Celebrated Rare designer Gregg Mayles recently marked a major career milestone as he parted ways with Rare after an extraordinary 36-year tenure.
The British developer is renowned for his work on iconic games such as Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country, and Banjo-Kazooie, all of which left an indelible mark on the history of Nintendo platforms. With Mayles now looking ahead to new ventures, he has also taken time to shine a spotlight on his storied past.
In celebration of Banjo-Tooie's 25th anniversary—a beloved 3D platformer that debuted on the Nintendo 64 in 2000—Mayles has been delving into his personal archives to share rare behind-the-scenes materials from the game’s development.
Among these treasures are scripts, storyboards for unused television spots, maps, unreleased special abilities, and design notes illustrating the creativity that powered Rare’s golden era with Nintendo. Yet, one piece of memorabilia stands out for its historical significance: a fax sent from Nintendo’s Japanese headquarters that granted regional release approval for Banjo-Tooie.
The author was none other than Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox.
In handwritten English, Miyamoto praised the team’s efforts by writing, 'Splendid game,' followed by a cheerful thumbs-up doodle.
Mayles reflected on how meaningful such direct feedback was, suggesting that this personal touch carried more weight than today’s email-based communications ever could. Rare’s close collaboration with Nintendo throughout the 1990s proved fruitful for both companies, propelling the Nintendo 64 to the forefront of the gaming world thanks to software milestones like Banjo-Tooie and Donkey Kong Country.
Mayles’ creative leadership during this era not only captivated millions of players, but also earned the firm recognition as one of Nintendo’s most respected Western partners.
Banjo-Tooie, developed by a passionate team at Rare and published by Nintendo, sold over three million copies worldwide and is often hailed for its expansive worlds, clever puzzles, and infectious humor. As Mayles continues to share more discoveries from his time at Rare, fans and historians alike are gaining deeper insight into the creative process behind some of Nintendo’s most celebrated games.
For those eager to follow his journey, the designer is active on social media, regularly posting archival content sure to delight fans of Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, and the Nintendo 64 legacy.
Through these glimpses into game development history, Mayles is not only honoring his past, but also inspiring a new generation of developers working within the Nintendo ecosystem and beyond.
The British developer is renowned for his work on iconic games such as Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country, and Banjo-Kazooie, all of which left an indelible mark on the history of Nintendo platforms. With Mayles now looking ahead to new ventures, he has also taken time to shine a spotlight on his storied past.
In celebration of Banjo-Tooie's 25th anniversary—a beloved 3D platformer that debuted on the Nintendo 64 in 2000—Mayles has been delving into his personal archives to share rare behind-the-scenes materials from the game’s development.
Among these treasures are scripts, storyboards for unused television spots, maps, unreleased special abilities, and design notes illustrating the creativity that powered Rare’s golden era with Nintendo. Yet, one piece of memorabilia stands out for its historical significance: a fax sent from Nintendo’s Japanese headquarters that granted regional release approval for Banjo-Tooie.
The author was none other than Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox.
In handwritten English, Miyamoto praised the team’s efforts by writing, 'Splendid game,' followed by a cheerful thumbs-up doodle.
Mayles reflected on how meaningful such direct feedback was, suggesting that this personal touch carried more weight than today’s email-based communications ever could. Rare’s close collaboration with Nintendo throughout the 1990s proved fruitful for both companies, propelling the Nintendo 64 to the forefront of the gaming world thanks to software milestones like Banjo-Tooie and Donkey Kong Country.
Mayles’ creative leadership during this era not only captivated millions of players, but also earned the firm recognition as one of Nintendo’s most respected Western partners.
Banjo-Tooie, developed by a passionate team at Rare and published by Nintendo, sold over three million copies worldwide and is often hailed for its expansive worlds, clever puzzles, and infectious humor. As Mayles continues to share more discoveries from his time at Rare, fans and historians alike are gaining deeper insight into the creative process behind some of Nintendo’s most celebrated games.
For those eager to follow his journey, the designer is active on social media, regularly posting archival content sure to delight fans of Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong Country, and the Nintendo 64 legacy.
Through these glimpses into game development history, Mayles is not only honoring his past, but also inspiring a new generation of developers working within the Nintendo ecosystem and beyond.
