As more information about Banjo-Kazooie in Supers Smash Bros. Ultimate comes out, we’ve learned that one of Nintendo’s biggest announcements at E3 2019 came much easier than many expected.
Xbox head Phil Spencer recently revealed that the crossover between Microsoft-owned Banjo-Kazooie and Nintendo-owned Smash Bros. wasn’t a tough decision to sign off on.
In an interview with Kotaku, Spencer stated the following about Rare’s beloved set of protagonists appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate:
“Obviously, we’re one of the biggest third-party publishers on Switch, so we have great relationships with their third-party team. And you’ve seen the ambition they’ve had with every character that’s ever been in Smash, and even more. So, it was just kind of part of the partnership relationship we have with them.”
“People have asked me on social [media]—I’m sure you’ve seen that—over many years: ‘Would I welcome having Banjo in Smash?’, and I’ve always been open to that.”
Spencer went on to explain the long-term relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo, highlighting how Nintendo has allowed Rare games, such as the Donkey Kong Country series, to appear in Nintendo’s digital catalog.
“The licensing relationships between the two companies, they’re there and are kind of ongoing,” he said.
A healthy relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo is a win-win for everyone—especially fans, as this leaves open the possibility of similar crossovers in the future.
