Xbox Game Studios Confirms Surprise Return of Classic Franchise at Summer Showcase

In a stunning reveal during today’s Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft confirmed the long-rumored return of one of its most beloved franchises: *Banjo-Kazooie*. Fans erupted with excitement as a brand-new cinematic trailer teased the revival of the classic 3D platformer—a genre that has seen a resurgence in recent years. Simply titled *Banjo-Kazooie: Rebooted*, the game is being developed in collaboration with Rare and a newly announced internal studio, Golden Acorn Games.

The trailer opened with lush forest environments that echoed the franchise’s whimsical roots, before revealing updated character models for both Banjo and Kazooie. While specific gameplay was not shown, Xbox leadership promised a “faithful modernization” of the original’s core elements, including world exploration, puzzle-solving, and quirky humor.

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, addressed the announcement during the event: “*Banjo-Kazooie* has held a special place in gaming history. With *Banjo-Kazooie: Rebooted*, we’re reintroducing the magic to a new generation while staying true to what fans loved back in 1998.”

Rare, the original developer behind the franchise, will serve in a creative advisory role while the majority of development is being handled by Golden Acorn Games, a team comprised of veteran platformer developers from studios including Playtonic and Moon Studios. Their goal, according to the developers, is to “merge modern gameplay sensibilities with the spirit of Rare’s golden era.”

The announcement comes amid a broader push by Xbox Game Studios to revitalize its dormant IP catalogue. Alongside *Banjo-Kazooie*, the showcase also highlighted updates to Fable and Perfect Dark, signaling a renaissance of classic Xbox and Rare properties.

A release window of 2025 was shared, and the game is confirmed to be a day-one launch title on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

This surprise reveal could be a pivotal moment for Xbox’s lineup, as it continues efforts to build a diverse first-party catalog. Retro fans and new players alike now have something big to look forward to on the platform—proving that, sometimes, old friends can still make the biggest splash.