Microsoft's lack of attention to Banjo-Kazooie
When Rare is discussed, Banjo-Kazooie is inevitably part of the conversation. The ‘90s platformer is a key part of the developer’s history, and one of the most well-regarded series in gaming history. But what if Microsoft could give it back? What if it was seen as a valuable asset, and the potential to make new Banjo-Kazooie games could be seen as a way to solidify the character as an iconic Xbox figure?
Unfortunately, Microsoft’s neglect of Banjo-Kazooie feels like another example of the company’s lack of direction when it comes to its Xbox Game Studios. The company has shown it can revamp older IPs like Perfect Dark, and Rare’s own remaster project, Rare Replay, was a commercial success. But despite the wishes of many, Banjo-Kazooie remains absent from the company’s plans.
It’s a broad question, one that’s difficult to answer without knowing exactly what Microsoft is asking of its internal studios. Is it just another Nuts and Bolts, an internally-developed game that the company knows is bound to fail but wants to get out of the door so it can claim to have attempted it? Is it a case of not wanting to revive a series that the creators themselves have stated they see no future for?
Creators' perspective
“Rare is still home to many of the creatives who worked on Banjo-Kazooie,” one ResetEra user explains. “However, there are very few of them left, and the ones who are left have all moved on to new experiences. The creators themselves have stated that they see no future for the franchise; not necessarily because they don’t want to work on it again, but because they feel that the market has spoken.
“There has never been a demand for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, and while a spiritual successor would be welcome, I can’t blame Rare for moving on from the series. After all, they built a new IP from scratch (Grabbed by the Ghoulies), worked on a Conker game, and made a sequel to a game that was previously a spin-off (Perfect Dark Zero). They have proven that they are more than happy to move on from their old series.”
Others offer a differing opinion, suggesting a remake of the original Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie to gauge the market’s interest. Rare’s success with Rare Replay and the Goldeneye re-release is seen as a positive sign for potential Banjo-Kazooie projects. However, some users caution against another game like Nuts and Bolts, favoring a remaster or leaving the franchise alone.
“Rare has moved on,” another user writes. “The people who made these games are no longer at Rare. Rare is a very different studio than it was in the ‘90s and ‘00s. It’s a very different studio than it was in 2009 when Nuts and Bolts was released. If Microsoft wants to make a new Banjo-Kazooie game, then I think it should be handed to a different developer. Rare has shown that it has no interest in Banjo-Kazooie, and Microsoft should let it go to a studio that does.”
Exploring possibilities
One of the main points of contention is the lack of mention of Yooka-Laylee, the spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie that was launched to a positive reception in 2017. While its sales figures were never going to match those of a big-budget Rare release, the lack of acknowledgment suggests Microsoft is overlooking the possibility of similar lower-risk options.
The decline in popularity of collect-a-thon games outside of the Mario franchise is another potential hurdle, but I personally believe a Banjo-Kazooie revival could do well under the right circumstances. In the absence of any official information on the subject, I would point you in the direction of A Hat in Time – a successful example of a modern collect-a-thon game that could be remastered or given a sequel of its own.
Ultimately, I believe Microsoft is ultimately responsible for the fate of Banjo-Kazooie. Rare is a separate entity now and has shown it is happy to move on from its older franchises. But ultimately, it’s Microsoft’s IP, and the company could choose to give the IP to a capable developer.
Comparing it to Sony’s neglect of older franchises like Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and Resistance is unfair. But the negative reception of Nuts and Bolts is clearly the main factor contributing to the franchise’s decline. The timing of Nuts and Bolts’ release, competition from other popular games, and the departure from the traditional Banjo-Kazooie gameplay are all cited as reasons for its failure.
And then there’s Jontron. Just saying.
Ultimately, I think if Microsoft wants to make Banjo-Kazooie work, it’s going to have to prove that it’s willing to take a risk on an established franchise. The success of Rare Replay and the Goldeneye re-release proves that there’s a demand for older games, and the desire for a new Hydro Thunder game emphasizes the extent to which Microsoft is neglecting various IPs.
Of course, that’s not to say it’s solely Microsoft’s fault.
