Banjo-Kazooie Composer Open to Creating Music for a Potential Third Game

Sure thing, here’s a rewritten version:

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So, I stumbled upon this chat with Grant Kirkhope, the guy who composed the music for the original Banjo-Kazooie game back in ’98. Seems like he’s not holding his breath for a new Banjo adventure, and honestly, it kinda bums me out. But hey, money talks, right? No clue why I expected otherwise.

I mean, Rare, the developers behind the series, haven’t really jumped at the chance to make a third game. Though, wild enough, other companies seem all in for the idea. And imagine this—if a new game ever happens, Kirkhope is all like, “Count me in!” He didn’t say it exactly like that, but you get it.

The whole Banjo-Kazooie saga’s been a big deal since its first release, way back when. It was a hit—a real blend of critical praise and sales numbers. But fast forward to 2008 with “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” on the Xbox 360, and that was the last we saw of our favorite bear and bird. Fans have been crossing fingers for a comeback ever since. Then, in 2024, Aaron Greenberg over at Xbox threw a grenade into the fan base with a tweet saying “nobody cares about Banjo-Kazooie.” Ouch. Even if he was kidding (he says he was), it felt like salt in the wound.

Kirkhope’s skepticism isn’t without reason. He casually dropped in a Eurogamer chat that the numbers might not add up for a new game. Social media can be loud, but making a game costs big bucks. Plus, there’s the whole vibe of the original games—quirky British humor and all—that he doubts an outside team could nail. Yet, he’s itching to get back to composing for it, should the stars align.

In a curious twist, studios like Toys for Bob and Moon Studios have shown some love for Banjo. They sound pretty hyped about taking on the challenge. Moon Studios’ CEO even cheekily suggested they could match the magic of 3D Mario. Bold claim, right? Meanwhile, Rare’s busy with other hits like Sea of Thieves and this new thing called Everwild. Busy bees, those folks.

While new adventures may not be on the horizon, a bit of nostalgia’s creeping back. Banjo-Kazooie’s landing on the Nintendo Switch 2, along with some N64 classics. More than just a trip down memory lane, they’re adding fresh features like rewind and custom controls. So, not all is lost for fans craving that Banjo charm.

Anyway, that’s the Banjo-Kazooie saga as it stands. A mix of hope, doubt, and maybe a sprinkle of magic waiting to happen. Or not. Guess we’ll see!