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Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Says He Would Like Banjo In Next Super Smash Bros DLC

Microsoft Studios’ head Phil Spencer has said “it would be cool” if Banjo was included in the next DLC update for Super Smash Bros. Earlier today, the Xbox boss remarked to a fan on Twitter that he’d be open to the idea of the Rareware honey bear’s inclusion in Nintendo’s Wii U and 3DS brawler.

Phil Spencer’s answer follows Nintendo’s decision to open a global poll for the game, in which fans can vote for their favourite characters to be added as fighters. As such, the voted-in characters will then be considered by director Masahiro Sakurai and his team. Be sure to vote for your favourite at the official website here, if you haven’t already done so. Voting closes on October 3, 2015.

192 thoughts on “Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Says He Would Like Banjo In Next Super Smash Bros DLC”

    1. I like it when the Big 3 are happy to work together on stuff. For Example, this, XBOX boss, Phil Spencer, would be happy for Banjo to show up in Smash Bros.
      I have an idea, how about a new Banjo Kazooie game, released on both Wii U AND XBOX One, that would be the ultimate allowal of Banjo between the 2 companies. Or how about Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie on Wii U Virtual Console.

        1. Umm…..no. Konami wasn’t gracious enough to put MGSVTPP on the Wii U so why should Nintendo put Snake in SSB4? Nintendo adding Snake to Smash will only benefit Konami not themselves

          1. Nintendo adding Snake in Smash will *benefit people that enjoyed playing with him in Brawl*. Fixed.

          2. Snake has been on multiple metal gear games. Mgs5 doesn’t need to be on Wii U to validate the character. Plus Mgs5 Snake is a completely different character. Technically that’s Boss/Tormented Snake.

            1. Excuse me, I meant to say Snake has been in multiple Metal Gear Games on Nintendo. Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solod GBC, Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes, Super Smash Brawl, and Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater 3D.

            2. It doesn’t matter how many Metal Gear games it’s been or how different the Snake character is in the new game, still if Konami isn’t willing to do something for Nintendo why should Nintendo do anything for them? Nintendo isn’t in dire need of Snake plus his inclusion in Smash will only elevate sales of MGSVTPP for the PS4 & Xbox One so tell me, how would that be beneficial for Nintendo? Exactly

              1. First off it would benefit the players that mained Snake in Smash Brothers 3 or who enjoyed playing as him. If you are concerned about it not befitting Nintendo, there is always the possibility of a old Metal Gear game being brought onto the Wii U, NX, or 3Ds. Look at Snake Eater, it was a PlayStation exclusive but now it’s on the 3DS. Nintendo would also profit from the DLC and profit if they decided to make Amiibos or Metal Gear themed Mii costumes for Smash. Also, not too long ago Nintendo released a Metal Gear theme on the 3DS so obviously they are on good terms with Konami or at least good enough terms to share the Metal Gear assets.

              2. Snake was in Brawl to primarily advertise for MGS4 at the time. They even had the MGS4 theme in Brawl before MGS4 was even released!

    1. I know I’m like the only one, but I want Hades from Kid Icarus Uprising in smash. Such an awesome villain.

      1. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

        >>>You would get my vote on that too and considering both Hades and Smash Brothers are created by Sir Sakurai, he has a slight chance>>>

  1. Something tells me he said that so people would vote for him and in turn be in smash, but after being in smash and gaining fame make a Banjo game for XBox to move people to Microsoft. Or not who knows.

    1. This would be awesome banjo kazooie has been in our generations for a long time in video games, he’s one of my favorite game characters and it will be a miracle if we see him in the super smash Bros series.

        1. My top 3 big, dying franchises that Nintendo should buy-
          1.Banjo Kazooie.
          2.Conker.
          3.Megaman.
          Don’t even buy the Rare or Capcom, just buy these franchises that are being neglected by these 2 companies, revitalize them and expand the already big library of franchises that Nintendo owns. It would almost certainly be worth it…

    2. I swear, bro, I was thinking the same shit. Sounds like he gets Banjo in the game and gets the game known a lot more than just from those who know it from the Nintendo days. Afterwards, people flock to play Xbox as another Banjo game comes out.

      Fuck em’, just put Toad in the game and call it a day.

      1. Wow, paranoid much? People can own an Xbox 360 or an Xbox one AND own a Wii U. I doubt people would just completely abandon their Wii U just because Banjo gets a new game on the XB1.

