How many of you knew that the prototype of Banjo-Kazooie was made on the SNES? Project Dream is a prototype that went on to become the famous game starring the bear and bird, and lying dormant somewhere in the world was a proof-of-concept alpha of the game just waiting to be released to the rest of the world.
Today, a user called FvckAsha&Phil has taken to the internet to release it to the world, allowing us all to have a chance to play this early concept game that, at first glance, looks like a new version of Donkey Kong Country with a female protagonist. It's 100% a Rareware game; I guess her hair kind of looks like Kazooie could be nestled up there, or maybe this is her human form - that's deep, right?
FvckAsha&Phil has released the game on Internet Archive, and I've been playing it this morning. There are only four levels which you can shift through by pressing the Tab key on your keyboard. It's essentially just like a showreel of what could have been possible, but it's a great little insight into how Rare worked to develop Banjo-Kazooie and the fun they must have had making this game.
There's a txt. file and a message on the Internet Archive Page from FvckAsha&Phil that they've asked journalists to let the world know the reasoning behind why they've decided to release this proof of concept to the world after all this time. They've held onto this file for years, relishing the fact that it was only something that a few people in the world had. It's one of those stories where someone got the file from a friend, who got it from a friend, who got it from someone they knew... You know the drill.
But because ot Microsoft's treatment of Rare, they want to make sure that the ROM is preserved and seen by people and added to retro gaming's history. They're hoping that other people who might have Rare prototypes will do the same to help keep the company alive in the minds of future gamers for years to come.
There is little joy left in the industry, as it relentlessly marches towards AI, layoffs, l anti-preservation and ownership tactics, and, in Microsoft’s case, the support and approval of literal genocide in Gaza. Let’s get the last beautiful things hiding on our hard drives out there for everyone. That's all we have left. Please delete Microsoft and Sony from your lives, install Linux, boycott Switch Game Key Cards and buy Nintendo Switch 2 titles that still come with the full game on the cartridge. Your dollar is the only thing that counts in our late stage capitalist hellscape.
Head to Internet Archive to download it and play it on your chosen emulator!
