Grant Kirkhope – the iconic video game composer behind the Donkey Kong Rap and the Banjo-Kazooie games – thinks a potential Banjo-Threeie is slightly more likely now.
Almost three decades have passed since Banjo-Kazooie’s last mainline platformer flapped onto the N64 and it’s been almost 20 years since Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts flopped onto the Xbox 360, but it’s never too late for another adventure with the bird and bear.
Speaking to FRVR, Kirkhope explained that he used to feel there was “zero chance of another Banjo-Kazooie game.” Nowadays, that sentiment’s been upgraded to a “slight chance” because he thinks Rare’s updated leadership could be more receptive to an outside developer spearheading a threequel.
“Rare just typically say no to everything,” the composer explained. “I’ve known people present cartoons to them, all sorts of ideas, and they just say no to everything.” But since former studio head Craig Duncan stepped down from his role at Xbox Game Studios, Kirkhope reckons Rare might be “a little bit different right now” and “a bit more open to discussion.”
Having said that, pitches from outside developers supposedly haven’t gone over too well. “I do know of like three companies that have actually physically pitched to Microsoft or to Rare about making another Banjo-Kazooie game, and I don’t think anyone was successful,” Kirkhope said.
Rare are too busy to make a new Banjo platformer in-house, according to Kirkhope, and modern day Xbox might be “more open to discussion” now that the company seems laser focused on proven franchises. “Who thought that was a good idea? So, perhaps there’s a hope.” Should a Banjo-Threeie do the impossible and actually become a reality, Kirkhope does seem excited to join the project. “Sign me up,” he said.
We know of at least one developer who sounded very interested in bringing back the classic series: Spyro A Realm Beyond developer Toys for Bob. Over a year ago, in a chat with Canadian Guy Eh, co-studio head Paul Yan hinted the team could “have a lot of fun” reviving Banjo, as they did with both Crash Bandicoot and the loveable purple dragon.