A bit long, but here's my story:
When I was a very small N3ON, I'd spend most days after school playing on the 64 with my older brother. My oldest brother would grab the PS1, put it in his room, and get all FF7 or MGS or Tomb Raider or something. But my other older brother and I would play the 64 together. Or, more accurately, he would give me the controller when I finally wore him down. Even though we had Smash and Mario Kart and other games we could actually play together, the game we actually played the most was, probably, Banjo-Kazooie. Needless to say, even though it's been about a decade since I last sat down and played more than just the first few levels, I suspect muscle memory would still kick in for the whole thing, lol. I mean, I still know exactly where my Diddy Kong Racing Banjo figure is after moving across three different countries and having long lost our MK64 and OoT toys in the interim.
Then I was upset that they weren't part of Smash 64. I mean, obviously timing-wise it wouldn't be feasible, the games were released too closely together... but when you're seven, logic isn't a thing. I was then again disappointed they weren't in Melee, though my enjoyment of the game far outshadowed any real upset. Plus I was also disappointed Sonic wasn't in Melee, so, like, reality wasn't a priority of mine, haha.
Flash ahead a few years to when I find out Rare gets sold to Microsoft. We don't have an Xbox, and the prospect of losing some of my favourite series (Banjo, Diddy Kong - my idea of who got what in the deal was about on par with the Microsoft executives - Perfect Dark, Conker (shout out to hands-off parenting on those last two)) was a real blow, but not being able to get any of them, especially Banjo in Smash... ever... was crushing. I had a good cry, and my brothers probably made fun of me.
Eventually I accepted it wouldn't happen. It would always sting to think of what could've been (and it still stings to think of how Rare could've continued to flourish... or at least not flounder had they stayed under Nintendo), but we got Diddy Kong, we got Sonic, I was happy, and hell, even if we didn't, Smash games are amazing; I would've been content anyway.
Things are then basically radio silent on the Banjo in Smash front for a decade. Nuts and Bolts comes and goes, the series returns to the dark, Microsoft and Nintendo have yet to start making eyes at each other, and the most that comes from it is the occasional "hey maybe they could be exclusive to the 3DS version!" followed by a resounding "yeah... that'd be nice". Dark times to be one of the scarce vocal proponents of the character.
Flash forward again and the Smash ballot is hot off the presses and people are gearing up for the great campaign of 2015. Phil Spencer replies to a Banjo in Smash tweet at the perfect time to stoke the fire, and the impossible seems a little more possible. Not plausible... but less impossible. Banjo then proceeds to climb the ranks to sit up with K. Rool and Shovel Knight and the like. And we get Bayonetta. But... we also get Cloud. And it dawns on people something that should've been evident since... like... Snake? Sonic? Sakurai is one capable madman, and very few possibilities deserve outright rejection.
I needn't go over recent history, but flash forward one last time, and around a year ago I hear rumblings of a Microsoft character in Smash. Not of the Vergeben variety, from someone who occasionally whispers things to me. My heart tells me it could be Banjo, but my stupid practical brain reminds me that if the whispers are even true, there's a number of possibilities. Once Verg outs Minecraft, my reflex is, as I'm sure many have shared "****ing yuck". But it made sense, it still makes sense. It never hasn't.
Then a couple months back, I hear it is, in fact, Banjo. It's hard not to get carried away or to tip my hand with that kind of murmuring, even when you're sworn to secrecy. And hence my activity in this thread (I still wanted to hang around the Banjo hype), being almost entirely devoid of me speaking directly on Banjo's chances. Instead I focused on the fact that I will always believe that, despite the overwhelming sentiment, and while he is a square abomination, Steve does have business in Smash, should he ever make it. Though I would save myself $5.99. You might think it strange I'd spend so much time speaking on behalf of a character I had reason to believe wouldn't be included, nor even liked, (and I know I rubbed a few in here the wrong way) but I suspect some would be unsurprised to know, the devil has me on personal retainer as his advocate.
However today does bring things full circle, as I was again left crying over Banjo in Smash. However, as opposed to ~15 years ago, these are joyful tears. And no one was making fun of me this time. Though ****, I wouldn't even care at this point. One of my most seminal childhood series has finally crossed over with another, in a union so so overdue. Truly an outcome that I, for the majority of my life, suspected time had closed the door on. I now know exactly how Chrono felt with Ridley.