      2. You seem to forget that Snake was in Brawl for the sole purpose of advertising MGS4. Please don’t make me have to remind you what system that was on. There isn’t really yhat much competition between Nintendo and Sony anymore anyways.

        Phil Spencer is a smart guy and he knows that there is more of a demand for Banjo on Nintendo consoles than Microsofts’. Yeah Banjo-Kazooie/Tooie sold well on the 360 but it probably would have sold 3x as well on Wii Virtual Console.

        Now if Microsoft could organize something with Nintendo (where they get maybe 40% of the revenue or something), I could see Banjo as DLC for Smash. Or better yet, do the same thing and put the Banjo games on Wii U Virtual Console. In the end the fans benefit the most!

        But alas Nintendo probably won’t do something like this. Anyone remember the Goldeneye fiasco a couple years back :(

    1. I believe one of the Ice Climbers will be in Smash

      James Bond ISN’T a video game character as he started off as a book character. So no, same with Captain N, only he is a TV character which Nintendo rarely picks.

    2. James Bond from Goldeneye is tricky. They would have to go through Microsoft, which owns Rare. Then go through Activision, which owns the video game James Bond series. Then go through whoever owns the rights to the James Bond movies and the person who made Golden Eye. This also means reaching out to Pierce Something, something (whatever his name was), to get his sign off. And Nintendo has to sign off on it too.

      This is why Goldeneye never touched VC for the Wii or Wii U

      1. Banjo would be a good fit. Who cares if its advertisement for Mocrosoft. Like someone said above, the game industry is a better place when companies work together..

  2. A Phil.. you sexy SEXY man you…

    Seriously, the guy is basically the next Gabe Newell of console gaming. He pretty much fixed Microsoft, finds the fanboy wars pointless and wants Nintendo to succeed.

    Good Guy Phil Spencer

        1. Exactly and any of these fucking idiots are buying into his “saint character” of giving help to his competition because he has a good heart.

          Classic PR 101 right there. Bunch of morons actually thought he’s doing this for them? lol Glad I’m not THAT fucking retarded.

          1. Sounds to me like you’re the usual Nintendo Fangirl who can’t admit when someone actually friendly with Nintendo instead of being the usual bully towards them like Sega and Atari were back in the day.

      1. No, really?

        A Business man trying to get people to buy his stuff?

        Seriously kid, wise up will you.

        Why can’t you fanboys admit that Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are just friends now a days? Phil was a right, you fanboys are weird.

        1. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

          >>>That’s why the Xbots tried to sabotage our empire in the Best Buy stores, that’s why they wanted to infect the universe with their human rights violation program which I’m sure they are still conducting in secret, that’s why they make broken hardware to force you weak minded idiots into buying a new Xbox, yes, the Xbots are so lovely>>>

  3. I'm a Boss Ass Bitch

    Now commander before you go all fucking robo nutz over what he said. Just remember every dlc character we is a good thing.

    1. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

      >>>This is clearly another attempt to corrupt the weak minded cattle into buying their next Banjo game and an Xbox Done regardless of his foul words and excuses>>>

      >>>Otherwise I agree with you>>>

      1. I'm a Boss Ass Bitch

        I never really thought that. That’s free fucking advertising for another company, but more characters is always good so I really don’t care.

  4. “The character that polls the most votes will then be added by director Masahiro Sakurai and his team.”
    Wait… did they confirm that or are you assuming?

    1. I believe Iwata said they would consider adding them. Not necessarily the ones who get the most votes is guaranteed to get in.

    2. Why would they be having a poll if they were not going to add the winner into the game? To troll the fans? Of course they are going to put the character who gets the most votes into the game..

        1. Here’s what Nintendo will do with the polls.

          First: Weed out any entries that relate to anime, books, films and movies.(Though Wreck-It-Ralph might be doable if they consider the arcade cabinet made to promote the movie before it came out as being a video game first)

          Second: Weed out any entries that were never on a Nintendo system.

        2. Good cause fuck ANYONE who wants goku, shrek, or characters like that in smash. If you’ve been with smash since 64, you know how unfitting characters like that are. And yes I love Goku and DBZ very much, but fuck them being in smash. Let’s just throw in hulk hogan and alien vs. predator, and shit why not all the x-men while we’re at it?

