Banjo-Kazooie, Nintendo Switch Online Trailer, My Thoughts

In 1998, British video game company Rare released the game Banjo-Kazooie for the Nintendo 64. The game focused on the titular characters: An affable honey bear named Banjo, and an ill-tempered Red-Crested Breegull named Kazooie. Their games often told of their adventures protecting their home of Spiral Mountain from the evil witch named Gruntilda. 

The game would get critical praise for its graphics, music, and level design. It would also be a commercial smash, selling around two million copies in the United States. The game would spawn a minor franchise for Rare in the late 90s, and early 2000s, including two sequels, and a couple spinoff games.

When Rare was bought out by Microsoft, the original Banjo-Kazooie would get remastered for the Xbox 360, and then be included as part of the Rare Replay collection for the Xbox One. It seemed that the bear and bird would never get to have another adventure on a Nintendo console again, especially since the franchise went dormant after the third game, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, was released in 2008.

But then, due to fan demand, as well as a relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo, Banjo and Kazooie became playable fighters in the fifth game in the Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. And now, the first game is also coming to the Nintendo Switch Online service! Let's look at the trailer!

It's still nice to see Banjo and Kazooie on a Nintendo console again. Yes, they're in the latest Smash game, but it's nice to see a game where they're the focus on a Nintendo console again. 

Fans have said it was like they had come home. And yeah, they're home again. 

This brings back memories for me. This was one of my favorite games to play on the Nintendo 64, alongside Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, and the first Super Smash Bros.

Listening to that music in the background, I just realized something. Kazooie's name is a reference to the kazoo. The main theme of the game is meant to sound like a banjo and kazoo. How did I not realize this before? Now I feel stupid.

Take that, crab!

I hate those eel things.

Mojo's transformations are always funny. The washing machine is hilarious.

Eat that, snowman!

Well, this is a pleasant surprise.

I'm thrilled this game is on the Switch's online service. I never imagined when I was younger playing this game on the old N64 that I would be able to play this game on the go. That's pretty awesome. I have heard criticism about the Switch's ability to emulate N64 games, so I do hope that gets fixed up. I want to play this game on the go.

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