A New Banjo-Kazooie Game Could Be Xbox’s Answer to a PlayStation Smash Hit

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As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that among Xbox’s impressive library of games, the Banjo-Kazooie franchise has had quite a rocky journey. This charming duo first appeared on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, during a time when Rare was an independent studio closely tied with Nintendo. The original Banjo-Kazooie game was a massive success, and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie, followed suit in 2000. However, after Rare was purchased by Microsoft in 2001, the Banjo-Kazooie franchise seemed to take a backseat. Although Rare produced some handheld Banjo games in the early 2000s, the only home console title since then has been Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, which stirred up quite a bit of controversy among fans.

Over the past few years, enthusiasts of Xbox have been anxiously anticipating a fresh installment in the Banjo-Kazooie series from Microsoft at their annual gaming events. Regrettably, the corporation hasn’t disclosed any new information regarding this franchise yet. Due to the scarcity of updates about Banjo, some people, including composer Grant Kirkhope, have suggested that the likelihood of a revival for Banjo-Kazooie is extremely slim because they think it wouldn’t be financially viable enough for Microsoft to invest in it. Although there might be some validity to these assumptions, introducing a new Banjo-Kazooie game could serve as an ideal strategy for Microsoft to counter one of PlayStation’s most anticipated releases in 2024, Astro Bot.

A New Banjo-Kazooie Game Could Be a Formidable Competitor to Astro Bot

PlayStation’s Astro Bot Was One of the Most Successful Games of 2024

Last year, Astro Bot, the main character from the 2020 launch game for PS5, Astro’s Playroom, got his first standalone, non-VR title. This game, simply named Astro Bot, was developed by Team Asobi and is a 3D platformer similar to Banjo-Kazooie. It’s essentially a tribute to the entire PlayStation brand. The game makes excellent use of the PS5’s DualSense controller and features over a hundred different characters, or VIP Bots, that represent various iconic franchises from throughout PlayStation’s history. Some levels in the game are even modeled after classic PlayStation games like God of War and Uncharted.

Upon its debut on PS5 in September 2024, “Astro Bot” proved to be an immediate sensation for both Team Asobi and PlayStation. Within about 7 months, the game managed to sell around 2.3 million copies, and it even received the Game of the Year (GOTY) Award at The Game Awards the previous year. In a market where 3D platformer games frequently struggle to garner interest, “Astro Bot” demonstrated that the genre is far from obsolete, and that a platformer can thrive without being associated with Nintendo or Sonic.

A New Banjo-Kazooie Game Could Fill in the 3D Platformer Gap in Microsoft’s Lineup

In recent times, Microsoft has explored various gaming genres, but they don’t currently possess anything quite similar to Astro Bot in their roster of games. This gap presents a prime opportunity for Microsoft to revive Banjo-Kazooie. Considering the success of Astro Bot, it would be strategically sound for Microsoft to delegate the franchise to an external developer, allowing them to create a fresh mainline installment. To maximize reach and attract as many players as possible, this potential game should be launched across all available platforms.

It’s been made clear on numerous occasions that Rare, the creator of the original “Banjo-Kazooie”, doesn’t seem eager to revisit its inactive intellectual properties. Consequently, it’s rather unlikely that a new “Banjo-Kazooie” game will be developed by the company itself.

Microsoft and Rare Are Apparently Considering Making a New Banjo-Kazooie Game

While it’s thrilling to speculate about a potential new Banjo-Kazooie game, it’s uncertain if Microsoft plans to revive the franchise. However, there are whispers of possibility. Recently, VGC’s Andy Robinson suggested that Microsoft and Rare have been listening to proposals from studios like Toys for Bob and Moon Studios regarding a new Banjo-Kazooie installment. Moreover, there are rumors of Microsoft considering a Banjo-Kazooie cartoon or movie adaptation. Exciting as these stories are, it’s important to remember that they remain mere rumors at this stage, with no guarantees. If, by chance, a top-tier Banjo-Kazooie game ever materializes, it could potentially challenge Astro Bot in the gaming realm.

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2025-07-06 19:14