          1. Ridley, the Angel of Death

            Let’s add Jesus Christ while we’re at it with his 12 apostles as alternate costumes! Oh and Obama (democrat) & Bush (republican!) lol Oh and we should add Lord Zedd & Rita Repulsa as the new Ice Climbers!

            1. Haha that would be funny as hell the lord zedd and rita combo!!! I kinda would like to see that in action as a joke now, not actually in the game but like a what if. That would be so ridiculous haha. And how you been dude been a while.

              1. I had no idea who Lord Zedd or Rita Repulsa were, so I decided to look them up. And… Lol. Just… Lmao.

                1. hahaha yea you had to grow up in the late 80s and early 90s to truly appreciate the classic power rangers. actually been meaning to go through and rewatch the first few seasons (before it changed cast and such).

                2. Ridley, the Angel of Death

                  Are you dissing Lord Zedd & Rita Repulsa!? I’LL KILL YOU!!! *removes Monado from back* (lol)

                1. True that lol been retro gaming lately, went through Mario 64 and DK 64 and recently bought an N64 to play bomberman 64 and other classics lol.

                  1. Ridley 4 Smash DLC!

                    I need to remember to get Donkey Kong 64 next month. Too bad we may never see Bomberman 64: The Second Attack on virtual console for Wii U. In fact, too bad we may never see Bomberman ever again on a home or handheld console since Konami owns him now & are planning to ditch every single one of us non-mobile gamers. -.-

                    1. Yea that is just sad about Konami. And I’ve heard a lot of good things about 2nd attack but never even knew about it till the last year or so lol. I am not looking forward to going through the 1st one, mainly due to having to beat it under 3 hours to get all the costumes. I remember back in middle school my twin and I going through hell over that. I think we got it but I can’t even remember. I played a little of it a week ago and man I don’t know how I had that kind of patience as a kid lol. I know it’s gonna take a while to get that familiar with the game to beat it under 3 hours so I’m not particularly excited for that lol. Other than the 3 hours I love the game though.

  5. Why wud they put banjo as free ads for Microsoft. Would love to see him on there but the banjo from the Nintendo days is long gone

      1. I think youre not familiar with that situation.

        The Rare of legend was crumbling long before Microsoft came into the picture. If it wasn’t for Microsoft Rare would probably not even exist at all at the moment.

        1. Fucker, Rare died when they sold themselves to the devil known as Microsoft. IDK how they were “dying” when they use to be the best when they were with Nintendo. But look at them now. Do you honestly think they’re any better with Microsoft now then with Nintendo in the past? The old team left because they realized joining with Microsoft was a huge fucking mistake. Banjo is ruined, Conker is reduced to shameful cameos on that POS Project Spark which nobody gives a fuck about plus this “new” Rare now makes nothing but garbage party/Kinect crap. You’re so full of shit saying Rare is better off with Microsoft. Fucking incredible sense of stupidity you’re having.

  6. thenintendoreviewer

    I would love to see Banjo and Kazooie in Super Smash Bros! I just didn’t think it would be possible because of Microsoft owning Rare.

  7. I don’t give a shit if Banjo will never return to Nintendo consoles, I’ll just vote for him right here and now. Besides, this is arguably the only chance we will ever see these two playable in Smash.

  8. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

    >>>It’s fascinating how many in here and around this corrupt world criticizes High Command for every little thing they say and do while praising the smallest of words from the Xbot Emperor>>>

    1. You clearly haven’t been paying attention if you think Microsoft hasn’t been criticized lately. Lmao.

    1. I’d say he fits just as much since he also started on a Nintendo console. Can’t remember if there was a second Viewtiful Joe and if so what console, but he started on GameCube if I remember correctly, so he has just as much reason as Banjo. Banjo just seems to fit into the Nintendo roster moreso.

      1. Yes, Viewtiful Joe started on GCN, as part of the Capcom 5 (VJ, Killer7, RE4, P.N. 03, & Dead Phoenix [which was scrapped]).

        VJ was also on PS2, & Viewtiful Joe 2 was on both GCN & PS2.

