Grant Kirkhope: Three Studios Reportedly Pitched a New Banjo-Kazooie to Microsoft

Veteran composer Grant Kirkhope has revealed that he is aware of multiple development teams that formally pitched new Banjo-Kazooie projects to Microsoft and Rare. Kirkhope, who composed the scores for the original Banjo-Kazooie (1998) and its sequel Banjo-Tooie (2000), said in a recent interview that three studios submitted proposals but, in his view, none of the pitches succeeded in securing development approval. Kirkhope declined to name the studios involved. He summarized the situation by saying he knew of three separate companies that had physically presented proposals to Microsoft or Rare for another Banjo-Kazooie game, and he did not believe any of those pitches were accepted. That account comes from the composer’s own public remarks. The Banjo-Kazooie franchise is owned by Microsoft following Rare’s acquisition in 2002. The IP’s release history includes the Nintendo 64 originals Banjo-Kazooie (1998) and Banjo-Tooie (2000), and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts on Xbox 360 in 2008. The classic titles were later included in Rare Replay, a 2015 compilation released for Xbox One that collected many of Rare’s back catalog and introduced those games to a newer console generation. Microsoft publishes Rare’s output under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella, meaning proposals for new entries in the Banjo franchise are reviewed and greenlit at the publisher level. The franchise’s profile has seen notable moments since Rare’s Microsoft era, including Banjo & Kazooie’s inclusion as a downloadable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2019 — an example of Microsoft and Nintendo cooperation on the property. Kirkhope’s comments add a data point to ongoing fan interest in a new Banjo-Kazooie release, but they do not confirm an active, approved project. What is verifiable: the IP remains with Microsoft, Rare developed the originals and Nuts & Bolts, and the core titles are available today through Rare Replay on Xbox One and backward-compatible on newer Xbox consoles. For now, fans and industry watchers will have to wait for an official announcement from Microsoft or Rare regarding any new Banjo-Kazooie development.