Evercade is set to release an enhanced Banjo-Kazooie package for its cartridge-based handhelds, and the platform holder says Rare played an unusually active role in the project.
The Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack includes revamped versions of Rare's Nintendo 64 classics Banjo-Kazooie (1998) and Banjo-Tooie (2000) and was announced alongside a new Evercade system earlier this year.
Evercade chief executive Andrew Byatt told FRVR that, although Evercade handled the ports, Rare provided substantial support throughout development.
Byatt explained that licensors vary in how involved they want to be: some sign off and move on, while others push for the best possible outcome.
He said Rare fell into the latter category, investing energy behind the scenes to test, approve, and refine the new releases.
Byatt also highlighted a practical advantage Rare offered: access to original source code and assets, including some cut content.
He said receiving source materials made a significant difference for Evercade's engineering team.
Porting without source typically requires reverse-engineering assembly-level code, which can add many months to a schedule.
With source code in hand, Byatt noted, the team avoided roughly nine to twelve months of additional work that reverse-engineering would have required.
The Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack has a confirmed release date of October 30, 2026, and will be playable on all current Evercade systems.
Evercade describes the releases as native ports with technical and quality-of-life improvements: higher resolution and improved frame rates, save state support, and refined control mappings.
The cartridges also include new content not present in the original N64 releases, such as additional dialogue, a new cheat menu, and a music player featuring previously unreleased tracks.
These Evercade ports are part of a broader trend in retro game preservation and commercial re-releases.
Banjo franchise characters have also appeared on modern platforms in recent years, most notably with a return to Nintendo Switch via Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate DLC, underscoring continued interest in Rare's N64-era work.
For collectors and preservationists, the Evercade Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack promises both nostalgia and tangible technical upgrades, supported by direct cooperation from Rare.
With the October 2026 release date set, Evercade systems will soon offer a cartridge-based way to play two of the most celebrated platformers from the Nintendo 64 era.
The Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack includes revamped versions of Rare's Nintendo 64 classics Banjo-Kazooie (1998) and Banjo-Tooie (2000) and was announced alongside a new Evercade system earlier this year.
Evercade chief executive Andrew Byatt told FRVR that, although Evercade handled the ports, Rare provided substantial support throughout development.
Byatt explained that licensors vary in how involved they want to be: some sign off and move on, while others push for the best possible outcome.
He said Rare fell into the latter category, investing energy behind the scenes to test, approve, and refine the new releases.
Byatt also highlighted a practical advantage Rare offered: access to original source code and assets, including some cut content.
He said receiving source materials made a significant difference for Evercade's engineering team.
Porting without source typically requires reverse-engineering assembly-level code, which can add many months to a schedule.
With source code in hand, Byatt noted, the team avoided roughly nine to twelve months of additional work that reverse-engineering would have required.
The Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack has a confirmed release date of October 30, 2026, and will be playable on all current Evercade systems.
Evercade describes the releases as native ports with technical and quality-of-life improvements: higher resolution and improved frame rates, save state support, and refined control mappings.
The cartridges also include new content not present in the original N64 releases, such as additional dialogue, a new cheat menu, and a music player featuring previously unreleased tracks.
These Evercade ports are part of a broader trend in retro game preservation and commercial re-releases.
Banjo franchise characters have also appeared on modern platforms in recent years, most notably with a return to Nintendo Switch via Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate DLC, underscoring continued interest in Rare's N64-era work.
For collectors and preservationists, the Evercade Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack promises both nostalgia and tangible technical upgrades, supported by direct cooperation from Rare.
With the October 2026 release date set, Evercade systems will soon offer a cartridge-based way to play two of the most celebrated platformers from the Nintendo 64 era.
