Could Banjo-Kazooie Rival Super Mario? Moon Studios CEO Urges Microsoft to Revisit Classic Platformer on Modern Consoles

Banjo-Kazooie: The Classic Platformer That Could Rival Super Mario on Modern Consoles First released in the late 1990s by developer Rare, Banjo-Kazooie and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie, quickly became defining titles for the Nintendo 64, standing toe-to-toe with Nintendo’s legendary Super Mario 64.

Boasting inventive level design, vibrant worlds, and memorable characters, Banjo-Kazooie carved out its place in 3D platforming history.

The franchise’s remarkable run, however, stalled after Microsoft’s acquisition of Rare and a polarizing 2008 entry, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

Since then, fans have been left waiting for a true sequel or revival on modern gaming platforms such as the Nintendo Switch or Xbox. Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler—known for the acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps—recently reignited the conversation over Banjo-Kazooie’s potential on social media.

Mahler remarked that Microsoft has been letting the Banjo-Kazooie franchise languish, even though, in his view, a highly skilled development studio could deliver a title capable of challenging the universally recognized quality and commercial appeal of Nintendo’s 3D Mario games. "Microsoft has left Banjo-Kazooie dormant, but with the right creative talent, a new Banjo game could match 3D Mario in terms of gameplay and sales," Mahler stated, emphasizing the missed opportunity for the publisher to tap into the family-friendly 3D platformer space.

He further noted that Microsoft currently lacks renowned family-centric franchises, while competitors like Sony made headlines in 2024 with the success of Astro Bot, which critics widely praised and compared favorably to Nintendo’s flagship platformers. Mahler’s comments come at a time when cross-platform possibilities are increasingly relevant, with rumors that Microsoft could bring high-profile franchises like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Flight Simulator, and Diablo IV to forthcoming Nintendo hardware such as the anticipated Switch 2.

Given Banjo-Kazooie’s historic ties to Nintendo consoles and its enduring popularity with the Nintendo community, a modern revival could prove successful on both Xbox and Nintendo Switch platforms. Rare, the studio behind the original games, continues to have a significant legacy in the industry, while Moon Studios has demonstrated expertise in crafting polished, critically acclaimed platformers.

With technology advancements and renewed audience interest in 3D platformers, industry watchers and fans alike are eager to see if Microsoft will answer the call to bring Banjo-Kazooie back into the spotlight. As the gaming world awaits official announcements, the prospect of a new Banjo-Kazooie, potentially leveraging talent from studios renowned for excellence in the genre and landing on both Nintendo and Xbox hardware, remains an enticing possibility.

For now, enthusiasts can revisit classic entries on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and keep an eye on any developments from Microsoft and Rare aimed at revitalizing this iconic IP.

Nintendo Mario Banjo-Kazooie Microsoft Moon Studios Thomas Mahler Xbox Switch Super Mario Thomas Nintendo Switch