A new Banjo-Kazooie game is reportedly in development, according to new sources. The platforming adventure series has been the source of speculation before about its return, but it looks like several sources are now coming forward claiming that Microsoft is working on a new entry.

As reported by Altchar, the Xbox franchise Banjo-Kazooie could be returning in the near future. Last month before the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, ResetEra insider NateDrake, who has a somewhat reliable track record, claimed that Microsoft were working on a new Banjo-Kazooie title. This information has now been corroborated by Spanish Xbox insider eXstas1s, who added that Sackboy developer Sumo Digital were behind the project, though this appears to be speculation and nothing more.

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Originally developed by Rare, the Banjo-Kazooie franchise saw its last entry, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, released for Xbox 360 in 2008. The series has since gone quiet as Rare shifted its focus to other projects.

It’s not clear if Microsoft will source the IP out to another studio seeing as Rare might not be attached to this new game, if it does exist. Other names put forward include Playtonic Games, a studio formed by former members of Rare. The company went on to develop the Yooka-Laylee series. Playtonic Games would make sense as it’s very familiar with the Banjo-Kazooie series since several of its staff members worked on previous entries.

We recommend taking all of this with a massive grain of salt. New Banjo-Kazooie rumours have been floating around for over a decade now and each time, the results have been disappointing. Microsoft hasn’t revealed any plans to return to the series following the middling critical and commercial reception of Nuts & Bolts, so it may be a very long time before we see these mascots again in anything other than Super Smash Bros.

Source: Altchar