October 25 is Going to be a Big Day For Nintendo Fans

October 25 is Going to be a Big Day For Nintendo Fans

As a gamer who has been around since the days of the N64, I can confidently say that the Nintendo Switch has been a breath of fresh air for me during its eight-year lifespan. This year alone, it’s been like Christmas come early with the plethora of high-quality games being released or announced for the console.


It’s surprising to realize that the Nintendo Switch is approaching its eighth birthday, having been released in March 2017. Notably, this was also the year when games like “Horizon: Zero Dawn” and “Breath of the Wild” hit the market. Typically, systems past their seventh year on the market would see a decline in first-party releases and exciting announcements. However, contrary to expectations, the Nintendo Switch has had a remarkably strong 2024. Despite its advanced age, it continues to deliver with several successful showcases this year and a number of major exclusives lined up for release, such as “Metroid Prime 4”, “Mario & Luigi: Brothership”, and “Pokemon Legends: Z-A”.

2024 has been a bountiful year for top-tier games on the Nintendo Switch, with both exclusive and multiplatform releases. For instance, last month saw the unveiling of “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom“, which received generally favorable reviews from critics. Earlier in the year, we’ve seen newcomers like “Unicorn Overlord“, “Princess Peach: Showtime“, “Grounded“, “Animal Well“, “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes“, and a remake of “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door” join the Switch library. Moreover, 2024 is not done yet, as even more games are slated for release on the console. Specifically, on October 25, “Banjo-Tooie” will make its way to the Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription service.

Banjo-Tooie is Coming to Nintendo Switch Online on October 25

Banjo-Tooie is a Great Follow-Up to a Beloved N64 Platformer

The game titled Banjo-Tooie is a follow-up to the beloved 3D platformer Banjo-Kazooie, created by the renowned British studio Rare and initially launched on the Nintendo 64 in 2000. Compared to its predecessor, this game is remarkably more expansive in scope. In contrast to the original’s linear levels, Banjo-Tooie offers interconnected environments for players to freely explore, which are significantly larger. Furthermore, it includes a multiplayer minigame mode that can accommodate up to four participants. Although the storyline may not be groundbreaking, as it revolves around Banjo and Kazooie’s adventures to prevent the wicked witch Gruntilda from destroying their home island, the gameplay remains engaging even today.

Rare Games Weren’t Available on Nintendo’s Modern Consoles, But That’s Been Changing Lately

During the ’90s, the British video game developer Rare was strongly associated with Nintendo, consistently churning out popular titles like Killer Instinct, Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads, and Jet Force Gemini on their systems. However, after being bought by Microsoft in 2002, Rare ceased making games for Nintendo’s home consoles. Consequently, finding Rare games on Nintendo platforms became quite a challenge for a while.

Over the past couple of years, it’s been nothing short of amazing to see a collection of games from Rare, particularly those that originally graced retro Nintendo consoles, appearing on the Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online. Games like “Killer Instinct” (SNES, 1995), “Blast Corps” (N64, 1997), and “Snake Rattle N’ Roll” (NES, 1990) are now at my fingertips on the Switch. What’s more, even the iconic “Banjo-Kazooie” made its way to NSO in 2022, finally giving fans like me a chance to enjoy this classic title on a contemporary platform other than Xbox.

Banjo-Tooie Will Be Available to More Players Than Ever Before, Just Like Banjo-Kazooie

Much like its earlier version, Banjo-Tooie has been exclusive to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in the latest generation of gaming systems. However, with its upcoming release on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass service, more individuals than ever will have the opportunity to play it. It’s possible that the Xbox 360 exclusive Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts might eventually join Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie on the Nintendo Switch, but given that it was never launched on a Nintendo console initially, enthusiasts may want to be cautious about getting their hopes up for this to occur.

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2024-10-21 20:23