After years of silence surrounding the beloved Banjo-Kazooie franchise, Toys for Bob has once again made it clear that the studio would love the opportunity to bring the iconic bear and bird duo back for a brand-new adventure.
The series has remained dormant since the release of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts in 2008. While Rare has continued supporting its hugely successful pirate adventure Sea of Thieves, many of the studio’s classic franchises have remained inactive, with fans largely relying on collections such as Rare Replay to revisit older titles. Hopes for a wider revival of Rare’s legacy also took a hit after the planned Perfect Dark reboot was canceled in 2025.
Toys for Bob Wants to Bring Banjo Back
Toys for Bob has repeatedly expressed its enthusiasm for developing a new Banjo-Kazooie game. The studio, currently working on Spyro: A Realm Beyond, believes the franchise perfectly fits the type of games it enjoys creating.
Developers have described Banjo-Kazooie as a timeless series capable of bringing out players’ “inner child,” with multiple team members stating they would love the chance to work on a new installment.
The studio has already built a strong reputation within the mascot platforming genre, having previously worked on successful entries in both the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro franchises. That experience has led many fans to view Toys for Bob as one of the best candidates to handle a modern Banjo-Kazooie revival.
Familiar Faces Could Return
A potential revival could also see the return of original Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope, who has previously expressed interest in creating new music for the franchise should another game ever enter development.
The combination of experienced platforming developers and returning talent has only strengthened fan interest in seeing Banjo-Kazooie make a comeback.
Xbox Holds the Final Decision
Despite Toys for Bob’s enthusiasm, the future of Banjo-Kazooie ultimately rests with Xbox.
Microsoft currently focuses much of its first-party efforts on its biggest franchises, including Halo, Gears of War, Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls. With so many large-scale projects already underway, a new Banjo-Kazooie game has yet to become a clear priority.
For now, Xbox continues to keep the franchise alive through merchandise, digital re-releases, and appearances in legacy collections rather than investing in a completely new entry.
A Revival Is Still Possible
While there is no indication that a new Banjo-Kazooie game is currently in development, Toys for Bob’s independent status and its positive relationship with Xbox could present Microsoft with a lower-risk way to revive the franchise through an external development partner.
Nothing has been announced, and no timeline exists, but the continued passion from Toys for Bob—and from longtime fans—means Banjo-Kazooie’s future may not be over just yet.
