8 Forgotten Video Games That Should Be Revived

Last Release - Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (2008)

Throughout the years, many other platformers have enjoyed a degree of success either as traditional takes on the genre or innovative twists on its formula. Perhaps the most underrated of them all is Banjo-Kazooie.

Leicestershire-based studio Rare made their name with the Donkey Kong Country trilogy and the universally beloved GoldenEye 007, before unleashing their original creation onto the world in 1998. Mixing puzzles with the non-linear style of platforming that Super Mario 64 had made popular, Banjo-Kazooie and its follow up Banjo-Tooie earned universal acclaim.

Nintendo owned 49% of Rare and it was a surprise to many, the two owners of the other 51% included, that they never bought the studio outright. Microsoft swooped in, but only one further Banjo game was ever released for home consoles with little fanfare.

There have been several Rare splinter companies. None have been able to make a Banjo follow-up given that the studio maintains ownership of the character, though a spiritual successor made its way to consoles in the form of Yooka-Laylee. Sadly, Yooka-Laylee failed to set the world alight and will most likely not be granted a sequel, but could be okay, if the stars of the show return...