Banjo-Kazooie Returns

[SuperZambezi]

UPDATE (12/31/15): Trailer #5 Added!

UPDATE (07/01/15): Trailer #4 Added!

UPDATE (12/31/14): Trailer #3 Added!

Banjo-Kazooie Returns is a fan made hack based off the original Banjo-Kazooie. The game will use objects and collectibles from the original game, but will feature brand new worlds and all new music. The game is still early in development, but enjoy the trailer below for a sneak peak!

I've been working on this hack little by little for about a year and a half now. Since then I have released two trailers, and I plan to release a third this month (one every half year). Things are constantly changing within the hack, so what you see in the trailer, especially the first one, has either been greatly altered or removed completely.

Trailer #5

Trailer #4

Trailer #3

Trailer #2

Trailer #1

I post image updates to my Twitter, but I'll add them to this topic the next time I login. Here are some faqs I posted when I first announced the project a year ago:

How is this being made?
Thanks to the wonderful efforts of both Skill and Coolboyman of Rareware Central, a Banjo-Kazooie level editor known as Banjo's Backpack is available for all to download and use. The program allows you to import your own models and create brand new levels using Banjo-Kazooie objects and collectibles. It's a little limited at times, but the editor is still being worked on!

When will it be released?
For those that are excited for the game, you'll have to understand that this is a personal side project that I work on from time to time. Since this is a fan project, I'm not setting any kind of release date or possible release time. I will update when I feel like I have made significant progress.

How can I help?
I'm not looking for any help on the project, but I might be looking for someone to help with music in the future. But that won't be for a very long time as I need to feel like I have a good chunk of the game done first. Besides that, spreading the word about the game always helps!

How many worlds will there be? What will be new? Is there a new story?
The game will have at least as many worlds as the original game, and the rest will depend on whether or not future Banjo's Backpack updates include new tools and features. For now, check out the trailer to see what's new!

What else can you say?
I like to keep things secret, not just because I want there to be surprises when you actually play the game, but because I am constantly changing things left and right. Everything you saw in the trailer will most likely be altered or even completely removed by the time the final release comes, so I don't want to show too much.

Here all the images I have released throughout the last year:

[CM30]

Oh wow, this looks pretty good!  It's not often you see a decent looking hack of Banjo Kazooie is it?

But I will recommend one thing.  Namely, post it on DK Vine or something.  Seriously, the die hard Rare fans over there will love it guaranteed.

P.S. Aren't you that guy who owns Mario Party Legacy?  That site is pretty awesome.

[Dwedit]

Strawberryclock has really made a name for himself since the old Newgrounds days, hasn't he...

[TheCape]

This looks awesome. Would love to help with concepts or ideas if you have a place to talk about them.

[Gideon Zhi]

Oh wow, this looks pretty good!  It's not often you see a decent looking hack of Banjo Kazooie is it?

Never mind Banjo Kazooie; it's not often you see a hack looking this good period, let alone for a 3D or N64 game! This is super impressive. I can't think of a better or more ostentatious way to make an entrance either - great first post Welcome to the forum!

[CrashingThunder]

This looks really good. It could even end up being the Banjo Three-ie we've always wanted! But what about the more "unique" parts of the game (like the tiptup choir as an example). It'll be a bit more tough to make new stuff like that in the game, but not impossible.

[Seeeeph]

.

[90s Retro Gamer]

Looks cool. Did you use the Banjo's Backpack utility? I uploaded it here and they accepted so you can find it in the utilities section. To be honest, I never really played Banjo Kazooie. I played Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Conker's Bad Fur Day so I'm sure there are a few similarities.

Next time make a Conker 's BFD romhack!

[SuperZambezi]

And here's the biannual trailer!

Trailer #3

Like always, these levels are by no means finalized and will see many revisions. That desert level has gone through so many changes, I stopped counting. Same goes for textures.

Hopefully I'll be able to commit more time to finishing the project in 2015. Happy New Year!

