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The classic 3D platforming series Banjo-Kazooie has been dormant for over 15 years, but rumors are swirling that a new entry in the beloved franchise may finally be in development.
Insider sources like Nate Drake and rumors on forums like ResetEra claim that a new Banjo-Kazooie game has been greenlit at Xbox and is currently an “active project.” Details are scarce, but the project is said to have kicked off sometime in early 2022.
(FYI) Insider Nate Drake has said that a New Banjo Kazooie is coming
"It's still an active project, but it didn't get the green light until early last year. There is a lot to do and development can change a lot (abandoned ideas, internal reboots, etc.)
Also, Phil said: "Banjo… pic.twitter.com/sQyKlD11bu
— Idle Sloth💙💛 (@IdleSloth84_) December 29, 2023
While details are light, the prospect of Banjo and Kazooie returning in a brand new adventure has fans of the original Nintendo 64 classics buzzing with nostalgia and excitement. However, some are worried that modernizing the series may lose some of the magic that made it special back in the late 90s.
Others have pointed out that the original developer Rare is likely not involved with the rumored project, as they have moved on to other franchises like Sea of Thieves. This has lead to skepticism about whether a Banjo revival without key original talent could capture the spirit of the N64 classics.
Nonetheless, with Xbox head Phil Spencer himself stating the team hears fans asking for Banjo, it seems likely the rumored project is in the works on some level. But with no details or confirmation, fans will have to wait patiently for any official announcement.
For now, the state of the rumored new Banjo-Kazooie remains a mystery. But the prospect of the honeycomb-hunting bear and bird duo finally returning after 15 long years has both nostalgic gamers and skeptical critics chiming in. We may not know any concrete details yet, but the gears seem to be turning to potentially bring this classic platforming series into the modern gaming landscape.
