Xbox VP Aaron Greenberg Responds to Controversial Comments on Banjo-Kazooie: ‘Nobody Cares’ Controversy Explained

Aaron Greenberg, VP of Xbox Games Marketing, recently made a very divisive statement (that didn’t go down well with the public), and now he’s responding.

Banjo-Kazooie was released back in 1998 for the Nintendo 64. After Super Mario 64, the N64 got another great 3D platformer that is still loved by many people today. After that, Rare unsurprisingly released the sequel, Banjo-Tooie, in 2000, which was equally well received. Then came a couple of spinoffs on the Game Boy Advance, and in 2008, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts arrived on the Xbox 360, but here, despite good reviews, the audience was not support the game further. The Banjo franchise never received a full-fledged third installment. (Yooka-Laylee can only be considered a spiritual continuation.)

Microsoft owns the IP and so far hasn’t done much with it. Greenberg also spoke at one of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 events. There was a question here about which franchise the audience would like to see back in action. To this, one of the fans announced that it was Banjo-Kazooie. Greenberg’s response to this was very blunt: “nobody cares.” Since this is an obviously false and, of course, false claim, it’s no surprise that Greenberg had to respond on Twitter…

Right, I know what Banjo-Kazooie means to our fans and players everywhere. It holds a special place in my heart, growing up playing those classic games. 💚🪕💚

— Aaron Greenberg 💚🪕💚 (@aarongreenberg) October 20, 2024

@JayWood2010 wrote that Greenberg’s comment was more painful

On which Greenberg wrote: “That’s right. I know exactly what Banjo-Kazooie means to our fans. It’s in a special place in my heart, because I grew up with those classic games…” So he clarified how he understood what he said.

Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie have both received an HD remaster and are available in the Rare Replay collection. (This pack is still an Xbox One exclusive; where’s the PC port?) Banjo and Kazooie also appeared as DLC characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. We have already heard several rumors about a third part, and Double Fine is definitely not working on it.

Source: GameRant