  9. +Pious Augustus
    +Captain Rainbow (& the IP & Wii game get a US release)
    +Ryota Hayami (Wave Race U)
    +Rob Haywood (1080° U)
    +AiAi (Super Monkey Ball U)
    +Siegfried/Nightmare, Ivy, Mitsurugi, Taki…[Soul Calibur II had Link, so why not an SC character in SSB? 2 gens behind? Boobjobs for those ladies too problematic?] (SC U)
    +Sphinx (Sphinx & the Cursed Mummy U)
    +Bayonetta (guess she’d be too sexy for Smash Bros.)
    +NiGHTS (NiGHTS U)
    +Juan (from Guacamelee!)
    +Shovel Knight

            1. Lol yea and it’s funny I usually go brunettes. I like Bayo don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think she’s all that especially in short hair. I love certain girls with short hair, but on others it just doesn’t work, and the style of short matters too. I prefer Bayo’s long hair. Still would take zero suit though lol.

  10. My picks are…….

    Bayonetta
    Wonder Red
    Splatoon Inklings
    Shovel Knight
    King K. Rool
    Dixie Kong
    Squirtle
    Ivan from Devil’s Third
    Issac from Golden Sun
    Captain Toad

    And now that Microsoft’s president Phil Spencer has given Nintendo the green light for Banjo to be included, it would be awesome if he was in it as well

  11. Im not sure they’ll include him though.
    Keep in mind that they’re last nintendo game is 15years old, and that the last game in which they were a main character was about 7 years ago. Most people would wonder who he is.

    That doesnt mean that it would be a bad thing to put them in, though.

    1. Duck Hunt Dog hadn’t starred in a game in even longer… same with ROB. I personally don’t think that matters, but who knows.

      1. While that may be true, it’s probably a very few amount of characters that are chosen for that reason. Seems kinda rare.

  12. While the original development wanted parity between the 3ds & Wii u rosters, this is where things can start to diverge. Some people won’t purchase the DLC. That means they could put the ice climbers on Wii u & not on 3ds (or a single ice climber on 3ds as someone suggested). Its not like you can play a match between the two versions.

    Anyway – Banjo Kazooie is an OK choice. Definitely not one I’m holding out hope for.

    I’d like to see ice climbers return, Dixie Kong, and an inkling show up as fighters in the game for sure!

      1. Dixie and Diddy being clones is like saying Donkey and Diddy are clones. Dixie would use her hair and attacks and such. And properly float kinda like princess with her hair twirling. GENIUS

        1. Even then, she still seems like she wouldn’t be a very good character, at least compared to many other potential characters.

    1. Microsoft has been the worst company for gaming since they entered the industry. I can’t believe people actually choose them over sony or nintendo.

  13. I’d prefer third party-wise that’s been on Nintendo platform to have Lana added in, She is sort of third party, and she’s currently known cause of Hyrule Warriors. Not that I would mind Banjo being added in, I just don’t see Nintendo is wiling to go through with Banjo like they went through with Snake.

    1. Lana shouldn’t have been in hyrule warriors, let alone smash. She doesn’t even fit the zelda universe, she just seems like a typical anime chick (designwise). You can wish for her, but she won’t be in smash and for that I can be happy.

    1. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Nintendo published Banjo-Kazooie so they could always bring that game to the N64 Virtual Console. I really don’t know why they haven’t put it on there yet

      1. jtz Igbo Tribe and Decedent of Gad.

        Really. If Nintendo brought that to the virtual console that would be the best selling digital game since Wind Wake remake. B-K is what I’m talking about. The closes we have to that is DK64. Damn if only Nintendo owned that IP.

  14. If they do that, could they please use the old model as a base, don’t use that stupid cubic design from the Xbox 360 version, PLEASEEE!!! =___=
    Banjo it’s organic!

  15. jtz Igbo Tribe and Decedent of Gad.

    Also may I add, it would benefit Microsoft more than Nintendo. They would just use 3 million Smash Bros games topromote Banjo Kazooie to get people to buy the next Banjo game and to purchase the Xbox one. What benefit would it be for Nintendo?

