People were really hoping for the reveal of a brand new Banjo-Kazooie game during Xbox’s E3 conference on Sunday, but were left very disappointed yet again. That left the E3 Nintendo Direct as fans of the series’ last hope for seeing the duo return and they did not disappoint us like Xbox did, as Banjo-Kazooie was revealed as an upcoming DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Banjo-Kazooie and Rare as a whole have a major history with Nintendo, as the first two entries in the series release for Nintendo 64 before Rare was acquired by Microsoft. Since that time, we’ve only gotten Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for Xbox 360 and nothing else.
There have been rumors that Nintendo and Microsoft were playing very friendly behind the scenes as of late, with that being why Cuphead came to Switch, as well as a rumor that Ori and the Blind Forest coming as well.
This all culminated in the reveal trailer for the third DLC character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate near the end of the E3 Nintendo Direct, which started off very similarly to the King K. Rool reveal from last year. In that reveal, they trolled us with King Dedede before showing King K. Rool. This time, we get Duck Hunt trolling us instead, but then it is revealed that Banjo-Kazooie is actually in the game.
The duo look great in action, pulling moves directly from the games of the past. The visual style is also just like the classic games and not the ugly Nuts & Bolts version. Banjo-Kazooie will also come with a Spiral Mountain stage, which looks like it should be a lot of fun.
Banjo-Kazooie will be coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sometime in Fall 2019.
- This article was updated on July 30th, 2021
