Nintendo’s September 2021 Direct confirmed a longtime rumor for fans, with classicNintendo 64 gamesbeing added toNintendo Switch Online. The service has already provided gamers with legacy content from both the NES and SNES eras, so logically the N64 was next. Now, after years of anticipation, the dream has become a reality, and a solid lineup of classic games likeSuper Mario 64andThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timewill be landing on the platform in late October.
While the announcement was exciting, there was a brief “blink and you’ll miss it,” moment that helped elevate the hype further. While discussing the service, a series of images depicting future games being added to the service scrolls by, includingPaper MarioandThe Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Just as this scroll is about to end, the final game shown before the clip cuts away isBanjo-Kazooie, Rare’s beloved late 90’s platforming adventure. Although theBanjo-KazooieIPis now the property of Microsoft, this bodes well for the Nintendo Switch Online service receiving more classic Rare games in the future.
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Microsoft’s Acquisiton of Rare
Rare is often considered the most prolific game developer on the N64 outside of Nintendo itself. During that generation, the company delivered hit after hit, with no significant drops in quality between releases. These games varied in genre as well, from colorful racing titles likeDiddy Kong Racingto slickfirst-person shooters such asPerfect Dark,and even bizarre 3D platformers likeConker’s Bad Fur Day. Nintendo and Rare seemed to have a good thing going, resulting in a long list of classics.
Despite all of this success, Nintendo never purchasedRareto become a first-party studio. With game development costs increasing, Rare needed financial backing to stay afloat and began to shop around to make a deal with another company. Microsoft purchased Rare and the studio began to develop titles exclusively on Xbox platforms. The sting of this transition is felt by most gamers of that era, feeling Rare’s magic was lost in the purchase after releasing more lackluster titles such asBanjo Kazooie: Nuts and BoltsandPerfect Dark Zero.
Nintendo’s Relationship with Microsoft
Because of the aformentioned deal, there was the notion thatBanjo-Kazooiewould never grace a Nintendo console again. While Xbox is understandably now the home for these franchises, because of its iconic place during the N64 era,Banjo-Kazooieand many other series like it will forever be associated with Nintendo.Nintendo and Microsofthave shown they can play nice and share properties, with viable proof over the years. This includes the surprise reveal of Banjo and Kazooie being added toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,and the Xbox-exclusiveCupheadbeing made available on the Nintendo Switch.
Now with confirmation thatBanjo-Kazooiewill be available via Switch Online, it is evident that Microsoft is open to lending out these properties. This opens the floodgates for numerous otherN64 classic gamesthat Rare made back in the day such asBanjo-Tooie, as it’s only natural for the sequel to be added if the original is available. In an industry often littered with sleazy business decisions like microtransactions, pay-to-win cycles, and companies going to court over rights, it’s nice to see two of the biggest gaming companies get along.Banjo-Kazooieis likely just the beginning for the Xbox’s collaboration with Nintendo, as several, if not all, of the old-school Rare games should eventually make their way ontoSwitch Online.
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