Banjo Kazooie in Super Smash Bros Switch, is it actually realistic?

Deleted member 33 · Mar 12, 2018

APZonerunner said:
I think it's fair to say it's probably an intersection of relevancy and Nintendo history, though. A third-party character is more about the relevancy, which is why we got Cloud instead of a less immediately recognizable SNES-era FF rep or something. Like I said above, it's a combination of factors. Nintendo's own franchises they paint with a broader brush, but that's because it's their stuff.

Do I believe Banjo-Kazooie will join the Smash Bros roster? No, it's very unlikely. It's not impossible, but it's not likely either.

But there is (surprisingly) a lot of N64 nostalgia happening right now, and adding Banjo-Kazooie as future DLC would be a smart way to capitalize on that N64 nostalgia. Not only did Banjo have two N64 games, but he was a playable character in Diddy Kong Racing.

Year-after-year, vintage game retailers are saying that Nintendo 64 is their best selling console. Not the NES or SNES or anything Sega.

From Kotaku, last year:

Sellers of vintage gaming hardware said they noticed a boom in Nintendo 64 sales this holiday season, a shift away from the previous generations of consoles that Christmas shoppers had coveted years earlier. Storeowners, online sellers, and repairmen I interviewed said that in the months leading up to Christmas, Nintendo 64s were hot commodities, especially among 25- to 30-year-olds who'd grown up with the system.

"We easily sold over a hundred," said Daniel Mastin, general manager of the independent store Video Games New York, as he stood in front of a glass showcase stacked high with Japanese Famicom cartridges and neatly arranged Game Boy Color boxes. Over the last few years, Mastin said he has noticed a slow movement away from the Super Nintendo Entertainment Systems that had dominated Christmas sales years ago at his New York City store.

"This was the best year for the 64 to date," he said. While we were chatting, the phone rang. The caller, who had just received an N64 for Christmas, wanted to know whether Video Games New York still had controllers.

Khezu · Mar 12, 2018

The Chameleon and Bat have a better shot.

Velocity:Design:Comfort · Mar 12, 2018

Banjo for Smash, new Banjo game at E3, and in exchange, Nintendo gets the good Rare games for n64 classic (which becomes extremely successful for both companies, as MS makes some money per sale). Even if that pushes its cost up to 100 bucks it's a win for everyone. Calling it now.

Yukinari · Mar 12, 2018

Khezu said:
The Chameleon and Bat have a better shot.

Chameleon Twist and Aero the Acrobat?

MasterYoshi · Mar 12, 2018

I'd love to see Banjo Kazooie vs. Yooka Laylee vs Crash Bandicoot.

Amnixia · Mar 12, 2018

Lucas M. Thomas said:
I say yes. After Cloud, anyone's possible.

Sony doesn't own Cloud, if they did you wouldn't have seen him in Smash.

That said, I believe Phill is a cool guy and it I'd love Banjo and Kazooie to be in.
Make it happen guys!

VeePs · Mar 12, 2018

I think it would be really cool if Nintendo launches a N64 mini this year, includes Banjo, and launches Smash with Banjo around the same period.

I think MS would be more than happy to work out a deal. They were willing to port Goldeneye over to the Wii.

Friskykillface · Mar 12, 2018

Yeah, if anything I'd have it be a tie in to an Xbox live account to see how much of a scramble people would go to set one up.

Exclusive if you own an Xbox one and provide the serial number >:)

Was smash dlc $3/$4 a character? I bet you could do $6 and ms will take $2/$3 for every purchase for it to work, I'd do that tbh

Salty Rice · Mar 12, 2018

Bear said:
Yeah there is. Would be a huge goodwill move for Microsoft.

Sure its good for MS but why should Nintendo care to put them in?

There is no reason to put them in Smash since only MS would gain from it.

Nintendo would need something in exchange.

RROCKMAN · Mar 12, 2018

Has a much better chance then Sans thats for sure.

Meowmixez · Mar 12, 2018

I would love to see Goemon in Smash.

Jawmuncher · Mar 12, 2018

Salty Rice said:
Sure its good for MS but why should Nintendo care to put them in?

There is no reason to put them in Smash since only MS would gain from it.

Nintendo would need something in exchange.

Nintendo could make people happy, sell copies of smash, get a cut of each DLC sale if they went that way.
It doesn't have to bee 100% pure profit. Bayonetta's inclusion sure wasn't that lol.

Madison · Mar 12, 2018

RROCKMAN said:
Has a much better chance then Sans thats for sure.

Sans is already in smash though

:)

Bear · Mar 12, 2018

Salty Rice said:
Sure its good for MS but why should Nintendo care to put them in?

There is no reason to put them in Smash since only MS would gain from it.

Nintendo would need something in exchange.

Banjo's a beloved former Nintendo character. They get a huge PR move out of it, too. Every gaming site would run that story 100%.

MegaManTrigger · Mar 12, 2018

Silky said:
Classic design is reboot-tier bad

Are you nuts? If we got this:

Updated with the capabilities of modern hardware, it'd look amazing than the crap we got from N&B

ShinUltramanJ · Mar 12, 2018

That one way street relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo.

