Tag Archives: Rare

Donkey Kong Designer Reflects on Iconic Redesign and Diddy Kong’s Origins

Kevin Bayliss, art director at Rare and designer of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, recently shared insights into the creative process behind these beloved characters. He revealed that Donkey Kong’s lack of a neck was due to his own difficulty in drawing them, leading to a design where “I just drew a head basically in his stomach.” Bayliss also noted that DK’s eyes, inspired by those of the Battletoads, made it challenging to convey expressions beyond annoyance.

Interestingly, Diddy Kong’s design was influenced by the Coco Pops monkey, a character Bayliss admired in his youth but was denied the cereal due to its sugar content. He emphasised that effective art design hinges on conveying ideas, not just technical skill, encouraging aspiring artists to focus on their concepts.

He also did a Twitch video where he shared some of the 3D models he is working on.

Protect and display your retro games with RetroShell, the world’s finest video game protectors. If you are a fan of retro gaming, get all of the news delivered to your inbox each Monday with our free Retro Gaming Substack.

Banjo-Kazooie Composer Shares Grim Outlook on Series Revival

In a recent interview, Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope delivered a stark verdict for fans hoping to see a new instalment in Rare’s beloved platformer series. Kirkhope, who crafted the iconic soundtrack for the Nintendo 64 classics, expressed that he has “zero hope” for a new Banjo-Kazooie game ever being made.

Kirkhope went on to elaborate that even if a new game were greenlit, it would face insurmountable challenges in meeting fan expectations. “All you die-hard fans would instantly hate it,” he said, referencing the immense nostalgia and reverence surrounding the original titles. According to Kirkhope, any modern attempt to recapture the magic of the series would likely fall short of its legacy, leaving fans disappointed.

The statement echoes a sentiment shared by many in the gaming community: reviving a classic franchise comes with high stakes and the potential for backlash. While Banjo-Kazooie made a celebrated return as guest characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and received a port on the Xbox platform, fans hoping for a full-fledged sequel may have to temper their expectations.

The Orginal

For now, the adventures of Banjo and Kazooie remain a cherished memory of gaming’s golden age, with little sign of a new journey on the horizon.

Protect and display your retro games with RetroShell, the world’s finest video game protectors. If you are a fan of retro gaming, get all of the news delivered to your inbox each Monday with our free Retro Gaming Substack.