‘We’re huge fans’: Toys for Bob signals interest in reviving Banjo-Kazooie platformer series

Toys for Bob, the studio behind Crash Bandicoot and Spyro revival titles, has reiterated its strong desire to develop a new Banjo-Kazooie game, publicly declaring its enthusiasm for the dormant franchise during a July 2026 interview, while acknowledging both the franchise’s legacy and uncertain future.

Toys for Bob, known for its work on platform games such as Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and the recently announced new Spyro instalment, has confirmed it would “love” to work on a new Banjo-Kazooie entry should the opportunity arise. Speaking with Kinda Funny, associate creative director Lou Studdert stated, “It’s a franchise we love. As platformer fans, Banjo’s top of the heap. We have some huge, huge fans of that franchise on our staff. I’m talking, they’ve got the Jiggy as their profile pic and that kind of thing. So if the opportunity ever arose, that’d be amazing. We love the franchise.”

Studio head Paul Yan reinforced this sentiment, adding, “If you look at the throughline of the types of games that we like to make, I imagine that that’s part of that staple as well. Those characters, I think, you described as nostalgic. That’s one way of looking at it, but I think of them as timeless. I think the types of games we want to produce are ones that speak to a timeless place in the player, as well as an ageless one. We call it ‘the inner child’, right? So I think they’re wonderful games and we’re huge fans.”

Banjo-Kazooie’s Status: Dormant but Beloved

The Banjo-Kazooie franchise, developed by Rare and now owned by Xbox, has not seen a mainline entry since the 2008 release of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts on Xbox 360, over 15 years ago. While the franchise has maintained cultural relevance through limited re-releases, such as its addition to Nintendo Switch Online and the introduction of Banjo and Kazooie as characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there have been no official announcements regarding a new instalment.

Interest in platformer revivals is evident, as evidenced by Playtonic Games’ spiritual successor, Yooka-Laylee. This separate project, led by former Rare staff, raised $3 million in Kickstarter funding and sold over 1 million copies. However, even original Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope remains sceptical about the potential for a blockbuster Banjo comeback.

In a 2023 interview with VGC to mark the series’ 25th anniversary, Kirkhope said, “I feel like you’d have to get a team with the humour that we had back then, and that’s hard to replicate. I think Rare would be open to somebody if they found the right team, but I don’t feel like that team exists. Also, I’m not convinced the audience is there either… I don’t feel like there are that many Banjo fans out there.”

Reflecting on Banjo and Kazooie’s 2019 appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Kirkhope added: “The whole Smash Bros. thing was spectacular… it really was. I think all the team that worked on that game had a tear in their eye when Banjo turned up in Smash Bros… it was just an unbelievable release of emotion. Seeing all those [fans] crying on videos was heart-warming, and we all felt it. That was a once-in-a-lifetime event when that happened. But I still feel like, is there that multimillion-dollar thing within Banjo-Kazooie? I’m not convinced there is.”

Toys for Bob: A Proven Record with Platformers

Toys for Bob has become synonymous with successful platforming revivals, delivering both critical and commercial success through its stewardship of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and the upcoming new chapter in the Spyro the Dragon franchise. The studio’s keen interest in Banjo-Kazooie fits its trajectory of revitalising classic mascot-led titles. As stated by Paul Yan, “The types of games we want to produce are ones that speak to a timeless place in the player, as well as an ageless one. We call it ‘the inner child’, right? So I think they’re wonderful games and we’re huge fans.”

Despite clear passion and readiness from Toys for Bob to take the reins, any potential reboot or sequel rests with Rare and Xbox as rights holders and decision-makers. No official project has been announced as of July 2026. The gaming community remains in anticipation, with the success of mascot platformers and retro revivals continuing to shape industry speculation and publisher strategies.

• Studio Expressing Interest: Toys for Bob
• Franchise Owners: Rare, Xbox
• Original Banjo-Kazooie Platform Release: Xbox 360 (2008, Nuts & Bolts)
• Recent Franchise Appearances:
  • Nintendo Switch Online (re-release)
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (playable characters)
• Spiritual Successor: Yooka-Laylee by Playtonic Games
  • Kickstarter: $3 million raised
  • Sales: 1 million+ copies

Toys for Bob’s repeated public declarations solidify its place as the industry’s most vocal candidate for reviving Banjo-Kazooie. Still, the fate of the series ultimately depends on Rare’s willingness and market conditions, with both nostalgia and commercial realities at play.