  16. This is EXACTLY what I was hoping would happen. My top 3 choices were Banjo, Shovel Knight and the Inklings…..Shovel Knight and the Inklings I figured would be a no brainer….but I could see the issues with hoping for Banjo, with him being owned by Microsoft….but this fixes everything. Think about Snake. At the time of his arrival on Brawl, MGS4 was very close to release, it wasn’t headed for Nintendo systems whatsoever, the series hadn’t touched it since Twin Snakes on the GC. Yet a simple request from Kojima put him in the game. As big as Kojima is…and as great as the 3 Metal Gear games we got were…..the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division gave the green light on making a character from 2 of the most memorable and best N64 titles available….sure his most recent appearance was shit….but that’s what would make this so damn good. For Nintendo to get their hands on this character again, even for just this…..they’d be rolling in cash from the sheer number of 90’s kids who play smash, myself included……this is what this ballot was meant for, and damn well does this bastard deserve his spot.

    1. The reason Snake got in, was because Kojima wanted Snake in Melee, but due to time constraints, that didn’t happen, and Sakurai decided to do include him in Brawl to make it up to Kojima, Then of course, Brawl had been in development since the Wii was first shown off as the Revolution, if not longer. plus around the time Kojima wanted Snake in Melee, the remake of the PS1 Metal Gear Solid, I think was either already out, or close to being released, so it would’ve made sense to include him at that time, But Banjo most likely won’t be included, since his last game on a Nintendo platform was the GBA games.

      1. Wish I could edit my post to add this in, but I can’t, But another thing is that Kojima and Sakurai are good friends, that’s another reason Snake most likely got put into Brawl,

  17. why are Banjo’s pants red?!…but yes, oh pleeeeaasse yes! My childhood would be complete if Banjo and Kazooie were added into Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS as DLC. I mean first Mega Man and now possibly Banjo and Kazooie…I would die of absolute happiness and my life would be made! Banjo and Kazooie have been the top choice for me to who to vote for and I think now is the right time to vote for Banjo and Kazooie knowing that Phil Spencer is on board with it! Bomber Man would be a second choice to me, but I’m definitely going to vote for Banjo and Kazooie and will use Phil Spencer’s support as one of my reasons :)

  18. I voted for Bayonetta! She’s the most character I want to see in Sm4sh. Others would be: Bomberman, ShovelKnight, Simon Belmont, Inklings.

  19. This would actually be cool, but I’d rather see an Inkling, Bayonetta, Wonder Red and Rayman. Hmmm scratch Rayman, add Banjo ;) I hope they make like a 4 pack of DLC characters rather than just one ! My 2 cents :$)

  20. You fools are all like “It’s nice when companies work together.” YET THEY AREN’T Phil is a pawn, he has NO POWER AT ALL, he maybe fine with the idea, but MICROSOFT SURE AS HELL IS NOT. They would charge Nintendo an insane amount of money for it.

  21. Guys, Banjo-Kazooie is who I put on the ballot the minute after the Nintendo Direct. Make it come true, Nintendo. =)

  22. Given Banjo-Kazooie is now (unfortunately) in Microsoft’s arsenal, the chances of this actually happening are slim, and that’s being generous. Unless the two companies have a meeting and things go REEEEAAAALLY well, BK’s inclusion will likely never happen.

    I would vote for them if it DID happen, though- what’s one more to add to my votes which already include Krystal, Sylux, Ray (from Custom Robo, for those who have no idea who/what it is), Ice Climbers, Impa, and Rayman.

  23. You all know that Banjo is pretty much dead? What purpose would be to include a character which is known only to people who owned a console in mid 90? Those people are now adults, children and teenagers don’t know who Banjo is, Microsoft killed him and I don’t think he can be resurrected, no matter in how many smashes he will be.

    1. Ummm… Nintendo resurrected Megaman for Smash Bros and it is the best we’ve seen of the character in decades. They could very well do the same for Banjo-Kazooie. AND Who knows. Maybe this could be the spark between Microsoft and Nintendo to bring about negotiations so Nintendo can acquire control over the Banjo Kazooie series.

  24. Pingback: The Super Smash Bros Fighter Ballot May Only Be Limited To Nintendo Characters | My Nintendo News

  25. “We’ve worked with Nintendo on Rare IP before…”
    I couldn’t help but think that’s the only reason the DKC trilogy AND the incoming DK64 is even allowed to eShop. Sure, it’s Nintendo’s two- to four-character IPs, but it was still made by Rare & has Rare’s logo *literally* all within the game’s coding.

    To which, how does the DKC trilogy look anyway? Was anything done to remove Rare’s, erm, emblems from the games or no?

  26. Pingback: Playtonic Starts Banjo For Super Smash Bros Campaign | My Nintendo News

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