So, at long last, I can make a long post about the most recent developments and how they may affect Geno, good or bad, Smash or no Smash. This is gonna be a bit of a long one, so sit tight!
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What Banjo-Kazooie Could Mean For Geno
This is something I've been thinking about and analyzing with a hearty mix of logic and skepticism, as well as putting into perspective where Geno would be if the Banjo-Kazooie leaks are true. Given they are both fan favorites that have not gotten love in recent years, they have plenty to do with each other and nothing to do with each other all at once. Here's a quick rundown:
Both Are Currently Irrelevant Characters
This is the big link between the two. Banjo and Kazooie have not gotten a game in just a touch over ten years, wherein they made their last, rather lackluster appearance. Geno's last appearances are in SMRPG, 24 years ago, and Superstar Saga, 16 years ago, as a cameo. (The cameo is, I feel, an important thing to mention, given how Nintendo had to go out of their way for his copyright. We're also discounting Smash for this, as Smash is our subject of focus for the most part, even if not completely.) B-K and Geno have had reappearances in terms of ports and re-releases, however, namely in recent years. Banjo's most recent would be via Rare Replay, wherein Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts were ported to the Xbox One in 2015. Geno's most recent reappearance via ports is the SNES Classic, released in 2017. Banjo's games are also available since just recently this year for Xbox Game Pass on the Xbox One. They've been reintroduced to the modern era of gaming via their debuts and old games, but they've not since starred in something new.
Banjo's Series Is Currently Irrelevant
Here's a notable difference between Banjo and Kazooie and Geno, one that's worth taking into account. The B-K franchise has long been stagnant, the last new game being Nuts & Bolts, over 10 years ago, that was generally criticized and met with disdain. The Mario series, including the Mario RPGs, has been going on strong without any sign of stopping, as well as being Nintendo's flagship franchise. Older characters that were long left forgotten have been brought back before, and while they are all first-party (unlike Geno), it shows that the Mario effect can revitalize even the oldest characters. Our most recent example is Pauline, whose last appearance in a
mainline game (meaning the Mario vs. DK games do not count) was the original Donkey Kong and its subsequent rereleases (including Game & Watch Gallery 2 & 4 on the GBA).
Microsoft Is On-board; Square May Not Be
Here's where they're once again similar, yet also very unlike. They are both owned by third parties. However, Microsoft's Phil Spencer has been perfectly fine with Banjo and Kazooie getting into Smash Bros since as early as 20... 13? 15? One of those. We do not know if Square would be on-board for Geno being included in Smash beyond minor roles (his spirit, player icon, and Mii costume). We also do not know if Square would be up to giving Geno any larger roles in any other games. The difference there is staggering: Microsoft has love for the bear and bird, whereas Square's stance on Geno isn't clear.
What Banjo's Inclusion Means For Geno: The Bad
Let's get this bit out of the way. Courtesy of
EricTheGamerman
, the man and the legend himself, I've long ago seen his point about Banjo's inclusion meaning a poor fate for Geno in Ultimate. It's a valid point that ought to be kept in mind. Their similarities may, in fact, bite Geno's chances where the sun don't shine.
The Fighter's Pass is clearly going to be a bit of a mix of newcomers. With some, Nintendo has made it clear that they want to expand to new demographics, but they've also noted that they want to please
not only the fans, but
also new people. That means they are still thinking of the fans to some degree... but what degree is that? That could very well mean one sole, long-time, loud fan favorite like Banjo and Kazooie. It could perhaps mean two fan favorites, but I wouldn't wager on expecting more than the one. They may be their way of sating the fans until next time, meaning that Geno, as another irrelevant fan favorite, would likely be saved for another time. Banjo and Kazooie would fill a similar quota to Geno, even if on an even grander scale.
What Banjo's Inclusion Means For Geno: The Good
Now, the good bits. If Banjo and Kazooie do, in fact, make it into Smash, it shows that Nintendo has no problem with revisit old favorites, even if they're from third parties. This obviously bodes well for Geno, for if Nintendo allows that into their planning for future games, they may consider adding Geno in, say, another Mario RPG or something. It also heightens his chances significantly if, and only if, we get further DLC beyond the Fighter's Pass. Given Sakurai's recent statements, I sincerely doubt we are, though. The silver lining to
that is, if Square is on-board, Geno could very possibly make it to the next Smash.
Does Nintendo love Geno, though? They do. They obviously do. They'd been mum about him for a long time, but that was likely only because of their friction with Square Enix that had lasted for two decades. Since a little before the ballot (Super Mario Kun getting the SMRPG comic reprinted in 2013, for instance), they've been giving SMRPG and, by extension, our star boy and his cloud friend more affection. They've been giving the game more nods. We got the Virtual Console releases on both the Wii and Wii U. We also got their presence on the SNES Classic, as well as their spirits in Smash Ultimate. If Nintendo wants to bring them back, they will probably try their best to. It just all falls on Square from there.
The Conclusion?
I think Geno's future is brighter than you may be lead to believe. Even if he doesn't make it to Ultimate, I have reason to believe that we will see him again. Never give up. We may see him return sooner than we think.