Oh wow, this looks pretty good!  It's not often you see a decent looking hack of Banjo Kazooie is it?

But I will recommend one thing.  Namely, post it on DK Vine or something.  Seriously, the die hard Rare fans over there will love it guaranteed.

P.S. Aren't you that guy who owns Mario Party Legacy?  That site is pretty awesome.

Thanks! I'll wait until I'm closer to a final product before spreading it around anymore. And yup, I run MPL! And I knew your username was familiar, you're the one that runs Nintendo 3DS Daily!

Strawberryclock has really made a name for himself since the old Newgrounds days, hasn't he...

wat

This looks awesome. Would love to help with concepts or ideas if you have a place to talk about them.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to keep things to myself for the time being. If I ever look for other input or help, I'll make a post on it!

Never mind Banjo Kazooie; it's not often you see a hack looking this good period, let alone for a 3D or N64 game! This is super impressive. I can't think of a better or more ostentatious way to make an entrance either - great first post Welcome to the forum!

This is my first time doing any sort of hack, modeling, or texturing, so I really appreciate the kind words. I've been learning since I started about a year and a half ago, and I keep learning and figuring out new things. Lots of trial and error. And thanks for the welcome!

This looks really good. It could even end up being the Banjo Three-ie we've always wanted! But what about the more "unique" parts of the game (like the tiptup choir as an example). It'll be a bit more tough to make new stuff like that in the game, but not impossible.

For now, I'm working on creating levels and simple tasks to complete in the level. I'd love to have new mechanics, new actions, new characters and enemies, and all that good stuff. I can't promise any of that. It will all depend on the updates that are made to Banjo's Backpack and if I'm able to do some modding outside BB myself.

Your hack looks amazing!

You definately get my seal of approval with this project... not that it should mather much but yeah.. looking forward to play this someday ;-)

Thanks! Since I'm working at my own pace, I can't promise any time frame as to when it will be released. It'll be out when it's ready!

Looks cool. Did you use the Banjo's Backpack utility? I uploaded it here and they accepted so you can find it in the utilities section. To be honest, I never really played Banjo Kazooie. I played Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Conker's Bad Fur Day so I'm sure there are a few similarities.

Next time make a Conker 's BFD romhack!

Yup, I use BB to import the level models and add all the objects. If you liked Mario 64, I'd give BK a go. I've always looked at BK as a more advanced and interesting Mario 64.

[CyberFox]

No offense but you should've done a fan-made "Banjo-Threeie"

[CrashingThunder]

No offense but you should've done a fan-made "Banjo-Threeie"

Well, it basically is that. Just with a different name. But oh man...if somebody were to make their own cutscenes and what-not...that would make me really happy.

[SuperZambezi]

Some new screens I've released since the last time I posted. Also, I release a new trailer every six months, so expect one in July!

[Jonesy47]

I support the crap out of this hack!

[SuperZambezi]

Woop woop! Trailer for July is done! Check it out in the link below!

Trailer #4

[Seeeeph]

.

[Bahamut ZERO]

Epic new screens, man. sadly I don't have good enough internets to check out the trailer, but it defintely looks like a full-fledged sequel. 

I haven't been so amped about Banjo & Kazooie since.... well, Banjo Tooie lol.

You're project looks a million times better than that pile of trash Banjo game on 360. Keepup the awesome work. 

[SuperZambezi]

Trailer #5 is up, right on schedule!

Trailer #5

[John Enigma]

This just keeps getting better and better.

[CM30]

Looks very nice.  Makes me think of what an actual Banjo Kazooie 3 would be, if Rare had continued making them like that.

[SuperZambezi]

No trailer this time, instead I have a preview of the first world of the game!

Green Grass Grove - Preview

when might we see a release for a rom of some form

I work at a slow and random pace, so it's very hard to tell. I can guarantee it will not be out this year.

And thank you John and CM30 for the kind words.