The inclusion of Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is undoubtedly a momentous occasion, as it's not only the first Microsoft character to appear in Nintendo's crossover fighting game but also the bear and bird duo's first appearance on a Nintendo console in almost fifteen years. Naturally, this has led to many fans hoping to see Rare bring a brand new game to the Switch as well, a sentiment that a former Rare developer seems to share.
Chris Seavor, who created Conker's Bad Fur Day while working under Rare and Nintendo, recently said in an interview that Rare's classic IPs were better suited to Nintendo platforms, as demonstrated by the fan reaction to Banjo-Kazooie's Smash Bros. appearance. When asked about if the IP would return to Nintendo platforms, Seavor said it was "inevitable."
"It is significant, very significant but it was also inevitable. You only have to look at the reaction to Banjo’s appearing in Smash to see that this was purely a fan driven thing, and fans are if nothing else a noisy and belligerent bunch. I mean, it’s an abbreviation of ‘Fanatic’ after all."
He added that he always felt that Microsoft acquired Rare for "the wrong reasons. That being, so no one else would have them." However, Seavor also felt that it was less likely for other Rare IPs, like Conker, to be revived, because he doesn't think that there would be as much fan demand: "Whether they’ll be as loud about the other IP’s including Conker is up for debate… I’d say not likely.”
He also thinks that, had Rare stayed with Nintendo, the Conker IP would have most likely remained dormant anyway, saying it's "best not to think on it too much, it’s depressing.” Shortly after Banjo-Kazooie's Smash Bros. Reveal, though, Amazon Germany did supposedly leak a possible new game for Switch, though some suspect that it was more likely a listing for the inevitable amiibo figure.
Banjo-Kazooie may be the most popular Rare IP being circulated right now, but it'll be interesting to see if Seavor's words are proven to be true. Regardless, fans will be able to get their hands on Banjo-Kazooie in the coming months, especially if this Banjo-Kazooie Super Smash Bros. Ultimate release date leak proves to be true.
Source: VGC