Summary
ManyXboxgamers would likely agree with the CEO of Moon Studios, who says aBanjo-Kazooierevival could do Nintendo numbers. Moon Studios is known for its two critically acclaimed 2D action platformers,Ori and the Blind Forestand its 2020 follow-upOri and the Will of the Wisps, which both originally debuted as timedXboxconsole exclusives. The studio is currently working on an isometric action RPG,No Rest for the Wicked,which had an early access release last April.
Xbox has had a noticeable family-friendly 3D platformer gap in its first-party portfolio for quite some time. Nintendo has been proven to be the king of family-friendly games for decades, and even PlayStation has released hit titles likeRatchet and Clank: Rift Apartand the more recentGame of the Year-winningAstro Bot. Double Fine’s widely celebrated 2021 hitPsychonauts 2is the closest Xbox has come to having a family-friendly platformer hit in its lineup. After acquiring Activision Blizzard, it’s also now sitting on IPs likeCrash BandicootandSpyro the Dragon,though no plans for either franchise have been officially announced.
According to Pure Xbox, CEO of Moon Studios Thomas Mahler mentioned Xbox’s family-friendly struggles, bringing up how Xbox could make a huge splash if it revivedBanjo-Kazooie, and could even potentially “rival 3D Mario and probably sell similar numbers.” For context, Nintendo’s most recent major 3DMariogame,Super Mario Odysseyboasts over 28 million copies sold since its 2017 release. On a separate note, Mahler brought up that had Xbox and Moon Studios’Orirelationship lasted longer, they might have experimented with making a 3DOrigame, which makes sense considering the studio’s eventual shift to a3D action RPG inNo Rest for the Wicked.
Moon Studios CEO Says an Xbox Banjo-Kazooie Revival Could Do Nintendo Numbers
It seems Xbox has the IP necessary to spin up its own slate of family-friendly 3D platfomers, and it’s just a matter of finding the right developers.Banjo-Kazooie’s original developer, Rare, seems to have its hands full with ongoingSea of Thievessupport and its reportedly rockyEverwilddevelopment. Double Fine is another potentialBanjosuitor within Xbox, but studio head Tim Schafer has openly expressed the team wanting to create its own original IPs for the time being. Although Toys for Bob separated from Xbox and went independent following the Activision buyout, it’s still partnered with Xbox for its next game, which is currently a mystery. PerhapsToys for Bob could be tasked withBanjo’s revival, thoughCrash BandicootandSpyro the Dragonare also still on the table, as the studio has a strong history with those two IPs.
They have been sitting on Banjo Kazooie with nothing happening there even though a really talented developer could probably make a Banjo game that could rival 3D Mario and probably sell similar numbers.
IfBanjo-Kazooiewere to be brought back, it would be interesting to see whether it would be a remake, a remaster, or a full-blown reboot. A sequel would likely be off the table considering just how long it’s been since the lastBanjotitle. With Xbox headPhil Spencer acknowledging fans' desire for a newBanjogamenear the end of 2023, a revival seems more possible than ever. Fans will just need to keep tuning in to Xbox’s big June Summer Game Fest showcases, as that’s likely where such an announcement would take place.
Banjo-Kazooie
WHERE TO PLAY
The bear and bird’s first ever outing available in full. Loads of rollicking fun to be had here and with the legendary Stop N Swop feature reinstated. You’ll never look the same again at a jigsaw. There are no refunds for this item
