Overview of Xbox’s Potential Banjo-Kazooie Revival
- Moon Studios’ CEO posits that a new Banjo-Kazooie title could see Nintendo-level sales if developed correctly.
- Currently, Xbox’s portfolio lacks a family-friendly 3D platformer, making a Banjo revival an appealing strategy for capturing a broader market.
- Xbox holds several key IPs that could support a new wave of family-friendly platformers, including fan favorites like Banjo-Kazooie, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro the Dragon.
Many enthusiasts within the Xbox community resonate with the sentiments expressed by Thomas Mahler, the CEO of Moon Studios, asserting that a Banjo-Kazooie revival has the potential to match sales figures achieved by Nintendo’s flagship franchises. Moon Studios, renowned for their acclaimed titles such as Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, both of which debuted as timed exclusives on Xbox, is now venturing into new territory with their upcoming isometric action RPG, No Rest for the Wicked.
The absence of a family-friendly 3D platformer in Xbox’s first-party offerings has been palpable. Historically, Nintendo has dominated this genre, while PlayStation has also made strides with acclaimed titles like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and the award-winning Astro Bot. Psychonauts 2 by Double Fine stands as Xbox’s most notable attempt to fill this family-friendly platforming void, but their portfolio still lacks a definitive go-to title. Following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Xbox has access to popular franchises such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, yet no concrete plans for these beloved characters have been publicly articulated.
In a recent discussion with Pure Xbox, Mahler emphasized this gap in Xbox’s offerings, suggesting that a well-executed revival of Banjo-Kazooie could indeed compete with the likes of 3D Mario and achieve similar sales milestones. For context, Nintendo’s recent installment, Super Mario Odyssey, has surpassed 28 million copies sold since its debut in 2017. Mahler noted that the partnership between Xbox and Moon Studios could have seen a 3D Ori game, reflecting the studio’s transition towards developing No Rest for the Wicked, which integrates 3D elements.
Revitalizing Xbox’s Family-Friendly Gaming Landscape
With numerous cherished IPs in its possession, Xbox is well-equipped to develop a new line of family-friendly 3D platformers, assuming the right development teams are assigned. The original creators of Banjo-Kazooie, Rare, are currently occupied with their existing projects, including Sea of Thieves and the ambitious yet challenging Everwild development. Meanwhile, Double Fine is also a potential candidate to helm the Banjo revival, although creative director Tim Schafer has expressed a desire to focus on original IP rather than established franchises for now.
While Toys for Bob has moved on from Xbox following Activision’s acquisition, they remain in partnership with the platform on a forthcoming yet undisclosed project. There’s potential for Toys for Bob to take charge of the Banjo-Kazooie revival; however, their history with Crash Bandicoot and Spyro could complicate this undertaking.
The conversation surrounding a possible Banjo-Kazooie revival raises interesting questions regarding its format—should it be a remake, remaster, or a comprehensive reboot? Given the lengthy hiatus since the last title, a direct sequel might be out of reach. With Xbox’s Phil Spencer recently highlighting fan excitement for a fresh Banjo installment towards the end of 2023, the prospects for revitalizing this beloved franchise appear brighter than ever. Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with Xbox’s upcoming showcases, particularly the Summer Game Fest in June, which may be the venue for significant announcements related to this potential revival.
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