How about Nintendo puts Samus in Halo, if Microsoft were to let them use Banjo?

Salty Rice · Mar 12, 2018

Jawmuncher said:
Nintendo could make people happy, sell copies of smash, get a cut of each DLC sale if they went that way.
It doesn't have to bee 100% pure profit. Bayonetta's inclusion sure wasn't that lol.

Bayonetta is now kinda Nintendo franchise, promotes their game and was also highly demanded.

Bear said:
Banjo's a beloved former Nintendo character. They get a huge PR move out of it, too. Every gaming site would run that story 100%.

They could put that shitty ice cream Pokemon in Smash and every gaming site would run that story. Its Smash.

mas8705 · Mar 12, 2018

Cloud getting into Smash has confirmed that as long as you are a video game character, you have just as good of a chance as anyone else.

Raven777 · Mar 12, 2018

This would make my year. I would fart rainbows of immense joy if this was actually announced. I have the Banjo Kazooie soundtrack that was released on Vinyl a long while back and listen to it more often than I care to admit...

Merc_ · Mar 12, 2018

mas8705 said:
Cloud getting into Smash has confirmed that as long as you are a video game character, you have just as good of a chance as anyone else.

Cloud isn't owned by Sony though.

Defect · Mar 12, 2018

I'd like them to trade Masterchief and Samus for Smash and Killer Instinct.

Calverz · Mar 12, 2018

Spinluck said:
As long as it's not the Nuts and Bolts design.

As long as it is the Nuts and Bolts design.

Deleted member 3010 · Mar 12, 2018

I don't think it's impossible, but the chances are slim.

Considering that Phil seems to be a relatively open chap and all the Switch/PC/X1 cross-play games popping up lately, it's not impossible. However I have no idea how such a deal can be fairly dealt with, from both parties perspectives. Maybe it could happen if Microsoft just let Nintendo do whatever they want with it with absolutely no strings attached except a mention in the credits.

t67443 · Mar 12, 2018

MegaManTrigger said:
Updated with the capabilities of modern hardware, it'd look amazing than the crap we got from N&B

I'm sorry I don't understand. N&B was one of the most amazing games on the 360.

I do think it's possible to see Banjo in Smash considering how Minecraft is on the Switch, there's an exclusive Mario skin pack for Minecraft, and there was a Viva Piñata game for the DS I believe.

I just think that Banjo may be too western though since Smash has typically had more characters and items that were exclusive to Japan or Japan only references to games.

super moustique · Mar 12, 2018

Well, if Sakurai wants them...

Flagless · Mar 12, 2018

Can we agree Minecraft Steve is a no-brainer?

Jawmuncher · Mar 12, 2018

Salty Rice said:
Bayonetta is now kinda Nintendo franchise, promotes their game and was also highly demanded.

They could put that shitty ice cream Pokemon in Smash and every gaming site would run that story. Its Smash.

Remember Bayo was most popular from what was allowable on the ballot. We have no clue where she actually ended up vote wise, since she certainly wasn't #1 or else that would've been said. Though I agree her being added to smash was a good way to help try and spur sales of Bayo 2 on WiiU and Switch.

Deleted member 4359 · Mar 12, 2018

If we get Mario in Killer Instinct yes

DevilPuncher · Mar 12, 2018

I could see it happening. I don't think that it's likely, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility either.

RockmanBN · Mar 12, 2018

Flagless said:
Can we agree Minecraft Steve is a no-brainer?

Would get mass appeal from kids and teenagers now. Wouldn't mind at all if it happened.

MegaManTrigger · Mar 12, 2018

t67443 said:
I'm sorry I don't understand. N&B was one of the most amazing games on the 360.

I do think it's possible to see Banjo in Smash considering how Minecraft is on the Switch, there's an exclusive Mario skin pack for Minecraft, and there was a Viva Piñata game for the DS I believe.

I just think that Banjo may be too western though since Smash has typically had more characters and items that were exclusive to Japan or Japan only references to games.

I'm not talking the game though (although I disagree with you. I found the level design bland and mission structure very repetitive), the design for Banjo Kazooie in N&B was very blocky and not representative of the N64 version.

Shpeshal Nick · Mar 12, 2018

Cartridge Games said:
I think MS would be up to licensing it for an N64 Classic.
I don't think Nintendo would be too interested in licensing it for Smash.
Banjo isn't too big anymore, and giving him a Smash push when the series would never be featured on a Nintendo system doesn't seem like the best idea.

I think Minecraft guy is more likely

I'm not a big Smash fan so I'm not fussed, but yeah I'd be shocked if Nintendo and Microsoft don't work out an agreement that involves paying a few dollars more for the N64 Classic in order to have all of Rare's games on there. You just can't have an N64 Classic without them.

KINGOFSHIBUYA Ltd. · Mar 12, 2018

The bigger question is does Nintendo care?

Probably not. And they won't lose sleep nor money.

