Work on Banjo: Recompiled, a PC port of the iconic N64 platformer Banjo-Kazooie, had been advancing in the background for a while now, but no one was expecting a shadow drop. That’s happened now, and we’re impressed by the full list of features.
Wiseguy, a modder who’d already worked (alongside a team) on Zelda 64: Recompiled, an adaptation for PC of Majora’s Mask, shared the trailer on 24th January via his own YouTube channel:
The nearly-four-minute look at the ambitious port isn’t just a gameplay reel, as custom scenes and text boxes in the style of the classic game tell both veterans and curious newcomers about all the new features (and even a few surprises) added to this N64: Recompiled-based version of the game.
In humorous and colourful fashion, we’re told about high framerate support (60, 120, and “whatever FPS you want”) and even adjustments for ultrawide monitors. Moreover, the custom options menu is full of settings for general, graphics, controls, and more. It really achieves the feeling of an official port or traditional remaster, alternative control schemes included.
The most surprising reveal comes with a Doom-themed puzzle that confirms full mod and custom level support. New content will supposedly be easy to make and throw into Banjo: Recompiled for those with the right tools and knowledge, so expect more on that front fast. “We’re getting one step closer to a community made Banjo-Threeie,” one comment under the trailer says. Looking at other ambitious projects born out of preservation efforts, that’s entirely possible.
Banjo: Recompiled also works out of the box on Windows, Linux (also SteamOS), and Mac. You can grab it here, but you’ll need a “copy of the North American 1.0 version of the game” that’s been previously dumped from a cart you own, as the port loads the assets from the original game release.
