When people think of the mascot platformer, collect-a-thon genre,Banjo Kazooieusually sits somewhere at the top of the pile. For many years the only recent way to enjoy the title was through emulation or Xbox, but soon, fans will be able to enjoyBanjo Kazooiethrough Nintendo Switch Online.
Banjo Kazooie’s history is a complicated story, and one that many would consider being pretty sad. After creating the legendaryDonkey Kong Countryseries on the SNES, and many games for the Nintendo 64, includingBanjo Kazooie, Rare was acquired by Microsoft to become one of its first-party studios. Unfortunately, due to the changing times and player interests,Banjo Kazooiewas left by the wayside, aside from the strange platformer, kart-racer hybrid,Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Microsoft in recent years has shown fondness of the character and franchise, particularly by allowing Banjo and Kazooie be fighters inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
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Nintendo has announced the release window for whenBanjo Kazooieis coming to Nintendo Switch Online. In January, fans can look forward toBanjo Kazooie’s drop on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, with no exact date given.Dataminers found thatBanjo Kazooiewas comingto Nintendo Switch Online a few months ago, shortly after the initial release of the Expansion Pack. The Expansion Pack allows fans to play both N64 and Sega Genesis games on top of the NES and SNES library that is a part of the original Nintendo Switch Online library.
Banjo Kazooie’s arrival to Nintendo Switch Online has offered hope to some thatmore Xbox-owned N64 games might arriveto the service. During that time, Rare was putting out many of the N64’s best games like the stealth FPS classic,Perfect Dark, the tight and colorful kart-racer,Diddy Kong Racing, and the satirical mascot-platformer,Conker’s Bad Fur Day. Some games likeGoldenEye 007 will probably never resurface due to the extended legality of being aJames Bondmovie tie-in game, but it hasn’t stopped fans from hoping. Rare is currently developing an upcoming adventure game namedEverwild, while continuing support for the ambitious pirate game,Sea of Thieves.
It is great to seeBanjo Kazooiecome to Nintendo Switch Online, it being a continued demonstration of Nintendo and Xbox’s solid business relationship. Unfortunately, considering thebacklash of Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack, from the price of entry to the quality of the emulation,Banjo Kazooiemay not be enough to bring in new members. Nintendo has some problems to sort out with Nintendo Switch Online if it wants to grow the service to replace the Virtual Console.
Banjo Kazooieis available on Xbox 360 and through Rare Replay.
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