After working on something “big and ambitious” with Xbox, the Spyro and Crash studio wants to tackle another iconic platformer: Banjo-Kazooie

Toys for Bob, creators of the Spyro remaster and the latest Crash Bandicoot 4, are now focusing on another legendary platformer: Banjo-Kazooie.

In a conversation with Canadian Guy Eh, Paul Yan, co-head of Toys for Bob, mentioned, “one team we’d love to collaborate with is one we’re already collaborating with: Team Xbox,” who has reportedly been “a fantastic partner” on the studio’s upcoming, unannounced project.

Moreover, one of the best aspects of working with a franchise-rich conglomerate is that “they have an intriguing lineup of characters that Toys For Bob could have a lot of enjoyment with.” Most prominently, there’s Banjo-Kazooie, the iconic duo that hasn’t starred in their own game for 16 years. “The honey bear is the first name that pops into my head,” Yan states. “I think we can all agree that Banjo has been in hibernation long enough, right?”

Rareware’s Banjo-Kazooie only had two platformers on the N64, yet the levels were so imaginative, the characters were so quirky, and the cast was so engaging that the name has endured all these years. They then had two handheld spin-offs, appeared in a Sonic racing game, and nearly broke the internet by joining Super Smash Bros Ultimate. However, their last full title was the 2008 vehicular experiment, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, which received mixed reviews.

Although Xbox didn’t take advantage of the Smash Bros excitement with anything substantial, Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer did offer some vague assurances last year: “Banjo enthusiasts, I’m listening.”

Nonetheless, it seems that Toys for Bob will not get a chance to work on the bear duo anytime soon. The studio is currently busy with other projects for both Xbox and Activision.

For those who may not know, Toys for Bob became known under Activision before creating Skylanders, remastering the first three Spyro games, and reviving Crash Bandicoot with a fourth mainline title.

Activision has reportedly scrapped a Smash and Spyro crossover game and redirected the team to focus on updates for Call of Duty. However, the studio later became independent after Microsoft acquired the publisher.

“We ultimately aim to evoke love, joy, and laughter for the inner child in every gamer,” Yan shares about the studio’s mission. “Toys for Bob shines brightest when we are creating fantastical worlds brimming with vibrant characters, and we will pursue opportunities and collaborations that resonate with that vision, whether through new or existing intellectual properties.”

Yan also remarks that the team’s upcoming game is “grand and ambitious.” A new Smash or Spyro title would be my best guess for what they are developing next since both mascots fall under Xbox/Activision’s ownership. However, all of Yan’s email responses have apparently been shrouded in ambiguity, so take that for what it’s worth, dear Spyro enthusiasts.

For now, check out what new games of 2025 and beyond are definitely in development.

Kaan contributes as a freelancer to several websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about intriguing indie titles, nostalgic RPGs, and anything that possesses a hint of absurdity. Additionally, he holds a degree in English Literature and Film Studies that he will soon forget.