Nintendo's September 2021 Direct confirmed a longtime rumor for fans, with classic Nintendo 64 games being added to Nintendo 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 like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will 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, including Paper Mario and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Just as this scroll is about to end, the final game shown before the clip cuts away is Banjo-Kazooie, Rare's beloved late 90's platforming adventure. Although the Banjo-Kazooie IP is 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 logo

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 like Diddy Kong Racing to slick first-person shooters such as Perfect Dark, and even bizarre 3D platformers like Conker'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 purchased Rare to 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 as Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and Perfect Dark Zero.

Nintendo's Relationship with Microsoft

mario and master chief

Because of the aformentioned deal, there was the notion that Banjo-Kazooie would 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-Kazooie and many other series like it will forever be associated with Nintendo. Nintendo and Microsoft have 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 to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the Xbox-exclusive Cuphead being made available on the Nintendo Switch.

Now with confirmation that Banjo-Kazooie will be available via Switch Online, it is evident that Microsoft is open to lending out these properties. This opens the floodgates for numerous other N64 classic games that Rare made back in the day such as Banjo-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-Kazooie is 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 onto Switch Online.

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