The beloved bear-and-bird duo of Banjo and Kazooie have been absent from the gaming spotlight for over a decade, but recent developments suggest there may still be hope for a revival. While no new Banjo-Kazooie game has been released since 2008’s Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, fans continue to hope for a proper return to the classic 3D platforming roots that made the franchise iconic on the Nintendo 64.
Rare originally struck gold with the first two Banjo-Kazooie titles, which became staples of the late 1990s. The series expanded with handheld spin-offs like Grunty’s Revenge and Banjo-Pilot, and even featured the duo in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a DLC fighter. However, 2008’s Nuts & Bolts shifted away from traditional platforming to a more vehicle-building focus, leaving some fans disappointed and hungry for a more faithful sequel.
Studios Show Interest in a New Banjo-Kazooie Project
Rumors of a new game in development have circulated for years, though nothing official has materialized. Following Microsoft’s recent layoffs, reports suggested the idea of a revival was shelved entirely. However, a recent VGC podcast provided a glimmer of hope. VGC’s Andy Robinson stated that Rare remains hesitant to lead a new Banjo-Kazooie project themselves but confirmed that pitches for a revival have been “heard.”
According to Robinson, both Toys for Bob and Moon Studios have expressed interest in developing a new Banjo-Kazooie game. Toys for Bob, in particular, stands out as a strong candidate thanks to their acclaimed work on Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. The studio, now independent but still collaborating with Xbox, is also rumored to be working on a new Spyro the Dragon title, further cementing their relationship with the platform holder.
Other Avenues for Banjo-Kazooie
Even if a new game never materializes, Robinson also hinted at possible adaptations of the franchise into other media, such as a movie or animated series. This could allow Banjo and Kazooie to reach new audiences while keeping the characters relevant.
For now, there’s no official word on whether these pitches will move forward. Still, the idea that multiple studios are interested in breathing new life into Banjo-Kazooie is promising news for long-time fans eager to see the characters return to form on modern platforms.
