29-year RARE team member/artist on Jet Force Gemini/Diddy Kong Racing helped with Banjo-Kazooie's Smash Bros. Ultimate design

RARE recently shared a blog about all the content they were involved with at this year's E3, and not surprisingly, the talk of the town is Banjo and Kazooie heading to Smash Bros. Ultimate. In one part of the blog, we learn that Paul Cunningham, a 29-year employee of RARE who handled art on Diddy Kong Racing and Jet Force Gemini, was a key person involved with Banjo and Kazooie's Smash Bros. Ultimate design.

What cards we are, because as you undoubtedly know if you've read this far, there was also a Nintendo Direct where it was announced that Banjo and Kazooie would be joining the roster in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. That's right – we have been listening, as have the folks at Nintendo, and it was a very proud moment for us finally NOT to have to keep this a secret any more and share the glorious news far and wide.

Banjo and Kazooie's inclusion gave us an opportunity for a fantastic partnership with our old friends at Nintendo, and as the bear and bird appeared with Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and King K. Rool in the reveal trailer it was a joy to see just how warmly the news was received. It's been a tightly kept secret but we've been collaborating closely with the Smash team on this crossover since last year, on everything from movesets to musical choices – and while a core group of folks at Rare worked on this, we have to give a special shout out to our own Paul Cunningham who has been our point man on getting everything about Banjo and Kazooie's appearance just right. Your favourite duo are in very safe (albeit fighty) hands and we honestly cannot wait for everyone to get their game on in the incredible Smash universe.