I recently reviewed the Rare Super Pocket from HyperMegaTech, the same minds behind the Evercade family of consoles, and was blown away by how good Banjo-Kazooie looks on it. As I said in my review, there are multiple Rare games on here, but a Rare-themed handheld that slips into your pocket and runs an enhanced version of Banjo-Kazooie at 60fps is the main reason why people are going to pick up this handheld.
As well as features like tiptoe mode, new control themes, and a D-pad that runs super smoothly, there are over 20 tracks that have never been heard before. There's a music player that is unlocked after completing the game,with tracks that were either earlier versions of the tunes we here now, or for areas that ended up apprearing in the sequel, banjo-tooie, likely because they couldn't be fit into the first game either because of space issues or just because they didn't fit into the final plotline.
Don't worry if you don't own the game or don't have the patience to sit and complete it just to hear the tracks. Banjo fan TSR Stormed has taken to YouTube to upload the tracks from the new player for us to listen to. It's nice to hear composer Grant Kirkhope's unused tracks and to try and spot where they could have fit in/ended up finding a home in Banjo-Tooie. There's so much work that goes into videogames, and we don't often stop to think how much of it might not actually make the final cut.
I'm a huge fan of the Super Pocket mainly because it's a handheld I would put in my pocket and not worry about dropping or getting roughed around. Evercade are releasing the Nexus later this year wih a double pack of Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie which will be amazing, but I'll be keeping that console in the house or packing it carefully in a soft case. The Super Pocket, however, goes everywhere with me, and when I get to the end of the game, so will these new songs!
