All articles tagged with #banjo kazooie
Despite recent layoffs and cancellations at Microsoft and Xbox, there are reports that Xbox and Rare are soliciting pitches from studios like Toys for Bob and Moon Studios for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, with ongoing discussions about a potential cartoon or movie adaptation.
Playtonic has announced Yooka-Replaylee, a remastered version of their 2017 game Yooka-Laylee, featuring enhanced visuals, new challenges, a revised control system, and an orchestral soundtrack. The remaster aims to refine the original game and potentially set the stage for future projects. No specific release date or platforms have been confirmed yet.
Cavern of Dreams, a N64-inspired 3D platformer likened to Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro, is set to release on Nintendo Switch on February 29. The game, which received positive reviews on Steam for its nostalgic atmosphere and mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, follows a young dragon named Flynn on a quest to rescue his unhatched siblings. While the Nintendo Switch is seen as the natural home for the game, it's interesting to note that Microsoft now owns both Spyro and Banjo and has expressed interest in reviving dormant Xbox-owned IP.
Phil Spencer, head of gaming at Microsoft, has acknowledged the demand from fans for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, stating that when the right team and opportunity arise, he loves revisiting previous stories and characters. The last installment of the Rare-owned platformer was released 15 years ago, but the franchise has remained prominent with appearances in Nintendo Switch Online and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. However, original Rare team members and composer Grant Kirkhope question whether there is a large enough audience or team capable of replicating the humor and success of the original games.
Xbox Gaming CEO Phil Spencer acknowledges fan requests for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, stating that when the right team and opportunity arise, he loves revisiting previous stories and characters. While there is no confirmation of a new game or platform, Xbox has collaborated with Nintendo in the past, including Banjo-Kazooie's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer acknowledged the pleas of Banjo-Kazooie fans for a new game, stating that when the right team and opportunity arise, he loves revisiting previous stories and characters. Spencer emphasized the importance of involving the original developers in the revival process, highlighting the significance of their passion and the lessons learned from past experiences. While rumors of a new Banjo-Kazooie game have circulated over the years, the closest thing to a recent release for fans is Yooka-Laylee, a spiritual successor made by some of the original developers.
A hacker named Skawo has showcased Banjo-Kazooie's long-awaited Stop 'N' Swop feature on actual N64 hardware, fulfilling a childhood promise. The feature, which was meant to allow players to swap cartridges and unlock special items, was removed due to the risk of damaging the console. While dataminers have already uncovered the secrets, this is the first time the feature has been demonstrated as originally intended, using a flash cart and a custom version of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
A modder has successfully activated the long-awaited Stop N Swop feature in the original Nintendo 64 version of Banjo-Kazooie, a feature that was originally planned but abandoned. The feature allowed players to unlock content by quickly swapping cartridges. The modder demonstrated the trick by inserting a modified version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which copied the required unlock information to the console's memory. This achievement showcases the functionality of the feature on original hardware, which was removed due to concerns about potential damage and compatibility issues with hardware revisions.
Rare founder Tim Stamper has taken to Twitter to showcase development cartridges from the past, posting footage from unseen N64 titles, including canceled projects or games that would live on through other iterations, like Dream 64 and Twelve Tales: Conker 64. Stamper also shared a photo tagged as Dream 64 and Banjo-Kazooie featuring Captain Blackeye, a pirate who would later show up in the Banjo games. The Rare Founder also added a 15-second peek at Dream, which he noted "was probably for the Nintendo Shoshinkai show [in] 1996".