In a recent interview with YouTuber Canadian Guy Eh, Toys for Bob co-studio head and creative director Paul Yan expressed strong interest in reviving the beloved Banjo-Kazooie franchise. “The honey bear is the first one that comes to mind — I think we can all agree Banjo’s been hibernating long enough, right?” Yan stated when discussing Xbox properties the studio would like to work with.
*EXCLUSIVE*
— Canadian Guy Eh (@Canadianguyehh) April 10, 2025
I had a Wonderful Opportunity to interview @paul_d_yan from @ToysForBob. Asking how one year of being an indie studio has been thus far; and asking some burning questions that we've all had
Let's talk about it!
WATCH -----> https://t.co/PclfY3sze0 pic.twitter.com/nmA4VqEab0
Toys for Bob has established itself as a specialist in reviving classic platforming mascots, having successfully brought back both Crash Bandicoot with Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2020 and Spyro with the Spyro Reignited Trilogy in 2018. Their track record with these franchises makes them a potentially ideal candidate for breathing new life into the dormant Banjo-Kazooie series.
The timing of this expression of interest is particularly notable as Banjo-Kazooie hasn’t seen a new mainline game since the polarizing Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, which was released for Xbox 360 back in 2008 — nearly 17 years ago. While the franchise has maintained some presence through additions to Nintendo Switch Online and as playable characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, fans have been clamoring for a proper new adventure.
Yan emphasized the studio’s existing relationship with Xbox as a foundation for potential collaboration: “One company we’d like to work with is one we’re already working with — Team Xbox! They’ve been a great partner and they also have a very interesting roster of characters that Toys for Bob could have a lot of fun with.” This existing partnership could potentially streamline any future discussions about the Banjo-Kazooie IP.
However, fans shouldn’t get too excited just yet. Toys for Bob is currently busy with another project, rumored to be a new Spyro adventure. The studio became independent after separating from Activision following Microsoft’s acquisition, and they’ve already partnered with Xbox to publish their next title, described as a “big and ambitious” game that “pushes our craft to new heights.”
Xbox has historically struggled to find the right development team for a new Banjo-Kazooie project. In 2020, Xbox head Phil Spencer stated that revivals of classic Rare franchises were up to Rare itself, though original Rare team members have expressed doubt about a new game coming anytime soon. Despite the success of spiritual successor Yooka-Laylee from Playtonic Games (founded by former Banjo developers), some industry figures have questioned whether the audience for collectathon platformers remains strong enough to justify a new entry.
For now, Banjo-Kazooie fans will have to continue waiting, but Toys for Bob’s public interest might help build momentum toward eventually bringing the bear and bird duo out of their extended hibernation.