When I was a very small N3ON, I'd spend most days after school playing on the 64 with my older brother. My oldest brother would grab the PS1, put it in his room, and get all FF7 or MGS or Tomb Raider or something. But my other older brother and I would play the 64 together. Or, more accurately, he would give me the controller when I finally wore him down. Even though we had Smash and Mario Kart and other games we could actually play together, the game we actually played the most was, probably, Banjo-Kazooie. Needless to say, even though it's been about a decade since I last sat down and played more than just the first few levels, I suspect muscle memory would still kick in for the whole thing, lol. I mean, I still know exactly where my Diddy Kong Racing Banjo figure is after moving across three different countries and having long lost our MK64 and OoT toys in the interim.
Then I was upset that they weren't part of Smash 64. I mean, obviously timing-wise it wouldn't be feasible, the games were released too closely together... but when you're seven, logic isn't a thing. I was then again disappointed they weren't in Melee, though my enjoyment of the game far outshadowed any real upset. Plus I was also disappointed Sonic wasn't in Melee, so, like, reality wasn't a priority of mine, haha.
Flash ahead a few years to when I find out Rare gets sold to Microsoft. We don't have an Xbox, and the prospect of losing some of my favourite series (Banjo, Diddy Kong - my idea of who got what in the deal was about on par with the Microsoft executives - Perfect Dark, Conker (shout out to hands-off parenting on those last two)) was a real blow, but not being able to get any of them, especially Banjo in Smash... ever... was crushing. I had a good cry, and my brothers probably made fun of me.
Eventually I accepted it wouldn't happen. It would always sting to think of what could've been (and it still stings to think of how Rare could've continued to flourish... or at least not flounder had they stayed under Nintendo), but we got Diddy Kong, we got Sonic, I was happy, and hell, even if we didn't, Smash games are amazing; I would've been content anyway.
Things are then basically radio silent on the Banjo in Smash front for a decade. Nuts and Bolts comes and goes, the series returns to the dark, Microsoft and Nintendo have yet to start making eyes at each other, and the most that comes from it is the occasional "hey maybe they could be exclusive to the 3DS version!" followed by a resounding "yeah... that'd be nice". Dark times to be one of the scarce vocal proponents of the character.
Flash forward again and the Smash ballot is hot off the presses and people are gearing up for the great campaign of 2015. Phil Spencer replies to a Banjo in Smash tweet at the perfect time to stoke the fire, and the impossible seems a little more possible. Not plausible... but less impossible. Banjo then proceeds to climb the ranks to sit up with K. Rool and Shovel Knight and the like. And we get Bayonetta. But... we also get Cloud. And it dawns on people something that should've been evident since... like... Snake? Sonic? Sakurai is one capable madman, and very few possibilities deserve outright rejection.
I needn't go over recent history, but flash forward one last time, and around a year ago I hear rumblings of a Microsoft character in Smash. Not of the Vergeben variety, from someone who occasionally whispers things to me. My heart tells me it could be Banjo, but my stupid practical brain reminds me that if the whispers are even true, there's a number of possibilities. Once Verg outs Minecraft, my reflex is, as I'm sure many have shared "****ing yuck". But it made sense, it still makes sense. It never hasn't.
Then a couple months back, I hear it is, in fact, Banjo. It's hard not to get carried away or to tip my hand with that kind of murmuring, even when you're sworn to secrecy. And hence my activity in this thread (I still wanted to hang around the Banjo hype), being almost entirely devoid of me speaking directly on Banjo's chances. Instead I focused on the fact that I will always believe that, despite the overwhelming sentiment, and while he is a square abomination, Steve does have business in Smash, should he ever make it. Though I would save myself $5.99. You might think it strange I'd spend so much time speaking on behalf of a character I had reason to believe wouldn't be included, nor even liked, (and I know I rubbed a few in here the wrong way) but I suspect some would be unsurprised to know, the devil has me on personal retainer as his advocate.
However today does bring things full circle, as I was again left crying over Banjo in Smash. However, as opposed to ~15 years ago, these are joyful tears. And no one was making fun of me this time. Though ****, I wouldn't even care at this point. One of my most seminal childhood series has finally crossed over with another, in a union so so overdue. Truly an outcome that I, for the majority of my life, suspected time had closed the door on. I now know exactly how Chrono felt with Ridley.
