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The Xbox & Bethesda 2022 showcase is set to air tomorrow at 1 PM ET, and Nintendo fans have plenty of reasons to watch. Microsoft has brought titles to the Switch before, and now that Bethesda and Activision-Blizzard are under Microsoft’s umbrella, there’s a chance a handful of games showcased will be Switch-related.

While there’s sure to be a surprise or two, the latest round of rumors will have Nintendo fans particularly interested. Rumblings across the internet point to a return of a classic RARE franchise that Nintendo fans will always hold near and dear to their heart.

For the last few days, there’s been chatter of Banjo-Kazooie being a part of Microsoft’s big show. It all started when Xbox’s Phil Spencer hopped on his Xbox to play the original Banjo-Kazooie on his Xbox for roughly a half-hour, earning just one achievement. Spencer has teased game reveals in interesting ways before, and fans believe that’s exactly what Spencer was doing with this quick gameplay session.

To take things further, ModernVintageGamer, a content creator and developer at NightDive Studios, claims that Banjo-Kazooie is indeed coming back in some form, and we’re going to see what’s up with the bear and bird at this weekend’s presentation. MVG claims that he’s heard from multiple sources that something is indeed in the works, and Microsoft’s show seems like the perfect place to reveal it.

Looks like we have an extra-special reason to tune into the Xbox showcase tomorrow. Let’s keep all fingers and toes crossed!

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Comments (7)

kuribo

2y ago

Unless they partner with the folks at Playtonic, it’s not going to feel or play like a Banjo Kazooie game we want.


mereel

2y ago

I’m doubtful that RARE in its current state could deliver on a new BK game. Nevertheless, if it was a new entry in the BK series that was also releasing on Switch, I would at least be intrigued.
Failing that, I would be thrilled to see Banjo-Tooie announced for the NSO Expansion Pack. The first one played great. I 100% it for the first time, despite having played it a ton years back. Love those save states!


sligeach_eire

2y ago

You know, I see a lot of people doubt that Rare these days could deliver an authentic Banjo-Kazooie game, and I agree with them. The people that made those original games aren't there anymore.

But, what I don't get, in a way, is that people don't say the same thing about Metroid Prime 4. And yet, a lot of the people that made those games aren't at Retro Studios anymore. It's 15 years and counting since Metroid Prime 3, and 20 years since the original. Nintendo didn't originally task Retro Studios with Metroid Prime 4, you have to ask yourself why that was. It's 8 years since their last original game, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. What on Earth were they doing? Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked, this is about Banjo-Kazooie. It would be nice if Microsoft allowed whatever this is, to be put on a Nintendo system.


Oh I’m definitely skeptical of Metroid Prime 4 as well, for the same reasons. Had Retro been handed the reigns to MP4 directly after they finished DK:TF I’d say we were in good hands. But the studio seems to be in limbo these days, with no output in nearly a decade.

I know Retro Studios have made a lot of hires over the past few years. But I do think we could be waiting so long for Metroid Prime 4 primarily because the core design, art and programming talent responsible for their greatest hits simply aren’t there anymore.

I’d love to be totally wrong about Retro, but I think they’re lost at the moment.


streex

2y ago

I did a study last year and discovered that 33% of all rumors turn out to be true. Hoping this fits that mold.


conangiga

2y ago

The only news I expect to see in the near future: Tooie for Switch Online.


sligeach_eire

2y ago

It would be funny in a bad way if they announce a new Banjo-Kazooie game, and it's Nuts & Bolts 2 or Nuts, Bolts & Washers. Could you imagine the pandemonium?