I'm sure there are significantly less people who played those games than would buy a Smash game, too. They aren't particular popular characters, especially compare to Mario, Ryu, or Cloud, who are timeless and usually recognized even by folks who never played their games.

It could happen though.

Sou Da · Mar 12, 2018

MegaManTrigger said:
Are you nuts? If we got this:

Updated with the capabilities of modern hardware, it'd look amazing than the crap we got from N&B

I will never accept these weirdo human hands as long as I breathe.

tadaima · Mar 12, 2018

It is not impossible. Banjo sold well in Japan so he stands as a globally recognised character and the relationship with Microsoft is good. Even my coworker, a 26 year old Japanese girl with limited (if any) western gaming influence, finds Banjo nostalgic and is able to sing the game's songs!

Fuchsia · Mar 12, 2018

I need this so badly. It's like the one character I might legitimately freak out over these days. I might main banjo and kazooie if they were good enough.

I could see it it happening as long as Nintendo aren't too stubborn about things. Seems microsoft is down to ally with anyone in any way these days.

Dynamite Cop · Mar 12, 2018

Yeah, I think Microsoft is desperate enough at this point.

Vulcano's Assistant · Mar 12, 2018

People would start expecting to see hints of Banjo 3 in "the next" Nintendo direct until the end of days.

Gartooth · Mar 12, 2018

Sakurai would be a legend and hero to me if he was able to get Banjo-Kazooie back on a Nintendo platform. I want to see this happen so badly, and I think Microsoft loosening up their grip on exclusive IP can help.

The ball is really in Nintendo's court, but pushing Banjo and N64 nostalgia can only help Nintendo later on with getting people excited for an N64 Classic.

Deleted member 3815 · Mar 12, 2018

Cybersai said:
Not really. Sakurai seems against western created characters too.

G_Shumi said:
No. Nintendo would have to actually put in non-Japanese characters first.

Diddy Kong is a western created character that made it into smash and before you go "well that's different because Nintendo owns him" it still doesn't take away the fact that he was created by a westerner plus Nintendo pretty much stayed hands off with Diddy Kong even opting to use Donkey Kong Jr in Mario Tennis for the N64, they saw Diddy Kong as a Rare creation and it wasn't until Rare being sold off did they used Diddy Kong in Mario titles.

Plus Smash Bros 4 had trophy for Captain commander and Rayman, so they aren't against using western characters.

daTRUballin · Mar 12, 2018

Imagine Conker in Smash instead lol. But he's even more unlikely due to being even more obscure and he comes from an M rated game that Nintendo hated back when it came out.

Also, wouldn't putting Banjo in Smash sort of defeat the purpose of Microsoft buying the IP from Nintendo in the first place? I know it was almost 20 years ago now and MS hasn't bothered to do much with Banjo ever since, but still.

NinjaCoachZ · Mar 12, 2018

Emily said:
Do I believe Banjo-Kazooie will join the Smash Bros roster? No, it's very unlikely. It's not impossible, but it's not likely either.

But there is (surprisingly) a lot of N64 nostalgia happening right now, and adding Banjo-Kazooie as future DLC would be a smart way to capitalize on that N64 nostalgia. Not only did Banjo have two N64 games, but he was a playable character in Diddy Kong Racing.

Year-after-year, vintage game retailers are saying that Nintendo 64 is their best selling console. Not the NES or SNES or anything Sega.

From Kotaku, last year:

Yup. The N64 has a ton of street cred among nostalgic gamers and Banjo Kazooie is one of the most beloved games. People saying no one has nostalgia for Banjo and Kazooie is as silly as everyone who said no one has nostalgia for Crash.

Spinluck · Mar 12, 2018

Calverz said:
As long as it is the Nuts and Bolts design.

Reported

SuperBlank · Mar 12, 2018

Is it impossible? No.

Is it realistic? No.

But damn it'd be awesome.

Nesther · Mar 12, 2018

It'd be a dream come true, no matter which design. But if Sakurai would go the Mega Man route, and modernize classic Banjo, I'd cry tears of joy.

Gartooth · Mar 12, 2018

As for the whole, "well how does promoting Banjo help Nintendo", the two biggest points that could benefit Nintendo are working out a deal for emulation of Rare's back catalog, along with the matter that Microsoft is easily one of the most important third parties to Nintendo thanks to Minecraft.

Z-Beat · Mar 12, 2018

Banjo showed up in Diddy Kong Racing so I don't see why not.

Syril · Mar 12, 2018

After Cloud I'll believe anything.

daTRUballin · Mar 12, 2018

Z-Beat said:
Banjo showed up in Diddy Kong Racing so I don't see why not.

The difference is that Banjo was exclusively a character on Nintendo systems at the time. Nowadays it's a more complicated matter.

mas8705 · Mar 12, 2018

Merc_ said:
Cloud isn't owned by Sony though.

Not owned, but highly seen with Sony due to being mainly with them. And since the interest was there for B-K to join too, it is still up for grabs if it is allowed.

Banjo Kazooie in Super Smash Bros Switch, is it actually realistic?

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