Sakurai happy with Banjo-Kazooie composer collaboration

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has spoken of his satisfaction with the result of his first collaboration with a Western composer on the series.

During the Nintendo Direct E3 livestream on Tuesday it was revealed that Banjo-Kazooie will be added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as DLC later this year, alongside a new music track composed by veteran former Rare composer Grant Kirkhope.

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

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Banjo-Kazooie is officially coming to Nintendo Switch

Rare classic will be part of the new Switch Online N64 library

Writing on Twitter, Smash Bros. creator Sakurai said it was the first time he’d directed an overseas musician on the series.

He said he was initially worried about whether he’d be able to clearly communicate what he wanted due to the language barrier, but that in the end the collaboration was a success.

Kirkhope is now one of the first Western composers to create music for Smash Bros, as well as Super Mario with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.

In an interview with VGC, the composer revealed that Mario + Rabbids creative director Davide Soliani played a part in securing his work on the Smash Bros. Banjo-Kazooie DLC.

Steve Mayles, the character designer responsible for Banjo and Kazooie, also told us he was pleased for the fans who’ve waited many years for a new Banjo-Kazooie appearance.