated 360 classic, but what fans truly yearned for was another 3D platformer experience.

Following its debut in Smash Ultimate, fans eagerly anticipated that Microsoft might take action with the Banjo franchise. The character garnered a tremendous response and even sparked the creation of an Amiibo figure. Notably, Nintendo and Microsoft reached an agreement to re-release the N64 Banjo games on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any new release from Microsoft featuring 3D platformers that fans were eagerly awaiting. Other notable games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Crash Bandicoot 4 did their best to revive the craze for these types of games, but Banjo-Kazooie might have made a bigger impact in rekindling the enthusiasm for this genre.

It’s uncertain, but the chances appear slim for a new Banjo-Kazooie game in the near future.

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2025-03-25 17:42