Microsoft Has Received at Least 3 Pitches for a New Banjo-Kazooie
Composer Grant Kirkhope said he now sees a slight chance of a revival after Rare's leadership changed, though no studio has been confirmed for the project.
Microsoft and Rare have heard at least three pitches from outside studios for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, according to composer Grant Kirkhope. He does not know whether any of those proposals moved forward, so the update points to interest in a revival rather than a confirmed project.
In an interview with FRVR covered by Video Games Chronicle’s report, Kirkhope said his own outlook had changed from believing there was “zero chance” of another game to seeing “a slight chance.” That is a small adjustment, but it is a much friendlier position than the hard no he had previously given the series.
Craig Duncan’s departure from Rare appears to be part of the reason for Kirkhope’s change in outlook. He suggested that the studio’s current leadership could be more open to outside developers, while Rare remains busy with Sea of Thieves and other projects.
Why a new Banjo-Kazooie could come from outside Rare
Kirkhope said at least three external developers had physically pitched Microsoft or Rare on making a new Banjo-Kazooie. He did not identify the studios or say whether any proposal had been approved, leaving the status of each pitch unclear.
Toys for Bob is understood to be one of the interested teams. The studio is known for its work on Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, and it has been open about its affection for Rare’s platforming series. Another possible contender is Moon Studios, the developer behind Ori.
Moon Studios has an especially direct fan connection to the property. One of its designers recently published a Banjo-Kazooie fan game in PlayStation’s Dreams, giving players a look at how the classic characters could work in a newer project. The fan game is documented in Kotaku’s coverage.
Banjo-Kazooie has also remained visible through recent retro releases. Both N64 adventures returned as rebuilt Evercade ports rather than simple emulated versions, keeping the series in front of players while Microsoft decides what, if anything, comes next.
Original Rare team members previously expressed doubts about a new game during a 2023 discussion marking Banjo-Kazooie’s 25th anniversary. Character designer Steven Mayles explained that the original team worked with unusual freedom, while modern triple-A development would require far more approvals and take much longer. That history helps explain why an external pitch could be a more realistic route than a full internal revival at Rare.
For now, the clearest development is that Banjo-Kazooie has attracted multiple pitches, not that a new adventure is in production. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
