Legendary game designer Gregg Mayles, celebrated for his pivotal role in shaping Rare’s classic titles like Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads, and Banjo-Kazooie, recently made headlines with the revelation of a widely-circulated Nintendo fax regarding Banjo-Tooie.
As Mayles marks his departure from Rare after a distinguished 36-year tenure, the moment offered fans a chance to reflect on the developer’s lasting impact on the gaming industry and uncover some behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of platformers. Banjo-Tooie, Rare’s critically acclaimed follow-up to Banjo-Kazooie, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary since its original release on the Nintendo 64.
The game's enduring appeal is evident not only in its celebrated eShop revivals on services like Xbox Live Arcade but in the devoted fanbase that continues to explore its secrets on both original and modern platforms.
As part of this milestone, Mayles has been delving into his personal archives, sharing rare memorabilia and development anecdotes via social media. One particularly notable item was a fax purportedly sent from Nintendo’s Japanese headquarters, allegedly penned by legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto.
The message, which read in English “Splendid game” accompanied by a smiley face and a thumbs-up, seemed to give the game Miyamoto’s personal seal of approval.
This light-hearted detail delighted fans who imagined Miyamoto personally offering such enthusiastic endorsements for international releases. However, Mayles has now clarified the true story behind the fax.
In a recent update, he revealed that the handwritten assurance was actually his own playful addition, not Miyamoto’s.
With typical British humor, Mayles admitted to the cheeky prank, offering a laugh to followers and setting the record straight.
In his words, it was just a bit of fun — an inside joke from Rare’s storied development halls. Mayles’ openness in digging through development history, from unfilmed television commercial scripts to unused Banjo-Tooie special moves, comes as he embarks on a new chapter outside Rare.
His willingness to share these candid moments, both whimsical and insightful, reflects a culture of creativity and camaraderie that helped define Rare’s legacy in gaming. Fans and industry insiders alike remain eager to see what archival treasures Mayles will share next as he continues to celebrate his influential past.
Those interested in future updates on classic Banjo-Tooie content and Rare’s development history can follow Gregg Mayles through his active social media channels. This humorous reveal not only set the record straight but also highlighted the enduring bond among the creators behind some of the most beloved Nintendo titles, underscoring the meticulous and often playful process that brings legendary games to life.
As Mayles marks his departure from Rare after a distinguished 36-year tenure, the moment offered fans a chance to reflect on the developer’s lasting impact on the gaming industry and uncover some behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of platformers. Banjo-Tooie, Rare’s critically acclaimed follow-up to Banjo-Kazooie, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary since its original release on the Nintendo 64.
The game's enduring appeal is evident not only in its celebrated eShop revivals on services like Xbox Live Arcade but in the devoted fanbase that continues to explore its secrets on both original and modern platforms.
As part of this milestone, Mayles has been delving into his personal archives, sharing rare memorabilia and development anecdotes via social media. One particularly notable item was a fax purportedly sent from Nintendo’s Japanese headquarters, allegedly penned by legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto.
The message, which read in English “Splendid game” accompanied by a smiley face and a thumbs-up, seemed to give the game Miyamoto’s personal seal of approval.
This light-hearted detail delighted fans who imagined Miyamoto personally offering such enthusiastic endorsements for international releases. However, Mayles has now clarified the true story behind the fax.
In a recent update, he revealed that the handwritten assurance was actually his own playful addition, not Miyamoto’s.
With typical British humor, Mayles admitted to the cheeky prank, offering a laugh to followers and setting the record straight.
In his words, it was just a bit of fun — an inside joke from Rare’s storied development halls. Mayles’ openness in digging through development history, from unfilmed television commercial scripts to unused Banjo-Tooie special moves, comes as he embarks on a new chapter outside Rare.
His willingness to share these candid moments, both whimsical and insightful, reflects a culture of creativity and camaraderie that helped define Rare’s legacy in gaming. Fans and industry insiders alike remain eager to see what archival treasures Mayles will share next as he continues to celebrate his influential past.
Those interested in future updates on classic Banjo-Tooie content and Rare’s development history can follow Gregg Mayles through his active social media channels. This humorous reveal not only set the record straight but also highlighted the enduring bond among the creators behind some of the most beloved Nintendo titles, underscoring the meticulous and often playful process that brings legendary games to life.
