Banjo-Kazooie Composer Hints at a Dream Come True, But a Third Game Might Be Dead in the Water!

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Summary

  • Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope doubts that the series will return, largely due to financial concerns.
  • Developer Rare has not shown interest in making a third game, though other studios have.
  • However, if a third game is made, Kirkhope says he would love to return.

The creator of the 1998 Nintendo 64 platformer titled “Banjo-Kazooie” expresses skepticism about the possibility of a series revival, primarily due to financial reasons. Although there’s evident enthusiasm among fans for a fresh installment, it remains uncertain whether Banjo and Kazooie will embark on new adventures on contemporary hardware.

The beloved ‘Banjo-Kazooie’ video game series, which debuted in the gaming world back in its early days and garnered both positive reviews from critics and strong sales, has been a cherished part of the gaming community. ‘Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts’, the latest installment in this franchise, was launched on Xbox 360 in 2008, leaving many fans eagerly awaiting the return of the iconic bear-and-bird duo. However, a tweet by Aaron Greenberg, Vice President of Xbox Games Marketing in 2024, seemed to dash these hopes when he humorously but bluntly stated that “no one’s interested in ‘Banjo-Kazooie’.” Despite his clarification that the statement was tongue-in-cheek, this declaration left many fans disheartened, as it appeared to confirm the absence of a third game in development.

Previously, composer Grant Kirkhope voiced his doubts about a potential third Banjo-Kazooie game. In a recent conversation with Eurogamer, he shared three main reasons for his reservations. The primary concern revolves around financial viability, as Kirkhope thinks that sales of a new game might not be sufficient, despite strong fan support on social media. He also questions whether Rare has any intention of revisiting the series and if they were to delegate the project to an external team, maintaining the game’s distinctive British humor would be crucial. Although a third game seems unlikely at this point, Kirkhope made it clear that he would jump at the opportunity to create its soundtrack again.

Banjo-Kazooie Composer Doubts That Banjo-Kazooie Will Return

Back in April, developer Toys for Bob showed enthusiasm about creating a fresh installment of Banjo-Kazooie. Similarly, earlier this year, Moon Studios, creators of Ori and the Blind Forest, hinted at reviving the franchise. In fact, the CEO of Moon Studios, Thomas Mahler, went as far as suggesting that the third game could potentially match the greatness of 3D Mario. It’s possible that Rare, who are currently engrossed in Sea of Thieves and the upcoming Everwild action-adventure title, might delegate the IP to another studio in the future.

Although no new game is currently being developed, fans can anticipate playing the classic game Banjo-Kazooie on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. For existing Nintendo Switch owners with a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online,

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2025-05-02 19:24