Microsoft's Phil Spencer reveals how Banjo and Kazooie got added to Smash Bros. Ultimate, RARE comments as well

Banjo-Kazooie are coming to Smash Bros. Ultimate. It's actually happening, but how did it all come together? Xbox boss Phil Spencer explained to Kotaku.

“The ‘how’ is not actually that interesting. 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. There wasn’t anything kind of CEO-to-CEO that had to happen. 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.

“The licensing relationships between the two companies, they’re there and are kind of ongoing. The reason it’s not some interesting, deep conversation is because with us owning Rare and the history between those two things, there are a lot of conversations over the years about, ‘Hey, we want to do “X” is that okay? I think it’s cool that Banjo is going to be in Smash.”

RARE also shared a comment about the reveal on their Twitter account, which reads as follows.

You asked. We listened. Nintendo were listening too, and we were happy to work with our old friends to make this one a reality.