Another key Banjo-Kazooie developer joins Playtonic Games

Character artist Ed Bryan is creator of Mumbo

Banjo-Kazooie character artist Ed Bryan has joined Playtonic Games, developer of spiritual successor series Yooka-Laylee.

Rare veteran Bryan is the artist behind many characters in the Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Viva Pinata games. He is best known for creating Banjo character Mumbo-Jumbo.

Playtonic – which released new game Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair in October – already has a vastly experienced character artist team comprised of Steve Mayles (Banjo-Kazooie, DKC), Mark Stevenson (DK64, DKC) and Kev Bayliss (Killer Instinct, Battletoads).

UPDATE: Nintendo has officially announced Banjo-Kazooie Nintendo Switch for its Switch Online subscription service.

Bryan had previously contributed a concept to Yooka-Laylee for character Dr. Puzz. Since 2011 he has been working on children’s books and apps.

With Bryan on board, Playtonic now employs the full character art team behind the Banjo-Kazooie games.

The follow-up to the studio’s debut game, 2017’s Yooka-Laylee, Impossible Lair released on October 8 for Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

The “platforming adventure hybrid” features 40 levels in total, including alternate versions, with secrets and puzzles found throughout the title transforming the game world.

See what critics thought of the game in our Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair review round-up.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is available to purchase at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and Game.