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Iconic Banjo-Kazooie composer is more hopeful about a sequel these days, but knows “like three companies” have already been turned down
Composer Grant Kirkhope, known for his work on Banjo-Kazooie and the Donkey Kong Rap, says he now sees a "slight chance" of a new mainline Banjo-Kazooie game, having previously believed there was zero prospect of a sequel. He credits the shift to changes in leadership at Rare following former studio head Craig Duncan's departure from Xbox Game Studios, suggesting the developer may now be more receptive to outside pitches, even though it has traditionally rejected most proposals.
Despite the slightly improved outlook, Kirkhope revealed that around three companies have already pitched Banjo-Kazooie projects to Microsoft or Rare without success, and Rare itself is reportedly too stretched to develop a new platformer in-house. It has been almost 30 years since the original N64 game and nearly 20 since Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts on Xbox 360. Kirkhope said he would be keen to return to the series if a new instalment happened, while Toys for Bob, developer of the recent Spyro revival, has previously expressed interest in taking on Banjo too.
In short
- Composer Grant Kirkhope now sees a "slight chance" of Banjo-Threeie
- About three firms have already pitched Banjo games and been turned down
- Toys for Bob has hinted it would enjoy reviving the series
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A new Banjo-Kazooie could bring a much-loved series to a new generation and reward fans who have waited decades for a mainline sequel. If Rare is stretched, a capable outside studio could develop the game while Microsoft and Rare guide the project and protect its character and style.
The case against
The long gap since the last instalment and the rejection of several pitches suggest that a sequel may be difficult to make well, even if leadership has changed. Rare and Microsoft may reasonably prefer to protect the series’ reputation and focus limited resources elsewhere rather than approve an outside project without confidence it fits the franchise.
Explained simply
Banjo-Kazooie is a video game series about a bear called Banjo and a bird called Kazooie, who work together to explore colourful worlds and solve challenges. The first game was released for Nintendo 64 in 1998, and the pair’s next main game, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, came out for Xbox 360 in 2008.
The series was made by Rare, a British studio now owned by Microsoft. A new game could be developed by Rare or pitched by another studio, but past proposals have not led to a project. Toys for Bob, known for reviving the Spyro games, has also said it is interested in Banjo-Kazooie.
A new instalment would bring the characters back after a long gap and could involve Grant Kirkhope, the composer behind the original game’s music. The question matters to players who have followed the series and to studios considering whether to make a new game.