Summary
A brand-new mod for the originalBanjo-Kazooielets players explore the starting island fromThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, complete with collectibles and Easter eggs for players to find. TheBanjo-Kazooiemod Bear Waker Deluxe is an updated version of the previous Bear Waker mod from 2019 which lets players control the titular bear and bird as they exploreThe Wind Waker’sOutset Island.
Banjo-Kazooieis one of the most iconic Nintendo 64 games out there, boasting a huge fanbase and modding community that has continued to keep the game relevant with new levels and additions coming out frequently. Meanwhile,GameCube classicThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakercontinues to be one of the most beloved entries in that series, despite its initially divisive debut of the cartoon-esque Link that later became a fan-favorite iteration of the character.
For a devout Nintendo fan, combining the two games might feel like a pipe dream, but renowned N64 modder Kurko Mods has done just that, taking to Twitter to reveal the launch of Bear Waker Deluxe with a brand-new trailer. An updated version of the original Bear Waker mod forBanjo-Kazooie,Bear Waker Deluxe boasts dozens of collectibles to find andthe whole of Outset Island fromThe Wind Wakerfor players to explore, entirely within the N64’s hardware.
Banjo-Kazooie: Bear Waker Crosses Over Two Beloved Nintendo Classics
The trailer shows Banjo and Kazooie platforming around Outset Island and collecting items as they encounter various locations and elements from the classic Gamecube title. The duo is seen gliding across the water to collect items and visiting a set of statues of giant heads aboard Link’s talking sailboat fromThe Wind Wakercalled the King of Red Lions.
The originalBanjo-Kazooiesees players controlling the titular bear and his bird companion as they collect jigsaw pieces known as Jiggies, musical notes, Mumbo Tokens, and honeycombs on their journey to defeat the evil witch Gruntilda. While it is unclear how Bear Waker Deluxe may tie into this game’s story, if it does at all, each of these collectibles are present and hidden around the mod’s map, and there is even a bonus for the creator’s Patreon supporters and YouTube channel members.
This is not the first time Kurko Mods has released aBanjo-Kazooie/Zeldacrossover, either, as the modder is also known for their work on the ROM hack The Legend of Banjo-Kazooie: The Jiggies of Time, which recreated areas fromThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Kurko Mods is currently working on another mod as well called BK Nostalgia 64, which will take Banjo and Kazooie to multiple different Nintendo 64 game worlds, includingSuper Mario, Donkey Kong,and evenRare’s other iconic classicGoldenEye 007.
Banjo-Kazooie
WHERE TO PLAY
The bear and bird’s first ever outing available in full. Loads of rollicking fun to be had here and with the legendary Stop N Swop feature reinstated. You’ll never look the same again at a jigsaw. There are no refunds for this item
