I’m incredibly excited as I type these words – Banjo-Tooie is heading to Nintendo Switch Online for Expansion members next week! Not only that, but it’s dropping in widescreen mode for you to revel in all its glory on the massive TV in your living room!
Honestly, I’ve been sceptical as to whether this would ever happen, especially considering Banjo and the gang technically belong to Xbox now they own Rare now. But as an N64 child like many of our readers out there, Banjo, Kazooie, Mumbo, and the crew really belong to us. Both Banjo-Kazooie games back on a Nintendo console; this is a glorious day for 90s kids everywhere.
Yes, Banjo-Tooie drops onto Nintendo Switch Online for Expansion subscribers on Friday 25th October 2024, so if you’re reading this in the future, why are you here and not playing it? I’m currently replaying it through on the N64, but that doesn’t mean I wont be having a bash on the Switch offering as soon as it arrives!
I love everything about this game, from Banjo & Kazooie going solo to tackle certain challenges, to Mumbo joining the fray and zapping people with his magic stick, it’s the ultimate sequel to one of my favourite N64 games. The characters feel wackier too (which is something I bet you thought wasn’t possible after seeing Gruntilda for the first time – just wait till you see her now!), and the impressive worlds hook you from the moment you enter them. Transporting from Mayhem Temple to Glitter Gulch Mine through a little tunnel never gets old – it felt like magic and still does!
Of course, Banjo-Tooie arriving on NSO is important for another reason apart from me being excited; this game is incredibly expensive to pick up these days with some copies selling for thousands of dollars and pounds, especially if you want to get a boxed copy. That means there will probably be a lot of Banjo-Kazooie fans out there who have never actually played it on or even seen it on Nintendo hardware. This is a chance for so many people to experience a truly spectacular N64 game for the first time, and it will certainly tie Ninty fans over until we hear more about the Nintendo Switch’s successor.
Head over to Nintendo Switch Online to find more information about the Expansion service and to get ready for Banjo-Tooie! And if you can’t wait that long for some Bird & Bear action, you can always check out some of these Banjo-Kazooie ROM hacks in the meantime!
