Many gamers have fond memories of the retro 3D platformerBanjo-Kazooie, a game that helped define the Nintendo 64.Banjo-Kazooiehas stayed in the hearts of gamers even three decades later, with its music, world, characters, and gameplay that helped define a generation of platformers. After many years, fans are able to play the original game on a Nintendo console once again, thanks to theNintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
Last year, Nintendo revealed several N64 games that would be coming to its online service, includingBanjo-Kazooie.WithBanjo-Kazooienow available on through the Expansion Pack add-on, many players are celebrating this re-release on a Nintendo system, reporting the emulation has been a huge improvement in comparison to its rocky start. The original developers and studio from Rare also joined in the festivities, posting a few congratulatory messages for this accomplishment.
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One of these can be seen with a detailed blog post on Rare’s website, written by veteran designer Leigh Loveday. She noted thatclassic Rare games coming back on the Switchwas a question that has been asked for a very long time, and the studio was immensely pleased to work with Nintendo in order to bringBanjo-Kazooieto the console. She also mentions that the version of the game available through the service is the exact same one from the N64.
Other key members ofBanjo-Kazooie’s development team took to social media to post their messages about the bear and bird’s adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Greg Mayles, the character designer and self-proclaimed “father” of Banjo, posted a piece of new art in celebration.Veteran Rare composer Grant Kirkhopealso posted a message celebrating the game’s return to a Nintendo console. Another designer from Rare, Ed Bryan, also celebratedBanjo-Kazooie’s release, showing off a piece of rendered artwork that was intended for magazines.
Banjo-Kazooieis available now for all Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack owners.
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