Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope sees 'slight chance' for new sequel
The original composer believes Rare may be more open to external pitches following leadership changes at Xbox Game Studios.
Grant Kirkhope, the original composer for the Banjo-Kazooie series, has revised his outlook on the possibility of a new entry in the franchise. While he previously believed there was "zero chance" of a sequel, Kirkhope now suggests there is a "slight chance" the series could return.
According to Kirkhope, this shift in perspective stems from potential changes in leadership. He suggests that the departure of Craig Duncan, a former studio head at Xbox Game Studios, may have left Rare more receptive to new discussions regarding the IP. However, the path to a new game remains difficult; Kirkhope noted that approximately three companies have already physically pitched a new Banjo-Kazooie project to Microsoft or Rare, and all were unsuccessful. He observed that "Rare just typically say no to everything."
A dormant legacy
The Banjo-Kazooie series is a cornerstone of the 3D platforming genre, yet it has not seen a mainline platformer since the Nintendo 64 era. The most recent entry, the vehicle-centric Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, was released on the Xbox 360 nearly 20 years ago. While the characters remain iconic, the studio has moved in different directions. Kirkhope indicated that Rare is currently too busy to develop a new Banjo platformer in-house, which is why he believes the most viable path forward would be for an external developer to spearhead the project.
Industry implications
This potential revival comes at a time when the industry has seen a resurgence of mascot platformers. The commercial success of revived franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro has demonstrated a sustained market appetite for the genre's roots. For Microsoft, leveraging a proven cult favorite like Banjo-Kazooie aligns with a broader strategic focus on utilizing established intellectual property to drive engagement. If Rare is indeed becoming more open to external partnerships, it could signal a shift in how Microsoft manages its legacy titles.
The road ahead
Despite the increased optimism, a sequel is far from guaranteed. The failure of previous pitches suggests that Microsoft and Rare maintain a very high bar for who is allowed to handle the franchise. Whether a new partner can eventually meet those requirements remains to be seen. For his part, Kirkhope remains eager to be involved should a project finally get the green light, simply stating, "Sign me up."