A new installment of the Banjo-Kazooie series is reportedly in development at Sumo Digital.
For a few months, rumors have multiplied concerning the release of a new episode of the Banjo-Kazooie series. The recent release of several figurines in the colors of the two emblematic characters, and the integration of the two characters into the cast of Super Smash Bros. have once again drawn attention to the shock duo, who had taken their first steps on Nintendo 64.
If Banjo & Kazooie were born on a Nintendo console, the series is now the property of Microsoft. The American giant had delivered a spin-off episode a few years ago called Nuts & Bolts which had not really been a huge success. Rumor has it that Microsoft is determined to bring the license back. Rare, the studio behind the first three parts, however, would not have the capacity to develop a new opus for years. And for good reason since the British studio is still working on Sea of Thieves and on a new project called Everwild, with which it would also encounter some difficulties.
As we know, Microsoft has chosen to entrust certain studio licenses to other studios. This is how a new Perfect Dark is in development at The Initiative, a newly formed studio. The next Banjo-Kazooie would have been entrusted to the British studio Sumo Digital. A studio that has already collaborated with Microsoft, notably on the development of Crackdown 3.
Sumo Digital is best known as a studio partner of Sega, which has worked on Outrun 2, Virtua Tennis 3, Sega Superstars Tennis, and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing among others. More recently, the British studio has signed slightly less impactful productions like Hood: Outlaws & Legends, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and HotShot Racing.
The rumor is signed this time by a Spanish youtubeur, who does not provide any details on the project. It should therefore be taken with a grain of salt. However, as we mentioned above, the context plays in favor of a revival for the franchise, especially since Microsoft seems determined to explore several franchises abandoned by its studios.
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